Mardi Gras 2023

Happy Mardi Gras Everyone!

As always, I set out with the best intentions, and then I run out of time.  I had wanted to do a Mardi Gras craft project and tutorial for today since it was a Tuesday, but I totally lost track of time and never bought supplies.  However, all is not lost.  Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" so all of them fall on a Tuesday... thus I can do it next year!

Instead, I thought that I'd take a quick stroll down memory lane.  Mardi Gras of 2022 was our first trip back to a Disney park post COVID times.  I was so excited to get inside to experience the magic again.  Plus, it was Mardi Gras and we spending the day at Disneyland- so I knew we had to hit up New Orleans Square at some point!

And I was not disappointed.  We got to sit in the French Market enjoying Mint Julep and delicious heart shaped beignets.  One of the cast members even came over to give Eliot and I both some Mardi Gras bead necklaces while we were waiting for his parents to bring the food over to our table!  

I wore the Mardi Gras mouse ears Eliot and I finished for the trip.  I also got a few great photos of the ears over at the center of New Orleans Square where they had put up all of the decorations!  I knew it would be the perfect photo op!

It was a great day, and definitely the best Mardi Gras that I've ever had so far!

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!  °o°

Mardi Gras 2022

Happy Mardi Gras!!!  This is probably going to be the most spectacular Mardi Gras that I've ever experienced... because today Eliot and I are finally stepping foot into a Disney theme park again.  It's been 773 days since I last walked into a Disney park.  773 days away from the magic.  That empty void ends today.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, has always struck me as a day for no guilt indulgence- in food, fun, and for some people a little bit of mischief.  The day was first celebrated as the practice of using all of the fats in the home before Lent started.

Eliot and I never really celebrate Mardi Gras, but since we're at Disneyland today, I'm hoping to do something in honor of the day.  My two favorite Disney rides (Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean) are both located in New Orleans Square at the Disneyland Resort, so I know that I'll be spending a bit of time there today!

I'm hoping to soak in a bit of the New Orleans atmosphere.  I'm sure there will be jazz music playing and I'm planning to get Mickey shaped beignets.  We might even catch a glimpse of Tiana since in the past she's usually been out for the Mardi Gras festivities!

And, not gonna lie... I'm going to indulge a bit myself.  (It's been 773 days!)  I definitely see some Dole Whip, cake pops, candy apples, Mickey Ice Cream bars, and more of my favorite Disney treats in my future.  I mean, did you see my Bucket List?  I'm going to enjoy my time at Disneyland and treasure every minute of the magic.

However you're spending your day, take a little bit of time to indulge in something that you enjoy.  Happy Mardi Gras!!!  I hope you have a magical day too!!!  °o°

Happy Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras!  I've been on a bit of a roll with the holiday posts the past few days, so I figured I'd keep rolling into one more holiday celebration.  Unfortunately, here in Maine, Mardi Gras isn't a really big deal.  In fact, I never even knew that much about the holiday until I was in college and I had my first King Cake.  Nevertheless, I figured I'd do a short blog post in honor of the holiday.

Eliot took the day off as we had a nasty winter storm earlier today.  There wasn't much accumulation, but with snow, rain and sleet in the forecast, we thought it was best for him to stay home.  Plus, we have some stuff we wanted to get done around the house and since we didn't get much done this past weekend, it made sense to do it today. 

I had planned to watch Princess and the Frog since it takes place in New Orleans at Mardi Gras, but we were actually too busy getting stuff done.  I also thought that I might make some of the chocolate covered treats from Valentine's Day, but I held off on that too.  Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow... 

This evening, I went through my old photos as I've been meaning to go on my desktop computer to gather some mouse ear photos.  While doing that, I found the pictures I took at Port Orleans French Quarter in Walt Disney World.  (I also wrote a little about staying there way back in 2014 during the first year I started blogging.) 

