Secrets Behind the Glitter and Beads of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Parade

When you think of Mardi Gras, you probably have images of the streets of New Orleans filled 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 Mardi Gras? That’s right, and it’s happening right now at Universal Orlando Resort.

The central Florida theme park celebrates 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 artists in the business, and plenty of daytime entertainment. But when the sun sets, the true 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, this is by far my favorite part of the Mardi Gras celebration because it gives Universal guests the unique opportunity to ride on 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, as well as some secrets behind the glitter and pearls from Lora Sauls, assistant director of creative development and show management 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 excited to catch beads. Then the iconic song “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” the celebration anthem, begins to play. Backstage doors open to a stream of costumed performers and trucks pulling huge floats along the parade route.

But long before the first set of beads makes it into the hands of parade goers, a new iteration of the parade begins to take shape. In fact, Sauls says it can take a year to get the theme 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 annual parade.

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The creative team travels to New Orleans each year to research props to match a new theme. “This prop search spans more than five Kern studios across New Orleans, where props from more than 50 years of Mardi Gras parades are kept,” says Sauls.

Once the theme and props are secure, Universal’s set designers literally go to the drawing board. They sketch out what the new themed tanks could look like. The designs get approval from Kern Studios, and that’s when the real fun begins. “For each float, our tech teams then work with Show Direction on effects and sound, our lighting designer begins designing the lighting, and our set teams begin determining which set will bring those themes to life, and of course, what glitter colors,” says Sauls.

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

Once the parade doors open

After preparing each float for its grand debut or annual makeover, 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. In addition to the impressive floats, many parade performers walk between the floats. They bring even more New Orleans flavor to the festivities. The performers’ costumes often change according to each year’s theme.

“They start working on the character designs once the parade floats are finalized,” says Sauls. “The character design team is having so much fun thinking outside the box on character designs with the floats. Some of my favorite character designs are the Octopus stilt walkers, our King and Queen Gators, and the crawfish and shrimp characters. “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 join in the nighttime celebration. If you stand on the sidewalks along the parade route, you are a pearl catcher. As the floats pass by, the people on the floats throw beads, and it’s up to you to catch and string them. Try to find a spot near the start of the parade route if you want to catch the most beads. As the parade nears its final destination, there are usually fewer pearls to catch.

Then there is the second job, which is the chance of my life, that of a pearl thrower. Yes, the people who throw beads from the Mardi Gras floats are regular guests at Universal Orlando.

How to Become a Bead Thrower at Universal Mardi Gras

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

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The second way to become a bead thrower is to book a ride and dine experience on the Mardi Gras float. With this theme park add-on, you get a three-course meal at one of the participating Universal Orlando restaurants. Then you can put on a brightly colored vest and ride on an assigned parade float to throw beads. This option starts at $95 per person

My Experience as a Bead Thrower

I recently had the opportunity to throw beads in 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 being gifted a hot pink Mardi Gras vest and loaded 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 began to move along the parade route, I began tossing purple, green, and gold beads to the crowd, my hands raised 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 pearl thrower, from check-in to getting my vest back, lasted about two and a half hours. Total time spent on the float was about 45 minutes, from escort to my location and a quick lesson on bead throwing etiquette until returning to the float barn.

When all was said and done, I realized that I had just had one of the coolest and most unique theme park experiences that almost anyone who enters Universal Orlando could have the chance to experience as well. If you’re hesitant about booking a float ride and dining experience, I promise it’s vacation dollars well spent. Best of all, at the time of publication, there are still seats available for most nights of the 2026 Mardi Gras season.

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