Mardi Gras crowd impact

[SleepingPrincess]

We're planning a trip to Universal and IOA on Feb 9 and 10th. It looks like Mardi Gras kicks off at the park then - anyone have any suggestions on how to attempt to avoid crowds or which park to go to which day? We aren't planning on getting the Express passes but we do plan to have park-to-park admission. Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

We're planning a trip to Universal and IOA on Feb 9 and 10th. It looks like Mardi Gras kicks off at the park then - anyone have any suggestions on how to attempt to avoid crowds or which park to go to which day? We aren't planning on getting the Express passes but we do plan to have park-to-park admission. Thanks!

If you don't want to see the parade or the concert, stick with evenings at IOA both days. If the performer is very popular (i.e. Kelly Clarkson), the Studios will fill up towards late afternoon. You can hang out at the Studios until 5pm or so then you can head over to IOA. Frankly though, you should stay and see the parade one night. The floats are fantastic!

 

[DOOM1001]

The parade is a must do for everyone,it has the coolest floats ever along with catching dozens of beads which is a tradition for me.Who is playing at the concert will obviously impact your interest in watching the concert.Universal is taking way too long in announcing the full performer line up,right now all they have listed is Matchbox 20 March 16th.

 

[Bluer101]

The parade is a must do for everyone,it has the coolest floats ever along with catching dozens of beads which is a tradition for me.Who is playing at the concert will obviously impact your interest in watching the concert.Universal is taking way too long in announcing the full performer line up,right now all they have listed is Matchox 20 March 16th.

Yea, I want to know also.

 

[SleepingPrincess]

Ooh ok, we'll have to give the parade a look then - thanks! Does it run each night? This is my first time to Universal in Florida - so other then making sure I get to see the HP stuff, I'm pretty open to whatever else. I just don't want to wait in line all day so was concerned about crowds

 

[Metro West]

Ooh ok, we'll have to give the parade a look then - thanks! Does it run each night? This is my first time to Universal in Florida - so other then making sure I get to see the HP stuff, I'm pretty open to whatever else. I just don't want to wait in line all day so was concerned about crowds

The parade only runs when there's a concert which is Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Typically concerts are Saturday and Sunday nights early in the event so the parade would be those nights only. Lots of people leave after the parade and skip the concert but I would wait to see who is performing the nights you'll be visiting before making that decision.

I'll post a few of my MG pictures from this year so you can see what the floats are like.

I almost forgot the pictures:

 

[SleepingPrincess]

Ooh, great pictures! Thanks! I think we'll try to stick around Saturday night to see it.

 

[momnum1]

The parade only runs when there's a concert which is Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Typically concerts are Saturday and Sunday nights early in the event so the parade would be those nights only. Lots of people leave after the parade and skip the concert but I would wait to see who is performing the nights you'll be visiting before making that decision.

I've never been either, but my husb. and I will be in Orlando for a couple of nights during this and I thought about driving over just for the parade. I'm wondering if our AP's will be good to get in, or if we have to buy a seperate ticket. Also, if we really just want to see the parade what time should we go over? We'll be staying close to WDW as my daughter has a school event there.

Thanks!!!
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[Metro West]

I've never been either, but my husb. and I will be in Orlando for a couple of nights during this and I thought about driving over just for the parade. I'm wondering if our AP's will be good to get in, or if we have to buy a seperate ticket. Also, if we really just want to see the parade what time should we go over? We'll be staying close to WDW as my daughter has a school event there.

Your annual passes will get you into the park. All Mardi Gras festivities (parade and concert) are included with your park admission/annual pass. If you are arriving just for the parade, I would get there around 6pm so you can grab a bit to eat before the parade. The Studios usually closes at 8pm on concert/parade nights so just make sure you're there before then.

 

[momnum1]

Thanks Metro! One more question... should we start finding a spot to watch the parade pretty early? I looked at the website, but it's not really that detailed. I'm not sure what the parade route is or if some spots are better than others...

 

[Metro West]

Thanks Metro! One more question... should we start finding a spot to watch the parade pretty early? I looked at the website, but it's not really that detailed. I'm not sure what the parade route is or if some spots are better than others...

In years past you would be able to walk up just as the parade was starting and get a good spot. But with all the construction this year, I would say you'd need to get to a spot no later than 7pm or so. There's just no telling how the construction will affect the parade. The route will probably change this year again because of the construction on Transformers but the route will be published in plenty of time to make appropriate plans.

 

[momnum1]

Great, I'll be looking for the info!! Thanks again for all your help, Metro!!

 

[Muddypaws]

We were there the first Saturday of Mardi Gras last year and the B52's were playing. The day time was quite dead and rides were pretty much a walk on. It was pretty chilly that day,though, and I imagine that it could have made an impact on the locals coming out. During the concert we did chat with some people from the area and they only came for the evening.

I agree that the parade is a must see!

 

[Metro West]

We were there the first Saturday of Mardi Gras last year and the B52's were playing. The day time was quite dead and rides were pretty much a walk on. It was pretty chilly that day,though, and I imagine that it could have made an impact on the locals coming out. During the concert we did chat with some people from the area and they only came for the evening.

I agree that the parade is a must see!

And one of those locals was me. I actually met another DISer and her friend over there for the B-52s concert. We had a great time and yes...it was chilly and crowded that night. That's the joy of living close and having an AP...you can come later in the day for dinner and stay for the parade and concert.

 

[rusty4]

We are going to be there President's Day weekend. There should be a parade then as well, right? We are hoping to see it. Thanks to the OP for this thread. We were wondering if it was worth it or not. Glad to see that it is.

Are there any special things going on at City Walk to do with Mardi Gras too or is everything just in this one park. I remember reading about beignets somewhere. We want some of those for sure!

 

[Metro West]

We are going to be there President's Day weekend. There should be a parade then as well, right? We are hoping to see it. Thanks to the OP for this thread. We were wondering if it was worth it or not. Glad to see that it is.

Are there any special things going on at City Walk to do with Mardi Gras too or is everything just in this one park. I remember reading about beignets somewhere. We want some of those for sure!

Yes...the parade will definitely be staged Saturday night (2/16) and possibly Sunday (2/17) if there is a concert that night.

All Mardi Gras festivities are located inside the Studios but some CityWalk restaurants have drink specials. That's about it though.

 

[Jason71]

Are there any special things going on at City Walk to do with Mardi Gras too or is everything just in this one park. I remember reading about beignets somewhere. We want some of those for sure!

Pat O'Briens has beignets as one of their desserts, but that's an everyday thing, just like the Hurricanes. They are good.

They are sometimes offered inside the park, at a temporary stand, but not sure if that will happen this year with the Transformers construction (there were hardly any booths for Christmas this year because of that).