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

[detroitmama]

I took my kids to the parade last year, and I hate to be a downer, but I loved everything about Universal BUT the Mardi Gras parade. As another poster said, there were tons of adults exibiting horribly rude behavior. I actually was nervous for my kids safety. There were adults pushing my 6 year old daughter out of the way to get MORE beads. She was bleeding afterwards. Crazy! Also, the crowds were very thick, and our family got separated.

As for the parade itself, well, I was disappointed. I would rate it at PG-13, not the kind of entertainment I normally bring my young kids to. I was actually in shock by all the scantilly clad people on floats, dancing around in the dark to music. Normally I'm not a total prude, but still, I was embarrased to have brought my kids to such an event. There was also a lot of drunk park-goers in the crowd.

Lastly, the parade didn't start on time, so what I thought would be a slightly late night, turned into a very late one indeed. So If you go, be prepared for that. Also, you asked if that day would be more crowded in the park than on a normal day, and I would have to say VERY MUCH yes, from my experience. We wished we had skipped the whole Mardi Gras thing, and used our pass a different day.

Good luck deciding!

 

[HLester3]

NotUrsula - Your right, maybe it isn't worth it to go. The kids don't really even know the plan and probably don't even care about the parade. They do love beads, but it would probably be more frustating for them not to get them. Maybe we should just stick to our usual Disney routine, until we go back in April. The Mardi Graz parade was just going to be the icing on the cake, but it doesn't really sound worth it. I guess it made me look into renewing our pass in time to get the passholder discount, so at least we will be all set in April. Thanks. Heather

 

[Jason71]

Keep in mind, this is an "authentic" Mardi Gras parade, with floats brought in from New Orleans--it's not a parade of cartoon characters like Magic Kingdom would no doubt put on. Don't know if I would go so far as to call it PG-13, but definitely more skin and tight costumes than any Disney characters (with the possible exceptions of Jasmine and Ariel).

Also, as with all the special events at Uni, alcohol is everywhere and marketed heavily. Much like Halloween Horror Nights, you can't go 10 feet without passing a make-shift bar.

Re: beads. Several of the perfomers walk around in the afternoon before the parade with a ton of beads. You can always go up and ask them. They are quite accomodating to younger kids, but generally make the adults work for them, doing stupid stunts.

Re: getting on floats. Back when the parade was daily (pre-9/11, I guess), on Sundays they would practically beg people to stay and throw beads. It really is fun to do once, even if just to see the backstage area and how they coordinate all the floats. These days I guess you probably have to know someone.

 

[TraceyL]

We left even before the parade last year. The place was packed with young adults drinking and being overly boisterous - fine for me but not for my DDs (9 & 5)

 

[HLester3]

Hi. OK I will only ask one more question. I am vern concerned about taking the kids to the parade after reading some of your responses. My husband had one question about how it is in the Little Jester area. Is it calmer in there, or are you just dealing with a different issue, of parents trying to get beads for the kids instead of adults pushing the kids out of the way to get the beads? How would you rate the crowd? Is it like going on a holiday or it more a local thing to go to?

Thanks, Heather

 

[NotAmused]

I know some of these responses are making it sound like it is absolutely crazy and unsafe, but this is not always the case. Last year was the first year I had any major problems, and I think that was because I was standing near the concert area AND a bar.....bad combination


I'm sure the Little Jesters area is a lot calmer since all of the parents are taking their children there for the same reason. As long as you are able to get your children a spot on the front row of the curb, they will be fine. If they're not right up front or in the Little Jesters section, I would suggest going to the back somewhere and finding a nice place where they can enjoy the parade with out being crowded around by adults. But if they're front row, children usually get special attention from the stilt walkers and other characters, plus I notice a lot of people on the floats will throw the beads directly to the kids up front so they will get some beads.

 

[MouseGirl]

We were at the Mardi Gras parade two years ago with our daughters, ages 9 and 7, and we had a wonderful experience. There was no pushing and shoving at all in the area where we were, right in front of the Universal Horror Make-Up show building. The kids stood in front of us on the curb (we got there early and staked out a spot) and they got tons and tons of beads. We went back to the Royal Pacific Hotel for the night thoroughly decked out in them and the kids still talk about the night they went to Mardi Gras. It was one of the highlights of our trip...

 

[lucyanna girl]

While I love Universal I must say that last year DD (14) and I did not enjoy the Mardi Gras Parade. We waited well over an hour for it to start and then when the parade got close people ran in front of us (we were sitting on the edge of the curb close to Mummy) blocking our view and nearly knocking us down. We will go to Universal whenever we are in Orlando but will not do this again and NO Way I would take small children. This was the only time I have ever been concerned for our safety in a park.

