Mardi Gras Escape Thread

[Mr. Baloo]

Well, I know many of us are escaping the Mardi Gras fever... or, if your like me, satisfiying that fever before the kids are out of school, then heading to WDW before all the crazies come to town.

Anyway, many topics to discuss about the trip?

Driving all the way through? if not, what is your first day goal? Tallahasse? Lake City?

Going Friday, Saturday or Sunday?
Where are you watching the Saints win the Superbowl?
Where are you sleeping? Since that is all we do at the resorts?

Coming back Wednesday, Friday or Saturday?

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Now then, we are beginning our trip Friday. Checking the kids out of school and getting out of Dodge City. Not sure yet where we are going to stop that first night, but we also dont want a long drive Sat Morning.

We are staying at Pop Century, which we think is kinda funny, most people start at the Value resorts, and work there way up, we started at the deluxes and worked our way down... heck, now that the kids are older, we are definately not in our rooms much, and cant justify the room expense.

Our touring schedule is up in the air right now, but we have most of our ADRs in place, so that will predict some of it.

We are beginning our trip back Saturday, and possibly staying over Saturday night on the way back, depending on how tired we are.

I thought with all the people heading over, it might be a good idea to share all of our ideas....

So, Mardi Gras DISers.... what are your plans?

 

[awb52204]

My DH and I are taking our DD for her first trip! SHe will turn 1 on Feb 10.

We will be leaving very early Saturday morning. We are staying at Pop Century also. We are also going to the P&PP Tuesday night. We will head home Saturday Feb 9.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

We have a flight on Saturday and will be attending P&PP on Saturday night. At the time that I bought the P&PP tickets, I did not know about the Tuesday party. If I had known, I would have bought tickets to the Tuesday party instead. I think that the Tuesday party will be less crowded because the locals will not be there (I'm assuming). We are flying back home on Friday. We will be staying at POFQ. I do not have any dining plans yet. I probably will not be making any ADR's. I have not decided which park we are going to on which day. That is on my agenda of things to do when Christmas is over.

 

[dwherewecome]

Well, I m not leaving St. Charles Avenue till the last Rex float passes me by, so I won't get to Disney World till Wednesday morning. Driving to Tallahasse Tuesday afternoon. How long can I expect to be on the road from N.O. to there?

 

[Derek&Ashley]

We are going to one last parade Friday night. Then we are leaving at 4 or 5 A.M. Saturday morning (its not like I can sleep the night before I leave for Disney anyway), and we are driving straight through. We are staying at POR because we were able to get the AP rate there. Going to the P & PP on Tuesday. Driving home on Saturday.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

Leaving on Thursday after school, kids will miss a half day on Friday. Will be staying at Beach Club Villas and coming home Ash Wednesday.

A lot of people will also be leaving Mobile and heading down to Disney. I hope everyone has a great trip.

 

[Carmen1247]

We are leaving on Sat and arriving on Sunday mid afternoon. I am hoping we will have time to hit the parks on Sunday. We drive about 8hrs the first day, then finish the trip on on the second day. We are staying at POR. This is our 7th trip, our 4th Mardi Gras trip. It is becoming a tradition!!

We got our beads ready, my DS 7 loves to decorate the room with beads and such.

 

[Peaches1111_00]

Horray for fellow Louisiana DISers! The Mardi Gras trip idea may be our next time to head over there. Can any Mardi Gras Disney veterans tell me how crowded (or not crowded) the world is at that time?

 

[Carmen1247]

Last year was a little crowded, but I think it was because Mardi Gras fell the same time as Presidents day. The years before that it was not crowded at all. The weather has always been nice as well.

 

[Mr. Baloo]

Well, I m not leaving St. Charles Avenue till the last Rex float passes me by, so I won't get to Disney World till Wednesday morning. Driving to Tallahasse Tuesday afternoon. How long can I expect to be on the road from N.O. to there?

I would guess around 6 hours to Tallahasse, 2 hours more will get you to Lake City FL and then all you have to fight is I-75 and the turnpike and YOU ARE THERE!!!!!!

Horray for fellow Louisiana DISers! The Mardi Gras trip idea may be our next time to head over there. Can any Mardi Gras Disney veterans tell me how crowded (or not crowded) the world is at that time?

Mardi Gras depends on what time Presidents Day falls, If you shedule out Mardi Gras and Pres Day, the years when it falls before Pres Day are the best. Absolutely dont go if it falls on the same week. And it is OK but busier if it falls after Pres Day. This is the last year until 2013 that Mardi Gras falls before Pres Day so we may not be going back this time of year until then. In 2010, 2012 and 2015 Mardi Gras falls the same week, so those are definate No-No's.

