Mardi Gras crowds or events?

[SignMeUp]

I just realized that the dates we plan to be at Universal (Mar 5-9) fall during Mardi Gras. I know some southern schools (Alabama, Louisiana at least) get out for Mardi Gras, some for the entire week. Has anyone been there during that time? How were the crowds? Do they have any special parades or events for MG?

We are seriously considering changing our dates to Feb 26 - Mar 2. Would you guys recommend changing our dates to avoid MG crowds?

TIA!

ETA: that I did a Mardi Gras search on this forum and see that Universal does it up right! However, we aren't really interested in all the hoopla, especially since it means bigger crowds. Even though we will arrive on a Saturday, we don't plan to hit the parks until Sunday thru Tuesday, then depart on Wednesday. Are the Mardi Gras events (parade, concerts, cajun foods, etc) only on Saturdays? The more I think about it, I think we will move our dates to late Feb that way we'll miss the actual Fat Tuesday on Mar 8th, but what about the other stuff? Any other advice or tips for visiting during this time?

 

[DOOM1001]

Mardi Gras at Universal is one of those must do events for me every year.The parade is awesome,I must have caught over 20 pounds of beads through the years and they have great concerts after the parade.I amazingly missed the parade on the last night of Mardi Gras this year to be up near the stage to see the Chicago concert,we were sitting there waiting for hours.Unfortunately Mardi Gras is only on Saturdays,if I remember correctly years ago they had the event several times a week but the concerts only on Saturday,but it didn't last as long as it does now as the first night of Mardi Gras this year was Feb 6th and the last was April 17th,there actually was one or two Friday nights this year along with all the Saturdays.

 

[Metro West]

Mardi Gras at Universal is one of those must do events for me every year.The parade is awesome,I must have caught over 20 pounds of beads through the years and they have great concerts after the parade.I amazingly missed the parade on the last night of Mardi Gras this year to be up near the stage to see the Chicago concert,we were sitting there waiting for hours.Unfortunately Mardi Gras is only on Saturdays,if I remember correctly years ago they had the event several times a week but the concerts only on Saturday,but it didn't last as long as it does now as the first night of Mardi Gras this year was Feb 6th and the last was April 17th,there actually was one or two Friday nights this year along with all the Saturdays.

Just to add...Depending on the artist performing that night, the crowds can be huge! Lots of people just go to see the parade and then leave to avoid the mob. I can post some parade pictures when I get home this afternoon.

 

[SignMeUp]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like we'll be okay if we just avoid Saturday night. Our plan was to hang out at the resort on Saturday, our arrival day, and probably do the luau anyway.

Still think we will change our dates to a week earlier so we'll avoid the actual Fat Tuesday and any crowds or special events associated with that.

 

[Metro West]

Here are a few pictures of the parade from 2009...your kids would probably enjoy seeing the parade:

 

[donaldduck352]

Great pics Metro!! You are deff correct on the crowds,it all depends who is playing that night...

 

[mdb78]

Great pics Metro!

Mardi Gras at Universal is one of those must do events for me every year.The parade is awesome,I must have caught over 20 pounds of beads through the years and they have great concerts after the parade.I amazingly missed the parade on the last night of Mardi Gras this year to be up near the stage to see the Chicago concert,we were sitting there waiting for hours.Unfortunately Mardi Gras is only on Saturdays,if I remember correctly years ago they had the event several times a week but the concerts only on Saturday,but it didn't last as long as it does now as the first night of Mardi Gras this year was Feb 6th and the last was April 17th,there actually was one or two Friday nights this year along with all the Saturdays.

Is there only one parade per day?

 

[Metro West]

Great pics Metro!




Is there only one parade per day?

Thanks...the parade is only on Saturday evening...right before the concert.

 

[mdb78]

Thanks...the parade is only on Saturday evening...right before the concert.

Okay, thanks!

 

[txsoccermom]

Is there ever a Mardi Gras parade on St. Patrick's Day? This yr that falls on a Thursday, so I didn't know b/c the website says "Saturdays and select nites".

TIA

 

[Metro West]

Is there ever a Mardi Gras parade on St. Patrick's Day? This yr that falls on a Thursday, so I didn't know b/c the website says "Saturdays and select nites".

TIA

I doubt the parade will be that night but you never know.

 

[Jason71]

Is there ever a Mardi Gras parade on St. Patrick's Day? This yr that falls on a Thursday, so I didn't know b/c the website says "Saturdays and select nites".

TIA

The "select" nights are generally a Friday and/or Sunday during Spring Break. The parks generally don't make a deal out of St Patricks Day, leaving it to Pat O'Briens and CityWalk.

 

[txsoccermom]

The "select" nights are generally a Friday and/or Sunday during Spring Break. The parks generally don't make a deal out of St Patricks Day, leaving it to Pat O'Briens and CityWalk.

Ok, that would kinda make sense! Thanks for the info