Official 2021 "Disney After Hours Boo Bash" Thread

[TomorrowlandKD]

Is it possible they didnt have enough staff?

Then don’t advertise that all of those rides are open to a crowd paying extra for these tickets.

 

[CouponGirl]

Ok, cool, that makes me feel better. Our first day is the day before the Boo Bash night we want. We will be at HS. I will try at GS there. Do you think HS GS would be just as good as DS GS?

If we can't get Boo Bash tickets, I have a "plan B" which requires adding a day to our park tickets and rearranging all of our park reservations. I hope I don't have to do that. Too many spots to go awry!

I’ve heard that any of the park GS are able to help, but my only personal experience was Disney Springs. I’d definitely try at HS though since you’ll already be there.

I think the fact you have a plan B, you’re in good shape (as long as you’re ok if you have to go with plan B). We were in the same boat as far as we had a plan surrounding Boo Bash, but had a plan B just in case we couldn’t get tickets.

Have a great trip & let us know how it goes getting tickets at HS!!

 

[focusondisney]

Is it possible they didnt have enough staff?

Then don’t advertise that all of those rides are open to a crowd paying extra for these tickets.

I really doubt it was a staffing issue. It was apparently open then went down, along with other rides. And reopened during the event. That doesn’t match with not having enough staff. Management knows Mine Train is a huge draw for these events. I don’t believe they would keep one of the the parks most popular rides down on purpose. We know rides go down all the time. Unfortunately they can & do go down during paid events too. We’ve been at a regular AH event & were stuck on peoplemover for half hour. We’ve been there another time that Mine Train was down for about half the event. It happens.

 

[kidnurse1137]

We are going 10/19 and eating at Skipper's before the party. Is Sleepy Hollow or anywhere that serves coffee open during Boo Bash?

I've tried to see if this has already been asked but can't find it anywhere.

Thanks!

 

[focusondisney]

We were at last night’s boo bash. Pretty disappointed in the crowd level. This is nothing like the after hours events we’ve been to before, much more crowded. I would say this was the level of Halloween parties maybe 15 years ago. And just what I was afraid of… just a crowd reset for parties, not an actual limited after hours event. I don’t know if they were selling tickets yesterday or not, I didn’t look for any signs of that. Although this bash was the last listed as sold out. So I wouldn’t expect many day of sales if they just sold out 2 weeks ago. We were heading out from YC around 7:30, bus came at about 7:50. Bus was full from Y & B with no one standing. Bus back about 11:50 was full with SRO.

Fireworks were starting as we got off the bus. Used the behind the buildings passage way to get to Tomorrowland. Did Buzz with walk-in, then peoplemover. You could see the mass of people headed into Tomorrowland from up there. Walked to Ariel ride, did circus candy stop on the way. BR break after Ariel. And that was the last time the walkways were quiet or empty feeling.

We did Pooh, Small World & Haunted Mansion. More candy stops at Airiel’s Grotto, Pinocchio & Tikki Room. Watched to bride ghost for less than 5 minutes as we left HM. Made 1 stop for snacks. Ice cream for DH, popcorn for me & waters. Watched 2 cavalcades & browsed thru the Emporium on the way out. On Main Street about 11:30, crowded, had to maneuver around people to get to the store. All in all, disappointing compared to an AH event. But compared to a prepandemic Halloween party, about 1/4 the crowds. Fantasyland & Tomorrowland weren’t empty at all. As we went thru Adventureland on the way out, there were a good amount of people all heading to Main Street. We always had to be aware of other people when walking or looking for a place to sit & snack. On the plus side, we did get a gallon size bag of decent candy. We have tickets to Tuesday’s event too. We’ll see how that compares.

