Mardi Gras Parade Questions - OK for 5 Year Olds? Really Crazy?

[phamton]

Last time we were there my twins were 5yo, they had a great time, we found the best position to be was around the amytiville area just by Jaws, this area was not very crowded at all.

That's my favorite area also.

 

[damo]

Okay, that's where we will go. Anyone got a specific spot? This is my FIRST Mardi Gras parade!!! It is neat when you get to experience something new at the park.

 

[phamton]

Okay, that's where we will go. Anyone got a specific spot? This is my FIRST Mardi Gras parade!!! It is neat when you get to experience something new at the park.

Once you cross the bridge (from BTTF) , there is a bathroom on your right. I stand in the area between the bathroom and Capt. Jake's. It is across the street from the Jaws shark. The last few years the parade has started between Jaws and Fear Factor. So we see the floats when they first come out and they throw lots of beads.

Then when the parade has passed you, head across the bridge toward BTTF (the park is empty as it isn't on the parade route so you can move quickly) Once across the bridge, head to Mel's/Horror Makeup area and you can catch the parade again and gets some more beads. It is very crowded near Mel's but they throw the beads far out when they make that curve so you might be able to catch a few more beads.

Then after the parade passes, you can head out of the park from there or head over to the concert area. (It will be wall-to-wall people there though but at least you don't have too far to go.)

This plan will work if they keep the same parade route as in the past. If they change the route then disregard everything I said.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

So parade no longer starts out where twister is? We like to stand where it starts and walk over to where it ends after it passes us.

 

[phamton]

The year before last it started between fear factor and Jaws. Last year was near Twister. I don't know where it will start this year. We should know soon though. I'm hoping this year they will go back to the Jaws area.

 

[damo]

Perfect, I've printed that out so I don't forget. We get to see the Taylor Hicks concert. Would have preferred Doobies, but, oh well.

Oh shoot...Daughtry April 7. Maybe Hicks and Daughtry will switch nights for me.

http://www.universalorlando.com/mardigras/index.html

 

[NotUrsula]

Slightly OT, but just for the record: the Real Mardi Gras is kid-friendly, too. You just have to be careful what viewing spots you pick. Parade ladders wouldn't exist if people didn't take kids to Mardi Gras parades.

<sigh> What I wouldn't give to be able to use a parade ladder at a theme park parade.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Thanks damo for posting the mardi website info! OMG! I'm a bit excited that daughtry will be there...I think I HAVE to go.

 

[phamton]

Universal still lists the closing time of US on Feb 3 as 6 pm. If Mardi Gras starts this day and the parade doesn't start until 8 pm, do they let you stay and ride between official closing time and the parade starting time, or is this just an error in the posted closing time?

Looks like they fixed the calendar now.

 

[WDWUOFan1]

The year before last it started between fear factor and Jaws. Last year was near Twister. I don't know where it will start this year. We should know soon though. I'm hoping this year they will go back to the Jaws area.

Last year's parade started between FFL and JAWS. I remember standing there the night of KC & The Sunshine Band.

 

[phamton]

Last year's parade started between FFL and JAWS. I remember standing there the night of KC & The Sunshine Band.

Thanks. i was thinking it was by Jaws last year also but when I asked my husband he said it was by Twister. That'll teach me to ever listen to him again.

It seems to me that the last two years at least, it has started between Jaws and FF as that is the spot I like to stand at. I'm hoping that is the route this year also but haven't heard.

 

[ilovefh]

I'm going to date myself I'm sure, but last time we were at Mardi Gras at US was in the mid 90's. We got to be on a float throwing beads. Can you still do this? ANd if so how! I'm taking a friend who I think might enjoy it!!

 

[WDWUOFan1]

You're welcome, phamton!

Oh and ilovefh, I believe you can still throw beads on the float.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Once you cross the bridge (from BTTF) , there is a bathroom on your right. I stand in the area between the bathroom and Capt. Jake's. It is across the street from the Jaws shark. The last few years the parade has started between Jaws and Fear Factor. So we see the floats when they first come out and they throw lots of beads.

