Disney After Hours BOO BASH

dreday3

Well-Known Member
This is pretty cynical exploitation of COVID. You’re in the other thread, so you know that Chapek just announced they will keep daytime attendance at 100% and make no other capacity concessions for COVID - so the idea that the company going full speed ahead at the height of Delta announced a limited-capacity event when it seemed the pandemic was in hand strains credulity. Covid is merely being used as cover to cut hours and offerings.

You are in this thread, so you know that the main nonsense PR spin Disney is using to ditch the party this year AND next is the lackluster 50th. Gotta give people time to really enjoy the golden lawn gnomes.

Look, I’ll admit I’m wrong about the corporation if, in the next month, they either A) significantly limit daytime attendance or B) use their power responsibly by demanding guests be vaccinated. I think I’m pretty safe.

The reason this is a hot button issue is that a lot of people who love WDW think it is in a tailspin, with rising prices, declining quality, disappearing entertainment and service, and uninspiring new attractions. This party (and the SW hotel) take that tailspin to blatantly parodic depths, depths anyone on these boards six years ago would have found unimaginable even as a joke. And when people keep paying, it reinforces the nonsense and destroys any hope folks have of the tailspin reversing.

The people saying, “Sure, it’s diminished and overpriced, but I know what I’m getting and can afford it so shut up”… everyone of the curmudgeons was like that at one point. And as the decline continues, the point will come where it’s too dramatic to be accepted. And then you’ll look around for who could caused such damage to something you loved.

Some of us won't actually become like what you describe.

Some of us will just move on if we no longer enjoy WDW as we used to.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
This is pretty cynical exploitation of COVID. You’re in the other thread, so you know that Chapek just announced they will keep daytime attendance at 100% and make no other capacity concessions for COVID - so the idea that the company going full speed ahead at the height of Delta announced a limited-capacity event when it seemed the pandemic was in hand strains credulity. Covid is merely being used as cover to cut hours and offerings.

You are in this thread, so you know that the main nonsense PR spin Disney is using to ditch the party this year AND next is the lackluster 50th. Gotta give people time to really enjoy the golden lawn gnomes.

Look, I’ll admit I’m wrong about the corporation if, in the next month, they either A) significantly limit daytime attendance or B) use their power responsibly by demanding guests be vaccinated. I think I’m pretty safe.

The reason this is a hot button issue is that a lot of people who love WDW think it is in a tailspin, with rising prices, declining quality, disappearing entertainment and service, and uninspiring new attractions. This party (and the SW hotel) take that tailspin to blatantly parodic depths, depths anyone on these boards six years ago would have found unimaginable even as a joke. And when people keep paying, it reinforces the nonsense and destroys any hope folks have of the tailspin reversing.

The people saying, “Sure, it’s diminished and overpriced, but I know what I’m getting and can afford it so shut up”… everyone of the curmudgeons was like that at one point. And as the decline continues, the point will come where it’s too dramatic to be accepted. And then you’ll look around for who could caused such damage to something you loved.
That’s an incredibly over-dramatic characterization of a theme park holiday party. I don’t agree with the tailspin analysis, but if I did, I wouldn’t be looking around for who, oh who, could have caused this damage to my beloved vacation spot?! I’d probably just be vacationing somewhere else and nobody here would be reading about it. People are different. I guess some enjoy the misery.

And just for perspective: I started visiting WDW in 1984 as an adult, have made well over 50 trips, own DVC and usually get an AP. So it's not like I'm there to run the place into the ground with my irresponsible Halloween event spending and then move on to the next victim.
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
No, the statement you quoted was in response to your statement "There was literally no solution that would please everyone this year".

The outcome we got was not the ONLY option - it was the chosen option. My statement was acknowledging there are constraints that we assume - but do not know for certain.

Again, I never said it was the ONLY option. Why do you keep insisting that me saying, "Any choice they made would lead to complaints" = "This is literally the only option?" It's a false argument and makes it seem like you're grasping at straws or can't comprehend what I'm saying.

Again - why is this somehow a deal breaker this year vs the prior years and new shows? It's not - it's a choice or excuse. This 'risk' is something Disney undertakes CONSTANTLY as it does things like put up lights on the castle, etc. This is not new - and anniversaries are not new either. The 50th is going to be an 18 month event. This concern doesn't even affect the event until October. Plus, it's another thing the audience has already been conditioned to accept - that in this time period day guests don't always get the evening entertainment due to the parties. Are you really trying to argue Disney switched to DAH because of the day guest complaints??

