Short answer: Krewe party rentals cover three jobs: the den party during float loading, the krewe family day, and the route or captain's-house party. Dens need generators and dry units, family days need an anchor plus satellites, route parties need a small footprint.
I have been backing trucks into float dens in Jefferson and Orleans Parish since 1992. Warehouses off Jefferson Highway, lots in Kenner, driveways in Old Metairie.
The mistake I see most from a new den chair is treating all three like one rental. One survives eight hours of adults working, one moves 500 kids in four hours, and one fits between two parked cars.
What are the three krewe events that need rentals?
Three, and each wants different gear.
| Event | Length | Crowd | Recommended build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Den party / float loading | 6–10 hrs | 40–120, kids in tow | Two dry units, kiddie bouncer, 2–3 games, generators |
| Krewe family day | 3–5 hrs | 200–600 | Anchor, 3–5 satellites, toddler unit, 1–2 revenue tables |
| Route or captain's-house party | 4–8 hrs | 30–100 | Combo unit, one game, tables and chairs |
Dens get underbuilt. Family days get overbuilt: three big-ticket attractions and no toddler unit.
What should we set up for a den party or float-loading day?
Dry units and carnival games, all day, in the driest flattest corner of the warehouse. Parents stuff throws for six to ten hours, and the kids need somewhere to be that is not under a float.
- One standard bounce house and one dry slide or combo. Skip wet units. Nobody wants soaked kids in a warehouse in January.
- A kiddie bouncer roped off for the under-5 crowd. Every den has toddlers.
- Two or three carnival games: basketball shootout, sticky darts, putt-putt. They run unattended better than anything we carry.
- Tables and chairs. A den party is a potluck with a bounce house attached.
Warehouse floors mean sandbag ballast, not stakes, so tell me the surface at booking. And measure your bay door: a 36-inch man-door will not pass a 15x15 unit.
What does a krewe family day take?
One anchor, three to five satellites, and one attraction per 75 to 100 expected guests.
The anchor goes on the flyer: a 26-foot rock climbing wall, a giant slide, a big obstacle course. Pick one. Two anchors split your crowd.
Satellites carry throughput: themed combos, bounce houses, velcro wall, knockerballs. Add a toddler unit.
For 400 guests over four hours I build seven attractions plus two revenue tables. Spin art runs $100 for the first 50 cards, $60 per additional 50. Pucker Powder starts around $200 for 50 to 75 servings.
How does a route or captain's-house party work?
Small footprint, long day, and delivery before the barricades go up.
A captain's-house party in Lakeview or Uptown is a residential setup with a parade schedule wrapped around it. We stake before street closures, so plan on an early drop or setup the day before.
One combo unit, tables, chairs, and one game covers it. Residential minimum is $150, and you supply a dedicated 20-amp breaker per blower and a hose for wet units.
Do not promise me a driveway spot and then park the camper in it.
What about power in a den and the $500 commercial minimum?
Plan on generators. Float dens almost never have a dedicated 20-amp circuit to spare.
The panel already carries shop lights, compressors, and four space heaters in February. Two blowers off one outlet trips a breaker mid-afternoon and the unit goes flat.
Budget one generator per two blowers and check fuel every four hours.
Commercial and warehouse addresses carry a $500 delivery minimum versus $150 residential. Most den parties clear it by the third item, and bundled packages get there faster.
Do you provide insurance certificates and multi-day rentals?
Yes to both. Ask for the certificate of insurance the day you book, not the week of.
Most krewes need it naming the krewe or the warehouse landlord as additional insured. Send the exact legal name, address, and dates. It takes a few business days.
Multi-day rentals across a parade weekend price better than three single days. Give me the full window up front, Friday den party through Sunday family day.
Sponsorship is the other lever. A restaurant, insurance agent, or realtor will underwrite a $500 to $800 rental for a banner on the fence and a line in the newsletter. Two sponsors zero out the equipment line.
When should a krewe book krewe party rentals?
Right after the current season ends. Carnival dates are largely claimed by early fall.
Every krewe in Jefferson and Orleans wants the same eight or nine days, and my inventory does not multiply because two of you picked the same Saturday.
Deposits are $50 under $500 and 25% over, non-refundable but convertible to a raincheck. Put one down in March, not November.
Frequently asked questions
Can you set up inflatables inside a float den or warehouse? Yes, with sandbag ballast instead of stakes and enough ceiling clearance. Most standard bounce houses need about 16 feet and slides need more. Disclose the floor surface and the door width at booking so the crew arrives with the right ballast.
Why is delivery to our den more expensive than a backyard? Commercial and warehouse addresses carry a $500 delivery minimum against $150 residential. Longer builds, sandbag ballast, dock access, and generator placement all take crew time. Most krewe orders clear that minimum by the third attraction, so it rarely changes the final number.
Do you rent for multiple days over a parade weekend? Yes, and multi-day pricing beats three separate single days. Give me the full window at booking so we schedule one build and one breakdown instead of three round trips. Overnight units stay on site, deflated or standing depending on the wind forecast.
What happens if it is too cold or too windy on den day? Inflatables shut down in sustained winds above roughly 15 to 20 mph. That is a safety standard, not a judgment call. Cold alone is workable with dry units indoors. If we cancel for wind, your deposit converts to a raincheck for another date.
How far ahead should a krewe book? Book right after the current Carnival season ends. Prime dates are largely claimed by early fall, and krewes in Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, and Algiers are all chasing the same handful of weekends. A March deposit for next February is normal, not early.
Planning your den party, family day, or route party? Call Bounce World at 504-467-9424 or book online, and ask about multi-day and organization pricing. Serving Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans, Harahan, Gretna, Marrero, Destrehan, LaPlace, and the Northshore since 1992.