Official 2021 "Disney After Hours Boo Bash" Thread

[zebrastreyepz]

There are plenty of complaints that it's bait and switch- which is illegal, but it's not even close to bait and switch. They told us what the event was. There were no implications of anything, but there were assumptions. They promise a limited event (yeah, every day is limited) and shortER waits- shorter than what? But that's all they promised and honestly, it wasn't fine print, it was right there to read. I don't begin to defend Disney on this one, but they told everyone up front what they were buying.

We are playing a semantics game at this point. It is kind of ridiculous.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but perhaps they are able to increase capacity somewhat because they are also planning to reintroduce additional features and attractions......like, say, character meets.

I know its unlikely, but it's possible (and the more event offerings there are, the more people they could absorb while still holding true to their promise of lower waits).

I'm no Disney apologist by any stretch, but at this point the tickets are bought, the costumes are ready, and I can either have a positive attitude or I can stress about about it. I'll choose the former and hope for the best.

 

[Farro]

Maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but perhaps they are able to increase capacity somewhat because they are also planning to reintroduce additional features and attractions......like, say, character meets.

I know its unlikely, but it's possible (and the more event offerings there are, the more people they could absorb while still holding true to their promise of lower waits).

I'm no Disney apologist by any stretch, but at this point the tickets are bought, the costumes are ready, and I can either have a positive attitude or I can stress about about it. I'll choose the former and hope for the best.

Absolutely.

We're going. I don't regret it.

Barring any crazy circumstances out of my control, we're going to have an awesome time because we are on vacation, in WDW.

 

[elgerber]

Absolutely.

We're going. I don't regret it.

Barring any crazy circumstances out of my control, we're going to have an awesome time because we are on vacation, in WDW.

Totally agree!

 

[cakebaker]

Maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but perhaps they are able to increase capacity somewhat because they are also planning to reintroduce additional features and attractions......like, say, character meets.

I know its unlikely, but it's possible (and the more event offerings there are, the more people they could absorb while still holding true to their promise of lower waits).

I'm no Disney apologist by any stretch, but at this point the tickets are bought, the costumes are ready, and I can either have a positive attitude or I can stress about about it. I'll choose the former and hope for the best.

I don't believe for a second this event is going to be super crowded. If you can get your mind right to accept it's going to be busier than a regular after hours but nothing close to the madness that is MNSSHP, I don't believe you'll be disappointed. But it's true, tickets are bought, enjoy the night. If it turns out to be busier than you'd expect then you know not to do them again.l It's about all you can do.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

I don't think Disney intentionally set out to bait-and-switch here. I think they decided to do an After Hours event and set capacity accordingly, and then were shocked when the demand was much greater than they had anticipated. At first, they responded by doing the right thing: adding additional nights. But then some number cruncher told them that they could sell a whole lot more tickets for each event already scheduled, and thus greatly increase their profits. And somebody who is more concerned with the bottom line than the guest experience gave them the green light. That's the part that makes me sad.

It is, of course, too soon to know just what kind of crowds we are going to see. But the signs are pointing towards a busy night. Speaking only for myself, if I'm waiting 20 minutes for POTC, 30 minutes for BTMRR, and 45 minutes for SDMT, I'm going to be very disappointed. Those three hours are going to go by in a flash. I know others have different priorities, but I'm not in it for the costumes and the trick-or-treating. I was much more drawn in by "Disney After Hours" than by "Boo Bash."

Again, I knew this might happen, and I assumed the risk. But I think I'm still entitled to be a little disappointed. More power to those of you who aren't.

 

[freshmanjs]

And somebody who is more concerned with the bottom line than the guest experience gave them the green light. That's the part that makes me sad.

Using this logic, they should just keep it to After Hours crowd levels (or smaller) all the time. Guest experience is the most important thing. Heck, just allow one family in per day.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

Using this logic, they should just keep it to After Hours crowd levels (or smaller) all the time. Guest experience is the most important thing. Heck, just allow one family in per day.

Your logic is impeccable. You got me there.

