Today on the UOFanatic podcast I will be discussing my whirlwind trip down to Universal Orlando for Mardi Gras. Don’t you worry, my feet did not fail me.
This weeks news items
Comcasts earnings call from January 29th, 2026
Universal Parks were once again the MVP of Comcast’s entire portfolio — and the latest earnings call makes it crystal clear: the parks division is carrying serious momentum, and Epic Universe is the star of the show.
Comcast highlighted that Universal Parks delivered strong double‑digit revenue growth, driven by:
- Higher attendance across the portfolio
- Increased guest spending
- Strong hotel demand in Orlando
Universal’s parks aren’t just doing well — they’re outperforming almost every other Comcast segment.
- Epic Universe dominated the call. Comcast leadership emphasized:
- Epic is expanding the audience, not cannibalizing USF or IOA
- Guest spending at Epic is significantly above expectations
They’re still scaling ride capacity and smoothing out operations due to the park’s advanced tech. Epic is driving higher hotel occupancy across Universal Orlando. Comcast specifically called out:
- Strong performance across all three Orlando parks
- Hotels running at high occupancy
- Epic Universe lifting the entire resort’s revenue profile
Analysts pressed Comcast on:
- Long‑term Epic Universe strategy
- Future park investments
- How sustainable this growth is
Comcast’s answer:
They’re all‑in on theme parks. Epic Universe is just the beginning of a long‑term expansion strategy.
While other Comcast segments faced pressure (especially broadband), theme parks were the bright spot:
- Parks delivered some of the strongest growth in the entire company
- They continue to be a stabilizing force in Comcast’s earnings
Universal Parks are becoming one of Comcast’s most important businesses — and Epic Universe is accelerating that shift.
HHN Speculation map drops on Friday the 13th
Horror Night Nightmares just dropped their second speculation map for Halloween Horror Nights 35, and the community is already losing its mind. Let’s break down what’s on the map, what fans think it means, and which rumors are gaining the most traction.
HNN loves to tease with symbols, and this year’s set is already sparking some wild but surprisingly consistent theories.
Hellraiser / Pinhead. There’s a very on‑the‑nose pincushion icon, and fans immediately jumped to Pinhead. Hellraiser has been rumored for years, but this is the strongest hint yet. If this lands, it could be one of the most intense houses of the year.
Stranger Things . Another symbol looks suspiciously like the Creel House grandfather clock. That has fans convinced we’re getting a stranger things, Season 5 Vecna‑centric house, which would be a massive crowd‑puller. It should be noted, some very prominent HHN rumor icons have said this isn’t happening, but clearly someone at HNN seems to think differently because the icon is still there on the map.
Jack the Clown Returns. There’s a jack‑in‑the‑box icon, and you don’t need to be a lore scholar to know what that means. Fans are buzzing about a potential Jack vs. Oddfellow showdown — perfect for an anniversary year like HHN 35.
Other IPs Being Theorized:
- Resident Evil
- evil dead burn comes out in summer
- Welcome to Derry
- Sinners
- Lady Gaga
Original Houses speculation:
HR Blood N Guts. This was a fan favorite years ago, about a Horror host featuring weekend B rated horror films. In the past it featured a holiday theme, but no idea if this would be a totally different theme if its actually happening.
One icon that’s getting a lot of attention is a paw print. Some deep‑cut fans think this could reference Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, a character from last years event. While some others point out, this is actually a dog print, and maybe its some twist on a zoo themed house.
So there you have it — the first wave of HHN 35 speculation, and honestly, it’s already wild. Hellraiser, Stranger Things, Jack the Clown, if this comes true, we’re looking at a monster anniversary year.
Trip Report: Logistics and accommodations
Sometime in January, the fear of missing out on another mardi gras season at universal Orlando got the better of me. Thanks to the research I had done for episode 1, in regard to hotel costs for all of 2026, which by the way, you should still give a listen if you haven’t. Unless you hate saving money of course. Anyway, I had found an early gap the first weekdays of the event and a great price on Aventura. I pulled the trigger and went for a whirlwind trip, just 2 nights with the hopes to get all things Mardi Gras done.
I flew out early on Tuesday the 10th, 7am flight, and was returning on Thursday the 12th flying out at 3:30pm from MCO back home to boston. I flew JetBlue and it was as good as it can be, other than learning that JetBlue had changed their free drink policy for Mosaic members to just 1 from the previous 3 they would provide before. I got over that pretty quick, but hate losing benefits.
