The Big Easy is Coming to Orlando!

You don’t have to travel to New Orleans to experience the excitement of Mardi Gras this year. Instead, book a home with Florida Spirit Vacation Homes and be minutes from the beads, music, and spirit of The Big Easy at Universal Studios Mardi Gras! Experience both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure and then get ready for Mardi Gras, included in your park admission or annual pass!

Universal Studios isn’t just celebrating Fat Tuesday, it is creating an entire Mardi Gras season with weeks of parades, excitement and live concerts. From February 11^th until April 14^th, you can enjoy the largest New Orleans-style celebration outside of The Big Easy! The event will take place on Saturdays as well as selected nights and will offer the full Mardi Gras experience and include performances from some of the biggest names in music.

The night will begin with a spectacular parade that winds through the whole park with brilliant floats and vibrant costumes. The theme of this year’s parade will focus around the wonder of Planet Earth. You will be carried away on a journey to different parts of the world and see the beauty and diversity of the “Blue Planet.” There will also be towering stilt walkers and street entertainers performing throughout the park. And don’t forget about the handfuls of beads that will be thrown during the parade for everyone in the family to collect and wear.

Kids get their own private parade experience in the Little Jester’s Parade viewing area located right next to The Terminator 2 3-D attraction. You can mark your spot in this special area beginning one hour before the start of the parade.

When the sun goes down and the parade goes around the last corner, everyone in the family will want to stay and experience the night’s featured live concert. Over the nine-week celebration, the Universal Music Plaza stage will host 14 electrifying concerts with performances by Cyndi Lauper, Goo Goo Dolls, Boyz II Men, Plain White T’s, and American Idol Kelly Clarkson – to name a few. The B-52s will open the stage on February 11^th at 8:30pm. Check out the full concert series lineup below!

You can catch the spirit of The Big Easy before the concert and parade by strolling through the French Quarters Courtyard at Universal Studios. There will be live music from bands straight out of New Orleans! While you enjoy the sounds of Mardi Gras, savor the tastes of the bayou with authentic Cajun food like Spicy Jambalaya, Grilled Andouille Sausage, Shrimp Gumbo, and so much more, all available for purchase throughout the French Quarters Courtyard.

After you’ve caught all the beads you can carry and rocked out to the live music, continue the celebration at Universal CityWalk! On Mardi Gras event nights, your Universal Studios theme park ticket or annual pass will give you free access to seven unique clubs and bars, including Pat O’Brien’s – CityWalk’s Mardi Gras headquarters! Pat O’Brien’s is an exact replica of the famed New Orleans watering hole where it’s Mardi Gras 365 days a year (well 366 days this year!)

Whether you plan to just celebrate Mardi Gras or visit all the parks, the next nine weeks in Orlando will offer something everyone in the family can enjoy. Book your Florida Spirit Vacation Home today and join the fun!