It’s a problem that every theme park has faced at one time or another. As in: How to keep those turnstiles turning in the weeks & months just before a major new attraction opens.
And in the case of the Universal Orlando Resort, there’s a very real fear among UOR managers that many Guests are now deliberately putting off their next visit to these two Central Florida theme parks until after The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opens. Which is why – in order to keep attendance levels high until this 20-acre addition to Islands of Adventure
comes on line in the late Spring / early Summer of this year – Universal Orlando is really pulling out the stops for its 2010 Mardi Gras celebration.
Copyright 2010 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved
Don’t believe me? Then check out some of the performers that UOR is
bringing in to perform at Universal Studios Florida’s Music Plaza:
| Mardi Gras Event Dates | Headliners |
| Saturday, February 6th | KC and the Sunshine Band |
| Saturday, February 13tth | Heart |
| Sunday, February 14th | Kool & the Gang |
| Saturday, February 20th | Blondie |
| Saturday, February 27th | Dierks Bentley |
| Saturday, March 6th | Akon |
| Saturday, March 13th | Aretha Franklin |
| Saturday, March 20th | Miranda Lambert |
| Saturday. March 27th | 3 Doors Down |
| Saturday, April 3rd | Beach Boys |
| Friday. April 9th | Sheryl Crow |
| Saturday, April 10th | Flo Rida |
| Saturday, April 17th | Chicago |
That’s 13 of the biggest acts in show business. Were you to combine all of the records that these performers have sold over the years, we’re talking more than half a billion albums worldwide.
And did I mention that you get to see all of this big-name entertainment for free once you purchase admission to Universal Studios Florida? Along with authentic Cajun cuisine, a spectacular parade as well as tons & tons of beads?
Universal Orlando’s 15th annual Mardi Gras – the biggest & most authentic celebration outside of The Big Easy itself – gets underway this coming Saturday night with KC and the Sunshine Band performing many of their disco-era hits live. And on every Saturday & other selected nights now through April 17th, all sorts of styles of music will be celebrated. From hip-hop to pop and country to rock.
Copyright 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All Rights Reserved
Don’t get me wrong. The Universal Orlando Resort wants people who are thinking of traveling to Florida this year to be aware that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be opening soon. Which is why they had that augmented reality map printed in USA Today last Thursday. More importantly, this is why Universal spent megabucks on that Wizarding World TV commercial
which will air this coming Sunday during the first half of the Super Bowl.
But between now and June, UOR managers would still like it if Central Florida tourists came by and checked out all of the great rides, shows and attractions that are already up & running at USF and IOA. Which is why – in order to spur things along – Universal Orlando really pulled out the stops when it came to the music acts that will be performing at this Resort’s
15th annual Mardi Gras celebration.
So if you just can’t wait for that first taste of J. K.-Rowling-approved Butter Beer, why don’t you whet your whistle with a Hurricane and then pick up out a spot to view USF’s
Mardi Gras parade from? If you do that … Well, the time will at least appear to go faster until Hogwarts Castle opens to the public. Not Time-Turner
faster, mind you. But faster nonetheless.
Photo by Kevin Kolczynski. Copyright 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All Rights Reserved
For further information on Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras (which celebrates 15 years of beads, bands and good times), please click on this link.