 

[bsmcneil]

I have a friend who is a number cruncher, and she won't spill the beans, but she assures me the numbers are set across all the events for this. They don't have low numbers for some and high numbers for others, so the first night won't be half the number of people and sold out and then another sold out night will be jam packed. She said it wouldn't be sold out if it weren't for the media people and vloggers, if it were regular people buying tickets it would be like the other August dates. She saw me post on Instagram that I had bought a ticket so we had a conversation the other day about it, this is all bringing in more money even if they only let in 1/16 park capacity, that's why the event starts around what they are calling "normal park close". They are having a full park day with paying guests AND people shelling out even more money for a shorter time period after the fact, it's just money on top of money, they don't even need to cram people in. Now, she doesn't know what those numbers are, she just runs statistics and junk and turns it in (I don't do math, so what she says about her job goes right over my head, I'm sure it's fascinating), someone else takes that and makes decisions on it, but she really doesn't think this will be an unenjoyable experience. If they mess this up people will be weary in the future of paying for anything like this, they'll remember that Disney promised one thing, charged out the rear for it, and gave something completely different and will be slow to rush out and do that again. It's that way for me anyway, they have to prove themselves or this will be my last event for a good long while.

Sadly, this did not age well!

 

[freshmanjs]

Your logic is impeccable. You got me there.

It's as good as the logic that any decision to increase park capacity for an event is driven by "some number cruncher" and "somebody more concerned with the bottom line than the guest experience."

 

[MomOTwins]

I keep seeing people say they had every reason to think because this had After Hours in the name it would have exactly the same attendance limits as after hours events before Covid.
Why? This is 2021–every single at thing at disney world has been “pay more, get less”
—Pay sky high hotel rates, get closed restaurants, reduced transportation (no more epcot monorail or disney spring boats), no real housekeeping, no magic bands, and no EMH (and soon, no magical express)
—Pay for park hopper, hopping is only after 2pm and you have have to pre-book first park of the day
—Pay for park tickets, many shows attractions, and parades still closed, no fastpass, no character greetings and fireworks are only just coming
—Pay for an AP, get a maximum of three days bookable at a time
—Pay buffet prices, get a platter with a few bland preset dishes; or at a la carte restaurants, reduced menus

I mean, when you think about it that way, is it really so surprising that you might pay for an after hours event and get halloween party crowds??!

 

[Pens Fan]

When we bought our tickets we really had no set expectations on crowd limits. As has been mentioned (ad nauseum) Disney made no promises on that, and just mentioned lower crowds (50%, 20%, 2% lower? who knew? No guarantees.) My best guess - and it was only a guess based on absolutely nothing but my own random thoughts - was that the crowds would be greater than a typical AH event but hopefully less than MNSSHP. We decided to roll the dice and go for it as we really just wanted an after dark, Halloween experience with the chance for lower crowds. I don't second guess that decision based on what we knew at the time.

What has me disappointed is that Disney rolled this out with one crowd level in mind and then changed their minds and increased it after they sold a butt load of nonrefundable tickets. No, we don't know by how much, obviously. But they did decide to add more tickets than originally planned. And that really rubs me the wrong way. I kept telling myself to give them the benefit of the doubt until I read two different accounts of CM's saying it was due to guests switching dates and the decrease in covid restrictions by the state . It's FL, for goodness sake. They've been basically restriction free for months! Believe either of those things, and I've got a nice, pretty bridge to sell you. Disney really needs to give the CM's better stories to spin.

All that being said, we are still going and will have a great time - no matter the crowds. Our son is going to be able to come down for a few days and is joining us for the event and we will definitely enjoy being at Disney during the Halloween season together. I'm still very much looking forward to it. But that doesn't mean I can't be disappointed in how Disney handled this. And I am.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I keep seeing people say they had every reason to think because this had After Hours in the name it would have exactly the same attendance limits as after hours events before Covid.
Why? This is 2021–every single at thing at disney world has been “pay more, get less”
—Pay sky high hotel rates, get closed restaurants, reduced transportation (no more epcot monorail or disney spring boats), no real housekeeping, no magic bands, and no EMH (and soon, no magical express)
—Pay for park hopper, hopping is only after 2pm and you have have to pre-book first park of the day
—Pay for park tickets, many shows attractions, and parades still closed, no fastpass, no character greetings and fireworks are only just coming
—Pay for an AP, get a maximum of three days bookable at a time
—Pay buffet prices, get a platter with a few bland preset dishes; or at a la carte restaurants, reduced menus

I mean, when you think about it that way, is it really so surprising that you might pay for an after hours event and get halloween party crowds??!

