Mardi Gras.. help.. lots of ????

[Donnask8pro]

Is it worth it? 4 adults. Can someone explain it to me so I can understand it. Just a parade? Or extras also? Phantom, need your help. Does it flow over into City Walk. I know I asked this before but I still dont get it. Thank you very much.

 

[Jason71]

Is it worth it? 4 adults. Can someone explain it to me so I can understand it. Just a parade? Or extras also? Phantom, need your help. Does it flow over into City Walk. I know I asked this before but I still dont get it. Thank you very much.

Saturday night, there is a BIG parade at closing. Over a dozen floats like nothing you've probably ever seen, outside of New Orleans. Plenty of stilt-walkers and other "characters," too.

After the parade, there is an outdoor concert, inside the park. A real concert, not just a song or two. The whole event is usually over by, say, 10.

There are various temporary booths open around the park selling New Orleans-style food and drinks, as well as specalty beads and hats. Expect to pay inflated theme park prices, natch. Outside of the purple and green decorations everywhere, these are the only "extras." No new walk-thru attractions or anything, like at Halloween.

Usually on Mardi Gras nights your park ticket will also get you into the clubs at CityWalk for free (CityWalk normally has a $10 cover), but no, there is nothing specifically geared to Mardi Gras at CityWalk. Keep in mind, tho, Pat O'Briens always has a New Orleans theme and would make a fine place to finish out the night.

Is it worth it for adults? Yes, especially if you have at least a passing interest in whatever band is playing. The floats are impressive, and no matter how old you are it's fun to catch the beads thrown from them. In any case, it is free with the price of admission to USF.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Part of my confusion is that the park hours says it closes at 8:00. I think I read you can pay and go in after 5? Where do I find concert info? I heard Hall and Oats and Southside Johnny. Sat wasn't my planned US/IOA day. I just left US/IOA in Dec but never have been to Mardi Gras. We didnt stay in Citywalk late, had my 2 kids with me. This time girls only. Want to have fun..

 

[Slacking]

Part of my confusion is that the park hours says it closes at 8:00. I think I read you can pay and go in after 5? Where do I find concert info? I heard Hall and Oats and Southside Johnny. Sat wasn't my planned US/IOA day. I just left US/IOA in Dec but never have been to Mardi Gras. We didnt stay in Citywalk late, had my 2 kids with me. This time girls only. Want to have fun..

If the Park closes at 8, that is the time the parade begins (or the concert, but I'm pretty sure its the parade.) The rides themselves close down at 8, so during the cocnert you won't be able to ride anything.

There are after 5pm tickets available.

Concert info hasn't been released by Universal yet, maybe sometime this week or the week after at the latest.

 

[Donnask8pro]

I heard Hall and Oates, when I'm there. Is it worth going if we cant get there until after 6:30?

 

[Slacking]

I heard Hall and Oates, when I'm there. Is it worth going if we cant get there until after 6:30?

Thats really something only you can answer.

You'd be able to see the Parade and Hall and Oates (albeit being towards the back of the crowd) and possibly 1 ride before the parade if you so desire.

 

[F-L-A]

Depends if you want to ride the attractions. Mardi Gras isn't really in full effect at that time. Just the cajun food stands and characters walking around. The real festivities start with the parade at 8 (sometimes 9) and then the concert starts when the parade is almost done with it's route. If you have any interest in that night's concert, try to stand as close as possible to the concert area to view the parade, because people will rush right over when the last float passes them, and many people are already waiting there. USF's attendance record was set at Mardi Gras (+60k). Prepare for crowds.

 

[essmom]

How much is it just for the concert/parade? Where can you find concert schedule?

 

[Slacking]

How much is it just for the concert/parade? Where can you find concert schedule?

As stated already, the official lineup has not been released. All the speculation is coming from Pollstar.com

Not sure on the After-5pm price, but it isn't a huge discouint from normal admission. If I had to guess, in the past its been between $35-$45. I believe in the past Wendy's has had discount coupons.

As for riding ride in response to F-L-A. If they're arriving at 6:30pm and the parade is at 8pm(which it will for the first night of the event) that probably won't give them that much of a chance to ride any rides, possibly 1 or maybe even 2, because they still need to grab a spot for the parade.

 

[F-L-A]

Which is what I was alluding to.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Go for the day, have fun, get the party started at 8 with hall & oates and then continue the party in City Walk. If you want to do the rides, have fun at the park, make a whole day out of it, even an early day....get there early in the morning, do some rides...leave for a while, come back after 5...still can get in with your same ticket...

 

[tclowe]

Does anyone know if they have a special area for the parade & concert roped off for little tikes or annual passholders? I noticed that they had one area designated little tikes and two areas just for annual passholders during the Macy's Balloon parade. We qualify for both with young children and all being annual passholders but went early and parked ourselves in front of Betty Boop store for the balloon parade.

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, I believe they have areas for both during the MG parade.

 

[MIB999999]

Yeah, I believe they have areas for both during the MG parade.

When did they start the AP viewing area?? there have always been little tike viewing areas and the those in the parade that walk pay special attention to those areas

 

[Slacking]

I think I remember the AP areas from the last two years. Don't quote me on it though, I never used those areas.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

When did they start the AP viewing area?? there have always been little tike viewing areas and the those in the parade that walk pay special attention to those areas

They've had it for a few years. The little jester's area has been around longer, though.

 

[bscs]

We have been to wdw twice but have never been to US. We are going for the 1st time in Feb. We only have time for one day. We decided on US instead of IOA.
Is the Mardi Gras parade and concert @ US?
We haven't decided which day of the week we will go to US. Should we pick Sat. for the Mardi Gras? Or will this take to much time away from our only day to do the rides?
It sounds like a lot of fun that we shouldn't miss since we may never have a chance to go back.
What time dose it start? What time should we start finding a place? And are we standing the whole time or are there seats? Is the concert able to be seen from anyplace we are placed watching the parade?