 

[Lsdolphin]

We were at last night’s boo bash. Pretty disappointed in the crowd level. This is nothing like the after hours events we’ve been to before, much more crowded. I would say this was the level of Halloween parties maybe 15 years ago. And just what I was afraid of… just a crowd reset for parties, not an actual limited after hours event. I don’t know if they were selling tickets yesterday or not, I didn’t look for any signs of that. Although this bash was the last listed as sold out. So I wouldn’t expect many day of sales if they just sold out 2 weeks ago. We were heading out from YC around 7:30, bus came at about 7:50. Bus was full from Y & B with no one standing. Bus back about 11:50 was full with SRO.

Fireworks were starting as we got off the bus. Used the behind the buildings passage way to get to Tomorrowland. Did Buzz with walk-in, then peoplemover. You could see the mass of people headed into Tomorrowland from up there. Walked to Ariel ride, did circus candy stop on the way. BR break after Ariel. And that was the last time the walkways were quiet or empty feeling.

We did Pooh, Small World & Haunted Mansion. More candy stops at Airiel’s Grotto, Pinocchio & Tikki Room. Watched to bride ghost for less than 5 minutes as we left HM. Made 1 stop for snacks. Ice cream for DH, popcorn for me & waters. Watched 2 cavalcades & browsed thru the Emporium on the way out. On Main Street about 11:30, crowded, had to maneuver around people to get to the store. All in all, disappointing compared to an AH event. But compared to a prepandemic Halloween party, about 1/4 the crowds. Fantasyland & Tomorrowland weren’t empty at all. As we went thru Adventureland on the way out, there were a good amount of people all heading to Main Street. We always had to be aware of other people when walking or looking for a place to sit & snack. On the plus side, we did get a gallon size bag of decent candy. We have tickets to Tuesday’s event too. We’ll see how that compares.

Did you notice whether they had sign up indicating that tix were available?

 

[sjberg79]

We were at last night’s boo bash. Pretty disappointed in the crowd level. This is nothing like the after hours events we’ve been to before, much more crowded. I would say this was the level of Halloween parties maybe 15 years ago. And just what I was afraid of… just a crowd reset for parties, not an actual limited after hours event. I don’t know if they were selling tickets yesterday or not, I didn’t look for any signs of that. Although this bash was the last listed as sold out. So I wouldn’t expect many day of sales if they just sold out 2 weeks ago. We were heading out from YC around 7:30, bus came at about 7:50. Bus was full from Y & B with no one standing. Bus back about 11:50 was full with SRO.

Fireworks were starting as we got off the bus. Used the behind the buildings passage way to get to Tomorrowland. Did Buzz with walk-in, then peoplemover. You could see the mass of people headed into Tomorrowland from up there. Walked to Ariel ride, did circus candy stop on the way. BR break after Ariel. And that was the last time the walkways were quiet or empty feeling.

We did Pooh, Small World & Haunted Mansion. More candy stops at Airiel’s Grotto, Pinocchio & Tikki Room. Watched to bride ghost for less than 5 minutes as we left HM. Made 1 stop for snacks. Ice cream for DH, popcorn for me & waters. Watched 2 cavalcades & browsed thru the Emporium on the way out. On Main Street about 11:30, crowded, had to maneuver around people to get to the store. All in all, disappointing compared to an AH event. But compared to a prepandemic Halloween party, about 1/4 the crowds. Fantasyland & Tomorrowland weren’t empty at all. As we went thru Adventureland on the way out, there were a good amount of people all heading to Main Street. We always had to be aware of other people when walking or looking for a place to sit & snack. On the plus side, we did get a gallon size bag of decent candy. We have tickets to Tuesday’s event too. We’ll see how that compares.

I'm not at Disney currently but going in a few days. I was watching a live stream at home of Boo Bash last night though and I did say to my husband about how crowded it looked! At least all the walkways. I wasn't sure if more people just went for the entertainment than the rides and that's why the walk ways looked so crowded or if it was actually just that crowded. How were the waits for rides? Were they all walk ons or 5 or less? I've done Halloween parties and After Hours. The last After Hours we did was Villains in July 2019 and it was SO MUCH more crowded than previous After Hours we did. I'm hoping this After Hours is less crowded than that one we did and less crowded than a regular Halloween Party.

