UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S MARDI GRAS 2007

Party-goers of all ages will enjoy the biggest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans featuring an elaborate parade, hundreds of costumed characters, tons of beads, Cajun cuisine, and live performances by top-name talent. In addition, musicians direct from New Orleans will be showcasing their hottest music.

“Each year, we create a Mardi Gras celebration that captures the spirit of the “Big Easy,” said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort. “With our authentic parade floats, musicians direct from New Orleans, and, of course, thousands of beads, guests will get caught up in the fun of this party.”
 
The centerpiece of Mardi Gras is the parade featuring 13 vibrant floats winding around the “French Quarter Courtyard,” a replica of New Orleans’ French quarter – the heart of Mardi Gras. The floats are designed by “Mr. Mardi Gras,” Blaine Kern, whose company, Blaine Kern Artists, Inc., has built Mardi Gras floats since 1932. The float procession will include the traditional Jester, King and  Queen and King Gator floats, as well as a series themed, “seasons” featuring sailboats and sunsets to depict “summer,” sleighs and silver blues for “winter,” colorful leaves for “fall,” and an ethereal world for “spring.” 

Musicians recruited from the heart of New Orleans help get the party started in the French Quarter Courtyard.  Musical groups, including Brian Lee and The Blues Power Band, Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, will delight audiences with jazz, zydeco and blues music.

After the parade, guests will be entertained by some of the hottest internationally-known musicians of today during the Mardi Gras Concert Series. Performers include “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks, Wynonna, a world-renowned singer and entertainer with 20 “Billboard” No.1 hits, Los Lonely Boys, Sean Paul, and legendary Grammy winner Donna Summer.

The Mardi Gras Concert Series also features the legendary R&B, Disco, Pop and 80s sounds of The Temptations & the Four Tops, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Doobie Brothers, and Huey Lewis and the News, and more.

The Mardi Gras celebration would not be complete without the taste of authentic Cajun and Creole classics such as jambalaya, gumbo and beignets, which are sure to tempt the palate of Mardi Gras partiers.  Along with mouth-watering food, guests can sip on party drinks made famous in New Orleans.

The Mardi Gras ticket, valid after 5 pm, is available again this year only at Universal Studios and is applicable any one Saturday night from February 3 through April 14 and can be purchased for $44.95 plus tax. Florida residents can save $10 off a Mardi Gras valid after 5pm ticket with a specially-marked Coca-Cola 24-pack. Florida and Georgia residents can also save $10 off a Mardi Gras valid after 5pm ticket with a cup from participating Wendy’s locations.

Florida residents can also save $20 off a 2-Park Power Pass (regularly-priced $119.95 plus tax). The Power Pass offers admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure for one year with minimal blackout dates and includes admission to Mardi Gras.

Universal CityWalk will host the official after-party of the Mardi Gras celebration, with guests receiving free admission into select clubs until 2 am by presenting their Mardi Gras tickets.  Featuring an eclectic collection of themed restaurants, nightclubs, and specialty shops, Universal CityWalk will give guests the option to continue dining and dancing all night long.  For an additional $25, guests can purchase a VIP upgrade ticket to the official Mardi Gras after-party which includes front-of-the-line club access, drink specials and tons of beads. 

The Universal Orlando Resort destination (www.universalorlando.com) includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Islands of Adventure, Orlando’s next generation theme park.  Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.