Mardi Gras2013

[joanncanary]

I am thinking of going to the Mardi Gras next year and I am hoping to use my Wyndham points. I hear that the LeBelle Maison was nice. Is it located close to the action and what are my possibilities of getting a studio 10 months in advance? thanks for all of your help.

 

[ronparise]

La Belle Maison is a block off Canal St...cross Canal St and you are in the French Quarter...so yes, La Belle Maison is close to the action

La Belle Maison requires check in or check out on fridays.

If you want to check in on Feb 8 the friday before Fat Tuesday, your chances of getting a reservation are slim and none at the 10 month mark....Everything is already reserved ARP....there may be a few left but they will be gone in the few minutes after reservations open at the 10 month mark at least that was the case last year

Mardi Gras however is a month long celebration..The week before Mardi Gras is also a great time...with lots of parades..you will probably be able to get a reservation for check in Feb 4 or 5 for three or four nights.....

Also consider in 2013 the Super Bowl is in New Orleans Feb 3.....I checked the other day and La Belle Maison is already booked for SuperBowl

 

[Timeshare Von]

To Ron's point, I was in New Orleans in Feb. 2010 a couple of weekends prior to Fat Tuesday and there were some Mardi Gras parades that were a blast going to. The best thing, in my opinion, was that it wasn't the actual Fat Tuesday parades and all the zaniness (and crowds) that come with it.

I would recommend not discounting the earlier parades that are all part of the New Orleans Mardi Gras experience.

Here is what I wrote about the experience for IgoUgo.com . . . along with some photos of my day!

Mardi Gras Part 1

Mardi Gras Part 2

 

[GeraldineT]

To Ron's point, I was in New Orleans in Feb. 2010 a couple of weekends prior to Fat Tuesday and there were some Mardi Gras parades that were a blast going to. The best thing, in my opinion, was that it wasn't the actual Fat Tuesday parades and all the zaniness (and crowds) that come with it.

I would recommend not discounting the earlier parades that are all part of the New Orleans Mardi Gras experience.

Here is what I wrote about the experience for IgoUgo.com . . . along with some photos of my day!

Mardi Gras Part 1

Mardi Gras Part 2

I agree with Ron and TimehsareVon. Fat Tuesday is just too much. Too crowded, too crazy and just not enjoyable. I used to work for a company that had stores in NO so I of course had gotten myself invited to a few Fat Tuesday celebrations and maybe I am too old or too boring but I would never under any circumstances enter the state of Louisiana for Fat Tuesday or the preceding weekend. Maybe do the Friday before to the following Wednesday or Thursday. You will still get the Mardi Gras feel without feeling like you are in a herd of cattle.

 

[ronparise]

Heres another thought after reading Timeshare Von's posts on IgoUgo

Wyndhams Avenue Plaza is right on Saint Charles Ave. All the up town parades pass right in front, Although its too far away to catch any throws, you can watch from the balcony over the front entrance. I understand that lots of locals set up their lawn chairs and ladders in advance so they will have a comfortable spot on the street....Pack your own camp chairs and join them

If you must go to the French Quarter..ride the streetcar there and back...it runs all night...leave the car at home or park it and forget it (parking is cheap at Avenue Plaza just $12 a day...At La Belle Maison its $27)

heres an interesting side note on Mardi Gras and toilets...I own Mardi Gras event weeks at Avenue plaza and rent them to locals. They dont usually sleep there...they just want it for the bathrooms.....heres a song that explains it better than I can

no place to pee

 

[Rent_Share]

Back to Back SuperBowl Weekend and Mardis Gras should provide some interesting rental opportunities

 

[joanncanary]

sounds like 2013 is not a good time to do any of the Mardi Gras stays. If the Super Bowl is the week before then there is no chance of getting the week before. Well I guess I will have to leave that on my bucket list for another year. thank you everyone.

 

[joanncanary]

One more thought

Ronparise - are there any openings at the Avenue Plaza for the week before? that might even work. Maybe Feb 7 or 8 for 3 or 4 nights or Feb 3-7? Thanks

 

[Cathyb]

Just returned from LaBelle

I am thinking of going to the Mardi Gras next year and I am hoping to use my Wyndham points. I hear that the LeBelle Maison was nice. Is it located close to the action and what are my possibilities of getting a studio 10 months in advance? thanks for all of your help.

We avoid the Fat Tuesday week and go the week before. LaBelle location is perfect. One caveat though: We got a unit with NO outside windows and felt isolated. We never knew what the weather was like and how to dress. If you go there, be sure to indicate OUTSIDE WINDOWS. Our 'windows' looked over the internal stairway. Units are very roomy and quiet quiet.