 

[studiojmm]

We left MK on Fri night around 8 pm and had so much fun costume spotting on our way out that we decided to see if we could get tickets to Tuesday. We did (ticket window at Epcot IG yesterday - edited because I initially noted Guest Services, but it was just the ticket window). Now we are trying to figure out costumes (or at least Halloween or HM themed attire). Suggestions for where to find good options? We have a rental car and are staying off site.

 

[focusondisney]

I'm not at Disney currently but going in a few days. I was watching a live stream at home of Boo Bash last night though and I did say to my husband about how crowded it looked! At least all the walkways. I wasn't sure if more people just went for the entertainment than the rides and that's why the walk ways looked so crowded or if it was actually just that crowded. How were the waits for rides? Were they all walk ons or 5 or less? I've done Halloween parties and After Hours. The last After Hours we did was Villains in July 2019 and it was SO MUCH more crowded than previous After Hours we did. I'm hoping this After Hours is less crowded than that one we did and less crowded than a regular Halloween Party.

Buzz, Peoplemover & Ariel were true walk ons. HM said 25, it was maybe 10. Small World was one line, went to behind the clock tower when we got on, so again, 5 -10 minute wait. Pooh was about 5 minutes. Mine Train line looked to be back to the entrance when we walked by as was Peter Pan. However I couldn’t tell how much “looping around” they each did. PP said 30 minutes & 25 minutes for wait times.

edit: boats on small world were totally full. HM stretching room, about half full.

 

[focusondisney]

Did you notice whether they had sign up indicating that tix were available?

I didn’t. We entered from the far right & didn’t go near guest services.

 

[Farro]

I'm not at Disney currently but going in a few days. I was watching a live stream at home of Boo Bash last night though and I did say to my husband about how crowded it looked! At least all the walkways. I wasn't sure if more people just went for the entertainment than the rides and that's why the walk ways looked so crowded or if it was actually just that crowded. How were the waits for rides? Were they all walk ons or 5 or less? I've done Halloween parties and After Hours. The last After Hours we did was Villains in July 2019 and it was SO MUCH more crowded than previous After Hours we did. I'm hoping this After Hours is less crowded than that one we did and less crowded than a regular Halloween Party.

I think a LOT of people watch the cavalcades and that clogs the walkways.

Our plan is going to be to start at Jungle Cruise and just work our way around with rides until Tomorrowland, or vice-versa!
If we see a cavalcade, great! But not our priority.

We will grab some free snacks and go through candy lines at the very end of the night!

 

[disneyworldsk]

besides the free trick or treat candies, what is the highlight for snack type items for this event? free or paid, doesn't matter to me.

 

[Farro]

besides the free trick or treat candies, what is the highlight for snack type items for this event? free or paid, doesn't matter to me.

I've read the 5 Dozen Egg slushy is good! And the funnel cake.

 

[focusondisney]

I think a LOT of people watch the cavalcades and that clogs the walkways.

We were mostly in Tomorrowland & Fantasyland. There’s no cavalcades there & the walkways were pretty busy.

 

[Geomom]

besides the free trick or treat candies, what is the highlight for snack type items for this event? free or paid, doesn't matter to me.

Free Mickey ice cream sandwiches and bars. Love the sandwiches with Oreo ice cream in them. Also grabbing "free" bottles of water often enough to save some to use other days of our trip

 

[TioAdis78]

I'm not at Disney currently but going in a few days. I was watching a live stream at home of Boo Bash last night though and I did say to my husband about how crowded it looked! At least all the walkways. I wasn't sure if more people just went for the entertainment than the rides and that's why the walk ways looked so crowded or if it was actually just that crowded. How were the waits for rides? Were they all walk ons or 5 or less? I've done Halloween parties and After Hours. The last After Hours we did was Villains in July 2019 and it was SO MUCH more crowded than previous After Hours we did. I'm hoping this After Hours is less crowded than that one we did and less crowded than a regular Halloween Party.

