Mardi Gras concert tips?

[AlexandNessa]

We've been to universal approximately 187 times, but never to a Mardi Gras concert. If the Nelly concert starts at 9, what time do we need to be there to stake a spot? Anything special we need to know (like get your beer beforehand....)

Thanks for any tips.

 

[JillyBean1899]

We've been to universal approximately 187 times, but never to a Mardi Gras concert. If the Nelly concert starts at 9, what time do we need to be there to stake a spot? Anything special we need to know (like get your beer beforehand....)

Thanks for any tips.

If you're wanting front row, get there early and don't plan on doing anything else. At all. All day.

If you don't care to be on the front row, wander by first thing in the morning and check out the layout. Figure out where you want to be, and then make a pass by the stage area every hour or so. You'll be able to tell when it starts looking like it's getting full, and be able to figure out when to stake out your spot.

People were lined up for the MB20 show last year when the park gates opened.

 

[PammyK]

I expect Nelly will be one of the more crowded concerts and as such, if you would like to be front and center, you'll need to arrive fairly early. When they're expecting a large crowd, they'll have a holding area set up early for those guests who want prime locations. Look for a Team Member in a light yellow events polo shirt when you first arrive and they should be able to steer you in the right direction. There will be a couple locations within the concert area where food and bev (including beer) items can be purchases.

In general, I don't like being caught up within the tight crowds so I tend to hang back and enjoy the music from outside the bike racks. They have video screens in the back corners where you can see the action on stage even if you're not inside the racks.

Be prepared to miss the parade, or watch it from a distance. Be prepared to possibly have to fight your way through the crowds to get to the restrooms. Be prepared for people to be smoking around you, even though the concert area is not a designated smoking section.

Be prepared to enjoy the show.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Thanks. We don't need to be front and center either, and I think I'd rather swim naked in sewage than waste a vacation day to hold my spot, lol. Thanks for the info, and I'm glad they have video screens set up. We've seen the parade before, so that's not a concern. Fighting the crowds for the bathroom, OTOH .... eek! I love Nelly. But nut THAT much, hehe.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Thanks. We don't need to be front and center either, and I think I'd rather swim naked in sewage than waste a vacation day to hold my spot, lol. Thanks for the info, and I'm glad they have video screens set up. We've seen the parade before, so that's not a concern. Fighting the crowds for the bathroom, OTOH .... eek! I love Nelly. But nut THAT much, hehe.

In that case, I would suggest staking out a spot on the right side of the crowd, near Twister. There are bathrooms there that are easy to get to. I'm sure there are ones on the other side by Rip Ride Rockit, but I'm not sure where they are, and people are more likely to be riding RRR than Twister if the concert starts before the rides close.

 

[DOOM1001]

I agree that if you want to be up front you need to be there all day,seriously!!!My mom has stood there from like 1-2pm for Chicago,Frankie Valli and a couple others,that's about 7 hours of waiting,no joke.I've been to a lot of these concerts and in general Universal concerts are insanely chaotic,even if you're way back by the Monsters Cafe to see what you can on the screens you feel like you're in a sardine can.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am so glad I asked here. Thank you. I do love Nelly, but classic Nelly, if you will, and I'm now even wondering if he'll even do his older stuff. It's sort of sounding like this may not be our scene. We've only been to the NYE concerts at City Walk, and they weren't too bad, but this sounds like a whole new ball game ....

 

[PammyK]

Honestly, if you're cool with standing outside the official concert space, you'll be fine. We typically find some space in the street outside the Twister exit and so far this year it hasn't been too bad. From here it is a quick walk to Finn's for a Strongbow or similarly delicious adult beverage or to one of the stalls in the French Quarter area for some food.

As for restrooms, again, if you're not inside the official concert area, you'll be fine. You may have to walk a bit to the restrooms, but they won't be insanely crowded like the ones closest to the stage can get.

While it can still get jammed up, Universal has continued to work on improving crowd control and their current system seems to be working pretty well. If you like Nelly, I think it would be worth giving it a shot, especially if you can live with not being too close to the stage.

 

[Latel]

I was there for an LL Cool J concert, which was probably one of the biggest crowd pullers. I got there late and still got a good view although quite far back. The atmosphere is great, but as much as I love LL I wouldn't have waited there all day. And yes, he did all his old stuff too