Guide to Disney After Hours Boo Bash Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom: Dates, Prices & Info
Disney After Hours Boo Bash is the Halloween party at Magic Kingdom in August, September & October. This info guide covers Walt Disney World’s new fall event, with dates, hours, ticket prices & discounts, entertainment. Plus, comparisons to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Villains After Hours.
Whether Disney After Hours Boo Bash returns for 2022 remains to be seen. At this point, it’s possible that Walt Disney World will restore the full Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party–along with its higher attendance cap and earlier start time–or keep Boo Bash for 2022. If Disney opts to do the latter, it’s highly likely that Boo to You Parade and Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular will be added to the lineup. Here’s more speculation about MNSSHP v. Boo Bash for Halloween 2022 at Walt Disney World.
If Disney After Hours Boo Bash is held in 2022, it’ll be a limited-capacity separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom. This means the main benefit of Disney After Hours Boo Bash is significantly lower crowds and wait times at popular attractions than a normal day in the park. Walt Disney World hasn’t announced the attendance limit, but it’s a small fraction of normal attendance.
In addition to lower wait times, there will be some entertainment. Halloween-themed cavalcades will pop up throughout the night featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, Disney Villains, Nightmare Before Christmas characters, and a fire-breathing Maleficent dragon. There will also be character greetings, atmospheric enhancements, decor, and special entertainment.
We’ve attended the Halloween event last year, and share thoughts and more photos in our Review & Photo Report of Disney After Hours Boo Bash!
In terms of other basics, Disney After Hours Boo Bash tickets will grant event ticket holders admission to Magic Kingdom as early as 7 pm, giving you time to enjoy some of your favorite Magic Kingdom Park rides before the event begins. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.
For those already inside Magic Kingdom, wristband distribution will be available at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland and Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland starting at 7 pm. For guests arriving after 7 pm, wristbands will be available at the main entrance of Magic Kingdom.
Select snacks like ice cream novelties and popcorn, along with select sodas and other beverages, are included in the cost of the event. In addition to those, A variety of specialty food and drinks will be available for purchase, including an Apple Ginger Dale frozen drink and a Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake.
Disney PhotoPass will also be available to take your magical and spooky shots throughout the night. Your photos will be adorned with Halloween special effects and you can also take special Magic Shots, which add characters to your Disney PhotoPass photos after they’ve been taken. PhotoPass is not included in the cost of the event.
All guests can dress in costume for Disney After Hours Boo Bash, and you can get your fill of Halloween candy while trick-or-treating around the park. Costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children under 14. Please note that Walt Disney World’s face mask rules apply during Disney After Hours Boo Bash.
Now let’s turn to the other specifics of the Disney After Hours Boo Bash Halloween Party!
Disney After Hours Boo Bash Dates, Tickets & Pricing
Tickets for Disney After Hours Boo Bash are now on sale for all guests and can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240. Note that almost every date is now sold out online. However, there are same-day sales of tickets at Magic Kingdom. This is due to cancellations, which are currently on the rise. (It’s our expectation that day-of tickets will be available on a walk-up basis for most–if not all–Boo Bash nights.)
Tickets start at $129 to $139, plus tax for August and September party nights and $159 to $169, plus tax for October nights. Attending on Halloween night will set you back a cool $199 plus tax! Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $10 discount for Boo Bash in August and September.
Disney After Hours Boo Bash Map
If you want to get an idea of where everything is in Magic Kingdom during Disney After Hours Boo Bash, check out the map above. This shows the locations of snack carts and trick or treating, where you can pick up free refreshments and candy.
It also shows character greeting locations, merchandise spots, paid food & beverage, attractions, and entertainment. Those last two things will be covered in greater detail below.
Disney After Hours Boo Bash Attractions
Once Magic Kingdom closes to day guests, Disney After Hours Boo Bash attendees will enjoy less time waiting in line for more than 20 of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions including the following:
- Astro Orbiter
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Haunted Mansion
- “it’s a small world”
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Goofy’s Barnstormer
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Disney After Hours Boo Bash Entertainment
Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade (9:55 pm, 11:25 pm): Delight as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and pals dress in hauntingly boo-tiful Halloween costumes and parade through the park in this musical procession.