Landed in Orlando just about 10am and since I only had a carry on bag, I was getting into my Uber in no time at all. Made a stop at walgreens on south Kirkland to pick up some beer for the room and before 11am found myself checking in at Aventura.
I tend to have a lot of luck when it comes to my room being ready, but not this time. It was fine, I had planned for such a scenario, had some park clothes on top in my carry on and made a quick change, and off I went, down the sprawling garden walk towards CityWalk.
Before moving on, I want to talk a little bit about Aventura. This hotel seems to be dismissed by a lot of the community as being a bland and out of the way hotel. With Cabana Bay being so amazing, why would anyone ever consider staying at Aventura, and I just have to tell you I couldn’t disagree more.
There are valid reasons for choosing any of the on site resorts, and without getting to sidetracked I just want to point out that Aventura is fantastic for solo travellers or adult couples without children. It is centrally located to other resorts and their amenities and has immediate access to one of the two best resort bars on property and short walk access to the other. I stayed on the 10th floor, at the furthest room possible and I have a video that shows how quick it is to get to the elevator and then out the lobby. The video is less than 30 seconds long. Imagine a long night at HHN, and you just wish you were back at your room. You take the sapphire water taxi back, walk 2 minutes across the parking lot to Aventura, and 1 minute later you find yourself in room 1043 on the 10th floor.
Absolutely amazing. Had a great comfortable experience there but I’ll save my in depth coverage of Aventura for its own episode sometime.
Overall bussing when I chose not to walk was really good when comparing it to how long to wait and then get to the destination, but I will say I was sad to see a consistent bus sharing experience for the Aventura and cabana bay resorts. This is definitely something they are sticking with. Having said that, it felt like an B+ experience as opposed to an A with the dedicated bus lines, can’t really say it changed the experience very much other than waiting on another stop.
Mardi gras first impressions
When you first arrive at CityWalk you can already feel the impact Mardi Gras has on the resort. You can see it in banners on the lamp poles, and even in the fan base, so much purple, gold and green, the colors that you associate with Mardi Gras. But of course, its at Universal Studios where this feeling is multiplicative. The giant medallion in the main studios arch should be a pretty strong clue you aren’t in Kansas anymore.
Once inside as you look ahead down the street towards New York, you will likely see Mardi Gras performers most times of the day and often a little jazz band as well. This sets the stage immediately, you cant help but feel the buzz and it just lifts your spirits in a way I can’t describe, you need to experience for yourself.
Tribute Store and Merchandise
The tribute store this year is themed as TonTon’s roadhouse, a bayou dive bar owned by the UO mardi gras icon, Baron TonTon himself. If you aren’t familiar with this character it is said he is inspired by Baron Samedi, a top hat wearing loa from Haitan voudou.
Vodou recognizes one ultimate creator, Bondye (meaning “Good God”). Bondye is distant and not involved in daily life. Loa are Spirits, because Bondye is remote, humans interact with the world through loa, the spirits who: guide, Protect, Teach and Intervene in daily life.
TonTon’s Roadhouse isn’t just a themed shop — it’s a full narrative experience that unfolds as you move through each room. The story blends Louisiana roadhouse grit, swamp magic, and the eerie charm of TonTon himself.
Here’s the storyline as you progress:
You begin outside a weathered, neon‑lit Louisiana roadhouse. The vibe is:
- Backroads bar
- A little too quiet
- A little too alive
Posters and signage hint that TonTon is the owner, but also something more, a supernatural host who invites travelers in for “a good time… if they dare.”
This sets the tone as you are entering his world, not just a bar. Inside, you step into a dim, cluttered dive bar filled with:
- Rusty neon
- Voodoo‑inspired décor
- Trinkets, charms, and offerings
- Portraits and posters featuring TonTon
This room establishes TonTon as a local legend — part bartender, part trickster spirit and part swamp king. You get the sense he’s watching, even if you don’t see him yet. Almost every bottle and item in the bar is an easter egg. Read the bottles if you enjoy the lore of Universal Orlando, you’ll find things that represent past attractions and even characters from previous Mardi Gras and Horror nights. There is a lot, take your time if you can.
You exit the bar into a narrow, eerie alley behind the roadhouse. This is where the story shifts from “fun dive bar” to supernatural bayou realm:
- Strange symbols glow on the walls
- Shadows seem to move
- The environment feels half‑real, half‑enchanted
This alley represents the threshold between the human world and TonTon’s domain. You’re no longer just visiting a bar, you’re slipping into the swamp magic he controls.
