Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Resorts once again celebrate Mardi Gras this Fat Tuesday with golf cart parades, decor, and activities.

Resort Activities

On Tuesday, February 17, the Riverside parade took place at 10:30 a.m. and started near Building 80. At French Quarter, the parade started at 11:30 a.m. near Building 7.

At Port Orleans — French Quarter, there are crafts in the courtyard area from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. between Buildings 5 and 6. A costume contest also takes place at 2:00 p.m. between Buildings 5 and 6, as well as 8:00 p.m. in Jackson Square Courtyard.

Then, participate in a Mardi Gras party from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with music, feathers, and masks. There are games and crafting in the French Quarter courtyard. Plus, enjoy a live jazz band in Scat Cat’s Club — Lounge from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Resort Decor

Though the resort has Mardi Gras decorations year-round, extra decor is added to the courtyard for the real Fat Tuesday. Green, gold, and purple streamers hang above the resort’s courtyard area.

2026 Mardi Gras Golf Cart Parade at Riverside

Each golf cart is decorated by a different group of Cast Members, who then drive the carts through the resorts.

This year’s Mardi Gras parade theme was Heroes v.s. Villains, as indicated by the starting banner.

In a horse-drawn white carriage, Princess Tiana greeted onlookers.

Cast Members handed out Mardi Gras themed bags to onlookers, and the Mardi Gras float went by. The float was adorned in green, purple, and gold colors, as is traditional for the celebration. It was topped with a bejeweled crown and masks.

The front of the Peter Pan float showed Big Ben, the iconic London clock tower. Shadows of Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, John, and Tinker Bell are seen on the clock face. Behind the clock, we saw clouds and all five flying adventurers in full color.

Following close behind was a float of Captain Hook’s ship in bright red. Flags hanging along the ship alluded to different elements of the story, including Hook’s hook hand, a clock, and his signature mustache. Cast Members dressed as Peter Pan, Hook, and the Lost Boys followed.

A Jafar float making fun of “Prince A Bu Bu” had his snake coming off one side. On the back of the float was an oversized hourglass with characters trapped inside.

Another float, this one celebrating Aladdin himself, had a full color standee of Aladdin and Genie on board with the magic carpet. Cast Members dressed as performers from Prince Ali’s parade, Jasmine, and Aladdin, followed along.

For the Alice in Wonderland float, Cast Members carried a banner with characters on it, like the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter, while dressed as flowers. Other Cast Members followed along dressed as Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit.

The elaborate float showed the scene from the film in which Alice is stuck in the house after growing too large. Behind the house, the Mad Hatter is having his tea party, surrounded by mushrooms and oversized flowers.

The Queen of Hearts also got her own float in this year’s parade. She is seen on the croquet court amongst her rose garden.

A Hercules float also made its way down the parade corridor.

On the float, we saw Hercules riding Pegasus, flying away from Zeus’ Temple, surrounded by lightning bolts.

Of course, Hercules’ villainous uncle had a float as well. Hades’ float featured his three-headed dog Cerberus on the front, the float appearing to be a ship floating down the River Styx. Cast Members dressed as Hades walked ahead. And two small floats accompanied it.

Watch our video of the 2026 Mardi Gras golf cart parade:

Have you ever celebrated Mardi Gras at Port Orleans? Share your photos with us on social media.

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