Universal Mardi Gras 2025. Thirty years of celebrating NOLA. Laissez les bon temps rouler. Gators, beads, food, parades and dancing.

[Robo56]

Welcome Friends to my Universal Orlando Mardi Gras trip for 2025. A little back story for those who have not read my trip reports in the past.

I have been visiting Universal Orlando for years and it is my happy place. A place where I let the world stay outside and the little girl within have a good time enjoying someone else cooking, cleaning and me just enjoying the rides, shows and food.

Many years ago I started taking our youngest two grandchildren to WDW then WDW and Universal. Then Universal became our destination from then on.

Both grandchildren are grown. M has her MBA and is married and P is in his Junior year of college studying business. They are busy now so when I visit Universal it is usually by myself or my younger sister K joins me sometimes.

My hubby does not want to travel much anymore. He is the love of my life and he understands my need to get away to my Happy Place sometimes.

I’am a retired Nurse as is my older sister D. My younger sister K who visits Universal with me sometimes is still working as a Nurse.

I have introduced many family members to Universal over the years and they love Universal now too.

Universal has really grown into a destination vacation over the years with the addition of so many Resorts and additions to the parks.

The opening of EPIC Universe in May will really rocket Universal into the Stratosphere for sure.

Speaking of Resorts everyone has their favorites. My favorite is Portofino Bay. I call it my home resort. My second favorite is the lovely Sapphire Falls resort and then Royal Pacific. These are all beautiful resorts with the nicest folks that work there.

I have read that some folks are apprehensive about traveling alone to Universal, but it is a wonderful safe place to visit on your own. So if you are on the fence about it, just go and have a good time. You will be happy you did.

I had decided to go up and enjoy Mardi Gras for 3 days and had made my reservations around the first part of January. I chose to stay at the Lovely Sapphire Falls Resort.

When I looked at the weather report for my days it looked like there would be some cool nights, but warm days so it was ideal. I was going up on Monday February 24th and would be there until the 27th. Of course as we all know the weather changes. When I checked a few days before my trip up to Orlando it showed rain on Monday. So I made sure to pack my rain poncho and big umbrella.


Monday, February 24th

It was a little overcast out, but no rain yet. I packed my suitcase in the SUV it was about 6:45 am and off I went. I had made same nice meals for hubby to reheat while I was gone so he was all set.

I stopped for a coffee at Starbucks then I was on my way.

The fastest route for me is taking the 95 to the 520 to the 528 then I4 for a couple miles until I get to the turn off for Universal Boulevard.

For those who have not driven on 95 it is not for the faint of heart when it is busy. Strangely if I leave early I typically don’t run into the major traffic on 95. It was pretty busy this morning though. Then the rain started. Thankfully it was not the blinding downpour that can happen here in Florida.

I was glad when I finally reached the turn off for the 520.

There are tolls on the 528 and I recommend getting one of the EZ Pass little toll box for your front window. Those are easily purchased for the best price at the gas/restaurant stops on the Turnpike. You just set up an account and put some money on it and you are done. You just add to it as you need to.

It is about a hour and 45 minute trip from my home to Universal if everything goes well.

I arrived about 9:30 am to Sapphire Falls.


The Lobby is so big, open and inviting. This photo was taken the following morning. I get up early the Lobby was pretty much empty at 6 am.

When I arrived I was greeted by the lovely Star and Noel. Wow…talk about two nice young ladies. They were so sweet and inviting. I knew my room would not be ready, which is ok. Sometimes it is and sometimes not. I had plans to head to the park and just look around.



To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday, February 24th continued

After checking in and parking in the garage. I had a looked around the gift shop at Sapphire Falls. This is a nice gift shop and it has a lot of merchandise related to the parks as well as other things like sunglasses and summer clothes etc…

I’am always looking for new Harry Potter merch and I was not disappointed.

There was a lot of Marauder’s Map merchandise that was new since my last visit.

The big bag is see through not sure if the picture depicts that very well.

The red sling bag is really nice.

I really liked the pillow. The front and back of the pillow is nicely decorated.






After a quick look in the gift shop I headed for the Water Taxi. It was raining, but not hard. So on went the rain poncho.

After I arrived to CityWalk I headed for the Big Universal Store to have a look at the Mardi Gras merchandise there.

I saw a Hello Kitty backpack that was from Halloween for sale.



The Gator popcorn buckets were really cute the necklace lights up. I have a picture of that later.

Just a reminder if you buy any of popcorn buckets you can have your first fill of popcorn on the day you purchase your popcorn bucket only. You just show them your receipt. Also the majority of folks just ask for the fill of popcorn to be in a box or bag whichever they offer and do not get the popcorn in the actual decorative bucket. It makes sense to me, as I saw a guy trying to dig his popcorn out of the bucket and it did not look easy.

Folks do collect the various popcorn buckets from the different events.


