DH and I just returned from a quick trip this past weekend. We really enjoyed the Mardi Gras festivities!
1. The parade was great and the atmosphere very festive. The route is clearly marked on the USO maps you pick up at the gate. All of the CMs seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their roles. The costumes and floats are just fantastic. Beads are plentiful (BTW, if you're very tall and standing in the front, you do not have to grab every strand that is tossed! By the end, the 10 year-old daughter was wearing a huge cowl of beads and could barely turn her head! Ridiculous!).
2. The concert Feb. 5 was a benefit for disaster relief. We saw Loverboy and Twisted Sister (sans makeup, thankfully). Fun to see over-40 rockers having fun. We didn't camp out at the concert site; just wandered around.
3. Drinks were readily available but we didn't see anyone getting out of hand. We left soon after the parade (around 9 pm).
4. Bring your own feather boas and fun hats from home! $10 for a boa! A bit pricey!
5. Some rides were open until 10 pm. We had a 5-minute wait with FOTL for the Mummy. Regular line was about 45 minute wait.
6. Guest services is selling Mardi Gras lanyards for $5. Purple and gold and includes a strand of beads. We opted for the standard blue ones for $7.
7. Stayed for first time at RPH. Upgraded to Club level (our first time). Very impressed with RPH; it's the way I pictured The Polynesian would be, but wasn't. We'd definitely stay there again.
8. Crowds were not bad at all. It was a bit chilly in the morning but warmed up nicely in the afternoon. The gates opened right at 8:45 Sat and Sun.
All in all, a great weekend!
1. The parade was great and the atmosphere very festive. The route is clearly marked on the USO maps you pick up at the gate. All of the CMs seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their roles. The costumes and floats are just fantastic. Beads are plentiful (BTW, if you're very tall and standing in the front, you do not have to grab every strand that is tossed! By the end, the 10 year-old daughter was wearing a huge cowl of beads and could barely turn her head! Ridiculous!).
2. The concert Feb. 5 was a benefit for disaster relief. We saw Loverboy and Twisted Sister (sans makeup, thankfully). Fun to see over-40 rockers having fun. We didn't camp out at the concert site; just wandered around.
3. Drinks were readily available but we didn't see anyone getting out of hand. We left soon after the parade (around 9 pm).
4. Bring your own feather boas and fun hats from home! $10 for a boa! A bit pricey!
5. Some rides were open until 10 pm. We had a 5-minute wait with FOTL for the Mummy. Regular line was about 45 minute wait.
6. Guest services is selling Mardi Gras lanyards for $5. Purple and gold and includes a strand of beads. We opted for the standard blue ones for $7.
7. Stayed for first time at RPH. Upgraded to Club level (our first time). Very impressed with RPH; it's the way I pictured The Polynesian would be, but wasn't. We'd definitely stay there again.
8. Crowds were not bad at all. It was a bit chilly in the morning but warmed up nicely in the afternoon. The gates opened right at 8:45 Sat and Sun.
All in all, a great weekend!