I was there last week, and I also attended MNSSHP when they had it last in 2019, but I’d never done an AH event before, so the Halloween party is my sole frame of reference. Compared to the Halloween parties of old, Boo Bash feels like a leisurely day at the MK. Not desolate, but nowhere near as crowded. I mentioned in my report, that every walkway had at least another group, and you could see people everywhere you turned, but that once you entered a queue, the people would vanish and the only waiting you’d have to do would be the time it’d take to walk from the entrance to the loading area. This was true all over the park with the exception of Dwarfs, Peter Pan, and Haunted Mansion at the start of the event, and the wait for those was never above 25 minutes that I can remember.

 

[Frizzelleta]

I'm not at Disney currently but going in a few days. I was watching a live stream at home of Boo Bash last night though and I did say to my husband about how crowded it looked! At least all the walkways. I wasn't sure if more people just went for the entertainment than the rides and that's why the walk ways looked so crowded or if it was actually just that crowded. How were the waits for rides? Were they all walk ons or 5 or less? I've done Halloween parties and After Hours. The last After Hours we did was Villains in July 2019 and it was SO MUCH more crowded than previous After Hours we did. I'm hoping this After Hours is less crowded than that one we did and less crowded than a regular Halloween Party.

Having done two after hours (one in Nov 2019, one right before the park shut down in March 2020) and MNSSHP in 2017, I would say expect closer to MNSSHP crowds. This was not at all after hours in terms of crowds, even considering the sold out after hours we did on Spring Break week in 2020. We went to the park Thursday and waits were about the same throughout the entire day with lower crowds in the walkways than we saw at Boo Bash. We wish we had just skipped it - not at all the “exclusive” feel the first after hours had and wayyyy too many strollers being used as battering rams. Stay away from Frontierland altogether. The only place we saw low crowds was back near Dumbo and Little Mermaid areas. As soon as we crossed into main part of Fantasyland at 9:05 it was miserable for the rest of the night.

 

[Farro]

Reading your reports on how Fantasyland feels most crowded.

We will be utilizing the MK 30 minute resort early entry our Boo Bash morning, then returning to hotel to relax, meet up with my brother and head back to MK for Boo Bash around 5 or 6.
I think our attack plan will now be to knock out Small World, Peter Pan and Pooh earlier that day. Maybe even Mine Train if we time it okay.
Then spend Boo Bash doing the other rides!

 

[TioAdis78]

Having done two after hours (one in Nov 2019, one right before the park shut down in March 2020) and MNSSHP in 2017, I would say expect closer to MNSSHP crowds. This was not at all after hours in terms of crowds, even considering the sold out after hours we did on Spring Break week in 2020. We went to the park Thursday and waits were about the same throughout the entire day with lower crowds in the walkways than we saw at Boo Bash. We wish we had just skipped it - not at all the “exclusive” feel the first after hours had and wayyyy too many strollers being used as battering rams. Stay away from Frontierland altogether. The only place we saw low crowds was back near Dumbo and Little Mermaid areas. As soon as we crossed into main part of Fantasyland at 9:05 it was miserable for the rest of the night.

You should have seen the MNSSHP crowds in 2019, both on the walkways and on queues, were the true Halloween Horror! The amount of people in 2017 probably would have felt like a breeze in 2019. There’s no way Boo Bash crowds even compare to what MNSSHP became when they had it last.
That said, I don’t mind people in the park as long as wait times themselves are low, you know? Everyone’s tolerance and expectations are different

 

[FoxC63]

Our party is on Oct 29th. I know it's a long way from now but I don't understand something, never been to an AHE but is this normal?

Magic Kingdom: WDW Direct link
Park Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Park Hopper Availability: 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM

And then there's this...

Extended Evening Hours
For Guests of Disney Deluxe Resorts and Other Select Hotels

Extended for how long if Magic Kingdom closes at 8:30pm? Is this the cause for the heavier crowds and posters seeing guests without party wristbands?

As you can see, this is specifically for Magic Kingdom, Oct 29th