Welcome to another exciting day here at the Universal Orlando Resort. Let’s head over to Islands of Adventure first and check out what’s happening.

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rate Barges has been closed for refurbishment and today there was a small fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt and it was extinguished quickly. For more information on what happened, check out our post here.

The raptors are still wrapped and the crew is working around the base of the raptors again today.

The “Outfitters” lettering has been added to the newly refreshed sign, but the dinosaur skull in the center is still missing. The new sign is very eye-catching with bright colors and bold lettering. We think it looks great.

It’s Friday, so it’s a lot busier today than it has been the last few days.

Inside the Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe, we found Earl the Squirrel merchandise on sale. You can get the mug for $9.99, hat for $18.99, ornament for $5.99, and shirt for $20.99.

A few different Mardi Gras drinks, including the King Cake Milk Punch and Goombay Smash, are available in CityWalk now, too.

Everywhere you look, there are beads, entertainment, and tons of food.

It’s fun to watch other guests catching beads, especially the little ones. Everyone loves Mardi Gras at Universal!

Even Boots is decked out in Mardi Gras beads!

More menu signs have been added around the tasting booths as well as registers moved out away from the actual booth. This helps speed up the line by placing an order at the register and then getting in line to pick up your food rather than ordering directly at the window.

The Hello Kitty face mask is available in the Hello Kitty store for $8 each or 3 for $20.

There’s plenty of crowds in Diagon Alley today.

If these Barney banners end up in the Prop Shop at some point, we want them.

That’s all for this visit to the Universal Orlando Resort. Thanks for joining us today and be sure to stay tuned for more updates from Universal Parks News Today and WDWNT.