HOW TO CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS 2021 IN NEW ORLEANS

1/21/2021 1:33:37 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

How to Celebrate Safely

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 9:42 AM by Lauren Saizan

Mardi Gras in New Orleans typically means dancing in the streets, standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers and watching one parade after another roll by while slowly becoming a human bead tree. But Mardi Gras 2021 will be different.

Parades won’t roll. There will be no large crowds or events. The health and safety of our community is a priority, but that doesn’t mean Mardi Gras is cancelled.

In the days leading up to February 16, expect the king cakes to flow in abundance and krewes to find new ways to keep the Mardi Gras spirit alive. If you find yourself in New Orleans, mask up and please remain mindful of the Phased Reopening guidelines our city is under, but remember that no one does Mardi Gras like New Orleans. Here’s how to celebrate.

Start with King Cake on January 6

Carnival season begins on January 6, which means that the wait for king cake is officially over. Traditionally made with sweet brioche dough, cinnamon filling and a glazed icing finish, the first slice of king cake is the official marker of the Mardi Gras season. Bakeries in New Orleans have been making them for years in both traditional and eccentric varieties (savory crawfish king cake, anyone?). If you’re in town, swing by King Cake Hub to check out over 60 local varieties. Learn more about New Orleans’ Best King Cakes here, many of which are available for nationwide shipping.

Check out what the krewes are doing

Though krewes can’t roll this Mardi Gras season, many are adapting to celebrate in new, socially distant ways. See the list below for how various krewes are marking the year:

• Krewe of Joan of Arc: Get your tickets for a live performance drive-by event on January 6, which will feature storytelling inspired by Joan’s life and legacy.
• Funky Uptown Krewe: Participate in a socially distant scavenger hunt beginning on January 6 from Funky Uptown Krewe. Their coveted throw, the hand-painted record, will be scattered along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line hiding in plain sight. Check out their Instagram for clues.
• Krewe of Bacchus: One of the most anticipated superkrewes of the Mardi Gras season, the Krewe of Bacchus couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let 2021 go by without creating a free, interactive app with virtual games and real-life prizes. Join a “mini parade” for the chance to capture digital throws redeemable for doubloons, bicycles and more. Search the app store for the Throw Me Something Bacchus! app once it goes live on January 6.
• Krewe of Muses: Support local businesses along the Muses parade route while entering a contest to win a one-of-a-kind, special edition, 2021 Muses shoe. Play the "Stilotto" from January 20-February 10 by visiting the businesses listed here and enter during your visit.
• Krewe of House Floats: Krewe of House Floats is a new, non-traditional krewe created specifically for the times we’re living in. It calls on members in neighborhoods all across the city to transform the exterior of their houses into a float, creating an opportunity for spectators to drive on by and remain safe from others. Check here for a map of the houses and create your own parade with the Krewe of House Floats this Carnival season.

Attend a cocktail tasting or museum, and stay in a hotel

Check out the following Mardi Gras-themed events below.
• Sazerac House: Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with festive events from Sazerac House. Throughout February, both in-person and virtual workshops will be taking place. Drink and learn about Carnival traditions, participate in a mask-making workshop or watch a cocktail demonstration from home.
• Cochon Butcher: Dine in at Cochon Butcher from January 6-February 17 as they celebrate Carnival around the world. Each week, a new country will be celebrated with a special small plates menu, taking us from Germany to Brazil to Venice and ending right at home. Takeout and delivery is also available.
• Paradigm Gardens: Enjoy a Mardi Gras celebration with food and music this February at Paradigm Gardens. Your ticket includes a five-course Carnival-themed meal, as well as performances from K.O.B. Brass Band, DJ Kash and the Black Flame Hunter Mardi Gras Indians. The 21+ event will be outdoors and socially distant, with dates spanning February 5-13. All are encouraged to wear a costume.
• Mardi Gras World: Stop by Mardi Gras World to get a behind-the-scenes look at float building and decorating process that brings much of the season to life. Open daily for tours, this should top your list of things to do during the season.
• Backstreet Cultural Museum: To learn about the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Rich with artifacts, including hand-beaded suits and photography, this off-the-beaten-path museum is worth the visit.
• JAMNOLA: JAMNOLA is a permanent pop-up celebrating the music, art and culture of New Orleans brought to life by 20+ local artists. Exhibits include films on Mardi Gras traditions, murals representing the faces of New Orleans, a life-size interactive crawfish boil pot and more. Visit from January 22-February 21 for new installations celebrating Mardi Gras.
• If you plan on staying in New Orleans this Mardi Gras season, be sure to take advantage of our hotel and attraction deals. With up to 20% off the best available room rate, discounts on swamp tours and free drinks, there's plenty of reasons to stay in NOLA this January and February.

Search for that special Carnival food

Mardi Gras isn’t only about the parades and parties –food is at the core of every celebration. Our restaurants are open and ready to serve you at a table or provide takeout to your home. Copeland’s of New Orleans has “Feed Your Krewe” food packages and a Mardi Gras King Cake Cheesecake on the menu these next few weeks. Reginelli’s is bringing back their Cajun Crawfish Pizza, King Cake Cocktails and King Cake Bread Pudding. Not in New Orleans? Goldbelly will ship you the same po-boy you’d be eating in between parades on Endymion Saturday (Parkway’s roast beef, obviously). Oh, and we can’t forget about Popeye’s. You can’t let a Mardi Gras season go by without driving through a Popeye’s.

Experience Mardi Gras from home

Enjoy Mardi Gras festivities from the comfort and safety of your home with a virtual cooking class from New Orleans School of Cooking. New this year is Gracious Bakery’s King Cake Kit, which provides a dry mix for you to bake a king cake in your own home. And finally, be sure to tune into “Mardi Gras for Y’all,” a three-night, four-and-a-half-hour spectacle featuring celebrity interviews, musical performances and narratives on the history of Mardi Gras. Watch the celebrations here on February 12, 13 and 14.

