Mardi Gras

[townsend32796]

As relative newbies to the Universal Parks (we just purchased premier annual passes), we are planning on attending Mardi Gras this Saturday evening. I have a few questions:

1. Do we need to arrive by a certain time to ensure that we are able to park in either valet or preferred parking? (Does it fill up?)

2. If we plan to leave after the concert, will it take hours to get thru a parking log-jam? Or does exiting traffic normally run pretty smoothly?

3. Is the parade worth seeing? Also, does the parade occur before or after the concert? What time is the parade this weekend? Where are the "better" spots to see the parade?

Thank you in advance for any advice...

Linda

 

[Purseval]

A trick that multiple PP families use when valet is crowded is to offer to "pay" for valet parkng for someone near the front in exchange for letting them go next. When you said we purchased Premiere Passes it sounds like you could do that.

A lot of people take their time leaving the concert or go to CityWalk so it isn't the mad rush you would expect. I had to leave last Saturday to get the car and bring it around to HRH and pick up my wife and grand kids, it was an easy trip.

The parade is before the concert, around 8:00ish. We always go to Amity near the start of the parade route, grab a bunch of beads then head over the bridge and down to Mels to catch it a second time. We didn't care about the concert. If seeing the show is your man priority you need to either skip the parade and get in the concert area or stake out a spot near the concert area that will put you near the fence when the parade ends.

 

[DOOM1001]

Universal has the largest parking structures on the planet,from what I've heard they're visible from space and I think that there's gotta be 28 different exits to the garages,I think the most I've ever waited getting out of the parks was maybe 4-5 minutes,after Horror Nights or Mardi Gras with tons of people exiting there's almost never a wait to get out.As far as seeing the parade for me it's a must,it's the coolest parade anywhere.As someone said if you see the parade by where it starts you can then head to the concert stage to catch the concert before it begins.If seeing the concert from up close is a priority then you might have to stake out a spot very,very early.We went to Mardi Gras about 2 weeks ago and Dierks Bentley is not a must see so we caught the parade by San Francisco and then headed by Twister to see it again and catch more beads,then we went and saw some of the concert which to our surprise hadn't started yet,many times it starts before the parade is finished.One thing that I felt when they made the new concert stage they should have sunk in the stage and made it like a stadium style amphitheater,I know there's probably other park reasons that made them decide not to do it,but it would make for a much better concert experience.

 

[Rosie]

I've been looking on the park maps trying to see where the concert stage is but I can't find it
Can somebody here please tell me whereabouts to find it?

 

[Metro West]

I've been looking on the park maps trying to see where the concert stage is but I can't find it
Can somebody here please tell me whereabouts to find it?

The stage is located between Jimmy Neutron and Twister and across from the Monster Cafe. Part of the Rockit coaster runs over the top of the bandshell.

 

[Rosie]

The stage is located between Jimmy Neutron and Twister and across from the Monster Cafe. Part of the Rockit coaster runs over the top of the bandshell.

Thats great - thankyou!
I'll take another look at those maps.

 

[Purseval]

I've been looking on the park maps trying to see where the concert stage is but I can't find it
Can somebody here please tell me whereabouts to find it?

Click on the picture to enlarge it, X marks the spot.

 

[ms_flo]

Click on the picture to enlarge it, X marks the spot.

Purseval!

Do I have the time-line correct? The parade begins at the same time the park is scheduled to close. At this point I assume that all the rides, shops & eateries stop letting people in, & no one else is allowed to come into the park.
As parade makes its circuit, lots of people begin exiting. When the parade completes its route & exits, the concert begins.

About how long does the parade last? ...which I guess would give me the concert start time, if my time-line is right. How long do the concerts usually last? (Does US have a strict guideline, or does it vary by artist?)

Specifically for 3/20... The parade is at 8PM. The UK game is at 8:15PM. If I watch the parade near the beginning of the route & then run (well maybe just power walk ) to NASCAR Sports Grille, about what time should I get there.
Or, if I really can be happy just listening to part of the game on the radio & I stay to watch the concert, what time should I get to NASCAR?

 

[xApril]

I think you could get there in 5 minutes or less. I can easily make it from the Horror Make-Up Show inside the park to the dropoff area in about 10-15 minutes tops, so I think you'd be fine with getting to NASCAR in a timely manner.

I'm not sure on the concert length though.

Have a great time on your trip! Looking like you're going to have lovely weather - supposed to be in the upper 70s this weekend and mostly 70s next week! I'll be there tomorrow, doing my weekly Horror Make-Up Show viewings. I hope everything works out for you with the UK game and maybe your husband's favorite will win!

 

[ms_flo]

Thanks!
Time to drive!!

 

[mtblujeans]

Is Mardi Gras at the same time every year? Do they have any on-property specials to watch for (hotels)?