How to Sign Up for the Universal Mardi Gras Parade Float Ride Virtual Line in 2025
You can’t visit Universal Orlando during Mardi Gras season and not ride on one of the Mardi Gras. This is your opportunity to toss beads to the crowd while you make your way through the streets of Universal Studios Florida. This hands down makes for an unforgettable time. Note— A limited number of spots are available per night. Reservations will be accepted in-park via the Virtual Line experience in the Official Universal Orlando App.
For 2025, a Virtual Line is available for guests to attempt to snag these spots! Start checking around 2 p.m. and continue checking up to one hour before the parade start time. Return times will be released intermittently throughout the window and are subject to availability. You never know when a spot will open up! Search for Mardi Gras Parade on the Universal Orlando app, click the Virtual Line icon, select your Travel Party Members and, if any are available, choose your Virtual Line return time. 
Photo: Universal
Universal Mardi Gras Parade 2025 Times
Parade starts at 5 p.m. on the following dates:
Feb. 4
Parade started at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
Feb. 2-3, 5-7, 9-13, 18-21, 24-28March 3-7, 9, 12, 18
Parade started at 7 p.m. on the following dates:Feb. 14, 17, 23March 2, 10-11, 13-14, 17, 19-20, 23-28, 30
Parade started at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
Feb. 1, 8, 15-16, 22March 1, 8, 15-16, 21-22, 29
Photo: Universal
How to Join the Mardi Gras Parade Float Ride Queue
You can join the Mardi Gras Virtual Line via the official Universal Orlando Resort app on the day OF your trip. Make sure you have signed up for a Universal Orlando account, your park tickets are linked to the account, and you are logged in on the Universal Orlando app before 2:00PM.Step 1: Create Account
To get a Virtual Line spot, you’ll first need to be signed into your Universal Account. Be sure to create one if you haven’t already!Step 2: Link Tickets
Want a better chance at getting a Mardi Gras Float riding Virtual Line spot? Link your tickets (or Annual Passes) to your Universal Account and set up your Travel Party in advance.Step 3: Download the Universal Orlando App
If you haven’t already, be sure to download the Universal Orlando Resort App. That’s the location you’ll grab a Virtual Line spot.
Step 3: Start Checking at 2:00PM
You can then try to sign up for the Virtual Line between 2 p.m. and up to 1 hour before the Mardi Gras parade start time. You do have to be inside Universal Studios Florida to try and join the Virtual Line.Once you have the Universal Orlando app open, head to the Mardi Gras Parade page. If you are in the park and the virtual line iis still open, you can then join it by clicking Virtual Line.
The Universal Orlando app then prompts you to select your party members. It's important to know that you can’t select family members who have not entered the park.Once you have selected all your party numbers, you can choose a return time. Universal Orlando will release return times periodically throughout the day, so keep checking if you don’t see a time. Please understand Parade riding spots are very limited and are subject to availability.
The Universal Orlando app will eventually alert you when it’s your return time. Mardi Gras Float Riders are to check in at Animal Actors on Location! Once checked in, you will get your float assignment/ wrist band and digitally sign a waiver via a QR code on your phone. Your Mardi Gras Parade Riding spot is not guaranteed until you receive a wristband. With you paradefloat assignment, you’ll be directed to put on the traditional costume.
Other Ways to Ride on Mardi Gras Float at Universal Orlando in 2025
Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience
Reserve a guaranteed spot on one of our spectacular Mardi Gras parade floats. Plus, enjoy a 3-course meal from participating Universal Orlando restaurants. It’s the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, an unforgettable night of food and bead tossing fun. Separate, same day theme park admission required. Float spots are limited. Restrictions apply.
