My husband and I toured the ginormous Mardi Gras World warehouse (300,000 square feet) a few years ago. My friends and family were amused because I kinda got this Styrofoam phobia…can’t touch it or hear it or even look at it. Creeps me out. (Same with cotton balls and certain fleeces and flannels.)
And I’m not alone. Check out Ellen DeGeneres’ two not-so-irrational fears. Although she grew up in New Orleans, I suspect she has not visited Mardi Gras World.
So imagine my horror when I entered Mardi Gras World and discovered I was surrounded by larger-than-life faces made from Styrofoam. The crying baby in the image above from Mardi Gras World accurately reflects how I was initially feeling.
Seriously. Look how big they are. This was like a haunted house for me. And Mardi Gras World builds and decorates more than 500 floats every year.
But I sucked it up, and must admit it was pretty cool to see where all the Mardi Gras parade magic happens. Here are just a few of the Mardi Gras floats.
Still. I’m surprised no one has thought to do a horror movie based on this warehouse. I mean New Orleans is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the U.S.
Mardi Gras is celebrated up to two weeks before Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). But you can visit Mardi Gras World all year long. The one-hour Mardi Grad World tours in New Orleans begin every half-hour with the first tour starting at 9:30 a.m. and the last one at 4:30 p.m.
Next time you’re looking for things to do in the Big Easy, pack your Mardi Gras beads and add Mardi Gras World to your itinerary where you can watch artists create the festive Mardi Gras floats throughout the year. Even if you’ve got a Styrofoam phobia.
So what’s your (not-so) irrational fear that you’ve faced?
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Wow, they are creepy huge. That baby one looks real in your image.
They are huge – larger than life size, for sure.
Ok so some of this stuff looks downright creepy but intriguing all the same. It looks like a very interesting place.
I’m glad we took the tour…creepy and intriguing is a great way to describe it.
Creepy but interesting – I love it! I would absolutely visit this place.
It was interesting (definitely wouldn’t want to spend the night in there).
A little scary I must admit 😆. Very interesting though. I would check it out. A lot of detail. Thanks for sharing.
Who knew you could grow up to be a Styrofoam sculptor?!
I would really enjoy this tour. I’m adding it to my list for our eventual visit to New Orleans.
It’s a pretty cool tour (I forgot to mention they serve King Cake at the end…will add that note now).
What awesome behind the scenes pictures. Looks like fun
Thanks! It was a cool experience.
Wowzer, that’s an interesting thing to do in NOLA! I haven’t been but my husband really wants to take me!!
I was very reluctant to visit New Orleans, but there is so much more to do than just Bourbon Street. Love the food, music, culture and people.
I’m hoping to go to New Orleans after our Disney road trip next summer. Mardi Gras World has been on my radar. It looks so cool! I’m glad you faced your styrofoam fears and gave it a try!
I love NOLA! I’m glad I did also. I wish my husband had recorded my reaction when I learned I was voluntarily touring a warehouse full of Styrofoam.
I think I would enjoy and be slightly terrified by this, haha
Haha! Same!
That is pretty funny! Do people actually buy them and put them in there yards?
I think they keep them all in the warehouse and reuse and repurpose for future floats.
Wow. That’s amazing that you can all that. I had no idea
It was an optional tour when I attended a conference. I hadn’t heard of it on any of my other visits to NOLA.
I had no idea this was a thing! Cool and a little scary. And don’t worry, my irrational fear is revolving doors 🤷🏼♀️ I think we all have one or two 😜
Thanks for sharing as I don’t think anyone’s fears are irrational. Mardi Gras World was cool and a little creepy for people like me. But glad I experienced it.
These are huge! I like your comment of almost feeling like being in a horror movie😆😱(that crying baby) 😆 I ve never celebrated Mardi Gras I am impressed by how much effort is put into creating this giant figures.
Thanks for the empathy! 🥰 I found it incredible that Mardi Gras World builds and decorates more than 500 floats every year.
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras. Cool that you can see the float decorations all year long! I’ve helped build a float before, so I know a little bit about the huge styrofoam stuff. We did a caterpillar, butterfly, and various other insects and flowers. Not quite as creepy as giant baby faces!
I’ve never been to an actual Mardi Gras parade either. I don’t think I’d be much help building the floats. I was in the building industry for years and ran when they brought out the insulation.
Very creepy! Awesome to see either way!
I did love learning more about Mardi Gras and getting a glimpse behind the scenes.
I’ve never been to Mardis Gras but I do like haunted houses. I’d go just to get creeped out. Was this is New Orleans? Unique experience for sure?
Yes, Mardi Gras World is in New Orleans.
This stuff is all creepy, no matter what it’s made of. But would still be an interesting place to visit!
Ha! Yes, it was intriguing.
Heights. There have been many hikes with cables that are close to an edge and I would get nervous. Wow, 500 floats every year. That is a lot.
That surprises me about you…but what a way to face your fear!
So creepy and weird. I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks…a very unique experience!
Wow! Some of those creatures are quite creepy, but in a fun way!
I would hate to be locked in there at night. If these floats could talk!
We love Mardi Gras World! Some really cool floats in there! Happy Fat Tuesday tomorrow!
So much artistic talent in those floats!
This brought a smile to my face. Styrofoam or not these things are creepy. And well done to you for facing them. My biggest fear is heights and I try to face it all the time.
Thanks! It was a little creepy at first but loved the story behind this iconic event.
This looks pretty spooky, I don’t think I would have I liked spending time in that place. It reminded me of the warehouses for the carnival floats in Rio de Janeiro. They take up almost a whole street. I didn’t visit but saw bizarre colourful faces popping out from behind the gates. Spoo-ky!
I think it would be very creepy after dark.