Mardi Gras Feb 28th - Extra crowds?

[Soprano]

Having no real idea what Mardi Gras is all about and only thought it was celebrated in New Orleans (I'm a Brit!), I note there are a few events going on.

Will this mean busier crowds on that day? We're planning on going to AK (hopefully for a ride on EE!!!) or EPCOT that day...

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

We have been to WDW once during the mardi gras holiday time. We did notice a little increase in crowds but it was manageable no really long wait times. I don't know how it will be this year with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since most of the Mardi Gras celebrater come from this hard hit area. Good luck.

 

[MessyJ]

I haven't been to Disneyworld during Mardi Gras before, but I will also be there on the 28th, and have done a bit of homework, so you may take this with a grain of salt. I have heard that the parks will actually be more crowded the week of President's Day (U.S.). President's Day is this coming Monday (Feb. 20th). I understand that the worst crowds will be this coming weekend, with perhaps some overflow the weekend of the 25th-26th. Hopefully, the worst of it will have died down by Monday, the 27th. However, it is technically peak season while we are there, so it will probably still be a bit crowded, although nothing like the summer months.

However, I would steer clear of Pleasure Island at night while we are there. They have a Mardi Gras celebration there that I believe lasts several days. However, Pleasure Island is not accessible with Park Tickets, and I believe the participants will be mostly Disney Cast Members and Orlando residents. My wife and I will make sure to venture into Downtown Disney only during daylight hours this trip.

By the way, Mardi Gras is the last day before Lent begins, Lent being the 40 days that proceed Easter. Catholics and some Protestants keep Lent holy by being extra pure and giving up something that is important to them during that time. Mardi Gras came about by those people who wanted to get all the debauchery out of their system so that they could be holy for Lent. I doubt there are many Americans who actually celebrate it with much more than going out to a local bar, the action having been mostly confined to New Orleans in the past, as you observed.

 

[Soprano]

Thanks for the info.

Will just carry on with plan to arrive early, then. REALLY hoping EE is staying open now....

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I am from the New Orleans area. We usually go to WDW for Mardi Gras. I actually had a trip planned this year but had to cancel because the kids did not get the whole week off (because of Katrina). In general when Mardi Gras does not fall the same week as President's Week, the crowds are very nice. By the way they do not fall the same week this year. They do however next year. Lots of Louisiana still get the week off this year. The hardest hit areas from the hurricane are not off due to school starting so late this year. That should help the crowds for this year. But as I said earlier, Mardi Gras bring nice and managable crowds. Other than the E ticket rides I have never waited more than twenty minutes for a ride during Mardi Gras Week. You should be fine. Have a great trip.

 

[vicb]

I have posted my experiences at WDW during MG on other posts but I'll share here too. We have been twice during MG. We only had crowd trouble at DTD on the Mon. night before Fat Tues. It was our own fault, it just didn't occur to us that the crowds would gather there at night. We only wanted to eat at RFC, it was a 90 min. wait even with our safari club card, 2 hours without!

Otherwise the MK crowd on Fat Tues was no problem 2 years ago. Just bring your beads and have fun!

BTW, one year my kids did the Pirates cruise during MG, we went to Epcot after and lots of people thought they were decked out for MG (eye patches, bandana and beads) but the CMs knew they had been on the cruise and several asked them funny questions about it!

 

[wwtate]

I've been twice before during Mardi Gras week, and, as has been said, the only time it seemed crowded to me was a year when Presidents Day and Mardi Gras happened the same week. The parks were far from empty the other time, but not crowded either. We never had more than a 15-20 minute wait and generally less than that--through wise use of fast pass.

Being a Louisianian and former New Orleanean, I've experienced real Mardi Gras and the party on Pleasure Island does not compare. However, I understand they used to have a New Orleans Krewe come for a parade, but I don't know if that sitill happens.