Not sure what these little Gators do?


These shirts are very vibrant and cute.


Those of you who enjoy the little magnetic animals that you can put on your shoulder will be happy to know that they have an Alligator one for Mardi Gras. I have to admit they are cute.




These purple shirts and backpacks were really nice.

 

[Robo56]

The backpacks were purple and had a fuzzy exterior. I didn’t see the snake which is so obvious until I had taken the picture. Barron Ton Ton is on the front with a snake winding around his hat.




The decorating team always do a wonderful job with their Mardi Gras decorations in the stores.


There were some nice masks.


The steam punk mask was interesting.




I thought this T-shirt with the King Gator was a good one.


They also had fanny pack with the King Gator on it.

 

[Robo56]

The picture frames, card tags and drink glasses with the King Gator were nice.












The drink cups and drink carriers have become popular for the different events.




The drink glasses and backpacks were nice.

 

[Robo56]

There were some nice Wicked backpacks and purses for sale.








I saw another Halloween Hello Kitty backpack.


I did a close up on the yellow Hello Kitty backpack little key ring teddy bear.


There was a light up Bumble Bee Transformer.


There was a light up dinosaur too.





To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday, February 24th continued

It was raining a steady beat by the time I entered the park. You can see eveyone wearing their rain ponchos.



I was looking forward to seeing the Tribute Store. If you have never been into the Tribute Stores Universals creative team started those initially for HHN and then they have continued them for Christmas, Mardi Gras and other events.

They are beautiful to walk through and very detailed.

This Tribute Store is located in the Hollywood section basically right across from the Five & Dime.








You have to listen closely when you enter the store and you can hear the Cajun tour guide to the left of the entrance talking in his Cajun accent.


I thought it was kinda funny that orange sign said “I caught Beads from the Honey Island Swamp Monster”.


This looked like a Sasquatch/ Swamp Yeti.

 

[Robo56]

There were some nods to HHN houses from the past. Like this Chupacabra skeleton.




The colors of purple, green and gold symbolize Mardi Gras. The purple seemed to be strong color scheme this year.






This year they added charms that you could add to your Mardi Gras beads. They are right below the Mannequin.




A alien celebrating Mardi Gras. Why not…..

 

[Robo56]

I was wondering how Werewolves fit into the Bayou Swamp legends, but the Loup Garou is part of a Cajun legend of a man that turns into a Wolf. Legend has it that this creature with the body of a man and head of a Wolf wonders around the forests and swamps of Greater New Orleans.








The Wall of Mystery was fun. You pushed a button and it showed you different creatures from the bayou.

 

[Robo56]

As you entered what I call the meat and potatoes of the Bayou. It was like you were gliding along on a boat in the swamp. You can see the water reflected on the floor.




You get your first look of the Swamp monster.

It was a nice move for the decorating team to display some of the Mardi Gras
T-shirts for sale in the trees.








Then you enter a cabin in the swamp.




Something is cooking on the stove. You can see the bottles of potions on the top of the stove.

 

[Robo56]

Here is another nod to HHN. Some of you may remember a House called Depths of Fear from HHN 29 in 2019. It was about a deep water mining company that had been taken over by Mouthbrooder monsters. I think that company was named
Fathomcorp.


Here is the Gator popcorn bucket lit up. It is really cute.


This Gator head was gigantic and interesting.


This particular room of the Tribute Store was darker and had wonderful scenes of what represented the nighttime in the Bayou. With firefly’s buzzing around and sounds of birds and Gators grunting.













To be continued

 

[keishashadow]

I was looking forward to seeing the Tribute Store.

We were fortunate to see it via an APH preview during our end of January trip. IMO it was a great course correction vs their recent offerings. Do think it was our favorite of any we’ve seen.

Know you had a successful, long career, however; with your attention to detail, do think you would’ve also been a good merchandiser/store buyer!

 

[Robo56]

We were fortunate to see it via an APH preview during our end of January trip. IMO it was a great course correction vs their recent offerings. Do think it was our favorite of any we’ve seen.

You are right it is a winner. A lot of thought went into creating that Louisiana Bayou Swamp feel for sure.

If there had been a rocker available I would have been tempted to sit a spell in there for sure.

Know you had a successful, long career, however; with your attention to detail, do think you would’ve also been a good merchandiser/store buyer!

Thank you. I do appreciate good design and merchandise arrangement.

Universal has wonderful, creative designers. Whoever was involved with merchandise decisions did a great job this year also.

Did miss the usual desserts on display in the Tribute Store unless I missed them staring at the Gators on the floor.

There are usually event desserts on display at the Studio Sweets at the entrance to the big Universal Store once you enter the park, but they have that section of the store closed.

 

[Robo56]

Monday, February 24th continued


Remember when I said it was like you were on the water in the Bayou well suddenly a Gator came swimming under foot.

