Many Universal Orlando veterans expressed major disappointment when they discovered no tasting lanyards this year for Mardi Gras 2022. The cost-effective lanyards caused Universal food events to sparkle in terms of vacation budgets. Annual passholders also enjoyed deeper discounts. For example, in 2021, annual passholders could purchase 15 samples for cost of about $4.33 each. Nevertheless, food and beverage cards replace lanyard system

Universal Orlando recently announced the plan for food and beverage cards. As expected, a small discount will be included for guests purchasing certain set amounts. So, what have we learned? What do you need to know in preparation for Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando this year?

1. Guests attending Mardi Gras may enjoy over 50 Mardi Gras food festival style items in Universal Studios Florida. These range from USA/New Orleans style, Italian, “Floribbean”, Fusion, Brazilian, Southeast Asian, Indian, and Central American cuisine.
2. Guests receive opportunity to purchase a food and beverage card at a slight discount during Mardi Gras food. Guests may purchase a $75 Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage card for $65. In addition, they may purchase a $150 Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card for $125. Universal indicated no limit of number of cards one may purchase
3. Premier and Preferred Passholders will receive their corresponding discounts with valid Annual Pass on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) when paying with their Food and Beverage Card at Mardi Gras kiosks.
4. Guests buy these cards at all Mardi Gras Food and beverage kiosk inside Universal Studios Florida during Mardi Gras event.
5. According to Universal Orlando, “Guests will be able to redeem their activated Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card at any food and beverage location in Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk.”
6. These cards fail to ever expire.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Even as a person with some connections at Universal Orlando, I lacked knowledge of this plan until day of writing. This food and beverage card offering pales in comparison to Mardi Gras lanyard offer in terms of value for Mardi Gras food. However, unless I misunderstand the guidelines, these discount food and beverage card retain value at any food and beverage location in the two land parks, Volcano Bay, and in CityWalk.

Basically, Universal offers guests a chance to purchase discount food and beverage cards during this event. In theory, guests could buy these and only eat in CityWalk using them. Since they never expire, Universal Orlando is extending a decent deal with hopes that guest will forget about these cards. Since a significant percentage of gift cards sold in USA for any business fail to be used, many businesses use this plan.

Having said all of that, if you are going to Mardi Gras, then this might save you some money. As more details are released, we will keep you updated here at piratesandprincesses.net. As always, eat like you mean it!