Mardi Gras at US??

[boatergal]

Has anyone been to Universal during the Mardi Gras celebration? I have done New Orleans many times in my younger days but since Katrina and being a Mom, I thought this would be a good alternative. Can anyone share experiences? How are the floats? How are the costumes? Any cool photos?

Thanks!

 

[Jason71]

Floats are awesome (they are huge!), costumes are cool, beads are plentiful. Certainly more family friendly than the New Orleans version, tho. Well worth a Saturday night.

 

[No11's Mom]

I have several photos from Mardi Gras 2002, but I don't know how to post them in a reply. I can email them if you'd like.

 

[mill4023]

Is it just Saturdays?
How are the crowds?

I was planning to be at USF on Saturday, March 25th. But I didn't realize Mardi Gras was going to be happening then. I'm worried that it will be jam-packed being a MG night during spring break time on a weekend.

 

[robvia]

I wouldn't worry about huge crowds during the day.
People may come out at night for the concert, but it's really not that big of a deal.
In the past, the parks had many bands, and people used to talk about the event and get psyched. Now, they only have 1 band a week, and they're old skool. Plus, so many other places have a Mardi Gras celebration, the term is worn out and over used.

The other thing, is Universal is always late in their marketing effort of the event. Here we are in January. Mardi Gras is one month away. Does the web site have the concert schedule posted? No. Are they promoting the event on the main page? Barely.
Sure, we can get the concert schedule because others have posted it, but I don't hear any radio commercials or see TV spots down here talking about it.

 

[essmom]

Anyone have a concert schedule yet-friends will be there March 19th. We were there 2 years ago and heard the Black Eyed Peas-very crowded but alot of fun!!!Thanks

 

[Jason71]

Anyone have a concert schedule yet-friends will be there March 19th. We were there 2 years ago and heard the Black eyed peas-very crosded but alot of fun!!!Thanks

Nothing for 3/19 yet, but...

Sat 02/11/06 Daryl Hall & John Oates

Sat 02/18/06 Kid Rock (recently added)

Sat 03/04/06 Bonnie Raitt

Sat 03/11/06 George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Sat 03/11/06 Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Sat 04/15/06 Kool & The Gang

 

[Scratch42]

So, is this an Extra Ticket Event? Can a 14 year old attend?

Sorry for the stupid questions but this will be our very first trip to US!

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

TIA

janet

 

[essmom]

Anyone Can Go But You Have To Pay-either Use Your Ticket For The Day Or Pay At Gate

 

[Slacking]

So, is this an Extra Ticket Event? Can a 14 year old attend?

Sorry for the stupid questions but this will be our very first trip to US!

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

TIA

janet

Its a family friendly event, a 14 year old can definitely attend. And unlike HHN, it is not a hard ticket event. Admission to the park is all you need to enjoy the festivities including the concert.

About Bonnie Raitt, I heard that she was slated for Hard Rock, and not for Mardi Gras. I guess we'll find out for sure when the list is released.

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks!

I hope whoever plays when we are there, I'll at least like!LOL

This is going to be so new!

janet

 

[A Mickeyfan]

So, is this an Extra Ticket Event? Can a 14 year old attend?

Sorry for the stupid questions but this will be our very first trip to US!

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

TIA

janet

As other posters have said, it is a family event, but there will be more drinking going on than usual. I am not sure how you feel, but I know some people do not want their kids around adults that are drinking. I have taken my kids & it never bothered me. A friend of mine went last year & they weren't comfortable with it. They were with an 11 & 12 yr old.
As I said, it didn't bother me & I plan on going again. I did just want to mention since I haven't seen anyone say anything about that.

 

[yaytezIOA]

My daughter was 3 last year and we took her, stayed on my shoulders the whole parade.....best view in the house. The only drunkenness we saw then was a guy that was standing in front of us, staggering into the street so he could get beads for my daughter. Lots of good cajun food, there are crowds, but not too bad. Bonnie Raitt is going to be at Mardi Gras, and I think that Friday she'll be at Hard Rock. The Mardi Gras concerts last only about 20 mins after the parade, so stay in your seat! During the parade, and concert, the rides CLOSE. And dont be surprised if it gets extended like it did last year, the last date for it then was April 30th.

 

[Slacking]

The Mardi Gras concerts last only about 20 mins after the parade, so stay in your seat!

Yaytez, I don't understand this comment.

Are you saying that once the parade is over the concerts are only 20 minutes long? The concerts I have experienced at MG are pretty much normal concert length and last longer than 20 minutes.

Or are you saying that the concerts usually begin 20 minutes after the parade begins.

I hate this smiley with all my guts but dude, you got me all like this:

Grrrrr....... I have turned to the darkside now, lol.

 

[Scratch42]

A Mickeyfan ~ Thanks for the warning. If things get too rough we can always leave! I find this a good opportunity to remind her that this is what it looks like when you make a total "idiot" of yourself with too much drinking!

When do you think they will post Concert Listings? I have booked a cabana for the Saturday but may cancel that now or maybe use it for downtime before the festivities? Decisions, Decisions!

Thanks Again!

janet

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, Alcohol is for sale, but I have never seen anyone go overboard while at Mardi Gras. HHN, yes, but not so much with MG.

I would guess the official list would be released sometime in the next couple weeks, it usually seems to be around this time (a week or 2 after Macys/Grinchmas)

 

[Jason71]

I'm with Slacking, the concerts I've seen all went way over 20 minutes--usually at least an hour.

 

[jmsvss]

I hesitate to post this but here goes anyway...

I visited Disney and Universal in 2002 with DS11 and DD8 at the time. As we planned for our two subsequent trips since then they remember two things best- they remember the time at Universal (versus the time spent at WDW) and they remember the Mardi Gras parade. They remember the Mardi Gras parade because as they caught the beads there were adults literally snatching them out of their hands!!! This was not isolated to one rude adult either!! It was shocking. I did not get the impression that there was alcohol involved.

I hesitated to mention it because I feel like I'm spreading bad vibes but I think parents of young children should be aware. It never occurred to me that that kind of behavior could happen in such a happy place. The parade was fantastic, the floats were beautiful. We will be back in Feb and my kids are older now. We won't let this one bad experience keep us from it - but we will be aware.

 

[phamton]

Actually no flames from me. I don't think Mardi Gras is very kid friendly. It is very, very crowded and no place for strollers to push through the crowds. I have seen some drunken behavior and even a fist fight over beads. I certainly wouldn't bring young kids, older kid would be fine.

I know that Yaytez has gone many times (and is a Universal pro) and so he knew what to expect. Bringing his 3 year old was fine but if you haven't been before with little kids, I wouldn't recommend it especially if you are expecting it to be kid friendly.

 

[Scratch42]

Actually no flames from me. I don't think Mardi Gras is very kid friendly. It is very, very crowded and no place for strollers to push through the crowds. I have seen some drunken behavior and even a fist fight over beads. I certainly wouldn't bring young kids.

After this past trip to DL over Christmas, We're both prepared for anything!

Hoping that our experience at US will be better!LOL

janet