First Details Of Disney After Hours BOO BASH

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween PartyIf you have been eagerly awaiting the news on what the Halloween season will look like at Walt Disney World this year, Disney recently answered this all important question. Instead of the spooktacular Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, this fall Walt Disney World will be offering Disney After Hours BOO BASH as a fun and safer alternative. Here are the first details of what we can expect at this devilishly delightful event, courtesy of Disney:

A new Halloween-themed event is spiriting its way into Magic Kingdom Park this fall at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. “Disney After Hours Boo Bash” will take place select nights August 10 through October 31, 2021, from 9pm to midnight (from 9:30pm to 12:30am on select nights in August and September).

Halloween 26Spooky fun for the whole family will include:

  • Special cavalcades full of characters popping up throughout the night including “Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade” featuring Mickey Mouse and friends dressed for the occasion. In the “Disney Villains Halloween Cavalcade,” villains will take to the street and celebrate their favorite time of the year. “Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade” will feature Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie riding down the parade path to “This Is Halloween.” Maleficent will also make an appearance in the form of a fire-breathing dragon.
  • Favorite friends lurking about, from the lovely Miss Carlotta at the Haunted Mansion to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale in their Halloween best, with other surprise guests spotted across the park. Guests can also stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during performances on Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Complimentary snacks such as ice cream novelties and popcorn, along with select beverages included in event admission.
  • Less wait times at 20 attractions including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion attraction, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and more.
  • A variety of specialty food and drinks available for purchase.
    • Apple Ginger Dale, apple cider mixed with ginger ale and topped with whipped cream
    • Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake
  • Disney PhotoPass available to capture magical and spooky shots throughout the night.

'Disney After Hours BOO BASH' Debuts Aug. 10 at Magic Kingdom PaDecorations on Main Street, U.S.A., will receive a magical transformation during event nights in October. Walt Disney Imagineering, in partnership with the Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Services team, will blend a fall look with the enchanting story of Cinderella by creating special pumpkin coach decorations. This new décor will add to the park’s sparkling EARidescence during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” that begins October 1, honoring the 50thanniversary of Walt Disney World.

All foolish mortals can dress in costume for “Disney After Hours Boo Bash,” and can get their fill of Halloween candy while trick-or-treating around the park. Costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children under 14 years old. Guests should check Disney World Updates as well as the Walt Disney World Resort Costume Policy for more information. Health and safety measures, policies and operational guidelines are subject to change.

“Disney After Hours Boo Bash” is a limited-capacity and separately ticketed event that does not require an additional day’s theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass reservation. Tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom as early as 7pm, giving guests time to enjoy even more magic before the event begins.

Tickets for this hauntingly fun-filled three-hour event will go on sale June 15 and can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can book their tickets as early as June 8. 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. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $10 discount for event nights in August and September. A limited number of tickets are available, so get yours soon!

Dates for “Disney After Hours Boo Bash”

  • Tuesday, August 10, 2021
  • Tuesday, August 17, 2021
  • Friday, August 20, 2021
  • Tuesday, August 24, 2021
  • Friday, August 27, 2021
  • Tuesday, August 31, 2021
  • Friday, September 3, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 7, 2021
  • Friday, September 10, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 14, 2021
  • Friday, September 17, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 21, 2021
  • Friday, September 24, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 5, 2021
  • Friday, October 8, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 12, 2021
  • Friday, October 15, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 19, 2021
  • Friday, October 22, 2021
  • Sunday, October 24, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 26, 2021
  • Friday, October 29, 2021
  • Sunday, October 31, 2021

Will you be attending Disney After Hours BOO BASH?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Disney After Hours BOO BASH Coming To Magic Kingdom This Fall

If you have been eagerly awaiting the news on what the Halloween season will look like at Walt Disney World this year, Disney recently answered this all important question. Instead of the spooktacular Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, this fall Walt Disney World will be offering Disney After Hours BOO BASH as a fun and safer alternative. Here’s what we know about this ghoulish event so far, courtesy of Disney:

Boo Bash 2A new special event is brewing this Halloween season at Magic Kingdom park—Disney After Hours BOO BASH! Join this ghostly gathering offering music, decorations, attractions and oh-so-eerie entertainment.

Get in the spooky spirit with Halloween-themed cavalcades. Indulge your sweet tooth at candy stops throughout the park. See some of your favorite and fiendish Disney friends as they lurk about, from Dr. Facilier and Captain Barbosa, to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during their special comeback (from the dead) performance. And enjoy themed offerings, from sweet treats to savory delights.

