Mardi Gras parade report--first night (2/2)

[Jason71]

Saw a couple comments on the concert, but nothing on the parade yet, so here goes...

First off, less crowded than I expected. Still packed trying to leave, but I haven't seen the sidewalks so empty other than the night it dipped into the low 40s and the night it rained like crazy all day. Maybe people didn't realize it was starting so early this year?

The parade route was more-or-less reversed from the past few years. It now turns left at Louie's into "NY," then comes back up Rodeo Drive, turning again at Mel's and heading back to SF. Seemed like mostly a local crowd, so a lot of confused people, everyone just more or less rushed into the street once the turn was made. No ropes, no barriers, it wasn't well thought-through. Then, after the parade finished its initial turn into NY, 4 or 5 yellow-shirt employees had to try to stop the crowds from walking toward Mel's headlong into the parade. I felt bad for them, not sure why they didn't have barriers like in years past.

New floats were great, I especially liked the El Dorado and Atlantis ones. The stiltwalkers and dancers are amazing as always, just full of energy working the crowd.

 

[leanan]

I saw the parade from my spot waiting for the concert. We got to check out the stilt walkers after the concert. They were awesome. One of the girls was complaining about how hot her costume was but they looked fantastic.

DH was like we are so watching the parade from the route next week. He is also making a wish list for the specialty beads he wants to buy. I am getting the clown face one for myself and the rubber ducky ones for DD. Yep we are bad. DH really loves Mardi Gras in general.

 

[jimmyzluck]

We are arriving next sat. and want to make the concert..My question is do we have to worry about the park filling to capacity because i dont know when we will arrive and get settled in.what time is to late to arrive.We are ap holders so dont have to worry about tickets.Will the park stop letting people in ?any help appriciated thanks jimmy

 

[leanan]

I do not imagine this is an issue. They were far from filling to capacity this week. Next week is still "off season" so I presume all should be good. Now late March when my beloved Heart is there I have some worries and concerns for that date.

 

[TigerLaw]

Jason, thanks for the update first off! now my question - can you be a little more specific as to the parade route - somewhere in there you lost me (I think its b/c I don't know the restaurants by name) it seemed like a very weird path if I understood you right

also, couple other questions - do they give out maps showing the route beforehand like at disney and how long in advance would you suggest "camping out" for the parade and where too? (we're coming down next weekend)

thanks for the help!

 

[F-L-A]

do they give out maps showing the route beforehand like at disney and how long in advance would you suggest "camping out" for the parade and where too? (we're coming down next weekend)

Yes, the parade route and start time is shown on the park map. I would recommend getting situated at least 40 minutes before the parade starts if you want a spot right on the curb.

I saw the parade from my spot waiting for the concert. We got to check out the stilt walkers after the concert. They were awesome. One of the girls was complaining about how hot her costume was but they looked fantastic.

Hot? Most of them were probably freezing to death. I wonder if she offered to trade.

 

[leanan]

Yes she was hot. She was whipping sweat visibly off of her body. She was wearing a fur lined costume. I did not think it was that chilly last night. It was perfect out.

 

[Jason71]

Jason, thanks for the update first off! now my question - can you be a little more specific as to the parade route - somewhere in there you lost me (I think its b/c I don't know the restaurants by name) it seemed like a very weird path if I understood you right

Basically the same as the past few years, started up by "Amity" and comes down through past "San Francisco"/"Beetlejuice". However, rather than heading straight to Rodeo Drive (the street with Terminator 3D) and turning right, the parade takes an early right, onto the street with The Mummy, then a left down the main drag. They reversed the circle from last year, basically--it probably looks the same on a map, just counterclockwise rather than clockwise.

30-40 minutes is probably not a bad estimate, but if it's another slow weekend, you should get a decent spot (tho not curbside) with even 10 or 15.

 

[fairfax]

Thanks for the heads up about the parade route! We'll be there this Saturday 2/9.

 

[newsliner1]

we were at universal last year as we were walking past jaws toward fear factor about an hour before the parade started we were asked to be in the parade and ride on a float. we got to ride on a float and throw beads. It was a really cool thing to do and also worked great when it started to pour down rain we were under the roof of the float and didnt get wet.
kim

 

[highlander447]

I do not imagine this is an issue. They were far from filling to capacity this week. Next week is still "off season" so I presume all should be good. Now late March when my beloved Heart is there I have some worries and concerns for that date.

I'm looking forward to that one, only saw Heart once before and that was 25years ago when they supported Queen, I reckon it will be packed that weekend you also have 60,000 wrestling fans in town for Wrestlemania

 

[MamaKate]

I'm looking forward to that one, only saw Heart once before and that was 25years ago when they supported Queen, I reckon it will be packed that weekend you also have 60,000 wrestling fans in town for Wrestlemania

I'll be taking DS to wreslemania

.

But we won't be seeing Heart. Just want to see the parade .

 

[highlander447]

I'll be taking DS to wreslemania

.

But we won't be seeing Heart. Just want to see the parade .

I'll be taking DS as well to Mania, annoyed that Universal have a WWE event in Feb for AP holders and I'll miss it

 

[MamaKate]

I'll be taking DS as well to Mania, annoyed that Universal have a WWE event in Feb for AP holders and I'll miss it

Yeah, they should've held it closer to the actual Wrestlemania date. But my sons just excited to be going and in his favorite city no less.

It should be a fun weekend .

 

[MyManGoofy!]

I was there last Saturday night and it was fun! It is always fun but this time we were chosen to ride on one of the floats and I can't believe how fun that was! I can attest to the fact that it was very hot! I think we all came off the parade route sweating.

Here is a heads up for those of you watching the parade - please pay attention. We are chucking beads at you! (Although I did not mean to smack anyone in the face with them - it was still a little funny when I did.)

Bret Michaels was ok. I just do not look at him the same way since his tv show. I think he is a major pig. So it didn't bother me that we missed the first part of the concert and then left before it was over to beat some of the crowd leaving.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Here is a heads up for those of you watching the parade - please pay attention. We are chucking beads at you! (Although I did not mean to smack anyone in the face with them - it was still a little funny when I did.)

LOL Thinking I need to pack my hard hat and safety glasses for the parade

 

[MyManGoofy!]

LOL Thinking I need to pack my hard hat and safety glasses for the parade

You should be ok if you pay attention. I just was amazed by the people that were sitting there watching all these floats go by with people on them tossing beads into the crowd and yet they didn't seem to be aware that some might come towards them. It was strange!

 

[Jason71]

You should be ok if you pay attention. I just was amazed by the people that were sitting there watching all these floats go by with people on them tossing beads into the crowd and yet they didn't seem to be aware that some might come towards them. It was strange!

But there are sometimes...distractions. Like cake girls. Or flamingo girls. Or Egyptian goddess girls...

And yes, over the years I've taken a couple beads to the face, it doesn't really hurt.

 

[F-L-A]

I have a request of my own for the people on the floats -- Don't toss beads directly at people holding cameras. Obviously, were not going to catch them. At least not with our hands.

 

[jimmyzluck]

Being from louisiana I have seen many parades and ridden in a couple also.However i would love to ride in universal with my family.To those of you who have gotten picked any tips on how they picked you?