Mardi Gras Add-ons?

[smiths02]

It looks like Universal is getting into the dessert party business...so I have to ask is it worth it?
http://universal.wdwinfo.com/univer...fL5AWwMY8JVVSt-gbmQoaFCjQP10FKDmrMLx2-tE9IoqI

I think I would have considered the Bayou Boil just because a boil is up there for my favorite meal, but it is only on one night while we are there and would require upgrading 4 people's annual passes to Power which would cost $200 by itself.

The Mardi Gras Parade, Desserts and Cinematic Viewing Experience seems really pricey unless it is really hard to get a good view of the Parade and the Cinematic Spectacular???

 

[schumigirl]

We`ve already decided we`re going to have the Bayou Boil when they announced it last week, looks and sounds pretty darn good...….the dessert party not so much.....but never say never...…

You can see the parade pretty much anywhere around the route......same with the Cinematic show.....anywhere around the lagoon will work.....we stood slightly to the side and got some perfect pictures and didn't miss a thing of the projections.....of course some people will prefer to be directly opposite the screens......it just looked too congested for us to stand there.....I don't like the feeling of being crowded in...….

So, don't worry about not getting a good view.....you will

 

[lebeau]

One of the Orlando Informer guys posted some photos from the Boil and said good things about it. I'm the only one in my family who will eat seafood, so we'll take a pass on that one. I am considering the dessert party, but I need to read some reviews first. So if anyone has checked it out, let me know your thoughts!

 

[wareagle57]

Are the Bayou Boil and the sampler lanyard different events? Or is the boil like an all you can eat thing, and the sampler lets you get a set amount?

I'm wondering if with the sampler thing you have to stay in a given area with the food, or could I get a sample and share it with people who do not have an AP.

 

[smiths02]

One of the Orlando Informer guys posted some photos from the Boil and said good things about it. I'm the only one in my family who will eat seafood, so we'll take a pass on that one. I am considering the dessert party, but I need to read some reviews first. So if anyone has checked it out, let me know your thoughts!

If you find one, let me know! We liked the Star Wars dessert party at WDW, but that was also only me and my son who was charged as a 9 year old and turned out to be the first night projections were added (so it was crowded). Not sure about paying that much for 2 adults, 1 "adult" and 2 kids. But, like you said, you never know.

 

[smiths02]

Ok, looks like Universal did something similar over Christmas with the Christmas parade and Cinematic Spectacular and desserts. Maybe I can find a review of that?

 

[smiths02]

Looks like TimTracker did the Holiday one.

 

[lebeau]

Looks like TimTracker did the Holiday one.

I saw that one. Sounds like it wasn't quite worth the cash.

 

[lebeau]

Are the Bayou Boil and the sampler lanyard different events? Or is the boil like an all you can eat thing, and the sampler lets you get a set amount?

I'm wondering if with the sampler thing you have to stay in a given area with the food, or could I get a sample and share it with people who do not have an AP.

The BB is an all-you-can-eat meal.

The sampler lanyard is basically a version of the dining plan. You have a set number of credits you can redeem over multiple visits. The lanyards can be shared.

 

[smiths02]

I saw that one. Sounds like it wasn't quite worth the cash.

If Universal threw in some cheese cubes and crudite like the Star Wars dessert party, I might think about it, but I should probably pass.

 

[lebeau]

If Universal threw in some cheese cubes and crudite like the Star Wars dessert party, I might think about it, but I should probably pass.

I did read that the Simpsons characters did meet and greets at the BB. If that sort of thing happens at the dessert party as well, that's an added value. But I didn't see anything like that in the Tim Tracker video, so it's probably not happening for the Mardi Gras event either.

 

[smiths02]

I did read that the Simpsons characters did meet and greets at the BB. If that sort of thing happens at the dessert party as well, that's an added value. But I didn't see anything like that in the Tim Tracker video, so it's probably not happening for the Mardi Gras event either.

I think I saw Patrick on the video, which doesn't sound like a huge deal.

 

[iluvet58]

So if anyone has checked it out, let me know your thoughts![/QUOTE]


Had a friend do it and loved the desserts. Said they had sparkling wine also. We are headed down in two weeks and bought tickets for it. I’ll report back on it. Can’t do the boil, I’m allergic to seafood.

 

[smiths02]

So if anyone has checked it out, let me know your thoughts!

Had a friend do it and loved the desserts. Said they had sparkling wine also. We are headed down in two weeks and bought tickets for it. I’ll report back on it. Can’t do the boil, I’m allergic to seafood.[/QUOTE]
In TheTimTracker video, he did seem to like the desserts. I will say that the Disney dessert party we did, the desserts were not bad but just not flavorful for the most part.

I would love to hear back about your experience!

 

[wareagle57]

The BB is an all-you-can-eat meal.

The sampler lanyard is basically a version of the dining plan. You have a set number of credits you can redeem over multiple visits. The lanyards can be shared.

