At USF Today....looking to be a Float Rider

[tjlamphere]

Any tips how to grab 2 spots on a float for tonight's Mardi Gras Parade??

 

[reddog21]

rumor has it, that they no longer are doing the virtual queue and it's now stand by. You have to be in "line" 2hrs before the parade starts to get a spot and spots are extremely limited. I have seen enough video and pictures to show they are not filling up the floats like years past since they are pushing people to pay for the experience thru the ride/dine package.

Honestly if it's truly something that you want to do just buy the dining package and save yourself some aggravation.

 

[tony67]

rumor has it, that they no longer are doing the virtual queue and it's now stand by. You have to be in "line" 2hrs before the parade starts to get a spot and spots are extremely limited. I have seen enough video and pictures to show they are not filling up the floats like years past since they are pushing people to pay for the experience thru the ride/dine package.

Honestly if it's truly something that you want to do just buy the dining package and save yourself some aggravation.

Yeah - there really hasn't been a lot of good info on this. I've heard it was more like a raffle and you get tickets at the old fear factor stadium at some point during the day.

I've rode the floats many times in the past and it the main reason I go to Mardi Gras. I'm usually at universal for a week and can usually grab 2 or 3 nights on a float. Sounds like I may not even get one night this year.
I could not even get an AP slot and I got the email as soon as it was sent - so I assume there were less AP slots this year as well.

I don't mind paying - but I have no interest at all in the meal packages.
If they did some sort of lanyard with snack credits and riding a float I'd pay for that no issue - you go to Mardi Gras to try the food carts not the restaurants that are there all the time.

I've also heard there were less floats this year and that they are not filling the floats (as you mention).

In the end I decided to cancel my Mardi Gras trip this year.

 

[reddog21]

Yeah - there really hasn't been a lot of good info on this. I've heard it was more like a raffle and you get tickets at the old fear factor stadium at some point during the day.

I've rode the floats many times in the past and it the main reason I go to Mardi Gras. I'm usually at universal for a week and can usually grab 2 or 3 nights on a float. Sounds like I may not even get one night this year.
I could not even get an AP slot and I got the email as soon as it was sent - so I assume there were less AP slots this year as well.

I don't mind paying - but I have no interest at all in the meal packages.
If they did some sort of lanyard with snack credits and riding a float I'd pay for that no issue - you go to Mardi Gras to try the food carts not the restaurants that are there all the time.

I've also heard there were less floats this year and that they are not filling the floats (as you mention).

In the end I decided to cancel my Mardi Gras trip this year.

I paid for the Fantasmic dining package, and while I’m not a big fan of Brown Derby, we chose it for the better seats. We managed to find enough to eat, even though it wasn’t our preferred restaurant. Not having to get to the show early and sit in those uncomfortable seats any longer than necessary made it worth the cost of dining somewhere I wouldn’t normally choose.

One of the restaurants at Universal is NBC Grill, which serves pretty basic food. In my opinion, if you’re looking to ride the float, it’s worth it, but those choices are really up to personal preference.

I think it’s only going to get worse, and the only way you’ll be able to get on a float is by paying for it—whether that’s just a ticket with or without dining. We’ll have to wait and see.

 

[tony67]

I paid for the Fantasmic dining package, and while I’m not a big fan of Brown Derby, we chose it for the better seats. We managed to find enough to eat, even though it wasn’t our preferred restaurant. Not having to get to the show early and sit in those uncomfortable seats any longer than necessary made it worth the cost of dining somewhere I wouldn’t normally choose.

One of the restaurants at Universal is NBC Grill, which serves pretty basic food. In my opinion, if you’re looking to ride the float, it’s worth it, but those choices are really up to personal preference.

I think it’s only going to get worse, and the only way you’ll be able to get on a float is by paying for it—whether that’s just a ticket with or without dining. We’ll have to wait and see.

Agreed. No doubt its going to get worse.

Universal is NBC Grill is decent and I usually eat there several times during a trip - more than anywhere else - they have a great selection of ridiculously overpriced beers. But I just don't want a three course meal - so again for me - even with the AP discount - just not worth it.

If I was there with family that might be different, but its usually me on a solo trip.
If the just charged for the float or some other option I'd no doubt consider it.

EDIT: BTW they are losing quite a bit in my case by not having the option to ride the float for free or some option without the meal package. 7 night of a hotel, 7 days of meals and drinks, I would have probably broke down and bought a day at Epic. So is it worth it to make a few dollars on the float package? I am sure I'm not the only person who will cancel or leave Universal disappointed with this change. And yes they are on ahigh right now with the Epic affect - but lots of negativity around that as well - no shortage of unhappy AP holders. Ill just say they may want to learn from Disney's mistakes and not make the same ones.