Commander's Palace National Wine & Cheese Show is bringing a Mardi Gras Extravaganza to homes across the country on February 10. Click here to learn more and get tickets to this festive virtual event.

Enter to win a curated prize package featuring items from Zapp’s Potato Chips along with local vendors valued at $500 each with our sweepstakes here. To book your New Orleans vacation visit http://bit.ly/3ixZZRQ or call Tyus Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362.

21 Ways To Kick Off 2021 At Walt Disney World

1/12/2021 2:43:18 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Happy New Year! Walt Disney World Resort is ready to help you turn the page on 2020 right away and begin 2021 with magic. From new and classic attractions to culinary experiences to character interactions and more, here are 21 reasons to be excited about a visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth in early 2021:

1. Explore the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Beginning Jan. 8 – Through Feb. 22, you are invited to an expansive collection of visual, performance and culinary arts throughout the park.

2. Gaze Upon the Re-imagined Entrance Fountain at EPCOT – The new water feature in front of Spaceship Earth hearkens back to the park’s origins and highlights a greener, more open and welcoming experience as you enter the park. The fountain is the most recent milestone in the historic transformation of EPCOT now underway.

3. Step Inside the Cartoon World of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – You can go through the movie screen as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Engineer Goofy and Pluto take you on a trip through Runnamuck Park … where anything can happen!

4. Embark on a Star Wars Adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far Away – Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive, award-winning land featuring two thrilling attractions: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

5. Check Out Cinderella Castle’s Royal Makeover – The treasured icon at the heart of Magic Kingdom Park now features bold, shimmering and regal enhancements befitting its royal status, making for a great photo with family and friends.

6. Experience Classic Attractions at Magic Kingdom Park – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain … the new year is a great time for you to reconnect with these classics loved by millions the world over.

7. Watch for New Residents on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Nigerian dwarf goats now play like kids at the warden’s outpost near the end of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

8. Bask in the Cuteness of Baby Animals – In addition to the Nigerian dwarf goats, you may catch a glimpse of some of the animals born in 2020 at Walt Disney World while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, for example, you may spot young Masai giraffe now out on the savanna.

9. Celebrate the Magic of Nature in Pandora – The World of Avatar – At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can travel to the Valley of Mo’ara to hike among the floating mountains of Pandora and experience two awe-inspiring attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.

10. Find Disney Characters in New Places – From cavalcades to caravans to flotillas and even special “pop-up” appearances, you can discover favorite friends at all four theme parks and the occasional special surprise at Disney Resort hotels.

11. Hop from Park to Park – Beginning today, Guests who purchase a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day (with some new modifications).

12. Indulge in Sweet New Treats at Disney Springs – When visiting the shopping, dining and entertainment district of Walt Disney World, you have plenty of new options to satisfy your sweet tooth, including newly opened Gideon’s Bakehouse and the forthcoming M&M’S store and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew.

13. Pick Out the Perfect Post-Holiday Gift – Disney Springs is also the place where you will find a little something you may have missed on your holiday shopping list. From the massive World of Disney store to quaint boutiques and just about everything in between, Disney Springs is home to the latest Disney merchandise as well as on-trend accessories, apparel and gear from other top brands.

14. Return to Favorite Disney Restaurants – As part of the phased reopening of Walt Disney World, restaurants continue to return to operation across The Most Magical Place on Earth. Recent reopenings include The Crystal Palace inside Magic Kingdom and the character breakfast at Chef Mickey’s inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

15. Make Some Time to Relax Outdoors – Central Florida weather is often gorgeous in the early months of the year, and Walt Disney World offers special ways to enjoy some outdoor recreation, including golf and miniature golf, fishing expeditions, horseback riding and more.

16. Buzz Through the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Blooming in March – Beginning March 3, you will find fresh cuisine, creative gardens and unforgettable topiaries as part of this annual festival.

17. Soak Up the Sun at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – After remaining closed for all of 2020 due to the pandemic, this wintry-themed water park is planning to reopen in March and celebrate its 25th season in splashy style.

18. Look for Some Fresh Pixie Dust at the Entrances to Walt Disney World – You can make some new memories as they pass these iconic gateways to The Most Magical Place on Earth, which are receiving a refreshed color palette complementing the recent Cinderella Castle makeover.

19. Add Extra Theme Park Magic to Vacations – Available to book beginning Jan. 5, 2021, Guests buying non-discounted four-night/three-day room and ticket packages at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8, 2021, through Sept. 25, 2021, will receive an additional two days of theme park tickets. For more information click here.

20. Florida Residents Can Take Advantage of a Special Ticket Offer – Beginning Jan. 4, 2021, the four-day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket invites Floridians to visit any of the four Disney parks through June 18, 2021 (subject to blockout dates), for $199 (plus tax). For more details on this special offer, click here.

21. Get Excited for Even More Magic Later this Year – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the new family-friendly attraction coming to the France pavilion in EPCOT, will debut in 2021. And the new Cirque du Soleil show “Drawn to Life,” coming to Disney Springs, will be a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for more details about these experiences and other excitement happening around Walt Disney World in the future!

As a reminder, Walt Disney World continues to operate with enhanced health and safety policies so everyone can enjoy the magic responsibly. To manage attendance, Guests are required to have valid theme park admission and make a park reservation for each day of their visit through the Disney Park Pass system. Please visit Disneyworld.com/Updates for more information.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Walt Disney World. We hope to see you and your family real soon! To book your Disney vacation visit www.tyustours.com or call 866-547-5362.