Mardi
Gras Returns to Universal Studios Florida
ORLANDO,
Fl (February 1, 1999) – For the fourth consecutive year,
Universal Studios Florida at Universal Studios Escape
invites party-goers of all ages to experience the wildest,
longest running and most authentic Mardi Gras celebration
found outside the Big Easy.
Beginning February 12th and continuing 44 nights
through March 27th, the incredibly popular Mardi Gras
celebration kicks-off nightly when Universal’s backlot
streets are converted into the Bayou’s wildest and most
colorful street party. The French Quarter festivities
feature 14 floats and props imported direct from original
New Orleans Mardi Gras parades, top-name entertainment,
doubloons, and food that screams ‘Nawlins.
Guests can "mardi" the night away with live
entertainment from top bands such as Journey, .38 Special,
the Pointer Sisters, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Creedence
Clearwater Revisited, Olga Tañon, the Doobie Brothers and
Chaka Kahn. Also playing will be other favorites KOW, Jack
Mack and the Heart Attacks, Wild Magnolias, Big Shirley,
Fat City and Mamou.
As each night’s Mardi Gras parade weaves through the
streets of Universal, bead-seeking spectators will be
entertained by more than 200 outrageous street performers
including stilt-walkers. The float procession will include
the traditional Jester, King and Queen and King Gator
floats, as well as a series themed, "Celebrating
Cities Around the World," representing exotic
destinations such as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico and
the Caribbean. The floats are designed by "Mr. Mardi
Gras," Blaine Kern, whose company, Blaine Kern
Artists, Inc., has built Mardi Gras floats since 1932. The
tastes and unmistakable aroma of authentic Cajun and
Creole classics such as jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish will
surely tempt the palate of all Mardi Gras partiers. Along
with mouth-watering food from the Big Easy, guests can sip
on hurricane drinks made famous in New Orleans. At
Universal Studios CityWalk, a Nighttime entertainment
complex featuring a one-of-a-kind collection of themed
restaurants, nightclubs, a movie theater and specialty
shops, guests can visit one of the nation’s favorite
Mardi Gras hangouts, Pat O’Briens.
With the regular admission price to Universal Studios
(adults $42 plus tax, children $34 plus tax) from February
12 through March 27, theme park guests can "Ride the
Movies" by day and enjoy Mardi Gras revelry
free-of-charge by night. In addition – and for a limited
time only – guests will also receive a pass upon
admission good for a second day of Universal fun -- free.
Mardi Gras guest information is available by calling (407)
224-5500.
Universal Studios Florida Mardi Gras ’99 is sponsored
by Discover® Card.
Universal Studios Florida is part of the Universal
Studios Escape entertainment destination experience.
Universal Studios Escape is a joint venture between
Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com), a unit of
The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and
entertainment company, and The Rank Group Plc. Rank Group
is a leader in leisure and entertainment and operates two
business streams: it provides services to the film
industry and entertains consumers directly through its
portfolio of strong leisure and entertainment brands. Its
famous brands include Hard Rock, Odeon, Butlin’s and
Mecca. In 1997, the group turnover was over £2bn and
operating profit was £310m. Worldwide, Rank employs
around 40,000 people.
Universal Studios Escape includes the existing
Universal Studios Florida, along with a new theme park
named Universal Studios Islands of Adventure to open in
1999; Universal Studios CityWalk, a 30-acre entertainment
complex, which began opening in phases in December of
1999, features themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and a
20-screen, 5,000-seat movie megaplex; world-class hotel
accommodations, the first of which, the Portofino Bay
Hotel at Universal Studios Escape, a Loews hotel, will
open in 1999, and expanded film and television production
facilities.
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