We must return to the year 2019 to reflect on a complete Universal Orlando Mardi Gras experience. The event abruptly stopped due to virus conditions in March 2020. The event returned in a scaled back version in 2021. On February 5th, 2022, the opening night of Mardi Gras happened. Luckily for me, I attended that night. I enjoyed many aspects of the Mardi Gras opening day. I witnessed the return of a full parade.
The Mardi Gras theme this year is Planet Mardi Gras.
This theme shines clearly with the six new parade floats this year. I will attempt to present to you in this format my view that night of the parade. I request you forgive my inadequate photographic skills and old mobile device. Having said all of that, the guests cheered when the Mardi Gras music started being played.
The parade opens with the signature police motorcycles leading the parade route. The motorcycles with loud noise and flashing lights wake up the guests for this out of the world parade. The motorcycles do more than simply lead parade but perform together in circular fashion each year.
As per usual, the parade featured talented performers dancing and catering to the crowd in between the parade floats. The first parade floats were a few of the traditional Mardi Gras floats. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the floats again. The sense of things being normal, whatever that means, added to the excitement in a positive way. With the return of traditional floats, that means the return of guests throwing beads into the crowd. I confess that several of my better planned photographic shots were derailed by beads hitting me as I attempted to take the picture.
After those traditional floats, the more out of this world “Planet Mardi Gras” style floats and performers appeared. Though I had seen several of the performers in their outfits before the parade, the look conveyed a solid theme. The theme may require a suspension of disbelief to tie it together, but the performers outfits make that easier.
The floats proceeded to make this space age theme work well.
Here is a sampling of some more of the “Planet Mardi Gras” performers for this parade.
A quick photo perspective of some more of the “out of this world” themed Planet Mardi Gras floats would be like this:
The parade closed out with several of the traditional costumed performers and traditional Mardi Gras floats including King Gator.
For me, the Mardi parade at Universal Studios Florida serves as queen and king of all parade in Orlando area. Though originally this parade was scheduled to happen on February 5th at 7pm, it was moved to 7:45pm. The parade times vary so check the schedules and double check when you get to the parks.
There exists no other good way to close an article about a Mardi Gras parade than to say: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” or “Let the Good Time Roll.” Please be on the lookout for more Mardi Gras updates on our site, especially Mardi Gras food reviews.
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