Then when the parade has passed you, head across the bridge toward BTTF (the park is empty as it isn't on the parade route so you can move quickly) Once across the bridge, head to Mel's/Horror Makeup area and you can catch the parade again and gets some more beads. It is very crowded near Mel's but they throw the beads far out when they make that curve so you might be able to catch a few more beads.

Then after the parade passes, you can head out of the park from there or head over to the concert area. (It will be wall-to-wall people there though but at least you don't have too far to go.)

This plan will work if they keep the same parade route as in the past. If they change the route then disregard everything I said.

Great post thank you! You may now remove it so there arent too many of us standing in this spot!

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

We have had good and bad experiences with the Mardi Gras parade, last year just was it, so many adults tripping over stollers in front of them to get plastic beads. I guess it depends on what kind of guests are around you. The two years prior to last, adults who caught alot were giving them out to small kids around them and to other adults who hadn't been able to catch them. Last year was just a mess, adults falling over strollers and jumping in front of others all for plastic beads, and they had many around their necks already. It just wasn't that much fun. The best place we ever stood was by Mel's Diner on the big corner, but I don't even know if the parade route goes by that way anymore.It's good to go see the floats, very cool, just don't expect alot of beads and have fun!

 

[HLester3]

Thanks again for all of your advice on the parade. I am hoping that the Little Jester areas will work out for us. As much as I like the parades, I really hate staking out a place so the kids can see them. It kind of takes the fun right out. It gets tiring to have people coming at the last minute and trying to move in on the space that you have been staking out for an hour. Of course I have only had any experience with parades at WDW and Disneyland.

I am still a little concerned because we will be there on Feb. 3rd, the 1st day of Mardi Gras. I am assuming that will also mean the parks will be extra crowded that day as well.

Thanks, Heather

 

[Jason71]

I'm going to date myself I'm sure, but last time we were at Mardi Gras at US was in the mid 90's. We got to be on a float throwing beads. Can you still do this? ANd if so how! I'm taking a friend who I think might enjoy it!!

Not as easy as it once was.

Back when Uni did the parade every night, it was very easy to get on a float--they practically begged people to do it. Now that the parade is down to one night a week, I think it is limited to VIPs and Annual Passholders, who must apply on-line. IIRC, a few DISers tried to get on floats last year, with little success. Good luck, tho, it was a blast the few times I did it years ago.

 

[Otownpartydude]

I have gotten on a float the lat 3 years. Last year took a little more work then years before but I still got on. I hope to this year as well. I hope to use the same technique to get a spot. Wish me luck!

 

[ilovefh]

Not as easy as it once was.

Back when Uni did the parade every night, it was very easy to get on a float--they practically begged people to do it. Now that the parade is down to one night a week, I think it is limited to VIPs and Annual Passholders, who must apply on-line. IIRC, a few DISers tried to get on floats last year, with little success. Good luck, tho, it was a blast the few times I did it years ago.

Oh man! I have an Annual pass, but it is the Bealls deal that I bought during the summer and I have yet to go trade in the voucher (I know it automatically activated on Dec 31) so I can't log on to apply! Anyone know a way I can get to the passholder site with just having the vouchers, because technically the passes are activated?

 

[NotAmused]

My family and I have been annual passholders for years and I have entered to be chosen to be in the parade every year and we never get selected! Then last year we went to the special area where we were told we had a chance at filling any empty spaces on the floats. We got there 2-3 hours early and actually waited! Of course, once they began selecting everyone went crazy and all over the place and we were not picked even though we were there before 95% of the people! And these 2 older ladies arrived after they already started choosing fillers and they got chosen right away!! mad: My party and I were not happy about that.




How does everyone get on the floats so often? I would love to throw beads out, just once. But we are never selected from the online entry or the waiting area. oh well.