Port Orleans was the first Disney resort I ever stayed in so it holds a special place in my heart.  I've stayed there twice, but I always planned to go back again since Eliot never stayed there with me.  And I've always wanted to stay there over Mardi Gras.  

I'm sad that the Port Orleans resort is still not open due to the coronavirus.  Disneyland and New Orleans Square are also closed still- so the Disney Mardi Gras celebrations are pretty slim pickings this year.  But, I'm grateful for a short trip down memory lane.

No matter what you did today, I hope that you're safe and warm and that you had a wonderful Mardi Gras filled with festivities, fun and food!  °o°

Happy Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras Everyone!  

Photo Source: Disney Parks Blog

I confess, I have never really been one to celebrate Mardi Gras.  It's not that I haven't ever wanted to, it's just that it always falls right in the middle of tax season and both of my parents are accountants.  St. Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras usually passed by without much fanfare.  Now that I'm older, I try to pay more attention to them.  After all, I love holidays and having any reason to throw a party, decorate the house, etc.  

That being said, I've always thought it would be fun to visit a Disney park over the holiday.  I love visiting Disney over holiday celebrations.  And let's face it, Disney makes anything more fun to celebrate.

I haven't been able to experience Mardi Gras at Disney, yet.  However, I have been fortunate to have stayed at Port Orleans- French Quarter twice!  It's probably the closest I've been to "celebrating" Mardi Gras.

The first time I stayed at Port Orleans- French Quarter was when I went with my best friend Katie.  It was our first big trip going anywhere by ourselves.  My Mom made the travel arrangements so we had direct flights, Magical Express and stayed right on property.  (She wanted to make sure it was really easy for two college girls to get around the Walt Disney World Resort.)  

This was also my first time flying to Disney and my first time staying on property at a Disney Resort.  While growing up, my family always drove down to Florida from Maine and we stayed off property, usually in Kissimmee.  I was so excited to stay in a Disney Resort!  Growing up I always had my Mom order the Disney Planning tapes and DVDs so I could watch the footage of the resorts.  I was completely mesmerized by all of the theming that went into the design of them and how cool they were.  (I should have known back then that I'd want to be a designer.)

Katie and I were there over New Year's Eve week of 2006-2007, so the Christmas and holiday decorations were still up around the resort.  (I also absolutely love the WDW Resort at Christmas!!!)  Port Orleans also had a little sprinkle of Christmas pixie dust.

I was not disappointed at the design details of the resort.  As soon as we walked through the front doors I felt like we'd just walked into New Orleans.  I loved all of the small details like the chandeliers in the lobby, the street names and the jazz instruments on the signs.

I think my favorite part of staying at a resort on property was the extra Disney magic. Katie thought I was crazy when I spent about 15 minutes looking for hidden Mickeys in our bedding.  (I found a ton.)  There were also Mickeys on the chairs and on the shelves.

The pool area was a ton of fun.  (We didn't get too many pictures since we were busy enjoying the water but I took a few before getting in!)

The second time I stayed at Port Orleans- French Quarter, I was with my family, my Nana and Papa and my friend Justin.  Mom and Dad were staying off property with our dog Lucky but the rest of us stayed there.  

It was fun to see it without all of the Christmas decorations.  This time, we were staying on the other side of the resort so we got to see more of the landscaping!

Anyways, I've always wanted to stay at the French Quarter over Mardi Gras since I'm sure Disney always finds a way to make it lots of fun!

Photo Source: Disneyland Today Facebook Page

The other thing I've always thought would be fun is to celebrate Mardi Gras at Disneyland in New Orleans Square.  Disney decorates the square so it's all ready for the celebration!

And while we're on the topic of celebrating, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my Papa!  (That's him and Nana at Port Orleans above.)  I hope you enjoy your special birthday dinner and that Winnie the Pooh sings you a cheerful Happy Birthday song!  

I hope you have a Happy Mardi Gras Everyone!  And Happy Birthday Papa!!!  °o°