Skip to main content

Universal Mardi Gras 2023


Universal Orlando Resort has so much to offer at all times of year, but from around February to April each year, the Universal Studios Florida park gets a little more pizazz as they add in Mardi Gras celebrations, all included with the price of your regular admission!  It includes international inspired food booths, a parade complete with beads, and concerts by some of your favorite artists on select nights.  Join us as we go beyond the Bayou for Universal's Mardi Gras, featuring NOLA favorites and the best of Carnaval celebrations around the world. 

The 2023 event is International Flavors of Mardi Gras and runs from February 4th to April 16th, 2023.  Due to a special event on March 31st, the parade will not be offered. 

The parade is always a great time, full of energy, beautiful floats and beads to catch while you watch. The parade this year will feature some favorite floats from the past and also introduce six brand new floats. But did you know, you can even ride on the floats yourself?  New for 2023, there is a brand new Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine option!

Includes:

  • Reserved spot for you and yours on one of the spectacular parade floats. Unique chance to guarantee a spot in the parade where you can wave to the crowds as you toss out beads!
  • Enjoy a 3-course meal selecting from the full menu at one of the four participating restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort.
  • Available for select dates Feb.4-Apr.16
  • Mardi Gras Float Riders must be 18+ or accompanied by a legal guardian 18 or older. All riders must be at least 48" in height to board the floats and must be able to stand for the duration of the parade.
  • Separate theme park admission is required
  • Prices start at $69.00 and purchase must be made at least 24 hours prior to event date
  • If you are interested in adding this to your vacation, contact your Kingdom Konsultant Agent today as we anticipate spots will fill up fast! 

Each year the concert lineup is eagerly awaited and I'm happy to say there are quite a few I'm excited about this year.  A big weekend kicks off early in the event with JVKE performing Friday, February 10th,  and The Goo Goo Dolls on Saturday February 11th.  I'm personally looking forward to 3 Doors Down on Saturday, February 25th.  Other artists announced include Patti LaBelle, Willow, and Sean Paul.  

Finally, there are numerous tasting booths throughout Universal Studios Florida to get a variety of bites throughout the day.  But the flavors don't stop there, Citywalk and Universal Resort restaurants and bars add specialty menu items to enjoy outside the parks as well.  Try some Bourbon Street Bengiets over at the Hard Rock Hotel or King Cake Pancakes at Loew's Royal Pacific. Of if you are more into something savory, Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer Shrimp Po' Boys. 

One of my favorite bites from past events was from the Brazil booth, and I can't wait to try even more this year!

Stuffed Coxinha – crispy pulled-chicken teardrop fritters from Brazil


For more details on this year's event including full concert lineup, click here.

For more on past year's celebrations, click here. 




Maci Schau
Maci is an avid foodie and loves trying out new restaurants and seasonal food offerings in the parks.  You can email Maci at maci@kingdomkonsultant.com.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel Review

I love staying at the Disneyland Hotel so when I got the opportunity to stay at the new Villas at the Disneyland Hotel during opening weekend, I couldn’t pass it up. Because it was opening weekend, we were greeted in the entrance way of the lobby with balloons and many photo opportunities. When we arrived, there was a mural of the Haunted Mansion. I love how the seats in the main lobby were designed like the teacups in the parks. You can check in using the Disneyland app, drop your bags with bell services and head into the parks or use the amenities why you wait until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and you can use the Disneyland app on your mobile device to unlock the room. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the parks. We received a text around 1PM that our room was ready. In the new Discovery Tower (the Villas), you'll find that the lobby is very spacious with many places to sit while you read or wait for your family. Th
Post a Comment
Read more

Universal's Volcano Bay Private Cabana Review

On a recent training in Universal Orlando Resort, agents Maci, Ashley, Aubrey and Yaritza and I rented a private cabana for the day at Universal's Volcano Bay. There are multiple locations around the park along with the option to have an upper or lower level, all of which reflect in various pricing. Agent Ashley received an email the day before informing her of where to check-in the next morning. While we were personally escorted to the cabana shortly after check in, the line at the check in location is the same as those getting towels, meaning it was not short. As expressed by an additional guest checking into a different cabana, we would have greatly appreciated a separate line, since this caused our group about a half hour wait. We're all adults and made great use of our time getting some fun pictures before the park was filled with guests, but this is important to be aware of if you are traveling with children.  We had an upper level Cabana which came with a splendid view!
Post a Comment
Read more

Our Favorite Mocktails at Walt Disney World

Your resident foodie and vacation lush here to chime in on our favorite zero-proof drinks at the parks which I feel like Disney has done a much better job of recently.  Zero-proof alcohol is really having a moment so you can get a lot more mocktails that aren't just sugary sweet, and I am here for it!  Whether you are trying out "Dry January" for your visit, currently pregnant, underage, or just choose not to drink for whatever reason, I hope this list helps you find something to look forward to trying on your next trip! Let's start with a popular one from the last year, the EARidescent Sip-a-bration drink.  This delight can be found at most lounges throughout the 50th celebration at Walt Disney World. It features Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade and Fruity Strawberry Punch, and is served in a souvenir 50th Celebration Cup with a surprise character. This is definitely a kid-friendly drink but it is so fun to drop in the character and watch the drink change color and sta
Post a Comment
Read more