Disney After Hours BOO BASH will take place on select nights from August 10 through October 31. Tickets for this event will go on sale in June, so continue to check for updates. Disney After Hours BOO BASH tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00pm without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving you time to enjoy even more fun.

Halloween Treats 10Event Highlights

This hauntingly happy Halloween event is sure to be spook-tacular! Highlights include:

  • Halloween-themed cavalcades
  • Candy stops, with plenty of sweet surprises
  • Character sightings throughout the park
  • Special performances by the Cadaver Dans
  • Attractions, including favorites like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain
  • Themed food and beverages available for purchase
  • Special décor, lighting, music and more!

Halloween Party 2Dress in Your Boo-tiful Best

Guests young, old and immortal can don a costume for the occasion. While we encourage creativity, we also value safety and good judgment. Costumes may be worn according to these guidelines. Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from Disney parks, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet these standards:

For Guests ages 13 and under:

  • Costumes and some masks may be worn; masks must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen.

For Guests 14 Years of Age or Older:

  • All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
  • Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
  • Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
  • Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
  • Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (for example, full-length Princess dresses) 
  • Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist. 
  • Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
  • Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus.

With very few details announced officially from Disney yet, we’ll have to wait until next month for exact dates, pricing information, and more specifics on what will be included.

If you’ve ever been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Disney Villains After Hours, you know how much fun these events can be. I’m really looking forward to the new Disney After Hours BOO BASH this fall. My hope is this party will be the best of both worlds. To give you an idea of what we might be able to expect from the BOO BASH, I was lucky enough to attend both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as well as Disney Villains After Hours in 2019, and I absolutely loved them both. Here’s my side-by-side comparison of the two events:

Mickey’s Not So Scary
Halloween Party
Disney Villains
After Hours
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
Pricevaries based on night
starting at $85 per person, plus tax
$155 per person, plus tax
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
DiscountsDiscounted tickets for Annual
Passholders and DVC members
Discounted tickets for Annual
Passholders and DVC members
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
Hours7pm to midnight
early entry at 4pm
9pm to midnight
early entry at 7pm
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
CrowdsExtremely crowded, waits for some character greetings can be over and hour, body-to-body for fireworks and paradeLight, little to no wait for most attractions, park almost empty in some areas
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
ThemeHalloween
(lights, music, and decor)
Villains
(lights, music, and decor)
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
CostumesAllowed for all guestsAllowed for all guests
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
Free TreatsTrick-or-Treating candyIce cream bars, soda, popcorn
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
Treats For PurchaseHalloween themed
desserts and drinks
Villain themed
desserts and drinks
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
MerchandiseLimited edition Halloween party merchandise such as shirts, hats, tumblers, pins, popcorn bucketsLimited edition Villain themed merchandise such as shirts, tanks, tumblers, mugs, pins
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
EntertainmentStage shows and dance partiesStage shows and dance parties
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
CharactersMeet & Greets and stage showsOnly in stage shows
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
AttractionsOver 20 attractions open some specially themed or enhanced for HalloweenOver 20 attractions open some overlayed with Villain themes
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
ParadeYesNo
———————————- ———————————- ———————————-
FireworksYesYes

As you can see there are definitely pros and cons to both, so hopefully Disney After Hours BOO BASH will make the most of the best parts of each event for this year’s Halloween celebration!

Will you be attending Disney After Hours BOO BASH?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

10 Secrets About Pirates Of The Caribbean Attraction In Walt Disney World

Pirates 1Ahoy, Me Hearties…anyone else love to set sail on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction as much as I do? Most people head off to one of the popular Magic Kingdom mountains as soon as they arrive, but for me, I’m on my way to Adventureland to take a swashbuckling voyage with everyone’s favorite pirates. I love being serenaded by the catchy “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me” tune while enjoying the hilarious sight gags filled with Disney-style pillaging and plundering. So for all of you buccaneers out there that love this attraction too, here are ten secrets about Pirates of the Caribbean in Walt Disney World:

