How bad are the crowds during Mardi Gras?

[cwnhokie]

We went last year in early May and the it was just about perfect. We are going back this year Feb 25th - March 7th. At first I thought it would be less crowded than in May but now from what I am reading on the boards and in UOG, it may be more crowded. Does anyone have experience with this time of year. Thanks a bunch!

 

[maccalovah]

I haven't been during that time, but UG is predicting most days as a '5' level (45-54 mins peak wait)...this looks like it's slightly less than in May (where most days are listed as 6's and 7's). I guess it depends on whether or not you trust the UG to be accurate

 

[ksoehrlein]

Having been during Mardi Gras 2005, late May 2005 and early May 2002, I would venture a guess that Mardi Gras will be a little more crowded than early May, but the weather will be much nicer.

On a side note: This year, the crowds during Mardi Gras were SO friendly! Lots of families from New Orleans left the city and came to WDW to escape the craziness at home. I'd say they made up the majority of the crowd -- almost like Jersey week, but to a lesser degree. Many of these families brought beads along and distributed them to random people they met. DD and DS were thrilled to get some, and I was thrilled to meet so many kind people. We did not, however, go to "Party Gras" at Pleasure Island or whatever they were doing at Universal. The crowds there may have been larger and more "partying."

I don't know if as many New Orleans families will travel to WDW in 2006, however. Will there be a post-Katrina Mardi Gras for them to "escape" from? And if they do have a Mardi Gras, will those families stay home for it this year to show support for the rebuilding of the city? Lots of variables the UG probably can't predict at this point.

 

[3for Me]

I can tell you there will be Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, although a shortened version.

Most children that normally have the entire week off, will now only have three days. This may influence families decisions to go out of town. That, along with the fact that many will still be in the process of rebuilding.

To answer your question, I think the crowds from New Orleans will probably be less than normal. I have never been in early May, but hear that the crowd levels are low. I think the weather will definately be cooler in late February, but you could have some warm days too - so really it is a matter of timing. Would you rather go in late winter or late spring?

Hope that helps.

 

[wwtate]

We've been twice before during Mardi Gras and are going again this year. The first time, the crowds were pretty bad, but we were told it was because President's Day and Mardi Gras fell on the same week and, apparently, some folks get a week for President's Day.

 

[grammagail]

Oops - we're going 2/23 - 2/28 -- so at the tail-end of Presidents Week and the weekend of Mardi Gras.

Hopefully won't be too crowded

But then again - the last time we were there was 6/23-7/1/04 - with big crowds - so this should be just fine.