The secrets behind the glitter and beads of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras parade

When you think about Mardi Gras, you likely have images of the streets of New Orleans packed with people wearing crazy outfits, beads flying through the sky, and confetti falling all over a parade route. But what if I told you that you could enjoy an authentic Mardi Gras parade even after Fat Tuesday? It’s true, and it’s happening right now at Universal Orlando Resort. 

The central Florida theme park is celebrating Mardi Gras from February 7 through April 4, 2026. Universal Mardi Gras features carnival cuisine from around the world, weekend concerts from some of the biggest acts in the biz, and plenty of daytime entertainment. But when the sun goes down, the real highlight of Mardi Gras takes to the streets of Universal Studios Florida: the parade. 

While you may think theme park parades are boring, I promise you, the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Orlando is anything but. In fact, it’s easily my favorite part of the Mardi Gras celebration because it gives Universal guests the unique opportunity to hop onto one of the floats to be part of the parade.

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Are you ready to join the Universal Krewe and take part in one of the best theme park experiences in Florida? Keep reading to learn more about Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras parade, plus some secrets behind the glitter and beads from Lora Sauls, Assistant Director, Creative Development and Show Direction at Universal Orlando Resort.

Bringing the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras parade to life

Before the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios Florida even begins, you’ll hear the roar of the crowd getting excited to catch beads. Then the iconic song “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” the anthem for the celebration, begins to play. The backstage doors open to a flood of costumed performers and trucks pulling massive floats along the parade route. 

But long before the first set of beads hit the hands of parade viewers, a new iteration of the parade starts taking shape. In fact, Sauls says it can take a year to get themed floats ready for the parade. What makes this parade even more special is that Universal Orlando’s Creative Development and Art and Design teams partner with Kern Studios in New Orleans to create the yearly parade. 

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The creative team travels to New Orleans every year to search for props to match a new theme. “This prop search spans across more than five Kern Studios dens throughout New Orleans, where props from over 50 years of Mardi Gras parades are housed,” says Sauls.

Once the theme and props are secured, Universal’s Scenic Designers go to the drawing board, literally. They sketch out what the new themed floats could look like. The designs get approval from Kern Studios, and then the real fun begins. “For each float, our technical teams then work with Show Direction on effects and audio, our lighting designer starts to design the lighting, and our decor teams start to figure out what decor will bring these themes to life, and of course, which colors of glitter,” explains Sauls.

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And speaking of glitter, each dose of sparkle is put on floats by hand.

Once the parade gates open

After getting each float ready for its grand debut or yearly spruce up, it’s finally time to open the parade gates and let the good times roll through the park. The parade features 12 dazzling floats, including the fan-favorite King Gator. Along with the impressive floats, there’s a host of parade performers walking between the floats. They bring even more New Orleans flavor to the festivities. The performers’ costumes often change with each year’s theme.

“They start to work on character designs once the parade floats are finalized,” says Sauls. “The character design team has so much fun thinking outside the box on designs for the characters with the floats. Some of my favorite character designs have been Octopus stilt walkers, our King and Queen Gators, and the Crawfish and Shrimp characters.” The Crawfish and Shrimp have become so synonymous with the parade that they return year after year. 

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As the parade dances along its route, every guest can participate in the nightly celebration. If you’re standing on the sidewalks along the parade route, you’re a bead catcher. As the floats go by, people on the floats toss beads, and it’s your job to catch them and put them on. Try to find a spot near the beginning of the parade route if you want to catch the most beads. As the parade nears its final destination, there tend to be fewer beads available to catch. 

Then there’s the second job, which is the chance of a lifetime, being one of the bead throwers. Yes, the people throwing beads from the Mardi Gras floats are regular Universal Orlando guests. 

How to become a bead thrower at Universal Mardi Gras

There are two ways that you can become a bead thrower during the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Orlando. The first way is to register to be one, but you must be a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder. This exclusive UOAP option is free, though registration fills up very quickly. In fact, spots are already full for this year, though new spots may become available throughout the season. So it’s always best to check back from time to time. 

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The second way to become a bead thrower is by booking a Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experiences. With this theme park add-on, you get a three-course meal at one of the participating Universal Orlando restaurants. Then you get to don a brightly colored vest and hop onto an assigned parade float to throw beads. This option starts at $95 per person

My experience being a bead thrower

I recently got to be a bead thrower during the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Orlando. When I arrived at the check-in location, I didn’t really know what to expect. But after getting a bright pink Mardi Gras vest and loading onto my assigned float surrounded by other theme park fans, I knew this was going to be a truly unique experience. 

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As my float started moving along the parade route, I started throwing purple, green, and gold beads into the crowd with their hands up reaching to the sky to catch them. Between throws, I danced and sang with my fellow bead throwers and enjoyed seeing the park from a different perspective. Suddenly, my Mardi Gras dream was over.

Overall, the experience of being a bead thrower, from check-in to returning my vest, was about two and a half hours. The total time on the float was approximately 45 minutes, from being ushered to my spot and getting a quick lesson in bead-throwing etiquette, to returning to the float barn. 

When everything was said and done, I realized I had just completed one of the coolest and most unique theme park experiences that nearly anyone who enters Universal Orlando could have the chance to do, too. If you’re on the fence about booking the float ride and dining experience, I promise it’s vacation dollars well spent. Even better, as of publication, there are still spots available for most nights during the 2026 Mardi Gras season. 

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