WebmasterBarry
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
For the sixth year, Universal Studios Florida will have its annual Mardi Gras celebration. The celebration last for 22 nights, starting on February 16, 2001 and ending on March 17, 2001. Mardi Gras consists of a nightly parade, New Orleans cuisine, and musical acts.
The highlight of Mardi Gras is the parade. The parade begins at park closing. Stilt-walkers, performers, and even the Blues Brothers join fifteen brightly-decorated floats that wind around the theme park. Floats are themed after such characters as Roman gods and goddesses, E.T., and the Marvel superheroes. Cheer loudly and the float-riders will toss you beads and doubloons. Do not attempt indescent exposure like the Mardi Gras at New Orleans to get beads because security will escort you out of the park! Yell, scream, and raise your hands at the float riders and you might get a bead. Some people see beads as a status symbol. Some people have so many beads around their neck that they look like Mr. T! You can buy special beads in the gift shops.
A musical group performs every Friday and Saturday during Mardi Gras. Past performers were 38 Special, the Pointer Sisters, Journey, and the Steve Miller Band. The stage is set up in front of MelâÂÂs Diner for the performances.
Although Mardi Gras celebrations are known for wild times and drinking, the one at Universal Studios Florida is like the one at New Orleans, minus the drunken debachery. Although alcohol is served and people are drinking, the crowd rarely gets out of control. Security usually escorts roudly guests out of the park.
The best part is that the Mardi Gras celebration is included with your regular dayâÂÂs admission!
Mardi Gras tips:
1.) You can ride a float! Float rider tickets are offered to onsite hotel guests. Annual passholders have a chance to get float rider tickets if they call into the passholder hotline at a certain time. You can also wait in the standby area. People will be selected to be a float rider on a first come, first serve basis until all openings are filled. If you want to try for the standby line, be in line at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before park close. The standby line is by the bathrooms near the Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show theater.
2.) You can get a lot of beads if you avoid the crowds. Crowds are usually thin around the parade entrance and exit. The crowds are usually thickest near the Party Zone. Scout out your place wisely.
Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards
The highlight of Mardi Gras is the parade. The parade begins at park closing. Stilt-walkers, performers, and even the Blues Brothers join fifteen brightly-decorated floats that wind around the theme park. Floats are themed after such characters as Roman gods and goddesses, E.T., and the Marvel superheroes. Cheer loudly and the float-riders will toss you beads and doubloons. Do not attempt indescent exposure like the Mardi Gras at New Orleans to get beads because security will escort you out of the park! Yell, scream, and raise your hands at the float riders and you might get a bead. Some people see beads as a status symbol. Some people have so many beads around their neck that they look like Mr. T! You can buy special beads in the gift shops.
A musical group performs every Friday and Saturday during Mardi Gras. Past performers were 38 Special, the Pointer Sisters, Journey, and the Steve Miller Band. The stage is set up in front of MelâÂÂs Diner for the performances.
Although Mardi Gras celebrations are known for wild times and drinking, the one at Universal Studios Florida is like the one at New Orleans, minus the drunken debachery. Although alcohol is served and people are drinking, the crowd rarely gets out of control. Security usually escorts roudly guests out of the park.
The best part is that the Mardi Gras celebration is included with your regular dayâÂÂs admission!
Mardi Gras tips:
1.) You can ride a float! Float rider tickets are offered to onsite hotel guests. Annual passholders have a chance to get float rider tickets if they call into the passholder hotline at a certain time. You can also wait in the standby area. People will be selected to be a float rider on a first come, first serve basis until all openings are filled. If you want to try for the standby line, be in line at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before park close. The standby line is by the bathrooms near the Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show theater.
2.) You can get a lot of beads if you avoid the crowds. Crowds are usually thin around the parade entrance and exit. The crowds are usually thickest near the Party Zone. Scout out your place wisely.
Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards
