How the Disney After Hours Boo Bash stacks up against other events

There has been a visceral outcry over the price of the upcoming Disney After Hours Boo Bash at the Magic Kingdom this fall. The price of the Boo Bash is at least $40 more than Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and it’s missing the party’s three best features — the Sanderson sisters stage show, the Halloween parade and the fireworks. But the most expensive date for the Boo Bash, Halloween night, is already sold out.

So, is the Boo Bash a shameless money grab, or a can’t-miss seasonal event?

Before you try to answer the question for yourself, we’ll admit this isn’t quite the right comparison. The Boo Bash is not meant to be the Halloween Party. Rather, it is a version of the Disney Villains After Hours event, which was last held just before the pandemic shut down the parks last year.

The big selling point of the After Hours events was their extremely limited attendance, even more limited than the Halloween and Christmas parties at the Magic Kingdom. Since Disney does not provide how many tickets are sold for these events, we can only go by anecdotal evidence. Having been to numerous Halloween parties and After Hours events, the attendance was much lighter at the After Hours events.

Taking all that into consideration, what do you get for your money? The chart below compares 14 categories of the Halloween party, Villains Afer Hours and the Boo Bash.

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WHY NOT A HALLOWEEN PARTY?

So is it a money grab? While the Boo Bash is higher in price than Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, as we said, the better comparison is the Villains After Hours event and if you look at it that way, it’s actually a bit of a wash. The Boo Bash in August and September is $16 to $26 cheaper than the previous Disney Villains After Hours, while the nights in October are $4 to $14 more expensive, depending on the date.

It is more likely the decision wasn’t about money but logistics. Disney is not providing any concrete answers as to why the change, but let’s take a look at a number of factors:

• Disney may have been playing it conservative, not knowing what health and safety measures might still be required by August and concerned about large crowds gathering for the parade and stage show.
• Disney is still hiring Cast Members, especially entertainment cast members, so rehearsal time is limited to put on live entertainment. Disney might need more Cast Members than they have on hand for a large party.
• It is unknown if the renovation of the stage in front of Cinderella Castle is complete and ready for a large-scale stage show.
• The park’s 50th-anniversary celebration is also a major factor. Remember, the Halloween Party was created to help bring people to the Magic Kingdom at night during what used to be a slow time of year, late August through October. This year, October kicks off an 18-month celebration, and kicking people out of the Magic Kingdom at 7 p.m. is problematic, especially if Disney plans to bring back fireworks. If a special 50th-anniversary fireworks show takes place, then Guests could stay until 9 p.m. to see the anniversary fireworks instead of having to be kicked out.

So, will this even be worth it for you to attend? Let’s be honest, Disney has already added a number of dates because of the initial positive response. I loved the Disney Villains After Hour event, especially the lower attendance cap, but to be honest it will be a shadow of both events without the stage shows. But, it is a way to celebrate Halloween.

I do plan on attending and bringing you a review from the first night, and other updates prior to the event, so keep checking back.