Mardi Gras World — Attraction in New Orleans

Mardi Gras World Review

Our visit to Mardi Gras World for a special event was an incredibly fun and unique experience that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the vibrant spirit of New Orleans' most iconic celebration.

The Atmosphere: Mardi Gras World greeted us with an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and creativity. The venue itself is a feast for the eyes, filled with larger-than-life floats, intricate costumes, and dazzling decorations that showcase the artistry and craftsmanship behind Mardi Gras. The colorful and festive ambiance set the stage for an unforgettable event.

The Activities: The event at Mardi Gras World offered a variety of activities that kept everyone entertained. We had the opportunity to explore the warehouse and see firsthand how the magnificent floats are designed and built. It was fascinating to learn about the history of Mardi Gras and the traditions that make it such a beloved festival. Interactive workshops allowed us to try our hand at mask-making and decorating, adding a personal touch to the experience.

The Entertainment: Throughout the event, live music and performances infused the air with energy and excitement. From lively jazz bands to spirited dancers, the entertainment captured the lively spirit of Mardi Gras and kept us enthralled throughout the evening. The performers' enthusiasm and talent added to the festive atmosphere and made the event truly special.

The Food and Drinks: The catering at Mardi Gras World was exceptional, offering a delicious selection of local cuisine and festive cocktails. From savory gumbo and jambalaya to sweet king cake and beignets, the food highlighted the flavors of New Orleans and provided a delightful culinary experience. The drinks flowed freely, with specialty cocktails and refreshing beverages that complemented the festive mood.

Overall Experience: Our special event at Mardi Gras World was nothing short of spectacular. It offered a perfect blend of entertainment, education, and celebration, making it an ideal venue for hosting memorable events. Whether you're planning a corporate function, wedding reception, or private party, Mardi Gras World provides a unique and unforgettable backdrop that captures the magic of Mardi Gras. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add a touch of New Orleans flair to their next...

The tour was ok. They show a video and then give an uninspired walk through of the warehouse. But the reason for one star?

After the tour you go back to the gift shop. The person there told us they offer a shuttle service. “If you keep your beads, the driver will pick you up in town,” she said. So my partner suggests we take the shuttle to the first stop and then we hop on a streetcar. Our three year old has been dying to ride them and this made so much sense.

We had a wonderful day and took the streetcar back to the spot where the shuttle dropped us off. On the way, it started to rain. Now, we live in the Pacific Northwest so we know rain. This was Wizard of Oz rain and wind. The three of us were soaked to the bone and our son was upset. It was intense.

We called the facility and they said they’d send the shuttle. A few minutes later it arrives and the driver opens the door of the empty shuttle bus. Immediately recognizes us. “You’ve taken your ride,” he says. And refuses to let us on the bus. We tell him we were told we’d be returned to Mardi Grad World. We show him the beads. “You’ve taken the tour,” he says and he radios the office. No. “It’s a one way ride one,” they say. He kicks us off the bus.

Now, even if we were misinformed or misunderstood, this is unacceptable. The venue was a few minutes away, our son was crying and we were completely soaked. Plus the shuttle was empty. We can’t take a taxi because our son must be in an infant car seat.

My wife suggests we go to the nearby mall and buy our son dry clothes. Our kid calmed down and I left them in the mall to walk back to the parking lot and retrieve our car. Our son fell asleep in his car seat and my wife and I drove back to our apartment in total disbelief at the lack of hospitality and cold hearted attitude of this organization.

I called them and was told the head of operations would call me. I spelled my name and confirmed my number. I didn’t want anything from them and still don’t. I just wanted to share my story so this never happens again. No one called.

We told our friends what happened over dinner. I added that in a city like New Orleans that is all too familiar with storms and disasters, I’d have thought people would pull together and help each other on days like these.

Not this day and not...

Very cool and enjoyable tour. We got put in with a tour group that had already started in order to avoid a massive tour group. But we were told we could go on the next tour if we wanted a fuller experience. We did go on a second tour like they advised and I will say the lady we got the second time was a much better guide than the guy we got initially. She knew much more and he skipped a section of the building that she didn’t and it ended up being the coolest area. overall the tour was really cool, the process was interesting and the introduction video was masterfully done, great production value and gave a great balance of understanding the history of Mardi Grad, its traditions, it modern incarnation, and the craftsmanship and unique elements of the floats and other aspects of Mardi Gras. I’ve gone to the Shreveport Mardi Gras parades my whole life and I know Mardi Gras World designed many of Gemini’s floats over the years and maybe they still do, so it was cool to see how they are made and the more grand constructions for some of the New Orleans krewes. I will take a star off because the building is in rough shape and it being a very rainy day there were many many areas of the tour where the ground was all water and even many areas where there were constant drips and even full on rain sprinkles inside. The tour guide told us why and how much it would be to fix it but I would think there has to be a patch job or at least some hanging buckets or water collection system that could make it a bit more bearable for guests and even for the workers that have to work in these questionable conditions. Maybe there should be a rainy day discount. Anyway overall it was cool but try to go on a very dry day because being in there during a wet day is a real hassle. Oh I will mention that the complimentary shuttle was amazing! Picked us up on Canal St. right on the edge of the French Quarter, such a great and easy hassle free way to get to the location. The location is a bit away from everything else and not really near any street car lines, so the shuttle was great, comes...