All eyes within the theme park world are on Common Orlando Resort. The opening of Epic Universe in only a few months is arguably the largest factor to occur within the business for many years, being the primary main theme park opening in a era. However that does not imply that the resort is simply ready round for the large occasion. It is the thirtieth anniversary of Common’s Mardi Gras celebration, and this yr is the largest occasion but.
I had technically been to Common Orlando throughout Mardi Gras earlier than, however realistically, this was my first time experiencing the occasion because it was meant to be. It didn’t disappoint. All of the issues I like about visiting theme parks, from the meals to the dwell leisure, are on one other stage.
My Final Mardi Gras Expertise Was A Fraction Of The Whole Occasion
I had technically been to Common Orlando throughout Mardi Gras as soon as earlier than, however that was in 2021. The resort was open, however this was through the pandemic, so the occasion was a fraction of its regular self. There have been no concert events and no parade. It was primarily a meals pageant, with cubicles devoted to the varied nations that remember Carnival by promoting completely different gadgets.
I nonetheless cherished Mardi Gras 4 years in the past. The meals of the celebration is completely one of many highlights of the occasion. It was then and it nonetheless is now. This yr sees China’s addition and India’s return as meals cubicles. I am unsure how large Mardi Gras or Carnivale are in these nations, however actually, who cares, the Mardi Gras meals is scrumptious.
Nevertheless, I used to be very excited to have the prospect to expertise the “actual” Common Orlando Mardi Gras this yr and get the total expertise, trying out the issues I missed. I had seen a number of the floats once I had visited earlier than, that they had been let loose as static shows in 2021. It is in all probability not a shock to say that simply seeing them shouldn’t be the identical factor.
The Common Mardi Gras Parade Is Not To Be Missed
The Mardi Gras parade was top-of-the-line theme park parades I’ve ever seen, and I like a parade. The floats are completely large, colourful and intricately detailed. Created along with Kern Studios in New Orleans, they’re similar to the types of floats you’d see in an precise New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. There is a brass band and quite a few costumed characters and stilt walkers.
A number of of the characters are additionally out and in regards to the park earlier than the parade, permitting friends to get a more in-depth look and take pictures with them.
It is not only a parade of cool stuff to see, because the vitality of the music and characters are infectious, and the viewers is shortly having a blast whereas grabbing bead necklaces that come flying off the floats. In the event you’re not making an attempt to catch the beads, be careful as a result of the flying necklaces will completely hit you when you’re not paying consideration.
Mardi Gras is not a “nighttime parade” within the conventional sense. It would not have the type of built-in float lighting that you simply’d discover within the iconic Primary Road Electrical Parade or the returning Paint the Evening Parade. Nonetheless, the lighting used to make the parade “pop” at nighttime is extremely properly carried out.
The 2025 Mardi Gras parade is a celebration of the final three many years, with a number of the greatest floats of earlier years, and a few model new additions all sharing house. In the event you’ve by no means seen this parade earlier than, and even when you have, it is value it to test it out as soon as once more. Common Orlando Resort celebrates Mardi Gras now by March 30.