Save some room in your backpack for all the beads you’re gonna be carrying
Carnaval! The perfect time to dance, sing, have fun, drink, and… collect beads? Well, at least that’s what Universal Studios Florida has in store for us.
Mardi Gras is in full swing at Universal Studios from February 1st to March 30th. I was able to participate and enjoy the festivities on February 10th and really liked the overall party atmosphere, including the food and the late parade with dozens and dozens of floats. Oh, yeah, and the beads too. I’ll get to that soon.
What we liked about Universal Mardi Gras
This is an open event to everyone with a park ticket, meaning that you don’t need to pay extra to enjoy Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando. Hey, that’s good enough already, right? You only get advantages by visiting Universal Studios during this time, including the chance to watch a brand new parade, try new food and drink items, enjoy live shows, and also take pictures as Universal transforms some of its spots to celebrate Mardi Gras.
The big star of the show is the daily parade, which usually takes place at 6 pm. It lasts about 45 minutes and features dozens of different floats, all occupied by cast members and guests. The coolest part is that guests onboard the floats throw beads of different colors to those watching the parade. Seriously, I was able to collect about twenty different colors during the presentation and stacked them all around my neck. It’s fun to wave to the guests inside the float, scream for beads, see them throw them at you as you jump to catch them… and get intercepted by another guest in front of you.
One of the best moments was right after the parade ended. I walked around with my beads and saw a lot of kids wearing them and stocking them in their backpacks too. I saw one little guy with only a few beads, so I approached him and gave him all mine. I can tell you that the kid smiled, thanked me, and quickly stored his precious beads inside his backpack. That’s what theme parks and festivities like this are all about, and I can’t believe such a small gesture made me feel so cozy and happy for the rest of the day.
You also get to try new food items, and one of them was a pretty good cold latte that I’d definitely try again. There is also brand new merchandise. Including mugs, t-shirts and everything else you expect to see at a party like this one.
What we didn’t like about Universal Mardi Gras
I couldn’t quite reach my goal of 100 beads. That’s about it.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit too dramatic... The truth is, there’s not much to complain about. The park didn’t get more crowded just because of Mardi Gras, as ride wait times were pretty much the usual. Plus, this is a free event available to everyone with a standard park ticket, so it makes sense there weren’t any major new blockbuster shows or anything like that.
Still, it’s great that we got to enjoy a brand new parade featuring so many floats and dancers, with everyone always smiling and having a blast.
Universal Mardi Gras FAQ
Do I need a special ticket to attend Universal Mardi Gras?
No, Universal Mardi Gras is included with a standard park ticket.
When does Universal Mardi Gras take place?
Universal Mardi Gras runs from February 1 to March 30.
Where does Universal Mardi Gras take place?
Universal Mardi Gras is held exclusively inside Universal Studios.
Is there a daily parade included in Universal Mardi Gras?
Yes, there is a daily parade featuring numerous floats, usually starting around 6pm during Universal Mardi Gras.
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