- Shelves of mystical objects
- Masks, bones, charms, and ritual items
- Murals and props showing TonTon as an undead trickster
- References to Baron Samedi–style aesthetics
TonTon isn’t just a bartender, he’s a loa‑inspired spirit who presides over the spooky side of Mardi Gras. The environment feels playful but dangerous, like he’s inviting you deeper into his world just to see how far you’ll go.
The final space features:
- A full figure or shrine‑like display of TonTon
- His skeletal face, top hat, and glowing eyes
- Offerings, candles, and swamp‑magic ambiance
you finally meet the spirit who’s been teasing you through the entire store. TonTon is the patron spirit of Mardi Gras mischief, and you’ve just walked through his realm. You exit back into the park, leaving his world behind… but not entirely.
Can you tell I enjoyed it? Mardi Gras merchandise is always a big hit, something about exclusive items representing just this year brings out the collector in everyone. I managed to keep it simple, but I had to get the Mardi Gras flannel. A couple years ago at HHN, I missed out on the heavy metal inspired flannel and have been angry with myself since, there was just no way I was going to let this one slip away.
Food booths and meals
Best beer carts are best! My favorite beer cart, at Islands of adventure, the fruit stand, was the first thing I did when I got to the parks. It’s the closest beer cart I am aware of in any of the parks in the area. Its become a tradition, I love it, and look forward to doing it whenever possible.
Lets talk event food booths, but first, I need you to understand, while I am not particularly a picky food person, I don’t enjoy the typical cajun spice taste. Which means off the bat I am going to skip a lot of items in a cajun food festival. I encourage you to try these out, as I completely recognize im in the minority on that front. I also had a very short trip, so some things I just didn’t get to.
Brazil Booth
Pão de Queijo, $6.99 – freshly baked warm Brazillian cheese bread bites. DON’T, just don’t. please don’t. These were the worst, dryest thing I have ever eaten. I feel like Im still spitting saw dust just thinking about it.
Greece booth
Spanakopita, $7.99 – savory Greek pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese, wrapped in crispy layers of phyllo dough. I loved this, my son has a friend who lives in Greece and sometimes he visits him, and this is something he introduced me to as a result. Now I don’t have the chops my son has, but this was delicious, and as far as I could tell without being an expert, it seemed authentic. Definitely recommend.
Taste of the quarter
Beignets, $7.99 – traditional New Orleans pillowy pastry bites, fried and dredged in a powdered sugar. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of theme park beignets and these were definitely superior. I would definitely get these again, but beware, you will look like a coke addict after eating these. Powdered sugar will be all over you, no way you can avoid it.
King Cake Espresso Martini, $18.00 – New Amsterdam® vodka, JF Hayden’s® espresso liqueur, king cake syrup and brewed coffee. Definitely enjoyed this a lot. Was it overpriced? Yep. Would I overspend again? Yep.
Puerto Rico booth
Pinchos de Lechon, $12.99 – char-grilled pork shoulder skewer with a guava BBQ sauce and pan sobao. These are excellent, and you can smell them throughout new York from the smoker. Yes, yes, yes. Get these.
Chile Patagonia booth
Teremoto, $15.00 – Veramonte® sauvignon blanc, house-made pineapple sorbet and grenadine. This was delicious, and basically desert in a beverage form. This was a repeat item for me, on my last day where I only had a couple hours, I searched it out and definitely would recommend.
Mardi Gras gift cards
Universal’s Mardi Gras gift cards are actually a special Food & Beverage Card deal Universal brings out during the event — and it’s one of the best hacks for saving money in the parks. Here’s the deal in a nutshell: Universal sells Food & Beverage Cards where you pay less than the value you get.
Pay $65 → get $75 in value. This is available to anyone
Pay $120 → get $150 in value. This is for annual passholders. Yes they will work at HHN also. I personally bought 3 of these just to bring home, its like I already have $450 in HHN food paid for and I only paid $360 for them. They also work when there is no special event by the way. They work at any food or beverage location in the parks. The cards do not expire, which means you can stock up during Mardi Gras and use them later — even at Halloween Horror Nights.
So the “deal” is simple: you’re getting free money toward Universal food, and because the cards never expire, fans often buy several during Mardi Gras and save them for future visits or other seasonal events.
Today Café
I put my money where my mouth was, and just as I mentioned last episode, this is a frequent stop for me at lunch. I went just about noon by the way and there was no line, and I had my choice of where to sit. I had the Carnegie, which is the pastrami sandwich and it was as amazing as ever. So much value and great quality. Not to heavy, perfect for a Themepark day.
