The D&D Honeset Review: Disney After Hours BOO BASH

We are rolling out a new series aimed at providing candid and honest reviews of Disney offerings such as restaurants, resorts and special events.  This blog isn’t about “breaking Disney news” - there are hundreds of other websites you can visit if you are looking for that.  When we started this blog, we wanted to focus on the things that we enjoyed about visiting Disney Parks, but we also wanted to talk about the things that could be improved and changed.  This blog isn’t a career for us - we already have a couple of those.  This is a passion project - so you can believe us that when we review something, we are being genuine and honest in our assessment.  

Today we’re talking about Disney’s first “after hours” offering since Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas in 2019 - the After Hours Boo Bash.  Candidly, we were confused why Disney chose to abandon Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party when Disneyland was able to enjoy the Oogie Boogie Bash this year, as they had in previous years (including the Frightfully Fun Parade and fireworks).  Obviously Disney couldn’t roll out Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party without the Boo-To-You Parade and Not-So-Spooky Fireworks - so here we are.  

And let’s just get this out of the way - yes - it is more money for less hours.  

	Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party	Boo Bash
Hours	7:00PM - 12:00AM	9:00PM to 12:30AM
Cost	$85 - $149	$129 - $199

The harsh reality is that things just cost more now.  We can gripe about it and debate economic policies, but since the world began to reopen this year, the cost of just about everything has gone up.  Disney is no exception and the reception from the loudest of Disney’s fans has been noticed.  Yet, in spite of the “backlash” Disney has received, it has not stopped them from moving forward with new ideas and bigger price tags.  It also hasn’t stopped guests from paying.  All of the Boo Bash dates are sold out.  

And in spite of the crowds flocking to the Magic Kingdom for this Halloween offering, must has been written and posted about how disappointing Boo Bash is.  So we checked it out for ourselves.  For $129 per person, this is what you can expect: 

• Trick-or-Treat stations through Magic Kingdom 

• Character “encounters” throughout the park 

• Cavalcades including Nightmare Before Christmas and Maleficent’s Dragon 

• Popcorn, Water/Soda, and Mickey Ice Cream bars 

• Special PhotoPass stations 

Guests attending only the Boo Bash can enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 7:00PM giving you 5.5 hours inside the park.  You will also be given a wristband so cast members know you are there for the after-hours event - and be ready to show them your wristbands.  

The Good

For us, the biggest perk of the after hours events has always been the reduced crowds.  With the exception of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight, every ride was a 5 minute (or less).  You can easily ride all of your favorite Magic Kingdom attractions in 3.5 hours.  

It was also great seeing Maleficent’s Dragon once again.  It has always been our favorite parade float and seeing her breathe fire in front of Cinderella Castle is pretty spectacular.  

There were also plenty of popcorn/pop/ice cream stations throughout the park.  The lines are always longer when they first open but by the end of the evening you could walk up to any of them with little to no wait.  

The Bad

This is not Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - period.  If you attended MNSSHP in the past and are coming to Boo Bash expecting a similar event you are bound to be disappointed.  

This is where we think Disney really dropped the ball.  Both the fireworks and parade should have been featured for this event.  Not only is Universal Studios offering parades once again in Orlando, but Disneyland in California is featuring parades/fireworks for the Oogie Boogie Bash.  

We also think they could have incorporated more character encounters throughout the park.  While it was cool to see Honest John hanging out at Pinocchio’s Village Haus, there could have been way more modified meet-and-greets around Magic Kingdom.  

Overall

In spite of the limited offerings and hours, it was great to be back in the parks for a late-night/limited capacity event.  Nothing beats walking onto Space Mountain or Jungle Cruise.  It was also great interacting with cast members at the trick-or-treat stations and seeing our favorite Disney characters in their Halloween costumes.  

Yes, Disney could have and should have done more in terms of special entertainment and more character encounters.  Parades and fireworks are both scheduled to return at Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours (albeit with another price increase).  But we have always been willing to pay more for reduced crowds - and that is exactly what you get at Boo Bash.