For the last couple months, Disneyland has made a bid to enliven the traditionally low-traffic winter months by putting on Family Fun Weekends. Having gone through weekends with themes as diverse as “Kickin’ Country” and “Lunar New Year,” we find ourselves at the tail end of the event with three weekends devoted to Mardi Gras.

Each weekend was notable for offering themed food and merchandise, and Mardi Gras is no exception. Located appropriately enough in New Orleans Square, there are several carts full of seasonal items for purchase, such as beads, beignet mix, and even cajun-seasoned popcorn.

Special food selections, such as shrimp po’boys and bouillabaisse, were also present at various restaurants in the area, notably the French Market and the Blue Bayou.

For entertainment, Tiana and her entourage perform a small show every hour or so during the day. It’s basically something of a stripped-down version of the Showboat Jubilee they did right after Princess and the Frog opened up, but it’s still a fun show.

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The Family Fun Weekends in general aren’t anything so dramatic as to knock your socks off, but they do make a nice change by offering some different experiences that are not typically available. The purpose, I believe, is to give you some new reasons to visit the park during times you might not usually go…and they fulfill it nicely.

Mardi Gras weekends continue only through this next weekend (March 4-6,) so anyone longing for Mickey brioche would be well-advised to make their plans soon.