Mardi Gras

[Houstonmom]

Does anyone live in Louisiana that could tell me if the kids are out the whole week of Mardi Gras or just the Monday and Tuesday. I know that the festivities end with Fat Tuesday but was curious about the kids and school.

We still haven't decided when to go and are thinking about going Feb. 27th for five nights but it falls during Mardi Gras and I was thinking if that would affect the crowds.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can give me advice or help. I need all I can get!

 

[Robo]

We have been at WDW several times during Mardi Gras week and had generally low crowds (Pleasure Island was very busy.)

BUT...
After hurricane Katrina (and the others), there should be no way to make accurate comparisons or predictions between THIS year and other "less eventful" years.

 

[Houstonmom]

Thanks! I was thinking the same thing since most of the evacuees are here in Houston and probably aren't really thinking about Disney vacations. Makes you grateful for what you have!

 

[blondeeinmichigan]

I have friends who live in New Orleans and Mardi Gras is going on but it's just not to be as long as it normally is. Not as many parades and such.

As far as schools...they don't have kids, so I'm not sure...but...it's definatley not going to be what it used to be. I don't think it ever will be...but that's for another thread....lol

Anyway....my thinking is that it's not going to be a big even for tourists this years since most of the town is still piled with trash and there aren't a whole lot of hotels open.

So...you may want to consider all of that.

It won't let me post a URL so you'll have to work with me here when I tell you to go to " NOLA ((dot)) com "

It has lots of Mardi Gras info and it might be able to answer some of your questions about the schools.

 

[Genieswife]

I live just north of New Orleans and my kids are only out for Fat Tuesday. We are still going on our usual trip to Disney like we do every year for Mardi Gras. I am sure though that there are many that usually go that will not be going. I am taking my kids out of school because my DH already had that week off a long time ago. So this is our only time to get away. Most kids in New Orleans are not off for the whole week, just Monday and Tuesday. Hope I was helpful.

 

[beth_cam]

Dont forget as well that Mar 3-5 or something like that is the Cheer/Dance competition i think. I was looking At going feb 24- mar 4 since it is my DD's b-day and realized then saw the warning on mousesavers about mardi gras (being too self involved to realize how the hurricanes might have effected things) So i thought maybe start vaction on the 3rd but it seems like no wonder all that time is peak season there is stuff going on constantly.

 

[noladave]

Each school is different, because they all need to make up days due to Katrina. Our kids are normally off monday-Friday, but this year, it's only Monday-Wednesday. At a minimum, schools in New Orleans will be off Monday and Tuesday.

This year it's hard to predict the crowds, simply because of Katrina. We are going because we need a break. Others are probably in the same boat. Others might not have the finances.

Last year it was quite crowded during Mardi Gras, but nothing compared to Summer or Thanksgiving.

 

[marypopfan]

I live outside of NO, we have the whole week off. They have quite a few people from around here going.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

We're about an hour out of NO and we will be there that week. Our kids are out all week. I am a teacher. We have conference days on Thurs and Friday. I am taking off the Thurs. and Fri. before. The Ultimate Guide site (www.touringplan.com) says several of these days will be crowded. DH says he'd rather fight the crowds than the heat.

 

[HLAuburn]

Originally, schools were going to use Mardi Gras week to make up for late start to the school year due to Katrina, but its my understanding that many schools found other ways to make up for the time lost, and gave back the entire MG week as vacation.

I know a few families who are going this year. I still don't think the crowds will be bad though.


By the way, where are all you LA folks from?? We're in Mandeville...just wanted to see who all is close by.

 

[kdupes116]

I live in Metairie,suburb of New Orleans (8 miles out). My kids were initially only going to have mon,tues,wed off but now we have the whole week as usual.
Mardi Gras is only supposed to be 8 days this year instead of 12 but I don't think it's going to make much of a difference. It's going to start on the usual day but maybe some parades during the first week won't roll.
The bigger ones with money will be rolling. The ones who will suffer will be the smaller krewes or newely established.
Parade routes have been adjusted b/c of damage in certain areas.
I think those people who usually go to Disney for Mardi Gras will probably still be going. They probably need a mental break from the abnormalities around here.
Although a lot of people from this area go during that time it is still not that crowded. I have heard good things about the crowds in disney Mardi Gras week.

 

[jlbower79]

I live an hour away from New Orleans and the MS Coast.. just wanted to let you know the kids around here still have the whole week off... no make up days from Katrina.. but because of Katrina I really don't see too many people thinking "disney" still. If you think about it, when Katrina hit was when most people would start planning their Mardi Gras Vacation to Disney.. I know I was about too right before it hit....

anyways.. just sharing my two pennies

Jaime

 

[honey11dog]

I live in Baton Rouge. Most schools here get a weeks vacation for Mardi Gras. It is considered a winter break.

 

[wendypooh]

I am in Baton Rouge too, and our kids have Feb. 27th and 28th off, not the entire week. Since they don't go back to school till monday from being off for the holidays, I don't have the current calendar updated for Katrina, so I'm not even sure if they'll still get those days off. We had actually about 7 - 8 months ago, started to plan our trip for Mardi Gras, but that changed due to the fact they didn't get the entire week off, AND, it's after the value season at WDW.

 

[vicb]

Dont forget as well that Mar 3-5 or something like that is the Cheer/Dance competition i think. I was looking At going feb 24- mar 4 since it is my DD's b-day and realized then saw the warning on mousesavers about mardi gras (being too self involved to realize how the hurricanes might have effected things) So i thought maybe start vaction on the 3rd but it seems like no wonder all that time is peak season there is stuff going on constantly.

I'll be there Feb. 27-March 6. Have not heard about a dance/cheer competition, I thought those were in early Feb? I do know that ESPN Weekend is March 3-5, mostly at MGM. I have been once before during MG and only found DTD to be zoo-ish. Was in MK on Fat Tues., saw lots of crazy, friendly, colorfully dressed folks from LA enjoying their MG week! We thought it added to the fun! I'll be bringing beads for my kids to wear this year!

 

[beth_cam]

I saw the warnings about this on mousesavers under "less known events that may effect crowds". Since after reading your post I looked at disney and didnt see it, I clicked on the link on mousesavers and got this link for you
http://www.contestofchampions.com/future_dates.html
which shows that this stuff takes place feb 25, 26 and mar 3-5. I dont understand why it doesnt show up more.

 

[LuvTheMagic985]

I live south of New Orleans in Houma...and our kids are out for 3 days...they return Thursday. Most ppl think only New Orleans does Mardi Gras...most of southern LA , Ms, and AL get out for Mardi Gras. Anyway...We've gone often for Mardi Gras and I found the crowds to be average to light. Being that we are following a hurricane catatrosphe in this area, I dont know how significant the crowds will be w/ most folks around here still dealing with all that. I am playing the "take it as it comes" game and keeping my fingers crossed that crowds will be low. Not that I truely care... I can't wait to go!!!

 

[cara76]

If we were still in NO , DS's school was to have the whole week off (not sure if they still do). I would of had Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off from school myself.