Disney Villain Halloween Cavalcade (10:30 pm, 11:45 pm): Behold a legion of villains unleashed to revel in this sinister season. Look out for fiends like Dr. Facilier, Queen of Hearts, and Jafar as they celebrate just how wonderful it is to be wicked.
Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade (10:40 pm, 11:55 pm): Prepare for a procession worthy of the Pumpkin King! Jack Skellington–along with Sally and Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas–take to the streets to share thrilling, chilling tricks and treats!
Maleficent’s Fiery Prowl (10:50 pm, 12:05 am): Maleficent will make an appearance in the form of a fire-breathing dragon!
Cadaver Dans in Frontierland (9:40 pm, 10:20 pm, 11:05 pm, 12:10 am): The Cadaver Dans perform haunting melodies from beyond the grave.
Tomorrowland DJ Dance Party (9:30 pm to 12:30 am): Dance the night away at the Rockettower Plaza Stage.
Note: these times apply to the 9:30 pm to 12:30 am Disney After Hours Boo Bash nights. We’ll update with the schedule for the 9 pm to midnight parties once those start.
On the atmospheric entertainment front, you can stop and listen to Miss Carlotta, who will be appearing throughout the night outside Haunted Mansion to greet guests.
Additionally, favorite character friends will appear throughout Magic Kingdom, including Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale in their Halloween costumes. Other surprise characters will pop up across the park, too.
Boo Bash v. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
In terms of our commentary, the biggest point of contention is Disney After Hours Boo Bash v. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. While both are technically “Halloween events” and Boo Bash is the indirect replacement for MNSSHP, they are fundamentally different in nature.
Many Walt Disney World fans are understandably upset by the significantly higher price points for Boo Bash and less entertainment as compared with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. That makes sense given that this is the indirect replacement for that. However, this is a Disney After Hours event (hence the name), so its price structure unsurprisingly follows that.
As compared to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, a lot of entertainment is “missing” from Disney After Hours Boo Bash. The characters and cavalcades at Boo Bash are fine diversions, but they’re nowhere on par with Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, Mickey’s Boo to You parade, or the many meet & greets at MNSSHP.
There are also no fireworks during Disney After Hours Boo Bash, but those who purchase tickets can arrive early and watch the pre-party fireworks at Magic Kingdom, which are available to all guests.
Prices are also significantly higher for Disney After Hours Boo Bash than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. In the last year MNSSHP was held, its prices started at $74 per person and most dates were under $100. Halloween week and night were outliers, with prices up to $149.
Some nights, Disney After Hours Boo Bash are nearly double the cost of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets. Others are “only” a $20 to $30 premium. However, as compared to last year’s Villains After Hours, which was strikingly similar to Disney After Hours Boo Bash, ticket prices are about the same. The biggest difference is a significantly smaller discount for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.
I’m not going to do contortions to defend Walt Disney World’s pricing for Disney After Hours Boo Bash. It’s astronomical. That’s true even when compared to Villains After Hours, but doubly so if you’re using the last year Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was held as your benchmark.
I can barely comprehend dropping a few hundred dollars for the two of us to do this–let alone the price for a family with small children who may not last the whole night. It would be difficult to justify unless money were no object.
However, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the wrong comparison. This is a fundamentally different event. Again, as we discussed at length in the above announcement post, the heart of the After Hours events is low crowds and short lines at attractions, with the entertainment being the icing on the cake.
By contrast, the heart of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the entertainment, and short lines for rides are the icing. In recent years, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been anything but a “low crowds” event. (The last year both were held, the attendance cap was significantly lower for After Hours than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party–probably less than half…which might explain why it’s almost double the price.)
Ultimately, it’s difficult to assess whether Disney After Hours Boo Bash is worth the money. In large part, that depends upon your personal expectations. Are you considering it because you’ve enjoyed the entertainment at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the past, and are expecting something on par with that? If so, Boo Bash almost certainly will not be worth it for you.
Are you considering Disney After Hours Boo Bash because you want a low crowds opportunity to enjoy Magic Kingdom with a Halloween twist? Then this event might be for you. Even then, this is a lot of money to spend. It’s also occurring over the course of two months–August and September–that typically have low crowds during normal operating hours. Between that historic precedent and a potential lull in the lead-up to Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary (see our updated Best & Worst Months to Visit Walt Disney World in 2022-2023), Disney After Hours Boo Bash may not be a tremendous ‘value-add’ for its first couple months for those wanting to avoid crowds. October is another story entirely, though.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your thoughts on these ticket prices? Will your family be buying or sitting this Halloween event out? Are you excited for Disney After Hours Boo Bash? Do you agree or disagree with our perspective on this? Are you disappointed that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party won’t be happening, or is Boo Bash a superior (or at least sufficient) alternative for you? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Every Tuesday and Friday except 9/28 and 10/1. Seems odd. Any thoughts on why only that week was skipped?
