Universal’s Mardi Gras – Universal Orlando

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | February 26, 2023

When you visit Orlando, Florida, you’re likely going to the Universal and Walt Disney World Theme Parks. One of the best times to visit Universal Orlando is the six weeks before Easter because they celebrate Mardi Gras throughout Lent.

Universal’s Mardi Gras , inspired by Carnaval and Karnaval celebrations around the world has you dancing in the streets, marveling at stilt walkers, and, if you’re participating in their special dining program, even riding the floats tossing beads to lookers on. Live music and concerts are the name of the game as the Universal goal is to go Beyond the Bayou this year!

While Mardi Gras “Fat Tuesday” and Carnaval or Karnaval have long histories of celebration before Lenten sacrifices begin, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida takes it that giant step forward, as only Universal can, to include the entire season of Lent in their Mardi Gras festivities.

During the day, cast members festooned in colorful costumes, on stilts or on foot, dance and sing and stroll their way along brilliantly colored Purple (justice), Green (faith), and Gold (power) decorations to help visitors celebrate the season. These colors first surfaced in 1872’s New Orleans for a Russian Grand Duke’s visit during carnival. The symbolic colors are attributed to the 1892 festival whose theme was “symbolism of colors.”

The first Mardi Gras is thought to have taken place in medieval Europe, traveling from Rome to the French House of Bourbons. Then the fatted calf revelry developed and the French custom spread to the French American colony in modern day Louisiana where, on March 3, 1699, the first American Mardi Gras took place.

Once a holiday rooted in religious tradition, modern day Mardi Gras is a cultural phenomenon embraced by Universal Studios. It’s great fun for the staff and for the guests. This life of its own now, independent of church or state, with parties galore and celebrations from the family to the community to the state to the country can be a great time to build community within your own hometown.