Toothesome
French Country* – $16.95 challah brioche stuffed with gruyère cheese, smoky ham, sunny-side up egg, Bechamel sauce, Lyonnaise potatoes. This is so filling, I think I only managed to knock down half of this but it was still wonderful. Very hearty, filling meal, I had this at dinner after a long day and it did the trick. I washed it down with a chocolate stout, which I feel is also a must do on every trip. I don’t eat at toothesome’s every trip, but I definitely try to stop by the bar and get this every time. I love it and its unique.
Wine bar George at MCO
No its not at Universal Orlando ,but many of us fanatics are arriving/departing from MCO so thought id mention it. While I hate terminal C with a passion, I do enjoy Wine Bar George. Something about wine on tap, I find intriguing, but also, they have a four cheese grilled cheese with sundried tomatoes that just tastes special. It comes with kettle chips and honestly I often eat half of it, get a box and eat the other half on the plane. It just works as a comfort food getting you ready for air travel. If you are stuck in the hell hole that is terminal C, give it a try.
Parade
There are 2 ways to experience the parade and I encourage both. The first way, the easy way is to watch the parade. The second way, is to be in it. It might surprise you, but if you had only 1 day to experience the parade, I would encourage you to be a spectator. Its that good of a parade.
Reviewers consistently call the parade the highlight of Mardi Gras, thanks to:
• High‑energy performers
• Polished float presentation
• Tons of beads
• Authentic New Orleans roots blended with Universal’s showmanship, A true nighttime‑spectacle feel
The Floats:
King Gator
In New Orleans, every parade has a King and Queen, chosen by the krewe to preside over the celebration. The King is King Gator and his float is a massive, jewel‑toned parade float topped with a giant, grinning alligator wearing a crown. Its body is covered in bright purple, green, and gold scales, with glowing eyes, oversized teeth, and ornate Mardi Gras detailing that makes it look both regal and playfully over‑the‑top — very New Orleans, very Universal.
Alligators are one of the most recognizable symbols of: Louisiana bayous, Cajun and Creole culture, Gulf Coast wildlife. By making the gator the “king,” Universal ties the parade directly to the geography and spirit of Louisiana.
That means: Bright jewel‑tone colors (purple, green, gold), Oversized sculpted features, Hand‑painted details, It looks exaggerated and iconic — exactly like a real New Orleans parade float.
This is the signature Universal Orlando Mardi Gras float and it anchors the parade as the last float.
Riverboat
The Riverboat float looks like a classic New Orleans paddle‑wheel steamboat brought to life with Universal’s signature color and spectacle. It’s layered with glowing lanterns, ornate railings, and a big, stylized paddle wheel at the back, all painted in bright purple, green, and gold to match the Mardi Gras palette. It has that perfect mix of authentic riverboat charm and over‑the‑top parade energy.
King & Queen
The King and Queen float is a bright, regal showpiece draped in classic Mardi Gras colors — purple, green, and gold — with ornate crowns, flowing banners, and glittering trim. At the center, oversized sculpted thrones carry the parade’s royal duo, surrounded by elegant flourishes, masks, and flour‑de‑lis ““flur‑duh‑LEE”” details that give the whole float a grand, celebratory New Orleans feel.
Fleur‑de‑lis literally means “flower of the lily” in French. It’s a stylized lily symbol that represents: French heritage, Royalty, New Orleans culture, Mardi Gras iconography
Krewe float
The Krewe float is a vibrant, high‑energy celebration of Mardi Gras tradition, designed to look like a rolling party hosted by the parade’s own krewe. It’s covered in bright purple, green, and gold décor, with masks, beads, and festive banners, and usually features performers riding high above the crowd tossing beads nonstop. The whole float feels like a moving slice of New Orleans street culture — loud, colorful, and full of that classic Mardi Gras spirit.
I can not be more serious when I tell you to see this parade and if possible be in this parade. Now let me tell you how to participate in the parade.
First and foremost, there are some requirements: All riders must be:
- At least 48” in height and able to board the float and stand for the duration of the parade
- 18 or older (or accompanied by their legal guardian)
- Able to transfer to a Universal‐provided wheelchair
And now lets get into the details on the two ways this is all possible.
UOAP passholder reservations. This option is free, assuming you are actually an annual passholder. The pass does have to be active, you can’t buy your annual pass ahead of time without using it and qualify. You will need your active pass number in order to complete the registration
These reservations do go quick, so pay attention to social media and make sure you are following the official universal Orlando accounts in order to find out when this registration offer starts. You’ll want to get right in there and make it happen quickly.
The Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience is Universal Orlando’s premium way to guarantee a spot riding on one of the Mardi Gras parade floats. Guests enjoy a three‑course meal at a participating restaurant—such as Cowfish, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Lombard’s Seafood Grille, Confisco Grille, or Antojitos—before heading backstage to join the parade. After dining, you’re assigned to a float, given a stash of beads, and placed right into the action as you toss beads to the crowd while rolling through Universal Studios Florida’s nighttime celebration. The package starts at $94.99 per person (plus tax), requires same‑day park admission. Spots are limited and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Passholders get a 15% discount, making it one of the most reliable and exciting ways to participate in the parade.
Attractions and entertainment
This is a trip report so I didn’t want to go into a deep dive into all the attractions or anything but rather just touch on what I did, and if anything stood out, etc.
Having a ride on Spider-man was a lot of fun especially after doing the deep dive 2 episodes ago. I additionally took a lot of photos around Marvel Super Hero Island. Remind me sometime to tell you about Adam, and the fun scavenger hunt you could have if your looking for something different to do.
Really enjoyed seeing some of the street entertainment. I really recommend that if you have the time, you take the time to see these shows. Standouts I enjoyed this trip were:
The Blues Brothers show at Universal Studios Florida is a lively street‑party performance set right on Delancey Street in the New York section of the park. Jake and Elwood roll in aboard the Blues mobile, hop out, and launch into a high‑energy set of classic soul and blues hits, backed by Mabel the waitress and Jazz the sax player. The whole thing feels spontaneous and interactive, with the performers dancing through the crowd, cracking jokes, and turning the street into a mini block party that captures the spirit of the original film while giving guests a fun, musical break in the middle of the park.
I read you the pitch, and here its what It means to me. This is a must do for me every trip, this isn’t just an old school classic, it’s a part of this theme parks heritage. It embodies what Universal Studios is to me; bold, electric, and creative. Come for the talent, but stay for the tradition.
The Beat Builders are a high‑energy percussion crew who turn a construction scaffolding in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida into a full‑blown street show. Wearing hard hats and work gear, they use buckets, pipes, tools, and metal beams as instruments, building a fast, rhythmic performance that feels part drum line, part comedy act. Their set is loud, playful, and interactive, drawing a crowd as they “construct” a musical number that transforms an ordinary worksite into a mini block‑party.
In my previous life, I was such a stan for the Jamitors at epcot, a very similar style percussion performance. It was easy for me to transition to the beat builders. It didn’t hurt that my daughter was always drawn to this show whenever she could hear it in the park. We would stop what we were doing and go enjoy the show.
The Celestina Warbeck & the Banshees show in Diagon Alley is a lively, jazz‑infused performance featuring Molly Weasley’s favorite singer brought to life on the Carkitt Market stage. Celestina belts out wizarding‑world hits with big vocals, glittering costumes, and backup singers who add humor and flair, turning the area into a mini concert. The show blends soulful magic, playful audience interaction, and theatrical charm, making it one of the most character‑driven entertainment moments in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The simple answer why you should attend this, is because of the talent of these young women. Absolutely stellar, there is no A or B team here, they are all A+ performers. Add in the ambiance of Diagon alley and a shot of fire whisky just to the right of the stage and I don’t think I need to say anymore.
I missed out on Bourne Stuntacular, which wasn’t intentional. It was down for at least a good portion of my full second day
I enjoyed most of the attractions I would normally prioritize, the mummy, transformers, ET, men in black with a score of 647, 150, not my best, but respectable. I saved the best for last. On Day 2, the only full day, I participated in the parade. It was so much fun, and yes, I was paying attention and got to do it as a UOAP and not the ride and dine package. I am now riverboat crewe forever. I got some great videos using my Oakley HST’s that I hope to get out there. It’s a unique perspective that can give you an idea of what its like to be throwing beads rather than catching them. When the parade was over, Island of Adventure was open for an additional couple of hours. So I went right over there and using my premium AP express pass after 4pm benefit, went on to Velocicoaster at dusk, back row, and nobody next to me. I call that check mate. Except I made it even better by then walking over to Hagrid’s and getting a night ride there as well. Close to perfection, but then after all this was my one miss. I headed to the top of citywalk to enjoy the last thing in my list, the Dead Coconut club only to see it barricaded off. There was a private event, womp womp. I wish they would just post it on their website when this is occurring, its like the walk of shame when you head all the way up there just to be disappointed. Anyway, it was still an A+ experience, and now that I’ve been back a few days, I have to say, im in such a great head space, it really took way the heavy load that you sometimes feel in February in new England, our winters are tough, our days are short and this quick 2 night trip had amazing healing powers.