With more details released on the upcoming Disney After Hours BOO BASH Halloween event coming to Magic Kingdom later this year, we wanted to put together a comparison of BOO BASH versus Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Because Disney After Hours BOO BASH builds upon the “After Hours” concept, we’ll also throw in some comparisons to Villains After Hours as well where it makes sense.
BOO BASH vs Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Pricing
We’ll start with what has been the most controversial part of today’s announcement – the pricing.
2020 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pricing
Even though Disney had to cancel the 2020 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party due to COVID-19, they did release dates and pricing in February 2020. The prices ranged from $85 in August and select September dates, up to $149 for Halloween night. The average cost of a 2020 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party adult ticket was $103 (if you wanted to go to every event, it would cost $3,716).
2021 BOO BASH Pricing
By contrast, Disney After Hours BOO BASH is certainly more expensive. Tickets start at $129 – $139, plus tax for August/September nights and $159 – $169, plus tax for October nights, and $199, plus tax for Halloween. For an exact breakdown by date, check out our article below.
The average cost for a 2021 Disney After Hours BOO BASH adult ticket is $149 ($3,437 if you wanted to attend every event).
2020 Villains After Hours Pricing
Tickets for the Villains After Hours events that were able to run in 2020 before COVID-19 shut down the theme parks were $145 in advance, or $155 on the event night.
As you can see, BOO BASH is certainly priced in line with the 2020 prices of Villains After Hours, but both were priced higher than a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Entertainment
With pricing in the back of our minds, we now have to determine “value” based on what you purchased. That is a combination of factors including entertainment, crowds, complimentary offerings, and more. We’ll start with entertainment.
While we have pricing for the 2020 version of Not-So-Scary, the event was never held, so we’ll take a look back at 2019 when comparing entertainment offerings.
Fireworks
Right off the bat, we can see where Not-So-Scary gets a leg up on BOO BASH. Disney has not announced any fireworks for BOO BASH, and Disney debuted a brand new fireworks show for the 2019 Not-So-Scary parties.
Not only did Disney include projection effect and some wonderful fireworks, but they also had a massive Jack Skellington puppet on the stage as the host of the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.
Parades/Cavalcades
Turning our attention to the Boo to You Parade, Disney included some new and updated floats featuring The Incredibles and Buzz Lightyear. Beyond that, other floats were updated with new lighting packages. Boo to You was really looking great in 2019.
In comparison, Disney After Hours BOO BASH appears to be reusing the same Halloween cavalcades that were included with park admission in Fall 2020. Here are the announced cavalcades, and our videos of the same cavalcades that were included with park admission last year.
Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade: Delight as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and pals—dressed in hauntingly boo-tiful Halloween costumes—parade through the park in this musical procession.
Disney Villain Halloween Cavalcade: Behold a legion of villains— unleashed to revel in this sinister season. Gaston leads the way, followed by fellow fiends like Dr. Facilier, the Queen of Hearts and Jafar, celebrating just how wonderful it is to be wicked.
Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade: 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!
In addition to the recycled cavalcades, Disney has announced that the Maleficent dragon float will make an appearance. This won’t be the first time that the Maleficent dragon float will run at night – Disney did that during Villains After Hours as well.
During the 2021 Disney After Hours BOO BASH, there will be no stage shows. Typically the Cinderella Castle forecourt stage comes alive during both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Villains After Hours. Here are those shows, respectively.
Characters
For BOO BASH, Disney has announced a few character interactions. You could see:
- Goofy
- Chip ‘n’ Dale
- Miss Carlotta, Miss Renatta and Broome the Butler at the Haunted Mansion
- Foulfellow and Gideon
And be sure to catch the Cadaver Dans as they make a special comeback (from the dead) appearance.
These seem to be generally in line with what you might experience during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Trick or Treating
Just like with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, trick or treating will be offered during Disney After Hours BOO BASH.
Free Snacks and Sodas
Building upon the Not-So-Scary/After Hours hybrid concept, there will be complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages—included with the cost of the event—available at carts stationed throughout the park.
Additionally specialty offerings will be available for purchase when the event starts such as:
- Apple Ginger Dale Frozen Drink: Frozen Apple Cider mixed with Ginger Ale and topped with Whipped Cream
- Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake
Low Crowds
Just like other Disney After Hours events, Disney promises low waits for their attractions. With just three hours for lowered waits, you’ll likely want to get a few attractions knocked out in the two “free” hours you get in Magic Kingdom by entering the park at 7pm, but we’ll have more on wait times when the event starts.
Costumes
Just like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can dress up in approved costumes for Disney After Hours BOO BASH.
For more on Disney’s costume policy, check out their website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/
Decor
Disney has announced that Magic Kingdom will be dressed up for Halloween and that there will not only be some spooky music playing during the Disney After Hours BOO BASH event, but that Cinderella Castle will have some special projections as well. We expect most of the decor to be very similar to what guests would typically experience during Halloween at Magic Kingdom.
Of course, we will have more on Disney After Hours BOO BASH when the event begins in mid-August. We will also continue to update this article should Disney announce more offerings as we get closer to the start date.
For now, BOO BASH seems like a normal Disney After Hours event with a few additions from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to try and meet expectations from guests. It seems unlikely that BOO BASH would be the event that Disney chooses for the Halloween season in 2022 and beyond, but it remains to be seen in what capacity Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party might return.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!