Penny

 

[yaytezIOA]

5yr old will be planted firmly on my shoulders catching beads. Out of harms way. My favorite time was when this drunk guy kept snatching beads and putting them on her.....she was loaded down by the time we left. Awesome time...cant wait for this year.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Some pics of last year:

 

[HLester3]

Thanks YaytezIOA - It certainly does not look as crowded as I imagined. I keep picturing how crowded City Walk Gets on Sat. night during spring break and thinking they will all be in the park for the parade. We were there last April and we could barely walk. Maybe this is doable.

Thanks, Heather

 

[highlander447]

We had a great time at Mardi Gras, my kids where 13 and 10 at the time and they loved it, pushing yes there is some but not outta control, I'd say when the parade finishes a lot leave not staying for the band, we found a good spot was outside earthquake store, looking forward to this years again we get to see Sean Paul again (he was good last time) plus Steve Miller Band (hope they are good)

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I've been worried about my kids safety in the past at the Mardi Gras parade. The first year I took them I was an innocent tourist and pretty much just held onto my little ones tightly out of fear of them being trampled on if I let them on the ground. I haven't taken them to the parade in the last couple of years because I felt like it would be too stressful for all of us. My DF and I are going to take them this Saturday to the first Mardi Gras of the year in hopes that the crowds won't be that heavy because it is the first one and see how they do. I think they would have alot of fun watching the parade and catching the beads. We are going to stand in a less crowded area of the parade route and hope for the best.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

To everyone who is worried about the kids and getting a good spot, and pushing, and adults drinking - I would say to skip the parade. Universal isn't like Disney (Thank goodness), and you really need to go into it with a relaxed attitude. We always go to Universal with the only expectation of relaxing and having a good time.

My kids were at the parade a couple years ago when they were 7 and 9 and will be there again this year at 9 and 11. They had a super time. We checked out the little jesters area, but it was packed several hours before the parade - no thanks. We found a spot down the street from Mel's about an hour before, got snacks and drinks and just hung out. We chatted with those adults around us and by the time the parade came my kids had a blast. They got tons of beads and because we were in a section with not a lot of kids, the performers really paid a lot of attention to my kids. Sometimes my kids reached for some beads and another adult got them - no biggie for us. If they had been pushed, I would have told the adult to scat, and have done so before - big deal.

If you don't want your kids to see pretty girls in belly shirts and cute guys with no shirts, and be around people who are drinking - definately do NOT go to the parade because there is a lot of that.

By the way, my kids and I have been pushed many more times at Disney at parades and character greetings than Universal. My little girl got shoved by a grown man at Disneyland to see Mickey - it was unbelievable. For those of you who want to hang out, see a good parade, do some yelling and have a good time - go - kids or not. But, if you are worried about this and that, you really won't have a good time anyway, and I would skip it.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Last night was the first night of Mardi Gras. OMG...HOW TERRIBLE. Now, let me explain. The characters were out in full force, they looked great, were very awesome...in fact I'll post some pics later.... The parade was AMAZING. Lots and Lots of beads. The crowds werent that bad, and we didnt stay to watch the concert...because it was raining, and FREEZING!
I had to push some unruly kids out of the way because my daughter bent down to pick up some beads, and they knocked her over...and jumped on her head. But those kids were only about 9 yrs old, and little punks. The adults were very well behaved, and its a good place for the whole family. In fact, they sought out my daughter for the beads.

 

[HLester3]

I actually decided to go and try it out with the kids. We stood down by Delancy Street, down from the Irish Pub. I guess it was because it was so cold out, there was no pushing at all, we only got there 10 min. before the parade since I decided to go into the restraunt to wait out the 45 min. and there were plenty of open places before the parade. The bad part was that it started raining half way through the parade and continued to rain until we got to the car after tha parade, the car said it was 50 degrees out. The plus we got a ton of beads and 3 or 4 coins. It was so dark it was kind of hard to catch the beads. I think I picked a lot of them up from the gutter in front of us. Not pushing or anything like that.

I don't mind drinking, but I was amazed at the number of bars selling vodka shots and girls selling jello shots, etc. I would not have cared about the drinking if I wasn't a little paranoid that the same people who were just drinking so much were also leaving the parking lots when I was. I think the rain caused a lot of people to skip the concert.

I asked around a few places and did not see one Little Jesters area. The people who worked there just looked at me funny when I asked if there was any place specifically set aside for kids. The only place I saw that was roped off were VIP areas.

 

[phamton]

The Little Jesters area is usually near the Battery Park. It is listed on the Mardi Gras map. It sounds like you were at a better spot for the parade though than the Little Jesters area.

 

[yaytezIOA]

As promised, pictures:

BE afraid....be very afraid

The main stage

The coolest suit EVER....I'm really getting one

Head shot

See...kids love it.

The rest of the pics didnt really turn out too well...but there was a little person with a wagon behind the cops on horses. It was awesome. Its good to see it change this year, there was one float that was themed to winter that had snow blowing out of it. And that barn float...I swear I smelled apples.

 

[Gator Kate]

What's the verdict on where the parade starts? We're first timers,2/17, and looking forward to it.

 

[phamton]

The parade starts at 8:00 PM.