Touring Plan on Mardi Gras concert day

[mtrib]

We will have 2 park tickets with unlimited Express pass and early entry to IOA (thanks to this group's advice to just get a room already) on Feb 18th. Both parks open until 10. Pres Day weekend and (just learned) Mardi Gras concert night. I'm expecting crowds to be crazy.
Original plan was IOA for early entry then over to USF for park opening to hit DA before it gets too crowded. Then do rest of USF and back to IOA for late afternoon and evening.
However, I'm sure family will want to see the Mardi Gras parade. So, do we:
1- Stay at IOA for first part of day then head to USF for afternoon and evening
2- Stick with original plan but go back to USF for parade at 7:45

Does it make sense either way to go back to IOA after parade? I'm thinking it will be less crowded because everyone will be at USF at concert?

Thanks!!

 

[macraven]

I would head back to the studios before that 7:45 time you listed
Don’t wait to the last minute to switch parks

I went opening weekend last year and loved it

The area where the bands preform will be crowded
Parade route starts to fill up at various times depending on the location where you are waiting

My favorite place to see the parade is away from the stage

I arrived about 20 minutes prior to the parade and stood in the area where T2 used to be
Well about halfway between horror make up show and T2 was my location

I have not been to any parks during presidents weekend
Always read it has large crowds so no idea if after the parade IOA is the place to be

Others can share how crowd levels have been in the past for them in order for you to decide that evening agenda