Everything You Need To Know About Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

Mardi Gras is one of New Orleans biggest parties and Universal Orlando Resort is bringing a bit of New Orleans to central Florida. Everything from delicious food, live music, parades and beads are all authentic at Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Resort. Here's everything you need to know before you head to the theme parks to celebrate.

Mardi Gras is every night starting February 9 through April 4, 2019, at Universal Studios Florida. We suggest getting into the park sometime before 4:00 p.m. if you're planning to experience everything Mardi Gras has to offer each night.

On select nights of Mardi Gras, guests can watch live performances of top artists from different genres of music on the Music Plaza stage. Concerts start at 8:30 pm each night, and viewing is first-come, first-served and standing room only. Guests do start to line up early in the day for the most popular acts like Macklemore.

Like any good Mardi Gras celebration, there has to be a parade! 2019 will bring the party animals to Universal Studios Florida with floats themed to animals from the jungle, Artic, swamp, ocean and sky. Parade times vary by night so grab a times guide as you enter the park to be sure you are lined up before the parade kicks off.

If you're a Universal Orlando Resort passholder, you can register to ride on parade floats each night of Mardi Gras. Passholders can bring up to five guests to throw beads and wave to guests lining the parade route. All float riders are chosen at random and spots are first-come, first served.

Each night of Mardi Gras a Louisiana jazz, blues, and zydeco band will be playing throughout the New York area of Universal Studios Florida. The bands swap out every few weeks for a potentially new guest experience every time you go to Mardi Gras.

Unlike Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, everything for Mardi Gras is included with your regular park ticket. There's no need to add separate admission price into your budget for vacation. Seasonal passholders are blocked out of entering Universal Studios Florida the entire day when there is a Mardi Gras concert.

Mardi Gras is very kid-friendly with larger than life parade floats, music, and the family-friendly attractions throughout Universal Studios Florida. There is even going to be a special place in the parks for families to watch without an obstructed view. The Little Jester's Parade Viewing Area is located in front of the Brown Derby Hat Shop and is available starting one hour before the parade starts.

Weather in Florida for early spring can vary. Some days will be warm and other days will be freezing. Rain could also be a factor in what happens at Mardi Gras. Universal Orlando ensures that the event will go on though, rain or shine

One of the best parts about experience Mardi Gras is all of the food. Throughout the New York area of Universal Studios Florida guests can find samples of Cajun and Creole food. Items like jambalaya and beignets are all in small portions so guests can try more.

Beads are a huge part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Universal Orlando Resort has brought the classic Mardi Gras beads into the park. Guests can collect beads all night throughout the park with roaming Mardi Gras characters around Music Plaza and the French Quarter Courtyard, and by catching beads thrown out by parade performers.