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

When you think of Mardi Gras, you probably imagine the streets of New Orleans filled with people wearing crazy outfits, beads flying through the sky, and confetti falling along the parade route. But what if I told you that you could enjoy an authentic Mardi Gras parade even after Fat Tuesday? That’s true and it’s happening right now at Universal Orlando Resort.

Central Florida theme parks celebrate Mardi Gras from February 7 to April 4, 2026. Universal Mardi Gras features carnival cuisine from around the world, weekend concerts from some of the biggest acts in the business, and plenty of daytime entertainment. But when the sun goes down, the real highlight of Mardi Gras takes to the streets at 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 boring. In fact, this is my favorite part of the Mardi Gras celebration because it provides a unique opportunity for Universal guests to climb aboard 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 sequins from Lora Sauls, Assistant Director, Creative Development and Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort.

Brings to life the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras parade

Even before the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios Florida begins, you’ll hear the roar of excited spectators catching beads. Then the iconic song “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” the celebration’s anthem, began playing. The backstage doors opened to a flood of costumed performers and trucks pulling large numbers of floats along the parade route.

But long before the first string of beads reaches the hands of parade goers, a new string of parade beads begins to take shape. In fact, Sauls said it takes 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 Arts and Design teams partnered with Kern Studios in New Orleans to create the annual parade.

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The creative team travels to New Orleans every year to search for props to fit the new theme. “This search for props included more than five Kern Studios nests throughout New Orleans, where props from more than 50 years of Mardi Gras parades were stored,” Sauls said.

Once the theme and props are secured, Universal Scenic Designers go straight to the drawing board. They sketched out what the new themed float would look like. The design received approval from Kern Studios, and the real fun began. “For each float, our engineering team then works with Show Direction on the effects and audio, our lighting designers start designing the lighting, and our decoration team starts figuring out what decorations will bring these themes to life, and of course, the glitter colors,” explains Sauls.

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And speaking of glitter, each dose of glitter is placed on the float by hand.

As soon as the parade gates open

Once each float is ready for its grand debut or annual decoration, it’s time to open the parade gates and let the good times roll through the park. The parade features 12 stunning floats, including the fan favorite King Gator. In addition to the impressive floats, there are a number of parade performers walking among the floats. They brought more New Orleans flavor to the celebration. The costumes of the players often change according to the year’s theme.

“They started working on character designs after the parade floats were finished,” Sauls said. “The character design team had a lot of fun coming up with character designs using floats. Some of my favorite character designs are the Octopus Stilt Walker, the Crocodile King and Queen, and the Crawfish and Shrimp characters.” Lobsters and Shrimps have become so synonymous with the parade that they return every year.

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As the parade dances along its route, every guest can participate in the evening’s festivities. If you stand on the sidewalk along the parade route, you are a bead catcher. As the float passes by, the people on the float throw beads, and your job is to catch them and put them on. Try to find a spot near the start of the parade route if you want to catch as many beads as possible. As the parade approaches its final destination, the number of beads that can be caught tends to be less.

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

How to be a bead thrower at Universal Mardi Gras

There are two ways you can be 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, although registration fills up very quickly. In fact, spots for this year are already full, although new spots may become available throughout the season. So it’s best to check back from time to time.

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The second way to become a bead thrower is to book Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experiences. With this theme park addition, you get a three-course meal at any of Universal Orlando’s participating restaurants. Then you can wear a brightly colored vest and climb onto your designated parade float to throw the beads. This option starts at $95 per person

My experience as a bead thrower

I was recently 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 my bright pink Mardi Gras vest and riding my assigned float surrounded by other theme park fans, I knew this would be a truly unique experience.

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As my vehicle began to move along the parade route, I began throwing purple, green, and gold beads into the crowd with my hands raised to the sky to catch them. In between throws, I danced and sang with my fellow bead throwers and enjoyed seeing the park from a different perspective. Suddenly, my Mardi Gras dreams ended.

Overall, the experience of being a bead thrower, from check-in to vest return, is about two and a half hours. Total time on the float was about 45 minutes, starting from being taken to my place and getting a short lesson on bead throwing etiquette, to returning to the float warehouse.

When it was all said and done, I realized that I had just completed one of the coolest and most unique theme park experiences that almost anyone who walks into Universal Orlando can do. If you’re on the fence about booking a float trip and dining experience, I promise it will be vacation money well spent. Amazingly, as of press time, there are still spots available for most nights during the 2026 Mardi Gras season.

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