Because Disney is internally forecasting that week to be incredibly busy due to Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary on 10/1. Normal park hours will almost certainly be longer as a result, making it “too late” for the After Hours event post-closing.
@JO – My grandson and I have gone to Disney together for the last 5 years. The last one was Dec. 2020. Because of these ridiculous prices on EVERYTHING, we are now going to Gulf Shores, AL where we will parasail, take a boat tour to see the dolphins, go to the new inflatable water park, go to the zoo, go swimming in a natural spring, AND swim with the dolphins in Panama City Beach! Come on July 25!
TO “THE MOM” – Our daughter has Aspergers and has some difficulty with sights, sounds, and even smells associated with normal park conditions. We have attended the MNSSHP a couple of times, which has proven to be very crowded and offered LOTS of sensory overload that was frustrating for her. We decided a couple of years ago to attend an After Hours event and the difference was AMAZING! The temperature was much cooler after dark, the crowds were significantly lower, and we were able to enjoy the park so much more! It is one of our best memories about WDW. The cost of the event was also significantly less then than the current rate, however. Even though the event was fun for us, I’m not sure it would have been worth the extra cost of the 2021 Boo Bash, which offers less, yet costs more. Resort pools also offer less sensory overload and are significantly cooler in hot Florida weather. Bring candy and popcorn with you and watch a “not so scary” movie in your resort room. It could still be a great memory!
Those prices are steep! I am going in October with my parents (70+) and now I’m trying to decide if this might be worth paying for so that we can hit MK with minimal standing in line. My parents are in pretty good shape but I have really been hoping FP+ returns so we can reduce the time they have to spend on their feet. This might be a good but pricey solution. Hard to decide!
Think I’ll go ahead and go. I have 2 grandkids that have birthdays in August and have never been to WDW. Been to both the Halloween party and Villains After Hours and prefer the smaller crowd at Villains. Hated the jarring music blaring through the park at Villains all night , so it’ll be better listening to Halloween music. Love the spooky effects. Only difference is we will stay off -site, never done it before, but will stay somewhere with awesome pool close by and Uber in. I figure we will swim, nap and eat during heat of day and go to party that night, do the rides, eat free treats and dress up. Won’ t even buy a park pass just party ticket. Sleep in, next day visit AK later, hope it gets dark enough to enjoy Pandora and call it good. Too bad about the fireworks, will miss them, but it is what it is and we had fun going during Covid wearing masks, so I’m sure it will be awesome. Thinking positive as I fork out the big bucks but really, when has Disney been cheap?
The kids just voted for sea world and six flags in San Antonio. Since we from Oklahoma, Texas is closer and cheaper. Maybe use extra money to swim with dolphins. Come on Bob Chapek. I need to hug the mouse.
I have not been to Universal in 20 years. Went once and didn’t compare to Disney World even then . Been to Disney World 10 times. Now it seems as if Universal is the top dog. We may go there instead. Giving it until the 4th of July for Disney to bring back fast pass, parades, shows, fireworks, disney dining with characters. Its looking more like Universal has my vote. Breaks my heart.
@Tom
If other people want to go and enjoy themselves, I hope they have a great time. My view is based on my ability to have visited WDW and Disneyland many times for over 40 years, I go knowing I won’t get the first time magic. Overall, I am upset because this follows the trend Disney has been showing of save a penny instead of make a dollar. For example, the new lands announced for Disneyland modeled after lands in other countries could be amazing … or could be cost cut versions with better original versions showing us why the OLC’s versions in Tokyo are better because they spare no expense (or cut less than US Disney parks). DW and I didn’t renew our passes last year because of this trend while we renewed at Universal (a fraction of the price for less restrictive parks). We may very well go to this event because we skipped the Disney parks during our trip last month. We paid out of pocket last September out of curiosity and while we really enjoyed Animal Kingdom, we were severely disappointed with Magic Kingdom. We may get new passes if they restart sales (we’ll definitely get Tables in Wonderland if that restarts) but we have to discuss it and determine if its worth it. DW travels for work so we also had flex passes to Disneyland which we used as often as we could, without the passes we won’t pay full price to visit but I understand its better value for a first visit. Overall, this Halloween party isn’t a big deal and I hope it turns out great, but its another notch on my old man “when I was a kid” version of Disney.
