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Home >> Travel >> Theme Parks >> Universal Orlando >> Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando 2014 - Family, Food & Fun!

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando 2014 - Family, Food & Fun!

Published: Mar 27, 2014 · Modified: Apr 26, 2014 by Stefanie Fauquet · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

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One of my all time favorite celebrations is Mardi Gras. Each year my family looks forward to the season of purple, green & gold, jambalaya, and king cakes. We've have the good fortune of attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans as a family, which has a reputation of not being kid-friendly, when the opposite is true (I promise!) — as long as you stay off Bourbon Street! Getting there can be a challenge, though, and requires a lot of planning.

universal studios mardi gras

Universal Orlando Resort has been hosting their own Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios for the past 19 years. As Floridians, this event is MUCH easier to get to, and 100% FUN for all ages. My family was invited to a special blogger preview for the 2014 event, which promised to be bigger and better than ever, spanning four months with 20 live concerts, Cajun food, parades and LOTS OF BEADS — 166,000 strands a night!

universal mardi gras

We started off the evening with a little taste of New Orleans, sampling some of the delicious Cajun cuisine available at the French Quarter Courtyard. The food is one of my favorite aspects of Mardi Gras, and New Orleans culture in general, and the French Quarter Courtyard has a wide variety of offerings for every palate. If I could recommend a few bites not to miss, definitely go for a bowl of gumbo and some beignets! And while you're noshing, be sure to check out the entertainment in the French Quarter from one the nightly bands direct from New Orleans.

french quarter courtyard

After our feast we got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the floats in the parade - there are 12 in all. This year’s parade theme is "Around the World in Eighty Days," reflecting the sense of fantasy and exploration of Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale. Three new floats were created exclusively for this years parade theme.

An interesting fact: the floats in Universal's Mardi Gras parade are made at Blaine Kern Studios (Mardi Gras World), the same place the floats in New Orleans are commissioned.

kern studios floats

Park guests begin to line the streets well in advance of the Mardi Gras parade, so if you want a good viewing spot be sure to stake your claim early. The parade is truly something you don't want to miss!

Parade times: 7:45pm – March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29; April 5, 12, 19
8:15pm – May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, June 7

Here are a few of my photos from 2014 Universal Mardi Gras parade.

universal mardi gras parade

around the world in eighty days float

catching beads universal

universal day of the dead float

mardi gras universal

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando 2014

It's safe to say that my whole family enjoyed the parade immensely. My daughter caught a ton of beads and was smiling from ear to ear by the end of it. From someone who has actually been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, the experience is about as authentic as you can get ... so much fun!

Another perk of Universal Mardi Gras is the concert lineup with some of the biggest names in music. On the night we attended Gavin DeGraw performed - straight from a concert the night before at Madison Square Gardens! Gavin put on a fantastic show, playing all of his hits and then treating us to a Billy Joel medley.

gavin degraw universal concert

Universal Mardi Gras Concert Lineup:

  • March 28: Kelly Rowland
  • March 29: Weezer
  • April 5: Skillet
  • April 12: Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • April 19: Kool & The Gang
  • May 3: Nelly
  • May 10: The Wanted
  • May 17: The Roots
  • May 24: Cher Lloyd
  • May 31: Huey Lewis and the News
  • June 7: Robin Thicke

One of the greatest things about Universal Mardi Gras is that it's included with Universal Studios park admission. So you can play all day on the rides and attractions and then stay for an evening of Mardi Gras fun. Alternatively, there's an after 5 p.m. pass for Florida residents who wish to only attend the event.

My family had a fabulous time at this year's Mardi Gras event and hope to make it a yearly tradition going forward. For more info on tickets and dates, visit  www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

Special thanks to Universal Orlando Resort for inviting my family to experience Mardi Gras at Universal Studios. All opinions are my own.

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Comments

  1. Jenn

    March 31, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Love your confetti pics! Looks like a lot of fun.

    Reply
  2. Cat Davis

    March 31, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Wow, that's so colorful and fun!

    Reply
  3. Lara

    March 31, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Great pictures! Looks like you have a blast! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kathleen B

    March 31, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Looks like a ton of fun! We actually had the good fortune of being able to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, but I would love to get to Universal one year to do it there, it looks like a blast!

    Reply
  5. Crystal

    March 31, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Great photos! So colorful and fun, looks like a wonderful experience!

    Reply
  6. HilLesha

    March 31, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    I have never been to a Mardi Gras parade, but it looks fun! I wouldn't mind going to one now since it's kid friendly. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Jamie H

    March 31, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    A family-friendly Mardi Gras?! Yes please!

    Reply
  8. valmg @ Mom Knows It All

    March 31, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Some great concerts scheduled! I bet the Mardi Gras parade is fun to watch!

    Reply
  9. Kimberly Grabinski

    March 31, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    What fun, I didn't know they did that. My daughter would never want it to end!

    Reply
  10. Kay M.

    March 31, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Fantastic pictures! I love Mardi Gras! We have a pretty realistic one here in Galveston on the Strand. It's always lots of fun.

    Reply
  11. Tiff @ Babes and Kids

    April 01, 2014 at 12:12 am

    The colors are amazing! What a fun parade.

    Reply
  12. Shell Feis

    April 01, 2014 at 6:41 am

    That looks like so much fun! & Definitely easier than fighting the crowds in New Orleans. They have some great performers coming up!

    Reply
  13. Michelle

    April 01, 2014 at 9:37 am

    What fun! I have been wanting to visit Universal Studios for a long time!

    Reply
  14. Chelle @ oh just stop already

    April 01, 2014 at 9:41 am

    What beautiful pictures you got. Looks like such an amazing time.

    Reply
  15. Jennifer @ Mom Spotted

    April 01, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Wow that looks like a blast! I've never been to Universal even though we go to FL every year.

    Reply

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