Boo Bash 2021: Disney’s Spectacular (But Not-Too-Spooky) Halloween Extravaganza!
Fall is the season of nostalgia when leaves change from the green of summer into a blaze of orange. Pumpkins magically pop up at grocery stores, and monarch butterflies begin migrating south. Central to this season is October 31st.
First celebrated by ancient Celts as a way of warding off ghosts, Halloween has now been taken over by Walt Disney World and transformed into something a little less spooky and a lot more fun!1 Fantastic costumes, free candy, and that signature Disney magic are all a part of this special after-hours event.
Forget the Monster Mash (sorry, Crypt Kickers) – it’s time for the Boo Bash!!
What is Boo Bash?
Boo Bash is brand new to Disney World! While WDW has hosted after-hours events in the past, this is their first officially Halloween-themed soiree!
Unlike the PG-13 Halloween festivities at Universal and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Disney’s party is tailored to be not-too-spooky. Kiddos of all ages are welcome to attend, as well as adults (like me!) who don’t fancy being frightened. Disney is the perfect place for Aristocats and scaredy cats who still love Halloween!
Boo Bash is a time to indulge in sweet treats, skip the line to Space Mountain, and spot your favorite Disney characters decked out in their own Halloween costumes. You and your kiddos can wear costumes of your own, too – just be sure to check out Disney’s costume guidelines as you plan your outfit. (Lightsabers ARE allowed!! I’m totally going as Ahsoka Tano.)
The biggest spectacle of the night is the special spirited cavalcades parading through the Magic Kingdom under the light of the moon. . .and adorable, glowing décor!
When is Boo Bash?
Boo Bash is on select nights (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) between August 10th and October 31st. The Bash takes place from 9:00 p.m. to Midnight OR 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., depending on which night you go! That means you’ve got plenty of time to see all of the spooky sights! In fact, Boo Bash ticket holders can actually enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 7:00 p.m. and check out their favorite attractions before the event even begins! (Boo-yah!)
Boo Bash Tickets
Boo Bash tickets are on sale now and are already selling out! So reserve your spot while you still can!
Prices range from $129 to $199 depending on the date you choose, with those highest prices hovering right around Halloween day. (If you happen to be an Annual Passholder or a Disney Vacation Club Member, make sure to take advantage of your $10 discount in August or September! $10 could snag you a couple of super cute Disney pins at a gift shop! Just sayin’.)
While the tickets can get a little steep, one plus is that you don’t have to purchase a regular theme park admissions ticket, too – you can just Boo Bash and go! With time to explore the Magic Kingdom during the Bash, it’s almost like a two-for-one deal.
Not-So-Frightening Festivities
Riding rides at the Magic Kingdom after dark (with shortened wait times!!) is a super fun part of the Boo Bash. Many of the usual attractions are open, including fan favorites like Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and of course, Haunted Mansion. These rides are a blast no matter what, but Boo Bash gives you the chance to experience them in a totally new way. Somehow, theme park rides just feel faster in the dark. Wheee!
Of course, the themed festivities of the Bash are the real highlight of the night. Standing beneath the glow of sweet-faced Mickey jack-o-lanterns, you can watch the cavalcades parade by and wave to your favorite Disney characters! And there’s not just one but three different cavalcades to captivate you!
Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade. It wouldn’t be a true Disney event if we didn’t get to celebrate with our favorite mouse! Luckily Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and all of their pals are just as excited about Halloween as we are! Watch them march by in their boo-tiful costumes and jam out to the musical procession.
Disney Villain Halloween Cavalcade. Now for the not-too-spooky part – the sinister Disney villains are stepping into the spotlight! But don’t worry, as far as we know, they aren’t planning anything devious. They just want to get in the Halloween fun! (And probably steal some candy.) Jafar, the Queen of Hearts, and Dr. Falicifer are just a few villains to look out for. . .but what I want to know is, will Willy the Giant be there? (I always thought he was the scariest when I was a kiddo!)
Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade. The last parade features Jack Skellington, Sally, and Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas, all showing off their best tricks – which is really quite a treat!
Maleficent. The grand finale. The Evil Queen herself. (Though technically not a queen, and technically not evil.) Maleficent will appear – in her FIRE BREATHING DRAGON form!!! No display will ever rival the grandiosity of a magical dragon breathing fire in the streets of Disney World. Like, this alone is worth the price of admission. Well, if you like dragons, anyway.
Outside of the cavalcades, there are still more Disney friends for you to find! Goofy will be roaming the park, as will the adorable Chip ‘n’ Dale, each dressed to the nines in their spooky best! The Cadaver Dans will also be performing throughout the evening – they’re the Halloween version of the barbershop quartet, the Dapper Dans (of Dapper Day fame)! For being undead, they actually sound pretty good. Knock ’em dead, boys! Uh, sorry, poor choice of words there. . .
Boo Appetite
What would Halloween be without sweet treats? Thankfully Disney is just as sweet as it is magical!
For starters, there’s actual trick-or-treating to participate in! Guests are encouraged to visit candy stations throughout the park, which makes for a truly sweet night. (Mars Wrigley confections are the offerings of the night! And allergy-free options will also be available!)
Additionally, unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and select drinks are included in your ticket price! Limited-time Boo Bash bites are also available for purchase and include:
Apple Ginger Dale Frozen Drink. This delicious drink will wet your whistle so you can sing along with the Cadaver Dans! Frozen apple cider (already amazing on its own) is mixed with ginger ale then topped with a generous helping of whipped cream AND crumbled Twix bars! It’s the very best flavors of Fall mixed into the perfect mocktail!
Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake. Classic fair food with a not-too-spooky twist! This funnel cake is covered in Oreo crumbles, then topped with a dollop of purple vanilla ice cream, then drizzled with green icing and sprinkled with Halloween-colored M&Ms! Talk about the ultimate dose of Halloween sweetness!
Say Bansheeee!
From the costumed characters to the boo-tiful decorations, the Boo Bash provides plenty of amazing photo-ops around the Magic Kingdom! However, if you want to add some extra magic to your photos, Disney is offering special Halloween-themed Magic Shots to their PhotoPass service. What specters and characters might appear with you??
Disney World’s Boo Bash promises to be an absolute blast, and we definitely recommend it for kiddos and fun-loving grown-ups alike! Relish in the Disney magic, fill up on sweet snacks, and make some awesome memories! And definitely, definitely get a snapshot of that fire-breathing dragon.
What costume are you planning for the Boo Bash? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Chad Sparkes via Flickr
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