  1. Pirates of the Caribbean was one of last attractions overseen by Walt, although he did not live to see its completion. Originally imagined as a walk through wax museum, Walt changed it to a boat ride after construction had already begun.
  2. Although the Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean was a huge hit with guests, it was not an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Due to Florida’s close proximity to the Caribbean, the company didn’t think guests would be interested in the attraction. After an overwhelming amount of guests’ requests, Disney listened and built a similar version of Pirates of the Caribbean in Walt Disney World that debuted on December 15, 1973.
  3. Pirates 1If the voice of the auctioneer in the attraction sounds familiar, that’s because it belongs to incredibly talented voice actor Paul Frees. Over his career that spanned decades, he voiced characters such as Mr. Granite from “The Flintstones,” Boris of “The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show,” Burgermeister Meisterburger of “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town,” and of course, the spooky Ghost Host at The Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom.
  4. That drop in Pirates of the Caribbean is not for thrills, it actually moves the boats out below the Walt Disney World Railroad’s train tracks and into the large show building that houses the attraction. And if you were wondering why the drop isn’t longer, it’s because it cannot go that deep due to the high water table in the area.
  5. The Magic Kingdom version of Pirates of the Caribbean is the shortest in duration in the world. With a running time of approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds, it is a full 7 minutes shorter than the Disneyland version.
  6. Pirates 2Have you ever noticed the two scallywag skeletons playing chess in the queue? Look carefully at the board and you’ll notice they are locked in eternal check. Once during a rehab of the attraction, the pieces were inadvertently moved. Imagineers didn’t know how to set the game back up, so a search began through old drawings. Luckily, they found a detailed sketch on the back of one them that showed the arrangement of the pieces.
  7. The fire in the attraction looks so real, ever wonder how they do that? It’s a combination of cloth, fans, and lights together that make the effect look so realistic.
  8. Do you love to search for hidden Mickeys during your Walt Disney World vacations? Pirates of the Caribbean has many. Hint: Look for the classic Mickey Mouse shape in locks placed in several locations in the queue and the ride itself.
  9. PiratesApproximately 155 thousand gallons of water are used for Pirates of the Caribbean as well as 125 audio animatronics.
  10. While you would expect to hear about ghosts in the nearby Haunted Mansion, there are stories of apparitions in Pirates of the Caribbean as well. If you don’t want to get stuck on the attraction, be sure to say a kind word to resident haunt George. To read more about George and other Walt Disney World phantoms, please click here.

Is Pirates of the Caribbean one of your favorite attractions?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

The Reimagining Of Jungle Cruise

One of my favorite iconic Walt Disney World attractions is Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom. Like so many Jungle Cruise fans, I grew up riding this family friendly boat ride, enjoying it for its corny puns, sight gags, and ridiculous jokes delivered flawlessly by clever Jungle Cruise Skippers. So when Disney announced earlier this year that they would be reimagining the classic attraction, my first thought was “NOOOOO, not Jungle Cruise,” but then the more I heard about why they felt this was the time for updates, I was excited to hear what they had in mind. Disney Imagineering has rarely let me down (that’s right, Journey Into Imagination, I’m looking at you) when they work their magic on attractions I love, so I’m excited to embrace these changes to Jungle Cruise.

The good news is that guests will be able to continue to enjoy Jungle Cruise as the changes take place throughout the next few months. Guests familiar with Jungle Cruise have already been posting pictures on Instagram as they notice the reimagining in progress. The most notable changes will include “new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love – more humor, wildlife and skipper heart – and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us” according to Disney.

Jungle Cruise Reimagined 8

Recently Disney released a more extensive backstory focused around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.

Jungle Cruise Reimagined 6

And check out this concept art of what we can look forward to once the reimaging of Jungle Cruise is complete!

Are you excited for the reimaging of Jungle Cruise?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

A New Look Is Coming For Main Street Confectionery

Confectionery 2One of my family’s favorite spots on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom is Main Street Confectionery. From its delightful smells to its tasty treats, this location is always a must visit for us during each of our Walt Disney World vacations. Recently, Main Street Confectionery along with The Chapeau closed for an extensive refurbishment that will bring with it more retail space as well as interactive experiences allowing guests to customize their desserts. Until Main Street Confectionery reopens later this year, don’t worry, you’ll still be able to satisfy your Disney sweet tooth. You can track down many treats from Main Street Confectionery at Emporium and Main Street Cinema. For Disney hats, including the iconic Mickey Mouse ears, head across the street to Box Office Gifts at the Town Square Theatre. And if it’s collectibles and limited edition artwork you’re after, Bonjour! Village Gifts is the place to go.

Are you excited for Main Street Confectionery to reopen?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!