This was the smaller of the Two Gators.

 

[Robo56]

Then the big Gator came swimming under foot.














This was a very good Tribute Store for Mardi Gras. Hats off to all who had a hand in its creation. If you haven’t stopped by for a look inside please do. The pictures don’t do it justice. You really have to see it in person.

 

[Robo56]

After I was done at the Tribute Store I decided to back track and have a look in the Brown Dereby. There were having sale in there of merchandise for AP holders and TM’s.





I did have a look inside, but nothing caught my attention, but it was nice that Universal had set this up for AP holders and TM’s.

My next stop was the Five & Dime. I always like to stop in and see what they have done with the Universal Monsters on Display as well as seeing the new merchandise.



There was a lot of Creature from the Black Lagoon Merchandise I had not seen before.










Plus of course my favorite Dracula had some merch out. I had seen this T-shirt. Coffee cups and shot glasses before.

 

[Robo56]

There was some nice Frankenstein merchandise.




This was a new scene they had pulled together with the Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein.


I made sure to look by the cash register to see if Essie was working. I always try and say hi to her. She is a wonderful lady who has worked at the Five & Dime for years. She is so helpful and she always has a smile on her face. She is one of those people who can really light up a room. She is gem.

She was working and we did have a nice visit.

I did buy one of the AP food cards on the way into the park like I did last year.

I bought the $150.00 card for $120.00. This is a very good value and it does not expire. You are able to use this card at HHN and the eateries in the parks.

Here’s the information Universal has on food card on their website


If your area an AP holder you get a discount on your food too. So don’t forget that.

Here is what Universal has on their website that explains the AP food discounts.


I was ready to start sampling some food so I headed to Mexico first.






I decided on the Chilaquiles Verde.

I will tell you that the actual food presented looked better than the picture and it was really good. The chips were crispy. The chicken was tender and flavorful and there was some spicy notes that hit the back of your palate. All the flavors melded well together and there was a nice amount of each ingredient. This serving could easily feed two. It was a very good value for the money.




To be coninued

 

[wdwrule]

Loving your amazing pictures! We’re headed there soon as Mardi Gras is one of our favorite themes at Universal. Your report is getting me all amped up for the trip!!

That’s good to hear about the Chilaquiles Verde. This is an item on my list to try.

 

[Robo56]

Loving your amazing pictures! We’re headed there soon as Mardi Gras is one of our favorite themes at Universal. Your report is getting me all amped up for the trip!!

Thank you wdwrule. So glad you are enjoying the pictures. You will have wonderful time.

That’s good to hear about the Chilaquiles Verde. This is an item on my list to try.

It was very good, You will like it. There are a few other things I tried. Photos are coming soon.

 

[Robo56]

Monday, February 24th

After tasting the dish from Mexico booth I decided to do some more walking. I took a picture of the Lard Lad and while I was looking at the photo to post I saw the reflection in the wet concrete.


It was raining pretty steady by now, but it did not seem to be dampening the spirit of those in the park enjoying their day.

I decided to walk across the bridge and have a look in Daigon Alley.


There is some construction happening in the area where the bathrooms were located along the way and Universal had the blue contruction wall up with some posters on it.





Of course I had to stop at 12 Grimmauld Place and get a photo of Kreacher.






Once inside Diagon Alley I took a few photos and out I went. It was really busy and a lot of folks were in the middle of the street waiting for the Dragon on Gringotts to breathe fire. Magical

 

[Robo56]

My next stop on the tasting was China. I had read about the duck xian bing dumpling and I really wanted to try it.




This was a nice size dumpling. The picture does not really depict how big it is. Wow…the ginger butter had started to melt on top of the hot dumpling and it was delicious. The dumpling was packed full of shredded duck meat. The meat was tender and flavorful. The outer dumpling was slightly crispy yet soft in the center……This is one of the dishes that you would definitely want to come back for again…..and…..again.



I had heard about the Butter Chicken at the India booth, but I wanted to try something’s at the Germany booth.




I ordered the Currywurst & Pommes and the Apple Strudel.


I did find a table under an umbrella to sample the food.

The Currywurst was delicious and spicy. You did not get the heat at first, but then it kicked in and it was good. The sausage was perfectly cooked and the curry ketchup sauce was very good and had a spicy kick to it. The fries were hot and slightly crispy outside tender inside. This was another dish that was a winner.


Now onto the Apple Strudel. When I saw this on the menu it did not say anything about the sauce they had on the plate with it. So I was supprised to see the sauce.

The sauce was weird and really did not have much flavor to it. I would ask for it on the side if you can. It did not add anything to the Strudel.


I was glad I tried the Strudel. The Strudel was good. I enjoyed a few bites on the backside of the strudel not bathed in the weird what I’am guessing is vanilla sauce,

After I was done it was time to keep moving.



To be continued