Random Mardi Gras Observations-2/13

[Jason71]

*Less crowded than I expected, given I-4 has been a parking lot all weekend. Guessing the cold drove a lot of people home at sunset. Concert seemed more crowded than the parade route.

*No new floats (mostly using the literary theme again), and I thought the parade was a bit shorter than in years past, but I can't be sure. That said, the performers are still amazing--I could not look that excited walking on stilts half-naked in 40-odd degree weather!

*Heart put on another incredible show. Liking the new stage, as well. Interestingly, they ran RRR through the first song or so, probably clearing out the line. The effect was actually really cool, kind of wish they did it through the concert.

*Two positive changes. A Starbucks booth next to the temporary bars (only regular coffee, no specialty drinks, but very nice last night when the regular Starbucks closed at 9), and they project the word "Restrooms" with an arrow on the side of Twister. Both minor, but helpful.

 

[Purseval]

Glad to hear you liked the show. We will be there for the March 6th parade, no interest in Akon. We're hoping the warming trend we are seeing in the 10-day forecast for orlando continues into March.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the update. I didn't go last night as it was too cold but hopefully it will be nicer this weekend for Blondie.

I saw Heart in 2007 at Mardi Gras and they always put on a monster show!

I'm disappointed to hear about the parade not having any new floats this year. Maybe as the year progresses they will add new ones.

 

[PammyK]

We were there last Saturday and while the floats may have been recycled, they also seemed to be very nicely refurbished. They were freshly painted and decorated and just seemed to sparkle in a way that they haven't in the past few years. They also had the riverboat leading the parade which took some getting used to.

They also have apprarently decided to go with the "reverse direction" route, going straight along the lake instead of making the turn by Louie's.

I also agree that the parade seemed shorter, but we couldn't decide whether it was because there were fewer floats or because they were driving faster because of the cold. There were definitely fewer bead throwers on each of the floats though.

 

[*LittleMermaid*]

They have 4 new floats fyi.

 

[Jason71]

They have 4 new floats fyi.

Which ones? I've seen it twice, now, looked like mostly the "literature" floats again, with the standards (riverboat, gator, crawfish).

 

[F-L-A]

The New Orleans and Music floats are new. They also replaced the old Food float with a new one. Oddly, the Universal float was retired, making the parade a little shorter.

 

[Jason71]

The New Orleans and Music floats are new. They also replaced the old Food float with a new one. Oddly, the Universal float was retired, making the parade a little shorter.

Didn't even notice the food float had changed...must have been too busy watching the "cake girls."

 

[Purseval]

They also have apprarently decided to go with the "reverse direction" route, going straight along the lake instead of making the turn by Louie's.

This thread has the official parade route map, are you saying they have altered it? I wonder if it is because of the weather or if it will use the reverse route for the reast of the MG season?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2386058

There were definitely fewer bead throwers on each of the floats though.

US is holding a contest where people can win spots on the floats to throw beads. We entered twice, no call yet. I'm sure they could fill the floats with no problem if they started picking more winners.