 

[honey11dog]

From Baton Rouge to Tallahasse is 7 hours, so I assume more like 6 from New Orleans. If you want to keep driving to Lake City that will take you an additional 1 1/2 hours. We usually drive all the way to Lake City and then we only have 3 hours left. Have fun on your trip!

 

[ultimatemickeyfreak]

Thanks you guys for asking those questions I am so excited about our trip!!!

I was also wondering about travel times, I know that it is about 6 hours to Tallahassee, but after that it gets alittle foggy..usually because I take over driving and sometimes we get there a little quicker than if my DH were driving.... but this time we are going in with a 2 year old... and I have a feeling we will be stopping alot more!

does anyone have any suggestions on a good area to stop for a night, and then head out the next morning???

 

[honey11dog]

Thanks you guys for asking those questions I am so excited about our trip!!!

I was also wondering about travel times, I know that it is about 6 hours to Tallahassee, but after that it gets alittle foggy..usually because I take over driving and sometimes we get there a little quicker than if my DH were driving.... but this time we are going in with a 2 year old... and I have a feeling we will be stopping alot more!

does anyone have any suggestions on a good area to stop for a night, and then head out the next morning???

We drove down last time with a 8, 5 and 4 mos. old. My plan was to drive as far as we could the first day and then we would have a short drive the next day. If you make it to Tallahassee, then you will have about 4 1/2 - 5 hour drive left (maybe longer with stops). Lake City will leave you with about a 3 hour drive. Gainesville with a little over 2 hour drive. We ended up leaving early around 4am. Our kids did so well we drove straight through to Disney and made by 5pm (with a few stops and time change). Anyway, my vote would be to stop in either Tallahassee, Lake City or Gainesville.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I have a shorter drive leaving from Mobile, but I am just like a little kid, I will drive all the way to Orlando so that I am there when I wake up.

Another great year for a Mardi Gras trip will be in 2011. Mardi Gras day will be March 8th and that will be during Braves Spring Training at Disney. It is alot of fun if you are a baseball fan.

 

[bluerendezvous]

Y'all have fun!! We were all set to go several months ago, but my parents announced that they will be their Krewe's King & Queen this year. You know we can't be gone to WDW for that! In fact, it's just about the only thing that would keep us from going.
Anyway, y'all have fun. We'll go another year.

 

[LouDisney]

Hello guys!! Former Nola resident. Born and raised here in B'ham, but Nola has been my second home since I was a little girl. I lived there for a few years (from 98 to 01). I am always down for Mardi Gras, but can't make it this year. Normally, I would be arriving as you guys were leaving...LOL

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say hell and I hope all of you leaving for WDW have a great time

 

[chasenluke]

We usually go a few weeks before Mardi Gras and take my oldest out of school. We are considering going at Mardi Gras in 2009 or staying with our original plans of the week the kids go back to school from Christmas.

My oldest will be in second grade and it may be the last time I am willing for him to miss. I have heard so many mixed things about the crowds. I know the years it is also president's day week are horrible but I have heard others tell me that it is really crowded all the time at Mardi Gras.

Thoughts??? Wish I was going this year but we just went in Feb 2007 right before Mardi Gras.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Mardi Gras is an awesome time to go. Low crowds (except for President's Week) and great weather. Alas I can never go because I'm a tax accountant and I am chained to a desk from Jan through April.

DD has learning disabilites so taking her out of school is not an option, so that leaves summer visits for us, it is really hot and crowded. However, hot and crowded WDW is better than no WDW at all.

Have a great time fellow Louisianians! Let the Good Times Roll!

 

[Carmen1247]

Last year was busy/crowded, but that was only because of Presidents Week. The years before that (Mardi Gras) it was great! Little to no crowds, waits in line, etc. The weather was perfect! It was alot of fun to see others with Mardi Gras beads/LSU colors, etc on as well!

 

[Lost n' Translation]

DW?, DS13, DD9, DS2, and myself are also going during Mardi Gras. Hoping it will be less crowded due to Mardi Gras being so early this year. We leave on Saturday and will be coming home the following Sunday. We are staying at Shades of Green. This will be our 4th trip in as many years during Mardi Gras. You can't beat this time of year. It's great being in the parks with so many people wearing Mardi Gras colors and beads. See you there..