Universal Orlando is switching up Mardi Gras this year, which was to be expected because of the pandemic. I’m totally cool with it because I’d rather have it than not. Just like everything else that has been modified so far. Mardi Gras will be daily February 6, 2021 through March 28, 2021.

Rather than having a traditional parade, the floats will be positioned in the park. A fleet of Pirate Treasure floats will join the traditional floats of the past. Three floats will be at the Music Plaza stage where there will be tables and lights.

You will also enjoy roving musicians, street entertainment, beads and more. I’m not sure how they’re going to distribute beads with the pandemic. They probably won’t be throwing them off the idle floats. Perhaps just handing them out? I guess we’ll find out.

They are bringing the food this year! You’ll be able to purchase a tasting lanyard if you want to really indulge. If you’re a UOAP, you can purchase a Passholder-exclusive lanyard. There will be tasty bites and drinks from countries all over the world.

Bahamas

• Jerk Chicken- Jerked marinated chicken, rice & peas, scotch bonnet salsa
• Jerk Jackfruit – Jerked marinated jack fruit, rice & peas, scotch bonnet salsa
• Goombay Smash – Bahamian rum punch
• Carib Lager – International pilsner

Belgium

• Belgium Liege Waffles – Sweet liege waffles with strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate
• Brussels Frites with Roasted Garlic Veganaise  – Crispy seasoned fries with choice of dipping sauce: garlic mayonnaise, andalouse, or joppieaus
• Hoegaarden Witbier – Belgian wheat beer
• St. Bernardus Abt. 12 – Belgian quadruple, Abbey ale
• Lindemans Strawberry Lambic –  Fruited sweet and sour ale

Brazil

• Moqueca de Camarao with Rice – Shrimp coconut cream stew, white rice, sweet potato curls
• Brigadeiros – Brazilian classic with condensed milk, cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, toasted peanuts
• Stuffed Coxinha – Crispy pulled chicken tear drop fritters
• Pineapple Caipirinha Punch – Cachaça and pineapple flavors
• Strawberry Caipirinha Punch – Cachaça and strawberry flavors
• Mixed Caipirinha – A blend of pineapple and strawberry caipirinhas

Canada

• Beef Shortrib Poutine – Crispy fries with short rib, cheese curds, demi glaze
• Nutella Canadian Doughnut – Fried sweetened dough, Nutella, sugar, chopped hazelnuts
• Maple Canadian Doughnut – Fried sweetened dough, cinnamon sugar, maple syrup
• Sugar Shack Springtime Punch – A complex Canadian whiskey punch with a base of pear juice
• Lablatt Blue – International pilsner

Colombia

• Carnitas Arepas – Corn meal cake pocket filled with avocado, carnitas, mayonnaise, ketchup, culantro
• Limonada de Coco – Limeade sweetened with coconut cream (non-alcoholic)
• Coco Loco – Limonada de Coco spiked with rum and tequila

Cuba

• Cuban Sandwich – Roasted pork, Serrano ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles on Cuban bread served with plantain chips
• Cuban Flan – Baked vanilla custard, dark caramel
• Cuba Libre – Choice of Bacardí Light, Bacardí 4 Year or Bacardí 8 Year

France

• Poached Pear Crème Brulee Crepe – Red wine poached pear, vanilla pastry cream, toasted almonds, caramel, crispy sugar topping
• Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone Blanc – White wine
• Vieux Chateau Lamothe Bordeaux Rouge – Red wine
• Notorious Pink – Slightly sweet rosé wine
• Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Rouge – Red wine

Germany

• Pork Schnitzel Slider – Fried pork cutlet, spicy mustard, red braised cabbage, gruyere cheese
• Vegan Bratwurst with Beer Braised Onions – Vegan bratwurst, beer braised onions, spicy mustard, French quarter baguette
• Bavarian Pretzel – Warm pretzel, spicy mustard cheese sauce
• Weihenstephaner Kristalweissbier –  Clarified wheat beer
• Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen Rauchbier – Smoked Märzen Oktoberfest-style lager
• Weihenstephaner Vitus – Strong wheat, bock hybrid lager
• T Schmitt Riesling Kabinett, Estate – Sweet white wine

Italy

• Italian Rainbow Cookie – Colorful layers of almond cake sandwiched with raspberry jam and coated in chocolate
• Arancini – Fried risotto, wild mushrooms, truffle, parmesan cheese
• Cannoli – Italian pastry shell, chocolate chip cannoli cream, chocolate shavings
• Affogato – Vanilla gelato served with a double shot of espresso
• Fantinel – Prosecco
• Querceto Chianti –  Red wine
• Vietti Moscato d’Asti – Slightly sparkling sweet white wine
• Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Red wine

New Orleans

• Crawfish Boil – Mix bag of crawfish, shrimp, andouille, red bliss, corn on the cobb
• Jambalaya – Mixed rice with andouille, shrimp, chicken, peppers, tomatoes
• Muffuletta Sandwich – Mortadella, salami, ham, mozzarella cheese, olive relish on a toasted bun
• Beignets – Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar
• Andouille Twisted Tater – Stuffed Cajun twisted tater, sausage
• Twisted Tater –  Flavored with Cajun spices
• Abita Purple Haze – Raspberry fruited lager
• Tropical Storm Punch – A traditional Mardi Gras cocktail incorporating rum, orange and passionfruit flavors
• King Cake Milk Punch – A bourbon milk punch using our house-made King Cake syrup

Puerto Rico

• Pernil & Mofongo – Roasted pork, smashed plantains, onion mojo
• Picadillo Empanada – Picadillo beef filled fried pastry dough
• Quesito – Gauva and cream cheese filled fried pastry
• Piña Verde – A twist on the classic piña colada incorporating green chartreuse

Spain

• Paella Mixta – Saffron yellow rice, chorizo, squid, mussels, shrimp
• Charcuterie Plate – A traditional platter of Spanish meats and cheese, olives, grapes, lavosh
• Leche Frita – Crispy fried with condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon
• Pinord “La Dama” Cava – Sparkling wine
• Don Olegurio Albarino –  White wine
• Hacienda de Arinzano Rosé – Tempranillo-based rosé wine
• Hazaña “Viñas Viejas” Rioja –  Red wine

Trinidad and Tobago

• Pholourie – Deep fried spicy split pea dough with turmeric, curry powder and a side of tamarind chutney or powdered sugar
• Pineapple Trini-Chow – Grilled pineapple skewers, spices, micro cilantro
• Queen’s Park Swizzle – National cocktail of Trinidad and Tobago; minted dark-rum grog with a light float of Angostura bitters
• Carib Lager – International pilsner

With the Tribute stores of the past, Halloween Horror Nights and most recently Christmas, there will now be a Mardi Gras Tribute Store in the same location. You’ll find in-park exclusive merchandise and photo ops. The three themed rooms are a 1920’s jazz parlor with dueling pianos, a nautical cemetery, and a waterfront warehouse. I’m anxious to get in there and see what they’ve done with it. They really go all out on the store.

There is also mention of a Mardi Gras scavenger hunt. Like the one this past Christmas, it will be paid if you want the prize. I wonder what it will be?

How are you feeling about this year’s Mardi Gras? I’m sad they won’t have the usual entertainment, but I can definitely live with this. I’m excited to see what new entertainment they’ll have. I’m pleased that they have added more food, because I like to eat.