Details for the 2025 Mardi Gras Parade at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts
As you likely know, most of the resorts at Walt Disney World have these “niche” things that not everyone knows about. Often, these types of things happen because cast members take the time and effort to make them happen. We really can’t thank them enough. One of these special events happens one day of the year at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts. Cast members from select divisions form teams to create golf cart floats for the resort’s annual Mardi Gras Parade. Rest assured, the competition is stiff.
Each year, a new theme is chosen. This year’s parade theme is “The Magical Music of Disney.” The parade will be offered on Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Guests are invited to come take part in the fun with themed golf carts, music, and goodies. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. near building 80 at Port Orleans Riverside. It will continue along the waterway in front of the mansions, cross the resort’s car bridge, and then head up the opposite side of the Sassagoula River all the way to Port Orleans French Quarter. Once it reaches the end of Port Orleans French Quarter, the parade turns into the resort and ends up in the courtyard between the lobby and the Doubloon Lagoon Pool.
Tip: We’ve attended the parade before and my best advice is to find a spot on the parade’s route along the river somewhere between Riverside and French Quarter. You can then walk to the French Quarter lobby at the end of the parade to get a better look at the golf cart floats after they park. From experience, you do not want to wait for the parade where it ends. The entire area is exceptionally crowded and instead of the floats coming through, they come to a dead stop.
Below is a photo of the end of the parade route from a few years back. Thankfully, someone noticed my camera and gave me a heads up that we were at the stopping point. You might notice that a considerable amount of guests were waiting.
The parade typically takes an hour from the starting point to the finish. So if you’re hoping to see the parade and then go on about your day, you’ll want to secure a spot closer to the stepping off point at Riverside. Here are a few photos from past parades.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Disney World or staying at the Port Orleans Resorts next week, you might like to check out the parade. Here’s a quick recap:
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- What: Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration
Remember: Choose a spot to watch the parade based on how long you plan to stay. If you want to see who won, plan to be there until lunchtime. This might be a good day to plan lunch at Disney Springs.
Extra: You will likely see a band playing at the resort for the celebration. Usually, Princess Tiana, and sometimes Prince Naveen, will ride in a horse and carriage through the entire route ahead of the parade. (This is not guaranteed, but from what I’ve seen is fairly consistent.)
Is the parade worth going out of the way to see? If you’re a regular guest who doesn’t feel like they’ll be missing time in the parks, then, yes. The parade is worth taking the time to see. We enjoy doing these kinds of things. However, it’s difficult to be at every single event each year. We have a separate article here with video and photos of the 2023 Mardi Gras Parade when it was themed to Disney Resorts. It offers more details on what to expect.
Whether you’re new to the world of Disney or are a seasoned pro in search of a new adventure, their goal is to give you an experience like you’ve never had before. Check with our travel partner, Firefly Travels, to begin planning.
In the Comments
Have you ever attended a Mardi Gras Parade at Disney? Is this something you would be interested in seeing? Let us know below in the comments.
