Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval kicked off on Saturday, February 6 and will take place daily at Universal Orlando Resort through Sunday, March 28!
Guests will enjoy a first-of-its-kind global food fest with more than 100 new food and beverage items inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world.
This event will extend across the destination with Carnaval-inspired delights debuting at select venues at Universal CityWalk and the Universal Orlando hotels. Plus, guests craving a bit more can take advantage of incredible add-on experiences to get the most out of Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval.
The Universal Mardi Gras 2021 celebration features cuisines from Carnavals worldwide. First up, authentic Cajun-style cuisine from New Orleans, which returns with some fan-favorite dishes including the Crawfish Boil, Jambalaya, and delectable Beignets. Second, guests can also enjoy the iconic flavors of La Isla del Encanto (the Island of Enchantment) with epic Puerto Rican dishes, including a Pernil & Mofongo, a tasty Picadillo Empanada, and for the sweet-lovers, a mouth-watering Quesito. Hopping across the Atlantic, the unique flavors of a German Karneval are available, including the delicious Pork Schnitzel Slider, an epic Bavarian Pretzel, and for those looking for a plant-based twist, a Vegan Bratwurst with Beer Braised Onions will be available. Finally, guests can savor a Pholourie and a Queen’s Park Swizzle cocktail from Trinidad and Tobago, Paella Mixta from Spain, Belgium Style Liege Waffles from Belgium and Jerk Chicken and a Goombay Smash cocktail from the Bahamas. Additional highlights include an authentic Moqueca de Camarao served with rice from Brazil, Beef Short Rib Poutine from Canada, a classic Cannoli from Italy, Carnitas Arepas from Colombia, a Poached Pear Crème Brulee Crepe and a variety of wines from France, and so much more.
The Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard add-on experience will return! Guests can sample multiple dishes and beverages for one price throughout the event — 10 incredible Carnaval food or beverage items for $55 plus tax. There will also be an exclusive Passholder Tasting Lanyard for 15 food or beverage items for $65 plus tax. Both passes are available for purchase at food kiosks around the park and are valid for the duration of the event.
In addition to the dishes above, select venues at Universal CityWalk will also be serving up 12 new dishes. This includes a unique Moon Pie Milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, a tasteful Abendbrot German Charcuterie selection at NBC Sports Grill & Brew and a delicious yeast doughnut with bananas foster Bavarian filling at Voodoo Doughnut. Guests can also find limited-time offerings at Pat O’Brien’s, BigFire, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches, and more.
For the first time ever, Mardi Gras will extend to the Universal Orlando hotels! There will be exclusive menus at each participating location. First, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will have Vieux Carré Shrimp & Grits and a Dockside Beignet, both available at Pier 8 Market. Or, sample delicious Cajun chicken empanadas and a “Laissez les bons temps rouler Hurricane – Let the Good Times Roll” cocktail in a Galaxy Bowl at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. And finally, at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, enjoy an exquisite Olive Polenta Cake with jumbo shrimp and andouille sausage with a Cajun cream sauce, as well as a Masquerade Cannoli. Guests can also enjoy unique dishes and cocktails at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel.
You can experience all of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval with any admission ticket, or a Seasonal or Annual Pass. Any guest who purchases a 2-Park pass will receive an additional three months free to enjoy Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Florida residents can also take advantage of an exclusive ticket offer to purchase a 1-Day, 2-Park ticket and receive three extra days free to experience both parks. Guests can also take advantage of a special offer to save up to $200 on 4-day tickets for a family of four. Blockout dates apply on select passes.
If you’re heading down to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities, staying in one of Universal Orlando’s hotels is the best way to make the most of a vacation to the award-winning theme park destination. Florida residents can take advantage of nightly rates as low as $94 per night, plus tax at Dockside Inn and Suites. Passholders save even more with exclusive nightly rates as low as $89 per night, plus tax, while non-Florida residents can book a stay at Dockside Inn and Suites for as low as $116 per night, plus tax based on a four-night stay.
Universal Orlando continues to implement its enhanced health and safety procedures and guidelines focused on “screening, spacing and sanitization,” and those practices will be applied to all experiences taking place during Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval. Key measures include screening guests and team members, enforcing social distancing, requiring face coverings, limiting capacity and increasing the already-aggressive cleaning and disinfection procedures. Guests may remove their face coverings while actively eating or drinking, but must be stationary and maintain appropriate social distancing.