Halloween is going to look a little bit different this year again.

In 2020, most after-hours events were canceled in Disney World due to the global health crisis — including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This year, the Halloween party has been canceled AGAIN but we’re getting the After Hours BOO BASH in its place. So, what’s the difference?

The first big change comes with the length of the party. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary has historically run from 7PM to midnight making it a 5-hour event. The After Hours BOO BASH, which will take place in Magic Kingdom like Not So Scary, will be a 3-hour event from 9PM to midnight. But according to Disney, “Disney After Hours BOO BASH tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00 PM without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.”

The BOO BASH does take after Not-So-Scary in some ways. The event will feature party music, Halloween decorations, Disney attractions, and “oh-so-eerie entertainment” just like year’s past. But, some of the offerings will be modified from what we’d typically see at a Not-So-Scary party.

For instance, don’t expect to see the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade. Instead, we’ll see Halloween-themed character cavalcades like we did in 2020. Characters to pop up might include Dr. Facilier, Captain Barbossa, and of course, classic pals like Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale.

Another similarity to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the Cadaver Dans (the Halloween-y version of the Dapper Dans) are joining the festivities at the BOO BASH. And you’ll get to try themed treats and treat stops which you KNOW we’re excited about. Plus, grown-ups can get dressed up just like in years past. We’re interested to see how the candy spots are handled this year since that is a high touchpoint.

So, really, the biggest differences at the BOO BASH this year are the shorter hours of the party and the lack of entertainment like the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks show.

Plus, as of the announcement, Disney has not mentioned any return of meet and greets (since they are still temporarily suspended) with Halloween-y characters or Halloween overlays on select attractions at this time. Instead, we will just see friendly characters hanging out at a distance around the park!

Even though our Disney World Halloween celebrations will be modified, we’re still excited to have a chance at an After Hours event again. We’ll bring you more details as Disney releases them and of course, FULL COVERAGE of the event when it launches in August!

Want to learn more about the BOO BASH? Click here!

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Will you be heading to After Hours BOO BASH? Tell us in the comments! 

The post What’s the Difference Between Disney World’s After Hours Boo Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? first appeared on the disney food blog.