Halloween is a go at Disney World this year with an after-hours Boo Bash
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information. It was originally published on May 7, 2021.
Disney has released more details about its brand-new celebration coming to Disney World's Magic Kingdom this Halloween: Disney After Hours Boo Bash.
For those of you unfamiliar with Disney After Hours, it's a way for guests to enjoy Disney after normal park hours end. And this Halloween, Disney is transforming Disney After Hours into a Halloween celebration on select nights from Aug. 10 through Oct. 30, 2021. Disney After Hours Boo Bash is a three-hour event that will begin when the park closes — ticketholders will be allowed entry to the park as early as 7 p.m. On Boo Bash nights, Magic Kingdom Park will transform for Disney-goers to experience a spooktacular Halloween bash from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Tickets for this new event go on sale June 15 (though some guests can book tickets as early as June 8), and based on what we know so far, you won't want to miss this year's celebration.
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What we know so far
The announcement of this new event came during the Halfway To Halloween event on May 7 and 8, where Disney released information on how you can celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year at the most magical place on Earth. Now, Disney has released even more details about what's to come this fall.
Disney After Hours Boo Bash dates and ticket prices
Like past Halloween celebrations and the regular Disney After Hours event, you'll need to purchase separate tickets for Disney After Hours Boo Bash. The Halloween celebration will take place on select nights from Aug. 10 through Oct. 31. Here's the full list of dates released by Disney:
- Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021
- Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021
- Friday, Aug. 20, 2021
- Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021
- Friday, Aug. 27, 2021
- Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021
- Friday, Sept. 3, 2021
- Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021
- Friday, Sept. 10, 2021
- Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021
- Friday, Sept. 17, 2021
- Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021
- Friday, Sept. 24, 2021
- Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
- Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
- Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021
- Friday, Oct. 15, 2021
- Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021
- Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
- Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021
- Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021
- Friday, Oct. 29, 2021
- Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021
You can buy tickets starting June 15. August and September tickets start at $129 to $139, plus tax. October tickets start at $159 to $169, plus tax, and Halloween nights start at $199, plus tax. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members will get a $10 discount for event nights in August and September.
Remember that this year is also Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration. This is great news for anyone who already has day park tickets and park pass reservations for early October — you can potentially grab Boo Bash tickets to level up your trip even more.
But for those who haven't already snagged tickets for October, celebrating Halloween at Disney in August or September may be better if you want to book Boo Bash tickets as part of a larger Disney vacation. Park pass reservations for October especially will be harder to score than normal.
Expect themed music, decorations, attractions and more
According to a press release from Disney, highlights for the event will include Halloween-themed cavalcades, plenty of candy spots for trick-or-treaters, special performances by the Cadaver Dans, themed food and — of course — special decorations, lighting and music throughout the park. This year, Main Street U.S.A. will transform for the fall with Cinderella-inspired pumpkin coach decorations.
Planned cavalcades include "Mickey's Happy Halloween Cavalcade" featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, the "Disney Villains Halloween Cavalcade" filled with your favorite villains and "Jack's Nightmare Cavalcade" with Jack Skellington himself, Sally and Oogie Boogie riding to the tune of "This Is Halloween." And this year's Disney Halloween celebration wouldn't complete without an appearance from Maleficent on her fire-breathing dragon.
More than 20 attractions will be open for guests to enjoy — favorites such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise (which will reopen soon), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan's Flight and Space Mountain all included.
Some drinks and snacks, including ice cream novelties and popcorn, come complimentary with your ticket to the event. But you'll also be able to grab a variety of specialty food and drinks at extra cost — fancy an Apple Ginger Dale frozen drink or Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake, anyone?
And is any Halloween celebration at Disney complete without some character spottings? You'll be able to see some of Disney friends (and a few fiends) throughout the park, including Dr. Facilier from "The Princess and the Frog," Captain Barbossa from "Pirates of the Caribbean" and favorites such as Goofy and Chip 'n' Dale. Disney PhotoPass will be available so you can take home any spooky shots taken throughout your family's time at the event.
It's replacing Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a similar event that ran on select nights from mid-August through November each year. The new After Hours Boo Bash event is taking its place this year, but never fear — it looks like a lot of the elements people loved about MNSCHP will remain as part of this new event.
You'll still need to wear an approved face covering indoors
Halloween is a time for dressing up in fantastic costumes, and all guests are invited to continue that tradition by donning a costume for the occasion. However, COVID-19 precautions will still be in effect for the event, so you'll need to make sure any costumes worn meet facial covering requirements. Disney no longer requires you to wear facemasks outdoors, but you will still need a face mask while indoors and while on attractions. Think of it as a creative challenge as your design your family's costumes this year.
You can check out Disney's dress code and costume guidelines for more information on what is and isn't allowed when it comes to dressing up for Disney After Hours Boo Bash.
Related: 5 just-announced ways Disney and Universal are inching back closer to normal
Bottom line
Based on what Disney has released so far, the new Disney After Hours Boo Bash will be a great addition to the Halloween festivities and operate similarly to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in the past.
Planning may take a little extra care this year between COVID-19 precautions and tight park availability with Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration. But between both celebrations overlapping this year, those who work some bippity boppity boo (bash) magic to score tickets to the Halloween event in October while 50th Anniversary Celebration is going on will be sure to have a memorable experience.
Tickets do go on sale June 15 (or June 8 for some Disney World Resort hotel guests), and we imagine they'll go quickly. Make sure to mark your calendars so you can score tickets to the Halloween celebration of the year.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.