This. 1000%

And as long as people keep pumping money into these ridiculously priced events and items, Disney will keep cutting more and more. Didn't Disney state a few years ago that they were increasing prices SPECIFICALLY to decrease attendance? This was when they went to the tiered calendar where admission price was based on attendance. So, they keep cutting things AND increasing price and yet people still blindly throw their money at Disney like they have an endless conveyor belt of it.

I will admit, I struggled on the BB. I wanted to go but that price.......wow. I kept hoping it would sell out and all but 2 dates in October DID sell out. My date was still available and each day was a battle. If I had the money on my debit card I probably would have pulled the trigger and I would have regretted it BADLY. Now, after seeing all the dates open back up, it absolutely confirms that I will not be going now. No way, Jose.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I'm going to Boo Bash because I've never experienced anything Disney Halloween and it happened to align with my trip. My goal at the time of ticket purchase was (and still is) to take in whatever Halloween atmosphere I can. I'm going the first night and I'm excited.

 

[cakebaker]

And as long as people keep pumping money into these ridiculously priced events and items, Disney will keep cutting more and more. Didn't Disney state a few years ago that they were increasing prices SPECIFICALLY to decrease attendance? This was when they went to the tiered calendar where admission price was based on attendance. So, they keep cutting things AND increasing price and yet people still blindly throw their money at Disney like they have an endless conveyor belt of it.

You hit the nail on the head.

We have desperately wanted to return to WDW, but absolutely refused to buy into it with all the cutbacks at regular price. When they finally started opening up pre-shows and added fireworks, I made a reservation. I'm still not happy with no shows ( there is absolutely NO excuse not to have them now) but we want to see HEA again before it goes away, possibly for forever. I'm sure not happy with no FP and the limited park hopping. However, the trip is barebones- shorter than our average trip, no sit down dining, intentionally went before BooBash started and at the least expensive place I could find that fit our group. We'll eat in our cabin as much as possible so food costs will be minimal. We won't be seeing our favorite show because it's not our favorite show anymore, it's FOTLK lite. It's not cheap, but it's a fraction of what I'd normally spend. I won't be activating my AP voucher- just bought regular tickets because we won't be making multiple trips in the near future. This will be it for however long Disney decides to shutter the experiences.

We'll go and have a wonderful time. I can separate the business of Disney with the park experience.

When Disney decides to bring back the full experience, we'll bring back our full $$$$. They make cuts, we make cuts.

 

[Disneymomma18]

Is it impossible to think that Disney based their original number on a percentage of the capacity they are running at now and when they sold out they changed it to a capacity closer to what an original AH event was? I’m sure that number was based on a percentage of pre covid attendance which would be more than a percentage of post covid attendance therefore increasing the numbers right? I’m not trying to downplay anyone’s feelings about the situation but I’m still holding onto hope that the numbers will still be smaller than the regular daytime crowd. If not oh well it’s still an additional 3 hours in the park I wouldn’t have had otherwise and someone who’s only taking a 3 day trip the time is worth my money IMO.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Is it impossible to think that Disney based their original number on a percentage of the capacity they are running at now and when they sold out they changed it to a capacity closer to what an original AH event was? I’m sure that number was based on a percentage of pre covid attendance which would be more than a percentage of post covid attendance therefore increasing the numbers right? I’m not trying to downplay anyone’s feelings about the situation but I’m still holding onto hope that the numbers will still be smaller than the regular daytime crowd. If not oh well it’s still an additional 3 hours in the park I wouldn’t have had otherwise and someone who’s only taking a 3 day trip the time is worth my money IMO.

This is what I am holding on to until I see bad reviews and/or experience it myself Oct 5.
Things have opened so quickly, and more CM hires. I feel (hope) all connected.

