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

[Robo56]

and of course some nice Potter things.







This charm bracelet was something new I hadn’t seen before,

 

[Robo56]

Of course I had to stop into the Port of Entry Christmas Shop


My sister K is a big Grinch Fan,




The Earl the Squirrel merch was fun to look at.


There was a nice discount on some of the Earl the Squirrel Mechandise.






I liked the new Pygmy Puff/Hedwig Tree.

 

[Robo56]

They do a wondrful job of displaying their merchandise. I had not seen these Hogwarts Express pajamas before.




This Hogwarts acceptance letter tree was also new to me since my last visit.


I knew a sweet little boy who would love this minion so I purchased it and had it sent to the room.






These Gryffindor teddy bears were cute. So many tempting things to buy. This is a wonderful store to walk through.

 

[Robo56]

I had my mind set on visiting the All Hallows Eve Boutique so I headed
to the Lost Continent.

There are always Mardi Gras things in the Boutique during the Mardi Gras celebration.








to be continued

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, February 25th continued



It is so pretty in here if you are a Halloween fan. I always make sure to get over and have a look during my trip for HHN.

There was plenty of Mardi Gras Merch to look at and purchase.












I love the different Halloween T-shirts they have in here.

 

[Robo56]

After looking at this T-shirt again I wished I had bought it, It is so detailed and Very Halloween.








Remember when I said they had really upped the Creature from the Black Lagoon Merch. There was a lot more of it in the boutique.








I was tempted to buy the back scratcher…….LOL

 

[Robo56]

Some HHN merch for sale.




After I was done looking around the Boutique I went to catch the Hogwarts Express to King’s Cross Station.

I never get tired of riding the Hogwarts Express. It is so Iconic Harry Potter.

If you want to ride it you have to have a Park to Park ticket.

 

[Robo56]

After getting off the train I went to find a place to sit before the parade started.

A little history on the Celebtration of Mardi Gras at Unitversal. This year was the 30th year of celebrating Mardi Gras at Universal.

Universal created a relationship with Kern Studios in New Orleans which is a float building company responsible for building thousands of Mardi Gras floats over the years for the different Krewes involved with Mardi Gras parades.

Kern has been involved with Universal since the beginning in helping to design and build Universals Mardi Gras floats.

There is a plaque in the Hollywood section commemorating Universals relationship with Kern studios.

Here is some information that is on Universals website to help you ride the floats and throw some beads if you want to.


This ride and dine option is a nice way to have a meal and actually have a secured chance of riding a float. It is a good value when you look at the dining options.



Passholders get a nice perk with 15 % off the ride and dine.



Here is the parade route.


I found a place to sit and waited for the parade to start.

The parade starts with the Orlando Police Motorcycle Patrol.




It was wonderful to see a lady on the Patrol.


Oh……I marvel at the stilt walkers and their ability to walk on them much less dance. They are brave and awesome.

 

[Robo56]

to be continued

 

[disneyseniors]

The Mardi Gras parade looks awesome! I think Universal does a fantastic job with their parades. I usually don't like parades, but the ones at Universal have changed my mind!
Thanks for the photos and information. I didn't know a lot of the stories behind the various settings.

 

[keishashadow]

There are not many who could pull that off

Lol pretty sure at that point I had one eye going one way & the 2nd the other way. Admittedly exhausted that evening, mentally & physically. You and your sister were very kind.

I try to avoid the I4 at all costs it is busy it seems all the time.

Yes, it’s a horror

I knew a sweet little boy who would love this minion so I purchased it and had it sent to the room.

Aw, can’t every have too many minions!

 

[Robo56]

The Mardi Gras parade looks awesome! I think Universal does a fantastic job with their parades. I usually don't like parades, but the ones at Universal have changed my mind!
Thanks for the photos and information. I didn't know a lot of the stories behind the various settings.

You’re so welcome Ruth.

You are right, Universal really does a great job with their parades.

Aw, can’t ever have too many minions!

This is true.

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, February 25th continued


As always the floats did not disappoint. They are colorful and beautiful. I don’t think pictures do them justice. If you get a chance go celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal you will love the parade floats and the cast of TM’s.

Leading up to the floats appearing they start piping in the Cajun Zydeco music and I will tell you that music makes you want to dance.

All the walking performers had smiles on their faces and you could tell they loved performing and were enjoying themselves.












I love the face on this mischievous Jester.


Heres Baron Ton Ton

 

[Robo56]

Let the bead tossing begin.

There was a young lady I’am guessing who was in her early teens next to me with Autism she was sitting with her mom and dad. I gave her every bead I caught and the guy behind me did the same. She loved it. Before the parade was over a few others did the same and she had plenty of beads and was sharing them with her mom and dad. It was precious.

She did have her headphones on, but I was wondering how she would do with all the loud music and lights etc….she did fine and loved the parade.








Ok it would be hard to walk on stilts and dance, but I have never scene a stilt walker do this. Unbelievable look at him bending and air sitting on stilts that takes some balance and control.

 

[Robo56]

 

[Robo56]

Some of the Floats shoot out confetti.







I remember this guy from last year. He is a dancing Crawdad and he really can dance.









He is a really good performer.

I thought this was cute. There was a young lady dressed up as a clam.


These performers were with the float that celebrated Mardi Gras foods.

 

[Robo56]

Here is the float celebrating the foods of Mardi Gras.

King Cake, shrimp, Beignets, Crawdads etc….










Many years ago my hubby and I went to New Orleans and enjoyed the beautiful architecture and food.

We did make a visit to Cafe Du Monde for some big fluffy beignets and many other restaurants and enjoyed lots of really good food.




More of the parade to come

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, February 25th continued













This was a great float really encompassing ever thing New Orleans. Louis Armstrong the Father of Jazz, the architecture and reference to the French Quarter.

I love the piano on the front and the use of the Saxophone as the J in Jazz.






It was really cute the plant life and wildlife on the hats of the performers in front of the next float. Notice the snake on this guys hat.

 

[Robo56]

I have to admit this is probably my favorite float yet. Whoever came up with the idea for this float was a genious.

Airboat rides are a big thing in Louisana and in Florida. I have seen small and large airboats.

People Pay to go out on these to see Gators and the wildlife in the glades and swamp.

It was funny that they turned the table and the Gator is driving the boat. The attention to detail was awesome. From the gators to frogs, truttles, birds, swamp shack. Old broken trees and stumps etc….great float.

 

[Robo56]