Mardi Gras Parade

[erddig]

I am planning our April trip to US/IOA (with a side trip to WDW). I just discovered we will be there during Mardi Gras. So since I am a type A planner I am making my ADR's and all sorts of obsessive complusive plans. Can anyone please give me any historical information for when the Mardi Gras Parade is (days of weeks and times), I recall seeing it was every Friday and "select" other days but I can't find where. We love a good parade and don't want to miss this one. We will be there during spring break and the parks are open until 10.
Thanks so much,

 

[Metro West]

I am planning our April trip to US/IOA (with a side trip to WDW). I just discovered we will be there during Mardi Gras. So since I am a type A planner I am making my ADR's and all sorts of obsessive complusive plans. Can anyone please give me any historical information for when the Mardi Gras Parade is (days of weeks and times), I recall seeing it was every Friday and "select" other days but I can't find where. We love a good parade and don't want to miss this one. We will be there during spring break and the parks are open until 10.
Thanks so much,

The parade is only on Saturday nights.

 

[erddig]

Thanks Metro West. That makes a huge difference!

 

[Metro West]

Thanks Metro West. That makes a huge difference!

Sure thing. Just an FYI...concerts are sometimes on Friday and Sunday nights but the biggest shows are on Saturday nights right after the parade. That's what the "select nights" mean.

 

[bicker]

I noticed that... bummer... we're visiting Monday through Thursday.

 

[erddig]

So a couple more questions.
Is the parade a don't miss (we do really enjoy and appreciate parades at WDW)?
Does having the parade only on Saturday combined with the concert mean touring the park is even more crowded, or is the "touring crowd" different from the concert crowd.
Is it only a mardi gras theme (or does it incorporate 'characters')?

Anything else I should think about?


Thanks,

 

[Metro West]

So a couple more questions.
Is the parade a don't miss (we do really enjoy and appreciate parades at WDW)?
Does having the parade only on Saturday combined with the concert mean touring the park is even more crowded, or is the "touring crowd" different from the concert crowd.
Is it only a mardi gras theme (or does it incorporate 'characters')?

Anything else I should think about?


Thanks,

If you're going to be there during Mardi Gras, you should definitely try to see the parade at least once. The park does get crowded on Saturday nights but a lot depends on who's performing. A lot of people will stay for the parade and then leave before the concert. There are no characters on the parade floats unless the float itself incorporates some characters.

Here are some pictures of the parade:

 

[erddig]

Thanks for the info. The pictures are great! I am going to try and incorporate the parade into our visit...the photos sold me!

 

[Debs Hill]

I am also an obsessive planner!!!!! We are going to be there from 25th March for 3 nights and are planning on seeing the parade on Saturday night........do you know what time it starts? How far in advance do you have to 'get a space' and where would you suggest watching it from?! Travelling with small person (age 10) who wants to catch some beads!!!!

Also noted that there is food....stalls like at the Food and Wine Festival?

Thanks for the pictures!
Debx

 

[HLAuburn]

The website says parades are on Saturdays "and other select nights"...anyone know when those other nights might be? I'm assuming there's one on Fat Tuesday, but any chance there will be other weekday parades? We used to live outside New Orleans and we really miss the parades...this sounds like a great alternative!

 

[Metro West]

I am also an obsessive planner!!!!! We are going to be there from 25th March for 3 nights and are planning on seeing the parade on Saturday night........do you know what time it starts? How far in advance do you have to 'get a space' and where would you suggest watching it from?! Travelling with small person (age 10) who wants to catch some beads!!!!

Also noted that there is food....stalls like at the Food and Wine Festival?

Thanks for the pictures!
Debx

There are food stalls all over the place with some delicious smelling goods for sale.

I would stake out a spot no later than 6pm...I think the parade starts around 7ish. It's not like at Disney where you have to sit down five hours before but people will to come in at the last minute and try to stand in front of you. I don't usually have any issues of people trying to push me out of the way since I'm 6'2" and 265.

I usually stand around Mel's and watch it from there. It really depends on if you want to see the concert or not. If so, you would be better off standing around Monsters Cafe so you can get a better concert viewing position. If not, you could stand just about anywhere.

The website says parades are on Saturdays "and other select nights"...anyone know when those other nights might be? I'm assuming there's one on Fat Tuesday, but any chance there will be other weekday parades? We used to live outside New Orleans and we really miss the parades...this sounds like a great alternative!

The parade is only on Saturday nights...the "select nights" is for the smaller concerts that perform on Friday and Sunday nights.

 

[bicker]

The website says parades are on Saturdays "and other select nights"...anyone know when those other nights might be?

From what I could tell from last year, there weren't any other nights.

 

[Metro West]

From what I could tell from last year, there weren't any other nights.

I can see where the confusion is coming from. The website lists Mardi Gras as "Saturdays & Select Nights Feb. 12 - Apr. 23" and doesn't specify anything different about the parade. The parade section should have a note of some sort saying the parade is only on Saturday nights.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Ove....html&expID=13-15204&contentID=13-15209&seq=1

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for all the great information! Sounds like it's going to be a fun night!
Debx

 

[Jason71]

From what I could tell from last year, there weren't any other nights.

There were two "extra" parades/concerts last year--one on a Sunday (2/14), one on a Friday (4/9). Both were busier Spring Break weeks. There hasn't been a parade on Fat Tuesday itself in many years--they let CityWalk have the crowd that night.

Re: spots to watch. If you stay in the general vicinity of Starbucks/Louie's, you can catch the parade twice, as it loops around, for maximum bead-catching.

 

[donaldduck352]

Re: spots to watch. If you stay in the general vicinity of Starbucks/Louie's, you can catch the parade twice, as it loops around, for maximum bead-catching.

Correct,great advise!

I do find it odd it's just a month and a week away and no concert line-up on thier website yet tho.

 

[Debs Hill]

Thank you for the great advice.........we will be there......ready to catch those beads!! So excited!! ha! ha!

How far in advance do they generally announce the concerts?!! Where does the concert take place in the park?
Debxx

 

[Metro West]

Thank you for the great advice.........we will be there......ready to catch those beads!! So excited!! ha! ha!

How far in advance do they generally announce the concerts?!! Where does the concert take place in the park?
Debxx

The concerts are held in the band shell across from Monsters Cafe...it's standing room only...no seating at all.

The concert schedule should be announced sometime in mid-January.

 

[mtblujeans]

I was going to ask if the parade starts at Mel's but you answer my question by the recommendation of standing near Starbuck's.

 

[txsoccermom]

The website says parades are on Saturdays "and other select nights"...anyone know when those other nights might be? I'm assuming there's one on Fat Tuesday, but any chance there will be other weekday parades? We used to live outside New Orleans and we really miss the parades...this sounds like a great alternative!

One (well someone from NOLA!) would think they would have a parade on St. Patty's Day! This year it's on a Thur and it's in the thick of Spring Break, so here's to hoping there will be a parade that nite when we're there