That sounds pretty good. Is it easy enough to redeem all 15 quickly or would we be waiting in 15 decent lines? I've got a group of 6 and for $10 a piece it sounds like a decent deal if we can get them all at once. I've been trying to find a list of all the different things you can sample but coming up empty. May just have to check it out when we get there I guess. I assume it doesn't start until later in the afternoon anyway.

 

[lebeau]

That sounds pretty good. Is it easy enough to redeem all 15 quickly or would we be waiting in 15 decent lines? I've got a group of 6 and for $10 a piece it sounds like a decent deal if we can get them all at once. I've been trying to find a list of all the different things you can sample but coming up empty. May just have to check it out when we get there I guess. I assume it doesn't start until later in the afternoon anyway.

I don't think the lines are typically that long for the samples, but I haven't been in person yet so I don't have firsthand experience.

Here's a list of what's offered:

• Crab Etoufee – $4.99 – Universal describes this brand-new offering as “your classic etouffee dish with rice and crab smothered in a savory sauce”
• Po Boys – $6.99 – the standard catfish version returns, served with crisp slaw, hot sauce, and kettle chips, but keep your eye out for the brand-new shrimp, andouille sausage, and chicken varieties, as well
• Jambalaya – $5.99 (tasting size), $10.99 (entree size [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]) (available without shrimp upon request)
• Shrimp Gumbo – $4.99 (tasting size), $8.99 (entree size [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard])
• Red Beans and Rice with Shrimp – $4.99 (available without shrimp upon request)
• Cajun Twisted Tater – $7.99 – the traditional, popular Twisted Taters but with, of course, Cajun seasoning [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]
• Gator Bites – $6.99
• Beignet – $4.99
• Beignet dipping sauces – $.99 – chocolate, caramel, or strawberry [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]
• King Cake – $4.99
• Bottled soda – $3.99 – Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite
• Bottled water – $3.50 – Niagara

I would think a group of 6 could blow through 15 items pretty fast. If you run out of samples and want more, buy a second lanyard. I wouldn't buy a lanyard for everyone. However, they do not expire so if you have unused credits you can still use them for some snack items even after Mardis Gras is over.

The AP rate is essentially $4/sample which makes the Po Boys, Jambalaya and Gator Bites quite a deal. It'll save you $.99 on most of the other items.

Lots more info on Mardis Gras at OI.

 

[wareagle57]

I don't think the lines are typically that long for the samples, but I haven't been in person yet so I don't have firsthand experience.

Here's a list of what's offered:

• Crab Etoufee – $4.99 – Universal describes this brand-new offering as “your classic etouffee dish with rice and crab smothered in a savory sauce”
• Po Boys – $6.99 – the standard catfish version returns, served with crisp slaw, hot sauce, and kettle chips, but keep your eye out for the brand-new shrimp, andouille sausage, and chicken varieties, as well
• Jambalaya – $5.99 (tasting size), $10.99 (entree size [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]) (available without shrimp upon request)
• Shrimp Gumbo – $4.99 (tasting size), $8.99 (entree size [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard])
• Red Beans and Rice with Shrimp – $4.99 (available without shrimp upon request)
• Cajun Twisted Tater – $7.99 – the traditional, popular Twisted Taters but with, of course, Cajun seasoning [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]
• Gator Bites – $6.99
• Beignet – $4.99
• Beignet dipping sauces – $.99 – chocolate, caramel, or strawberry [not eligible for Tasting Lanyard]
• King Cake – $4.99
• Bottled soda – $3.99 – Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite
• Bottled water – $3.50 – Niagara

I would think a group of 6 could blow through 15 items pretty fast. If you run out of samples and want more, buy a second lanyard. I wouldn't buy a lanyard for everyone. However, they do not expire so if you have unused credits you can still use them for some snack items even after Mardis Gras is over.

The AP rate is essentially $4/sample which makes the Po Boys, Jambalaya and Gator Bites quite a deal. It'll save you $.99 on most of the other items.

Lots more info on Mardis Gras at OI.

Awesome! Thanks! Definitely would only be buying 1 lanyard for everyone to split which was the only reason I thought it might take a while unless multiple items are available at the same booth.

 

[lebeau]

Awesome! Thanks! Definitely would only be buying 1 lanyard for everyone to split which was the only reason I thought it might take a while unless multiple items are available at the same booth.

I see what you mean. From what I can tell, each booth has a couple items. For example, the sweets were together. You would have to make multiple stops to try everything, but I don't think that would take too long. I haven't seen long lines in any of the pictures.

 

[iluvet58]

We were there a week ago and never saw any lines, it was very manageable. The only line we really saw was at the twisted tator stand and they don’t accept the lanyard.

 

[wareagle57]

I see what you mean. From what I can tell, each booth has a couple items. For example, the sweets were together. You would have to make multiple stops to try everything, but I don't think that would take too long. I haven't seen long lines in any of the pictures.

That's good to hear. Thanks. One last thing, I thought I read somewhere that the lanyard was also good for 8 ounce beer samples, which I didn't see listed. Is that part of the lanyard, or just something you buy extra?