Mardi Gras season has returned to Universal Orlando, and the event continues to highlight a festive New Orleans-inspired atmosphere with its bead-bearing parade, concerts and international foods.
Fresh additions to the event — its formal full name is Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval — are playing into that vibe, including new menu items, floats and the introduction of reptile royalty.
Prince Gator, a gold and green, big-bead-wearing, crowned character, is now available for visitor interactions. He is stationed near the park’s Pantages Theater (home of the Horror Make-Up Show), beneath a curved structure that Universal refers to as the Hollywood Wave.
Kelly Malik, show director at Universal Orlando, introduces the Prince Gator character to members of the media at an event on the first night of Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration for 2026. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
“A couple of years ago, he was designed and brought in as a popcorn bucket. Then he was made into a plush, and then we said, Why not add to our animated family?” said Kelly Malik, show director, entertainment development. “We got to bring another party animal to a mix for Mardi Gras.”
Like Earl the Squirrel, Universal Orlando’s home-grown holiday character, Prince, poses for photos and signs autographs, Malik said. And he has some backstory.
“He also is donning a set of traditional beads that was passed down by his dad, none other than King Gator from our parade,” Malik said.
Yep, the extra-long float representing Prince’s pop brings up the rear of the nightly parade again. The year’s theme, particularly with new floats, is tied to the city of New Orleans.
“It’s as if we took New Orleans and Mardi Gras from New Orleans and put it right into our parade,” Malik said.
“You’re going to be a part of it. You’re going to see all the lights, all of the spectacle, of the audio, the lighting, the high-energy performers,” she said. “It’s all going to be right in front of you.”
SeaWorld: Seven Seas Food Festival features new on-the-move menu items
Elements of NOLA presented via float include the food, doubloons, music and the bayou. This is in contrast to themes found in previous years on half of the floats, such as sea creatures and literary styles. This year’s approach could be considered more seamless.
On opening weekend, a couple of floats had no bead-tossing passengers, making for eerily abandoned units. Universal officials referred to it as a “modified” experience. By early this week, the floats were fully occupied.
The parade route still is populated with costumed stilt walkers and dancers in familiar looks, although there may be more birds and critters incorporated. That was a raccoon on their head, right?
Familiar fare such as po’ boys and king cakes are again on the streets of the theme park, too.
“This year they really wanted to elevate the experience with a lot of live-fire cooking,” said Jens Dahlmann, vice president, executive chef of operations. “That’s something I’m very passionate about because it really creates those multisensory experiences on the streets.”
Visitors can see food on grills at the kiosks devoted to the fare of Puerto Rico, Brazil, Jamaica and Chile, where there’s salmon cooking over an open fire.
“It’s freshest, quality ingredients coming right to us from Patagonia, kissed by fire and smoke,” Dahlmann said. “It is signature style food on the streets of the Studios here.”
Universal Studios employees operate a Brazil-based kiosk during the Mardi Gras celebration at the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
Pinchos de lechon, the top seller from the 2025 festival, is back at the Puerto Rico kiosk, and it’s joined by coconut flancocho, a dessert selected in a contest among Universal chefs.
“So, flancocho means there’s flan, and there’s cake. Together, it’s even better,” Dahlmann said.
“You’re going to see a little coquin right on top there. … So, very, very cute,” he said.
Universal’s Mardi Gras festivities run daily through April 4. They are included with regular Universal Studios admission. The next concerts in the event are Portugal. The Man (“Feel It Still”) on Saturday and Puerto Rican reggaeton star Ivy Queen on Sunday.
News and notes
• There’s been a change in Universal’s Mardi Gras schedule. Ziggy Marley will now be in concert on March 7, replacing the originally announced Shaggy.
• Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water park, is going cashless as of Feb. 25. The attraction will only accept credit cards, debit cards, gift cards or Universal Pay for purchases. Cash-to-card kiosks will be available.
• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the roller coaster under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood, will open this summer. This is not to be confused with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the roller coaster under construction at Universal Studios Florida, which is set to open sometime in 2027.
• Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s water park, is planning springtime enhancements, including a fourth toll booth, upgraded shade structures (including more umbrellas), expanded mobile food ordering, fresh paint jobs and a reimagined Ke-re’s Bar. Price tag: “Several million dollars,” says park president Bradley Gilmour.
• Brevard Zoo is adding Colobus monkeys, including two sisters (Naia and Zuba) who came from the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. A male is also expected in the coming weeks.
Science center: Artsy astronaut joining Spark STEM Fest