If you can't make it to New Orleans this year, Universal Studios offers a Mardi Gras celebration that will surely make you utter those now famous words: "Who Dat?"
The Orlando theme park and resort rings in its fifteenth year with the theme of "Beads, bands and good times."
Good times are sure to be had for everyone this year, because Universal has scheduled performances from a diverse group of artists including Heart, Akon, Dierks Bentley, Flo Rida, Miranda Lambert and Aretha Franklin.
For the Universal After 5, tickets guests can attend a concert for about $50. This is a reasonable price considering the venue also includes rides and roller coasters.
The nation is still in the middle of economic doldrums, so it is understandable that students would want to find the biggest bang for their buck, which is why Universal also keeps their general attractions open, too. Guests can ride the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the Revenge of the Mummy ride.
In addition to rides and headlining performances, Universal has worked for almost nine months to design a weekly event that includes authentic food, music and floats.
The Cajun cuisine and music flutter from the French Quarter district, which Universal replicated to ensure a bona fide feel for guests who have attended the real Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The 12 floats for the parade, which starts at 8 p.m., assault your eyes with color and your body with beads. Universal works closely with Blaine Kern Studios, a New Orleans based company, to design the heritage-themed floats that park guests flock to during the thirty-minute parade.
This year the parade theme is "The Best of Mardi Gras," and it is meant to celebrate Universal's history picking the most prized floats from previous years with updated looks. If standing in the crowd collecting beads is not enough of an experience for you, Universal will let you join the parade.
If there is space on floats, park officials will allow guests to climb aboard the float and throw beads to the masses. This year, Universal expects to hand out about one million beads.
With beads, bands and booze, Mardi Gras at Universal offers something for everyone.
The event runs every Saturday until April 17.
For a full lineup of performers visit Universal's Web site at www.universalorlando.com.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!