Every single year, magic comes to town...

Regardless of whether it's the final night of one of Universal's most lively events, the "Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval" organizers are always looking ahead. Even two years in advance, they begin brainstorming ways to surpass the previous event and give you a great time.

The magic behind the masks

Every year, six of the main floats come back to Universal Dream. However, Universal Orlando’s Art and Design Team wants to surprise everyone with a visual feast of new floats.

This vision is achieved through another set of six empty float skeletons transformed into walking art. After extensive work, they are ready to splash color along the streets of one of our favorite themed parks, Universal Studios.

This is a work that is done EVERY year. Bravo, team! Now this is dedication and pure imagination.

mardi grass universal 4.webp — Universal ©

How does the process start?

According to Kerstin Mais, Art Manager for the Mardi Gras Parade, the team starts brainstorming for a new theme that can be used for next year's parade. As mentioned earlier, as one parade concludes, the team already has their sights set on the next one!

mardi grass universal.webp — Universal ©

Kerstin explains to Universal’s Communication team member, Meaghan Fork, that “Once the current year’s parade is over, the rotating floats are taken offsite, stripped down to a blank canvas and repainted to match the next year’s designs. We have a great relationship with Kern Studios, a float-building company located in New Orleans, and they supply us with the larger-than-life statues that will be placed on the floats. Once these are installed, the floats make their way back to Universal Orlando property where our work begins!”

mardi grass universal 5.webp — Universal ©

Our minds were blown when we learned about this impressive and swift action taken immediately after the parade season concludes. Not even Universal's rides can compete with this level of efficiency!

Kerstin also highlights another crucial step that occurs immediately after the floats are delivered: the glittering process. This involves applying glitter to the float according to the designers' original vision. This process alone could take up to two weeks to complete!

mardi grass universal 3.webp — Universal ©

Have you ever imagined that these floats could require such a significant amount of time to complete? It certainly surprised us. However, it's quite remarkable considering the extensive work involved. Each step is crucial as it brings the floats to life, especially the glittering, which makes them shine and look awesome.

What can we expect this year?

The inspiration behind the 2024 Mardi Gras Parade edition is life in general. And no, we are not talking about school, work, or other activities. They want to focus on the elements that are always there surrounding us, giving us LIFE, and that sometimes can go unnoticed.

mardi grass universal 2.webp — Universal ©

Some of the elements that are represented in them are wind, water, fire, earth, the moon and the sun. They have been beautifully covered with vines, leaves, flowers and an explosion of colors that will make them a visual feast for everyone watching.

You won’t want to miss this, the pictures are going to be out of this world!

mardi grass universal 1.webp — Universal ©

Many Mardi Gras fans may be expecting glitter, dazzling decorations, or confetti everywhere. However, these new floats may change your perception of the ordinary. Thanks to the extraordinary work of the Art and Design Team, we may witness the enchantment that lies within the everyday.

There is a great chance that after this, you will see the tree around your street or the flowers in your garden as extraordinary as they are, and maybe notice them through a new lens.