Mardi Gras Celebration
Laissez les bon temps rouler - Cajun for let the good times roll!
Mardi Gras is an exciting time to visit Universal Studios because they know how to throw one heck of a party! Unique food options, energetic music, spectacular floats and of course…beads!
In 2021, Mardi Gras Celebration ran from February 6th through May 2nd - extended an amazing 5 extra weeks from its original end date of March 28th. Though slightly altered from the norm due to Covid-19, Universal produced a sensational experience.
From the moment you walk into the park, you are met with fun and funky zydeco music which instantly puts a smile on your face and makes you want to dance. Everywhere you look there are enormous, colorful parade floats where team members in fun costumes would entertain guests by dancing, playing games and throwing traditional mardi gras beads. Take a deep breath and you’d smell delicious food from the many specialty food booths to celebrate international flavors of Carnaval. Even some of the characters available for meet & greets were decked out in mardi gras attire.
Located in the New York section of Universal you’ll find the Tribute Store. This store rotates through different themes throughout the year. Returning in 2021 was a fully immersive Mardi Gras themed Tribute Store. Divided into three dimly lit rooms, you were able to walk through a 1920’s jazz parlor, a nautical cemetery and a waterfront warehouse. Each room was filled with exclusive merchandise and in the final room you could pickup some unique bites such as king cake or gummy shipwrecked pirate skulls which actually breathe while on display!
Speaking of bites, it was impossible to walk through the streets of Universal without passing by the many international food booths. 13 of them to be exact! From Caribbean islands such as the Bahamas, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago, to the European flavors from France, Germany & Italy, you could find an array of over 70 dishes and drinks! However, the New Orleans booth is what really tempted my taste buds! If you are a fan of classic n’awlin’s seafood or want to give it a try, then this booth is a can’t miss. The shrimp boil, a mixed bag of shrimp, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, and corn on the cob with a perfect amount of heat was simply delicious. And what’s a traditional New Orleans meal without some tasty beignets for dessert!
All in all, Universal Studios does a phenomenal job celebrating the New Orleans tradition of Mardi Gras which has turned into my favorite time to visit the parks! If you are interested in checking it out for yourself, please click that Request Quote button above to get your trip started today!