Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2015

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2015 | Written By: Lee

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2015

Up until about two years ago I’d never tasted New Orleans style food. That changed when I was invited to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration. I devoured a bowl of gumbo and took down at least two beignets. My kid’s enjoyed the event so much, catching the parade beads especially, that they wanted to go back this year. Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2015 was just as delicious and entertaining as the previous years and the parade was a sight to be seen.

French Quarter

The French Quarter was hopping the evening I visited. There was a live band playing Nawlins style music and quite a few people had congregated to listen and a few were even dancing. Food booths were crowded as well. There was a bit of a wait for Cajun and Creole favorites. For example the Cajun Sampler line had a long wait but it was worth it. The area reminded me of a city “taste” because the food was far from basic theme park with rich flavor and nowhere to wash your hands. If you wanted to have your fortune told or have a Henna tattoo they had this available as well. All of these extras I’ve mentioned above are at an additional fee.

Mardi Gras Parade

I’ve never been to Mardi Gras before so I can’t compare honestly. But I will say that the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras parade is spectacular. The floats are huge and so colorful, the color is what I always remember the most. The themes are detailed as you can see in my pictures. I especially loved the floats with the airplanes and hot air balloons. But then I also really loved the Dia De Los Muertos float with the fluorescent skeletons.

If you are an annual pass holder you can actually apply to ride on a float and toss beads to the crowds below. I would love to do this at some point. People go crazy for the beads so seeing their faces from above most be highly entertaining.

The dancers and stilt walkers add to the parade by hyping the crowd in the way Universal Studio’s live entertainment always can. Edgy and completely qualified to drive the party bus from Louisiana into Central Florida! I especially loved the Steam Punk versions, they were well costumed.

The Concerts

I was visiting the night Styx was playing live in concert. Styx is ridiculously popular. People had started sitting down for the concert hours and hours before it started. I left as soon as the parade was over to walk over and there wasn’t a single space available to even get near the vicinity of the concert. Obviously this won’t happen every time, it just depends on the performer. There are some really great performers coming up such as the B-52’s, The Band Perry and more. See the Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Concert Lineup Calendar Here.

If you are planning a vacation around events at Universal Orlando Resorts I recommend this as the best for traveling with children. This parade is really just that great. (If you are alone as adults Halloween Horror Nights because it’s an obsession for me, no seriously it is).

*I received tickets to enjoy Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras with my family. As you can see above these opinions are my own!

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2015