mardi gras parade time?

[muffyn]

i couldn't find a time for the parade, anyone know when it is?

also I am concerned with the smaller parade route ( last time i went it was beginning past jaws) that I might have a problem finding a place.... as we 'can't' get there probably before 7,,, (& still have to park & get tickets exchanged)

not my ideal, but if its all I can do,,,,,,,,, dang.

 

[Metro West]

I remember the parade always starting around 7:45pm or so since the concerts start right afterwards. I don't know how the construction will affect the parade this year but we'll have a better understanding after the first weekend.

 

[xApril]

I looked up parade times on Google and I seemed to find a 7:30pm for some nights and 8:30pm for other nights. I think that's right because I seem to remember concerts starting on the hour. During "peak" nights, the concerts are at 9pm so the parade is a bit later. On the other nights, it's usually 8pm.

I'm sure the times will come out soon though.

 

[atricks]

Based on the park hours, I'd expect 7:30 (Except for the last two weekends in March around the peak of the spring break season) when it'll be 8:30. They may adjust the parade time if the crowds are expected to be super large for some of the acts.

The one big thing that's a wildcard this year is all the construction around there, it's likely to block the typical parade route, so it'll likely be shorter, and the food / side band area will need to be somewhere else (I have no idea where).

 

[Metro West]

The one big thing that's a wildcard this year is all the construction around there, it's likely to block the typical parade route, so it'll likely be shorter, and the food / side band area will need to be somewhere else (I have no idea where).

Yeah...I'm interested in seeing how the route changes this year with the construction. They should be sending the sping Passport newsletter out soon.

 

[hpriamson]

Could someone explain the usual timetable for the Mardi Gras events? I just realized we'll be there during Mardi Gras (April 13 specifically), and wanted to know how we should plan for it. According to the universal site, Pitbull is playing that night, which will probably appeal to my older kids, and be wildly popular as well. The park is closing at 9 PM that night - does that mean the parade & concert are over and done with by then, or does the concert start after closing, or what?

Also, when are the French Quarter music & food events open? All day? Evening only? If we start the day at IOA and try to hop back to USF for the parade, will we be out of luck? Thank you.

 

[atricks]

Going from rusty memory, but I believe the food area opens around 4 or 5, and the New Orleans band plays around 5:30 or 6. (and sometimes they had more than one set, probably multiple on the later parade starts).

Any of that can change though. Getting back to the studios for the parade shouldn't be a problem if you give yourself enough time, I'm positive that weekend will be really busy though, so you may want to go back to the French Quarter area around the time the New Orleans band starts up and just relax and find a good spot then.

 

[hpriamson]

Thanks - so does the big concert usually start after official closing time?

Just curious - why do you think the parks will be very busy that weekend? The online crowd calendars are all over the place for that time period. Glad we're staying on site for the EPs though.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks - so does the big concert usually start after official closing time?

Just curious - why do you think the parks will be very busy that weekend? The online crowd calendars are all over the place for that time period. Glad we're staying on site for the EPs though.

The concerts usually start right at closing or just afterwards. They will admit people into the Studios until closing for the parade/concert but not after.

I don't know what's going on that weekend but unless there is some event, the parks shouldn't be too bad. However, if Pitbull is playing at the Studios Saturday night, it's going to be jammed packed!