 

[TomorrowlandKD]

I might be in the minority here but (and let me put my shield up first):

If you're not happy about the price, don't go. If you're not happy about the way in which they release tickets, then don't go. Have any of you bought concerts tickets to pretty much any concert ever sold on Ticketmaster the last five years? The show will be "sold out" but then the following day Ticketmaster will release tickets out of nowhere. Do I still jump on at that moment and spend tons of money on Phil Collins? You bet I do!

For those complaining that they are not "getting a full event like in the past but for more money" but then still go online and buy tickets....what?
For those that don't read the fine print to anything, but then complain....well....that's not Disney's fault.

But most of all, above all of this, is that people are still paying/purchasing these events/nights at these prices and until people stop doing it, the bubble will continue to grow because Disney knows they will get away with it. At the end of the day they are a business. They present to you on their website what Boo Bash is all about, the price of the tickets, the dates, and the fine print where things are always "subject to change". It's not just Disney folks, that's all businesses.

Like my mother once told me: Don't like it? Don't do it. Move on!

Personally, I'm ecstatic about our planned Boo Bash night with my wife in September, and have already purchased my Haunted Mansion outfit!

 

[cakebaker]

Like my mother once told me: Don't like it? Don't do it. Move on!

I'd add, let them know what your opinion is and how you feel about what they're doing. It may accomplish nothing, but they won't know if they aren't told. What they do with the information is their choice. It's ok to be disappointed about something and voice your frustration here. People don't have to just not go and move on. Voicing opinions on the way Disney handles things is perfectly fine, whether you like it or you don't. I write Disney and let them know what impact their decisions have on me spending money with them.

There's a valid argument to be made that they were deceptive in their advertising. Airlines do the same thing. I was looking at tickets for SW and it showed 1 seat remaining. I changed to 4 people and amazingly, there was still 1 seat remaining. But Disney isn't Southwest and it isn't ticketmaster. I have never seen them sell tickets to an after hours event and have across the board availability show up weeks later. People should be able to depend on their past history as a way of knowing what they'll do in the future. It's my opinion that Disney is exploiting the desperate need people have to get back to what is normal to them to make cuts and lower quality. Get 'em used to it while they're desperate and they won't complain later....I can almost hear the words coming out of Chapek's mouth. I thought the price was ludicrous for the offerings. I knew this would not be like after hours in the past by the description. I didn't buy. But it was hard because I want Disney back and that's what they're playing off of.

You can be thrilled to go, but allow that others have concerns and their viewpoints are as valid as yours.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I might be in the minority here but (and let me put my shield up first):

If you're not happy about the price, don't go. If you're not happy about the way in which they release tickets, then don't go. Have any of you bought concerts tickets to pretty much any concert ever sold on Ticketmaster the last five years? The show will be "sold out" but then the following day Ticketmaster will release tickets out of nowhere. Do I still jump on at that moment and spend tons of money on Phil Collins? You bet I do!

For those complaining that they are not "getting a full event like in the past but for more money" but then still go online and buy tickets....what?
For those that don't read the fine print to anything, but then complain....well....that's not Disney's fault.

But most of all, above all of this, is that people are still paying/purchasing these events/nights at these prices and until people stop doing it, the bubble will continue to grow because Disney knows they will get away with it. At the end of the day they are a business. They present to you on their website what Boo Bash is all about, the price of the tickets, the dates, and the fine print where things are always "subject to change". It's not just Disney folks, that's all businesses.

Like my mother once told me: Don't like it? Don't do it. Move on!

Personally, I'm ecstatic about our planned Boo Bash night with my wife in September, and have already purchased my Haunted Mansion outfit!

Your comparison isn't even. A concert venue only holds so many people. And there are seats for everyone. And everyone who buys will get to "see" and hear the show.

I've been to two MNSHHP and two MVMCP. The Halloween experience was so chaotic and crowded our first night that if I had not already had tickets and a dessert party for the 2nd night, I would not have gone. And this was with a five-hour event with more to do for the crowds to disperse. (Shows, Character Meet and Greets, Parades, Fireworks)

I'm not interested in what the reviews say early on except to compare them with the reviews we get for these dates that we know they've increased capacity AFTER "selling out." No one is going to know until October what this is going to look like.

If I had bit the bullet and purchased for August or September at this point, I wouldn't be concerned. It's the October surprise that has me potentially cringing.