The Mom: The end of August can be very hot and very humid if those will affect your children’s health issues. Also it’s prime hurricane season. Orlando doesn’t usually get hurricanes, but they get the rain and storms that come along with the hurricane. If you can choose a better time of the year to go (January, early February, early March) you might be more comfortable.
We have never been to Disney World or any after hours event. We have a trip planned for end of August. We also have a daughter with Lupus and a son with Autism – I’m thinking of purchasing tickets for this event. If there will be less crowds and cooler that would be great for us but the price is a bit harsh – there are 7 of us.
I was really looking forward to going to the new Halloween 2021 even if it started later I’ve been to the Mickey’s Halloween party many times .this will be first time we were going to be able to take our grandson . The party is not being offered the last week of September which is when we are going we are so so so disappointed
So bring an empty cooler with you and fill it with bottled beverages and ice cream. Fill a backpack with Halloween Candy and popcorn. That should make up part of the cost per person. Unless they limit the number of ice creams you can get.
I can understand people being disappointed that this is being offered instead of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. For many fans, that’s an annual tradition. We are among those sad that it won’t be happening this year.
What I cannot understand is people being upset that others would find value in After Hours or would willingly purchase tickets, as if it’s some personal affront. This is after normal park closing time. Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween Party was not going to happen regardless this year. The existence of this event impacts you in no way whatsoever.
It would like me being pissed off by the existence of the Lamborghini Huracán. It doesn’t suit my needs and is more expensive than a Kia, but other people buying it has no bearing on my happiness. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Disney knows that no matter the price, people WILL pay it, but as anybody knows that has been to these afterhours events, especially MNSSHP, this “boo bash” is laughable. If you have never been then you won’t know what you are actually missing, so pay away! Not my family, that’s for sure. Even with an AP discount, I still wouldn’t waste my money. No fireworks, no parades, no dessert parties, no character greetings, …WHAT!!!!!
C’mon Disney, this isn’t what Walt would have wanted. Stop this madness and bring back the Happiest Place on Earth, not the “only sort of happy if you can get a park pass and not die of heat stroke while standing in lines for hours”. Don’t make us finacially responsible for the loss of revenue this year. Enough with the price gouging.
This will be the first time for us to attend an after hours event so we are really looking forward to it. It will just be 3 adults so although the price seems high we are very excited to be able to experience this fun time.
The parks were closed for a year and Disney has to find some way to make up for that lost revenue. As long as there are guests willing to pay, Disney will continue raising prices. I’ve visited Disney parks many times, if I can’t afford to visit ever again, I have memories.
I would not go for that price, too much for a family of 5, and now I won’t even go to Disney in October with them closing the park early so many nights. Our last 6 day trip magic kingdom closed early 4 of the days so the other 2 nights were wall to wall people in the evenings, especially for the fireworks.
If these new parties sell well, another question may be will MNSSHP ever return? If WDW can charge extra premium prices for fewer hours, less staff and less entertainment, is there any incentive for them to bring back MNSSHP at least in the spirit we once knew? And if the new parties are a flop, will WDW bring MNSSHP back next year but with fewer hours and a price hike anyway? No good scenario looks likely for the return of the MNSSHP that we loved. Thanks pandemic for kicking off a WDW reset. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is looking better and better. At least for adults who don’t mind more scary.
“If these new parties sell well, another question may be will MNSSHP ever return?”
Yes.
MNSSHP is much more lucrative than After Hours for Disney. The attendance cap for After Hours is literally less than half the level of the Halloween and Christmas Parties, there are fewer nights, and typically far fewer ‘sold out’ dates.
Even at double the price and with lower overhead, After Hours is far less profitable.
@Mc MY thought exactly, same attendance limits as MNSSHP and more money per ticket
Have they announced attendance limits? My fear is that Disney will combine after hours with MNSSHP but do it the bad way (less to do and more people at a higher price).