Universal Studios Florida
Finnegan's Bar & GrillLombard's Seafood Grille
Universal CityWalk
The Cowfish Sushi Burger BarNBC Sports Grill & BrewAntojitos Authentic Mexican Food (dinner only)Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom (dinner only)Pat O'Brien's (dinner only)
Universal Islands of Adventure
Confisco Grille (2-Park ticket required)
The 2025 Mardi Gras Ride & Dine Add-on starts at $89.99 and is subject to availability. You must arrive 45 minutes prior to parade start time. Mardi Gras Parade times subject to change without notice.
Annual Passholder Mardi Gras Float Sign Up
Sign up with as many as eight Passholders to ride a parade float, throw a ton of beads, and be in the center of the action. It's the ultimate Mardi Gras experience! Restrictions apply.
This event has reached capacity and Universal Orlando can no longer accept new reservations. Please note that if you cancel your Annual Pass Float Riding reservation, you will unable to make a new one.
2025 Mardi Gras Float Rider Details
Arrival/In-Park Check-In
All guests will need a wristband to ride the float on their event date. Instructions to retrieve:Go to Animal Actors On Location! inside Universal Studios Florida anywhere between 1 hour and 1 hour 45 minutes prior to the parade start.Passholders must bring a valid Annual or Seasonal Pass and valid photo ID for the name on the reservation to Animal Actors On Location! to receive their wristband. ID must match the name on the reservation confirmation.
Guest spot is not guaranteed until after they receive their wristband at Animal Actors On Location!. If not picked up at least 1 hour prior to parade start, reservation will be forfeited.The Wristband is required to ride the Float and more information on where to board the float will be given at the Animal Actors On Location! check in location.
How Long Does the Mardi Gras Float Riding Experience Take?
The entire Float Riding experience lasts two to three hours, so you may miss the beginning of the concert, but if seeing the show isn't a priority for you, I can't recommend this experience enough. 
Mardi Gras Float Riding Restrictions
Riders must check in at a minimum of one-hour prior to parade step- off. Upon check-in, all riders 18 years old or older must sign a float rider waiver and anyone who is under age 18 must have a parent or legal guardian age 18 or order present to sign on their behalf.Must be at least 48" in height. Height restrictions strictly enforced.Riders who do not require mobility assistance must have the ability to stand for the entire duration of the parade, approximately 35 minutes. From beginning to end, the float riding experience can take 2 to 3 hours. On concert days, guests may miss the beginning of the concert.Riders with a disability may request an accommodation at least 48 hours prior to your float reservation.Standard Universal manual wheelchairs can be accommodated. Riders must transfer from other mobility devices into a standard Universal wheelchair that is provided after check-in. For additional details, please contact Guest Services at 407-224-7840.No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted.No strollers or large bags may be carried on floats. However, small bags and personal items may be stowed on floats during the parade.For the safety of our riders and performers, no guests are permitted to participate in the parade if they appear intoxicated or are heavily consuming alcohol at the meeting location and time.No horseplay or harassment of any other guest(s) and or performer(s) will be tolerated. Any act that could potentially jeopardize the safety of yourself or anyone else will result in immediate dismissal from the parade and possibly the park.Please follow any instructions the Attendants of your float may issue, especially concerning all load or unload procedures. Directions are to give you and our viewing guests the best and safest parade experience possible.Please avoid all contact with any stage lighting or audio equipment on board the floats. Failure to do so may result in injury or damage to personal property.Oxygen tanks are NOT permitted aboard any float.Riders who are sensitive to motion are not recommended to ride.Riders who do not require mobility assistance must have the ability to stand for the entire duration of the parade, approximately 35 minutes. From beginning to end, the float riding experience can take 2 to 3 hours. On concert days, guests may miss the beginning of the concert.Wearing of “The Krewe” costumes is a condition of participation.Universal Orlando will try to keep all parties together but on the rare occasion larger groups may need to be split into different floats.All reservations are on a first come first served basis
Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval runs from Feb. 1 until March 30, 2025, so there is still plenty of time to try and grab a Virtual Line spot!
Photo: Universal
