Mardi Gras

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I just read a trip report that said employees were walking around selling vodka shots during the parade. Is this true? If it is, I think it is totally inappropriate. The poster also said that adults were grabbing beads out of kids hands.

I was so excited to bring my kids to this parade, but this sounds like an adult event. I figured since they had special areas for children, the parade would be appropriate for them. My mouth is literally hanging open that employees would be walking around selling vodka shots.

I am no prude and even have a few drinks myself, but I don't need my children to see drunken people doing shots and acting like fools for some beads. I am really disappointed.

 

[DaddyDon]

Have not read that thread ,But i'm there with you on that one!I have seen them sell jello shots in city walk but did not see that at the macy's day parades,only hot choc.please keep me updated on this one as my plans might change for sat nite.
Not A prude Either
Just watching out for my 6 yr old!
Thanks ,Don

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

DaddyDon,
I hope it will be more like the Macy's Parade. I think selling shots at City Walk is fine - after all, it is a nightclub atmosphere, and I wouldn't have my kids there after 9:00pm. But, inside the park is quite different. I think my plans may change Sat. night too.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I know they were selling shots during the super busy week around New Year's, but haven't seen that around Mardi Gras. I'm sure what you read is true. *goes to read the TR*

 

[highlander447]

Wow need to find this report

 

[rocketman23]

I saw a few Jello Shot girls walking around last week, which I don't see as too awful since they push alcohol at every Mardi tent there. And yes there are some vicious adults. There's no secret, Mardi Gras is based on and recreated as a more adult event similar but not as drastic as HHN. There are little jester viewing areas for the kids in which they do not have to deal with grabby adults. It's not too terrible, but you just have to avoid those rowdier individuals. In other words: This ain't Disney.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Yeah, I've seen a couple Jello Shot girls walking around...but it's not overdone...there's not alcohol everywhere you look. I'm sure that the Little Jesters Viewing area will help with the vicious adults problem. However, I only encountered two grabby people...and that was because almost everyone huddled under a covered area during the rain...but after something was said, they left us alone.

You and your family can always stand next to me and my mom on Sunday...we aren't grabby.

My final comments (all agreed with by my mom) that the two Mardi Gras parades we attended, we did not encounter any drunks. There were MANY kids, and the people in the parade pay extra special attention to them. The concerts may be a different story, but most kids would leave right after the parade anyway.

HTH!!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Thanks Flyfly,
I think we better stick to the Little Jester's Area. I do hope to go to a Ghostbusters show this time, we haven't seen that or Horror Makeup, or Sinbad, so I want to catch all those this time.

 

[phamton]

No vodka shots, just jello shots. There is alcohol served by many vendors there also. I didn't see any adults grabbing beads from kids but did see several young kids run out into the parade route to get beads. (very dangerous)

Most of the young kids were not trying to catch beads but letting their parents catch them and hand them to the kids. They throw the beads really high and don't see how younger kids could even catch them anyway.

 

[Slacking]

Just repeating what everyone has already said, there should be no problem if you stick with the Little Jesters viewing area, you won't have to worry about adult grabbers. Should be a lot less violent. Elsewhere along the route, you'd be shocked how insane people act over 5-cent strings of plastic, but your kids should have fun in the Little Jesters area.

As for the Jello Shots and alcohol around the place.
Its there, but easily avoidable, its not like its all over the place (most of the alcohol is found near the stage/yard area.) Also, I've been there the last 2 weekends, and haven't experienced any problems with people who have had too much to drink.

I wouldn't let these two things pull you away from Mardi Gras, it really can be a lot of fun for the family.

Also- at 2pm I believe they have a very small parade procession thing, that I think may be geared more towards kids.

 

[DaddyDon]

Thank you for the heads up! I will have to re think my mardi gras exp with my 6 yr old!

 

[chiefbrody]

Hey, we are going down the end of March and planned on going to the parade....This thread really worries me. Can anyone tell me where on the parade route is this Litte Jester area. I think we need to stick to this area

Thanks

 

[Slacking]

One of the viewing areas is across from the Old Herc/Xena building right where the route makes a slight turn from Production Central into New York.

The other area is in front of Twister, which is towards the end of the route.

I wouldn't let these stories talk you out of anything, its really not that bad, but I would look into the Lil Jester areas and the 2pm mini parade.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I agree with Slacking that if you miss the main parade, go to the 2PM "Mardicade." It's VERY short, and you don't get many beads, but your kids will see Scooby, the Rugrats, and the GBs.

I still stay with my comments that the problems with alcohol were minimal during my experiences.

Slacking -- are you from the Orlando area then?

 

[Slacking]

Originally posted by Flyfly_Eclipse
Slacking -- are you from the Orlando area then?

Nope, I actually live in Tampa (soon to be home of Cheetah Chase!- lol), but I go to UO and Orlando in general waaaaaay too often.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I'm all for fun, but vodka shots in a family atmosphere????

Gimme a break...

 

[Slacking]

Its not like they walk around with trays covered with straight vodka filled shot glasses. Its those syringe-filled Jello Shots they walk around carrying.

 

[h20jag]

Not to change the subject, but did any AP holders purchase the "special beads" the Pass Newsletter advertised?
Just wondering what they may look like.
Thanks!
Jim

 

[rocketman23]

They are $4 and look like tacky Christmas ornaments you hang around your neck. Don't bother...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I could not believe how many adults grabbed the beads from right in front of my children when we were at Universal last April. They were downright aggressive and I eventually spoke up and they backed down a little . We're talking cheap, plastic beads afterall. Then there was the lady that decided to get her video camera out and film the whole parade. That would be one thing, but she came in at the last minute and pushed to right in front of us with her son. What nerve! I took every chance I could to step in front of her when she was filming. hehehe

I didn't know about the kid viewing areas--that is a good idea unless they are even more crowded.

T&B