Five Mardi Gras Vacation Destinations {That Don’t Include Disney World}

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Tara Jones, a family travel planner with Cupcake Castles Travel Co, who specializes in Disney vacations.

Five Mardi Gras Vacation Destinations {That Don’t Include Disney World}

It’s that time of year that everyone in NOLA looks forward to. Parades, music, food, friends, and a vacation when no one else in the country is on holiday. While many people travel to Orlando for some Disney and Universal fun during Mardi Gras, there are other amazing destinations to consider when looking for something different. These are itineraries you may not have thought of, including some other wonderful Disney destinations!

Costa Rica

One of the most biologically diverse places in the world, Costa Rica offers safety, convenience, and fun for all ages. It’s the only place in the worldcosta rica waterfall where you can visit beautiful beaches, rainforests, a cloud forest, hot springs, and a volcano in the same place.

Flights from NOLA to Liberia only require a short stop in Houston on United, and you airport transfers are plentiful. English is spoken here, as they specialize in tourism and hospitality, so no need to learn a different language. Accommodations run the gamut from popular all-inclusive beach resorts to eco-treehouse villas in the rainforest. It just so happens that our Mardi Gras season coordinated with Costa Rica’s pacific coast dry season, and temps range between 70’s -80’s. The dry season is, of course, peak season, so booking early guarantees you get the resort you want!

Southern Caribbean

If a resort chair near the beach is more appealing to you, then an island in the Caribbean may Beaches T&C.1jpgwork. The key to making this vacation relaxing is to choose an all-inclusive so you don’t have to research restaurants or leave the resort for meals. A family favorite is Beaches Turks & Caicos, which offers 2 bedroom villas featuring a kids bedroom, complete with an XBox game system. The pools and waterslides are too numerous to count, and the complimentary kids club is phenomenal when you need some adult time. All-inclusive not right for you? Vacation rentals are growing in popularity across the Caribbean, and I know some amazing ones!

National Parks

When you think of going to the mountains in winter, skiing usually comes to mind.
While skiing is a great Mardi Gras option, there are other mountain vacations you can take
that don’t require ski boots and poles. For example, Adventures by Disney offers a magical family itinerary called “Winter in Wyoming”, which includes a stay at Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Adventures By ABD Wyoming1Disney is a white-glove service tour company that offers luxury family tours around the world. These tours include a local guide as well as a Disney guide, who cater to your every whim and even take the kids on their own adventures while you enjoy some adult time.

This particular tour appeals to families that would like to visit Yellowstone in winter but not have to plan a thing themselves since Disney does it for them. Activities include private Yellowstone National Park tours, wildlife excursions, dog sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and more. The best part is meals and transfers are included, so you don’t have to lift a finger except to call me so I can book your trip!

Disneyland

You knew this article couldn’t happen without a mention of the Happiest Place on Earth. Think 158584386_CarsLand_FINAL_CMYK_120518Disney World and Disneyland are the same? Think again! Walt’s original dream, Disneyland’s
set up is more compact and convenient, and has more rides than all 4 Disney World parks combined. And the entire Disneyland park can fit into Magic Kingdom’s parking lot. Besides its more convenient size, the California park still has some of the original rides, which many claim are better than their Florida counterparts.

Disneyland Resort’s second park, California Adventure, has some great rides not seen in Florida, including the amazing Radiator Springs Racers and Grizzly River Run. And the weather! That great weather where you hair always looks great, even after riding Thunder Mountain 3 times in a row! Disneyland also has special offers throughout the year as does Disney World, so contact me for more information on getting great package rate!

Cruise

Instead of flying to a Caribbean island, why not hop on a floating resort leaving from the Port of New Orleans and sail to some islands? Both Carnival and Norwegian offer cruises from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean. But if you would rather sail the Eastern Caribbean, then taking a cruise out of port Canaveral, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami would be a better option.

With many activities available for both children and adults, everyone is sure to have a great time on the seas. Cruise ships have everything Carnival waterslidethese days, from top notch spas to on board surfing and skydiving. Pools just for adults, kids clubs, and premium dining experiences are just a few of the fun things to enjoy. Another benefit of a cruise is you only unpack your bags once, but see several islands in 1 trip. It’s a great introduction to different islands and sets the tone for a trip back to your favorite spots! Most cruise lines offer specials throughout the year, and remaining loyal to 1 line has its benefits, such as lower rates and stateroom gifts for repeat guests.

Wherever you plan on going this Mardi Gras, I can help you book a magical vacation to any destination above, and so many more! From passport requirements to packing tips, I take care of it all so you can enjoy 1 last parade before venturing to your Mardi Gras paradise!

Tara Jones is a family travel planner with Cupcake Castles Travel Co, specializing in Disney vacations. Tara takes the guesswork and stress out of planning a vacation, so you just have to pack your bags! Email [email protected] for more information or for a free vacation quote click HERE

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