Mardi Gras Logistics

[MKTGMOM]

Just realized last night that we are arriving on a Mardi Gras night - March 28th AND Kelly Clarkson is in concert! Yea! DD17 and DD13 are thrilled. Now I just need some help from you that have been before since the Universal web page is pretty vague. Where is Bourbon St. set up? Where is the concert stage? What time should it start and what time do we need to get there to sit or see the stage? Any tips for where to watch the parade from? any other tips - best MArdi Gras food, etc.?
BTW, we're staying at PBH so we can walk or boat over.
Any and all help appreciated!
I'm SOOOOO excited to be going back to Universal after a 6 year break!

 

[MIB999999]

The stage is straight in from the main gate to Studois, go past Jimmy Neutron and between Neutron and Twister on the left will be the new stage area. Given the large crowd you will need to make some choices of what is most improtant. If you want to be close to the stage, you will sacrafice good parade visibility and beads. If you want good parade visibility and beads you will sacrafice being close to the stage. I have not looked up the time for the paradee start but i imagine at least 2 hours prior to parade start time you will need to stake out "your" place along the parade route. Be prepared to "hold" your ground, cause if you leave it, you will loose it. If you want to be close to the stage, ask a team member when the stage area opens. Then plan to be there at least 2 hours prior to get in line for the stage area opening. Clarkson will be a big draw so crowds will be large.

 

[MKTGMOM]

thanks, MIB. The listed park closing is at 8pm. Will the parade and concert be before or after that? And does the parade happen first and then the concert? We're flying in that day so we'll be on the run to get good seats if that's what the dds really want to do.

 

[macraven]

seats??

i thought it was a standing event.


someone correct me if i am wrong on that.

 

[vitfamily]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/universal/mardi-gras.htm

This has the info. On the 28th the parade starts at 8 and then it said the concert is after that.

 

[Metro West]

seats??

i thought it was a standing event.

someone correct me if i am wrong on that.

You are correct Mac...no seats...SRO for the Mardi Gras concerts.

 

[macraven]

You are correct Mac...no seats...SRO for the Mardi Gras concerts.

thanks for confirming that.
i was sure it was sro, but when the poster stated they would get their early to grab the seats, it confused me.

that is the one issue that might be difficult for people.
to go hours or way before the concert to grab a great spot for the concert.

i could never go and wait when i could be on a ride there....

 

[macraven]

oops..........dreaded double post again...

 

[deerhunt1]

do you have to buy a special ticket for the concert or will my 7 day pass get me into the concert.

 

[macraven]

if you are in the park, you can see the concert. no additional charge.

 

[MKTGMOM]

thanks for all the help. wishful thinking on my part to assume there would be seats!! Anyone care to recommend food from the Mardi Gras vendors? I think we'll be on a mad dash to get to the park, grab some food and get to the concert. We land at MCO just after 3pm that day!

 

[Metro West]

thanks for all the help. wishful thinking on my part to assume there would be seats!! Anyone care to recommend food from the Mardi Gras vendors? I think we'll be on a mad dash to get to the park, grab some food and get to the concert. We land at MCO just after 3pm that day!

If you want cajun style food, just walk around the Central Park area...tents are set up everywhere with food offerings.