Mardi Gras or Luau?

[PollyannaMom]

I had originally planned on booking the Luau at Royal Pacific for the Saturday evening during our stay, but DH happened to notice the Mardi Gras parade and concert and seemed interested in that.

Anyone who has done both recommend one over the other?

Also, the parade is at 8:00 and the concert at 8:30. How does that work?


Thanks in advance.

 

[universalfan]

Do the parade. We did it on Saturday and my girls were delighted with how many beads they caught. The way it works is that the concert has already started by the time you get over there and the place is packed. In retrospect, I wish we had positioned ourselves closer and gone over to the concert area instead of watching the parade come around again. In the end I decided it was just too loud and crowded to keep my eye on kids so we walked back to the hotel. The luau is nice but it is also pretty pricey. The parade is a better choice if you will have kids with you, IMO.

 

[Metro West]

Also, the parade is at 8:00 and the concert at 8:30. How does that work?

The parade and concert are included in your park admission so you wouldn't have to pay extra. Once the parade ends, the concert will usually start within 15 minutes or so. BUT...if you're going on a Saturday the crowds will be quite large and most of the good concert viewing spots will be taken. So...decide if you want a good spot for the parade or a good spot for the concert...you can rarely get both.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I'd say go with Mardi Gras. The Luau is always there.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think I'm leaning toward Mardi Gras now, since it sounds like we can see the parade and then still hear some of the concert (even if not from close up).

What part of the parade route is near the concert area?

 

[Metro West]

What part of the parade route is near the concert area?

The parade route takes it right past the stage area so if you are positioned near the Monsters Cafe (which is right across from the stage area) you should be able to see both the parade and the concert fairly well. The parade will hit that area about 1/2 way through the route.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thank you

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Outside Monsters was also the busiest and most packed area for viewing both. IF you go that route, get there early to stake your claim to a spot. We got to the park at 7:30, the parade was at 8:00 and the street was already lined with bodies all the way down past Twister. And this was after a day of rain and weather in the very low 40's.

The Macy's side/Mummy side was open and had a lot less people. We were able to view the parade and then walk to the concert area. We watched the concert from outside the Twister store down the little side street. We could see both the stage and the monitors.

 

[DOOM1001]

Definitely do Mardi Gras over the Luau,it's one of the bigger events of the year at Universal.If you don't want to miss any part of the concert see the parade by where it starts anywhere from Jaws to Beetlejuice,once it gets near Beetlejuice it takes a turn to the streets by Mel's Diner and T2 3-D,it'll then go by the front of the park and then by the front of the concert stage, turn by Twister and end at the dead end by Beetlejuice.So if you see the parade by Amityville or San Francisco you can head over to the stage via the street by Mummy and see the concert before it begins.Many of the concerts can also last well into 10pm or more,I forgot who it was but one year it was 11pm and the concert was still going on.Mardi Gras also has New Orleans style food,entertainment in the streets and music groups from New Orleans playing in the streets from around 4-5pm.