Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Thursday, June 19
    Trending
    • Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive
    • Universal shares more details on the Universal Monsters coming to Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas
    • Universal Mega Movie Summer Arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood
    • Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls refurbishment set for October 2025 at Islands of Adventure
    Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • Home
    • News
      • Hollywood
        • Photo Updates
        • CityWalk Hollywood
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood
        • Events
      • Orlando
        • Photo Updates
        • Universal Studios Florida
        • Islands of Adventure
        • Epic Universe
        • Universal’s Volcano Bay
        • CityWalk Orlando
        • Universal Resorts
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Orlando
        • Events
      • Japan
        • Photo Updates
        • Events
      • Singapore
      • Beijing
      • Other Universal Destinations
      • Outside Universal
        • Walt Disney World
        • SeaWorld Orlando
        • Around Orlando
        • Disneyland Resort
        • Knott’s Berry Farm
        • Around California
    • Forums
    • Inside Universal Podcast
    • Features
    • Merchandise
    Inside Universal
    Home»Universal Orlando»Events»REVIEW: Mardi Gras 2018 at Universal Orlando

    REVIEW: Mardi Gras 2018 at Universal Orlando

    February 8, 2018 Events By Brian Glenn
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    It’s another year of Universal’s beloved Mardi Gras event, and the event continues to bring its own flair of the Big Easy celebration with concerts, parades, food and more at Universal Studios Florida.

    If you’ve been before, you know the drill. Zydeco music blasts throughout the park as you make your way through the French Quarter courtyard to try some Cajun cuisine, and maybe even earn some beads along the way. The parade caps off most nights, as guests on the floats encourage you to stand out as they toss beads in your direction.

    The French Quarter Courtyard still has many Cajun favorites, such as – Jambalaya, Andouille Sausage, Beignets, and Gumbo. The parade features 6 all-new floats created by Kern Studios, same people who design floats for the actual Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and are based on astrology signs – surprisingly replacing all the new floats that debuted last year.

    Hands down, the most entertaining thing to do at Mardi Gras – and maybe even Universal Orlando period – is riding a float and taking part in throwing beads to guests. You do have to dedicate some time to wait to ensure a spot, especially during busy nights, but the wait is very well worth it. Seeing guests, especially kids, take joy and ask for beads adds another level of fun to the event.

    Mardi Gras time is one of our favorite times to visit Universal Orlando; yet with all the positive things of the event, it’s time for the event to grow.

    The event has become so popular that they had to expand it last year, now running the event for 64 consecutive days instead of once/twice a weekend. Even with a great event like Mardi Gras, there’s always room for improvement.

    The French Quarter Courtyard is great, but crowding is becoming an issue. A simple fix could be to either expand with more tents. If Universal wants to grow the event, a secondary food courtyard section would be the best thing they can do. Universal has yet to feature their own “Food & Wine” event, which has been notoriously successful at Epcot at Walt Disney World and now, SeaWorld with their recent Seven Seas Food Festival.

    Mardi Gras is celebrated in many regions throughout the world, where it also is known as Carnival. Countries and regions such as Spain, the Caribbean, and more-famously, Brazil are all known for some very unique and delicious cuisine.

    Beyond the food, each regions celebration is different, so it can add some additional depth to the event, and giving Universal something even more unique.

    Besides the want (possibly need) for the event to grow, our only other critique is the themed drinks. The event’s mixed drinks from last year are back; Ragin’ Rumbalaya – a Pina Colada/Melon mix – and Carnival Cocktail – a citrus drink reminiscent of Sunny Delight. While they aren’t bad, it’s nothing special and is extremely light on alcohol – almost as if there was none mixed in. Hopefully next year, the flavors are changed and it includes something with a tiny bit more kick.

    Despite those drawbacks, Universal’s Mardi Gras is a must-do, especially if one of your favorite musical acts comes to town. Enjoy the beads, enjoy the music, enjoy the parade – and as they say in the Big Easy, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

    If you’re planning on heading out this year, we’ve prepared a guide that offers some tips and planning advice. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for more on Universal Parks & Resorts.

    2018 Food french quarter mardi gras new orleans parade Sean Paul Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleVivo Italian Kitchen coming to CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood
    Next Article Jason Derulo and Jessie J added to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras concert line-up
    Brian Glenn
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Brian may be reached at brian.g@insideuniversal.net - Editor-in-Chief

    Related Posts

    Islands of Adventure

    Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls refurbishment set for October 2025 at Islands of Adventure

    June 16, 2025
    Islands of Adventure

    Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey refurbishment set for November 2025 at Islands of Adventure

    June 16, 2025
    Islands of Adventure

    Skull Island: Reign of Kong refurbishment set for August 2025 at Islands of Adventure

    June 16, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive

    June 18, 2025

    Universal shares more details on the Universal Monsters coming to Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas

    June 18, 2025

    Universal Mega Movie Summer Arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood

    June 17, 2025

    Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls refurbishment set for October 2025 at Islands of Adventure

    June 16, 2025

    Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey refurbishment set for November 2025 at Islands of Adventure

    June 16, 2025
    About Inside Universal

    Inside Universal is a website dedicated to covering Universal Parks & Resorts, specifically Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. Our team of editors is committed to providing fact-based, non-sensationalist content that educates and informs our readers while still focused on having fun.

    Inside Universal aims to maintain a rational perspective, allowing us to offer commentary, news, and analysis about Universal Parks. Our mission is to provide you, the reader, with accurate and in-depth reporting to the best of our ability. This is our goal - nothing more, nothing less.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR FORUMS
    If you’re looking to have your Universal-related question answered, or if you’d simply like to chat about the park’s future developments, Inside Universal's forums is the Internet’s leading unofficial forum dedicated to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. MEI Travel
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • About Us
    • Masthead
    • Contact
    • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved - Inside Universal is not affiliated with Comcast, NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, or Universal Destinations & Experiences. You may not copy, redistribute, publish, sell, or otherwise make the original contents of this website available to third parties unless you have received prior authorization from Inside Universal.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT