Mardi Gras question

[kimis]

We go every year at the beginning of Feb but I can't remember if the times that Mardi Gras is going on if it is a lot busier. Does anyone know if the parks are any more crowded than normal for that time of year? I didn't realize it was going to be mardi gras week while we were there. I have heard many people say they had tried to get rooms on site and the resorts are full. Last year when we were there WDW was hosting an international home builders convention and the resorts were full but the parks were still fine. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[OKW Lover]

Mardi Gras 2008 is on February 5th. Even with a few extra people that might be "escaping" from NOLA, I wouldn't expect a noticeable difference in crowds that weekend.

 

[G's mommy]

Shouldn't be too bad this year. In 2007, Mardi Gras fell the same week as President's Day and it was a mad house!

 

[red1der1]

I was worried about this when I booked my trip for Feb 7th but I read somewhere that schools are only out on fat tues, and ash wed and only in the NOLA area so I don't think crowds will be a big problem.

 

[JillyBean]

Does anyone know why the resorts are so full that week? We just booked a trip for Jan 31 - Feb 5 and almost all the resorts are completely full. Is there a convention or something going on?

 

[_queenie_]

It shouldn't be too bad this year. I agree that it was crazy last year the week of presidents day, I thinks it's vacation week for the whole state of NY. That must be the real busy Feb week because last year we stayed for a few days into the next week and found the crowds to be much lighter. I don't think Mardi Gras has much to do with it. Luckily most of NH has pushed their school vacation week ahead one week, so we'll be going the last week of Feb.

 

[krs52]

Does anyone know why the resorts are so full that week? We just booked a trip for Jan 31 - Feb 5 and almost all the resorts are completely full. Is there a convention or something going on?

I'd love to know the answer to this as well. There is very little available from the 5th though the 12th also.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We live about 1 hour southwest of New Orleans, schools here are off for the entire week of Mardi Gras.

You will see a lot of LSU and Saints sweatshirts and hats. However, Mardi Gras should not significantly affect crowd levels at the parks.

I'm scratching my head over why the resorts are full.

 

[rie'smom]

I was worried about this when I booked my trip for Feb 7th but I read somewhere that schools are only out on fat tues, and ash wed and only in the NOLA area so I don't think crowds will be a big problem.

Most of south Louisiana is off the entire week and I expect those going to WDW this year will leave either Friday,the 1st or Saturday the 2nd and they'll stay until either the 8th or 9th.
There is usually a stampede out of the southern part of the state with people either going to WDW or Colorado. Fortunately, our state has a small population.
I just saw a scale of 2 out of a possible 5 for for the 4th through the 16th, so it's looking great for crowd levels. Have fun!!!!

 

[Doc631]

My DS and her family live in Baton Rouge, about 1 hour from NOLA. From what she tells me, and they go every year at Mardi Gras, is that it's not too crowded, unless Mardi Gras falls during President's Week-like another PP stated. In BR most schools are out only Mon. & Tues., but some of the Catholic and other private high schools are out all week. Mardi Gras alone should not make a big difference in crowd level.

 

[LuvsTinker]

Many of the schools here are out the whole week of Mardi Gras.

We've been several times during MG and the only time it was really a problem was when it fell the day after Pres. Day - it was jam packed in the parks. I'll never do that again!

With it being the 5th this year, it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[pamjb]

I'm scratching my head over why the resorts are full.

I have one word as to why the resorts are full......cheerleaders. The Universal Cheerleading Association High School Cheerleader Competition is Feb 8-Feb 10

 

[Gebrew]

We are in Mobile, Alabama and schools are out the entire week of Mardi Gras. From doing a lot of travelling during Mardi Gras, my guess is that you will see a pretty significant number of New Orleans (and Mobile) folks there during the week. I can't imagine, however, that it will have a major impact on the parks. We will be there as well!

 

[Gebrew]

We are from Mobile, Alabama and schools are out the entire week of Mardi Gras. From doing a lot of travelling during Mardi Gras, my guess is that you will see a pretty significant number of New Orleans (and Mobile) folks there during the week. I can't imagine, however, that it will have a major impact on the parks. We will be there as well!

 

[jenpan]

Count us in!!! We went on the Disney Wonder last year for Mardi Gras, which was Pres. week. We did the parks for 2 days after the cruise and it was NUTS!!!!!!!! Never go again when Mardi Gras is during Pres. week. We're hoping it won't be too crowded this year at Mardi Gras!! 29 days and counting!!!

 

[Sinderelli]

I was worried about this when I booked my trip for Feb 7th but I read somewhere that schools are only out on fat tues, and ash wed and only in the NOLA area so I don't think crowds will be a big problem.

Actually, most schools are off the whole week, or at least Mon-Wed.

Does anyone know why the resorts are so full that week? We just booked a trip for Jan 31 - Feb 5 and almost all the resorts are completely full. Is there a convention or something going on?

Someone posted earlier about 2 cheerleading competitions- one is Feb 1-3, and the second one is Feb 8-10.

We are from Mobile, Alabama and schools are out the entire week of Mardi Gras. From doing a lot of travelling during Mardi Gras, my guess is that you will see a pretty significant number of New Orleans (and Mobile) folks there during the week. I can't imagine, however, that it will have a major impact on the parks. We will be there as well!

I went to college in Mobile I remember many spirited conversations about Mobile being the originators of Mardi Gras