The 'but the 50th...' excuse doesn't hold water. Disney even proved it themselves with the xmas event and that's just ONE solution possible.

This is the first I've heard of anyone mentioning the 'too late for kids' concern -- but this should be moot as well because that's exactly what DAH is doing... so not seeing how that pushes the needle either way. Doing DAH instead doesn't help this...

The 50th is a deal-breaker for cutting g day guests out of seeing fireworks because it's a huge anniversary and is being heavily marketed as such. Yes, I seems that the Christmas DAH will have a 2nd fireworks show, but it also had the advantage of 3 extra months to plan.

The "too late for kids" argument is based on comments I saw on this board. Yes, there is trick or treating at this DAH event, but it doesn't have the kid-centric entertainment that the parties have.

So you really think Disney pivoted away from their humongus party strategy so day guests can see the 50th castle show 7 days a week? Yet, while they proved other options are available with the very next event??

Yes. See my response above.

But they didn't offer the full party experience. We don't need to rehash (again) the major elements they didn't do vs the parties.. or even vs the latest incarnation of the DAH events. This was not a full roster by any means - compared to either type of event.

Because it's NOT the Halloween Party. Why would anyone expect the full MNSSHP experience when the Disney website spells out exactly what is being offered for this event. Anyone expecting the stage shows and meet and greets isn't paying attention or is intentionally being argumentative.

That's not the argument at all - The argument is that just because it's labeled an DAH event doesn't mean the customer base isn't hungry for their normal halloween festivities and looking for those. While people try to wave their hands and say "Its not a party, its DAH" -- they refuse to acknowledge that Disney has essentially made this the party substitute. And in doing so, they have invited party expectations and comparisons. So it is natural for people to be disappointed that the DAH event does not stand up to the offers of the party... not shouted down with "but it's a DAH!".

Disney put a DAH event in the party slot and didn't run the party. That's the facts.

Meanwhile people are thrilled to be paying more and getting less - with nothing to do with Covid restrictions. You think parties are returning after? I think Disney is licking their chops with 'after hours' all the time. Look at the 2020 scheduled dates that were announced prior to the shutdown.

This is the new norm... buh bye Headless Horseman.

I don't doubt that the base is hungry for MNSSHP and MVMCP. They'll have to wait another year. Disney may have invited comparisons between the 2 events but they didn't invite expectations that an event specifically labeled as a DAH event would have all of the MNSSHP experiences available. Once again, that falls on those attending for either not reading what they were buying or knowing what they were buying and complaining anyway (which invites the question of why they bought the tickets in the first place).

Yes, I expect the parties to return as soon as Disney is able to do so. Why? As has been stated by insiders on this board the parties make more money per night than DAH nights. If that wasn't the case, then Disney executives owe the shareholders an explanation for why they're running the less profitable party in Anaheim when they had the chance to swap it out for a DAH event. The parties will return. The stage shows will return. The lower prices with higher capacity will return. And DAH events will continue to run in non-holiday seasons because these 2 events appeal to different audiences and Disney can make mo ey from both groups. Running nothing but DAH will eventually saturate the market and they will become less profitable over time.
 

flynnibus

Premium Member
The 50th is a deal-breaker for cutting g day guests out of seeing fireworks because it's a huge anniversary and is being heavily marketed as such. Yes, I seems that the Christmas DAH will have a 2nd fireworks show, but it also had the advantage of 3 extra months to plan.

And this was after so many here insisted it wasn't feasible... not because of timing, but because they don't 2 shows. Yet Disney is doing it.

Because it's NOT the Halloween Party. Why would anyone expect the full MNSSHP experience when the Disney website spells out exactly what is being offered for this event. Anyone expecting the stage shows and meet and greets isn't paying attention or is intentionally being argumentative.
I said "Run a DAH event with MNSSHP features? " -- You said "that's exactly what they are doing"
Clearly not, as you acknowledge it's not the full MNSSHP experience.. heck It's not even up to the Villians DAH event...

I don't doubt that the base is hungry for MNSSHP and MVMCP. They'll have to wait another year. Disney may have invited comparisons between the 2 events but they didn't invite expectations that an event specifically labeled as a DAH event would have all of the MNSSHP experiences available.

It really doesn't matter what 'the piece of paper says' - The party faith are still going to remember the pieces that were missing. The lay that 'heard about this party from my friend' and bought in are going to be thrown for a curve.

That's just reality when dealing with the public - Disney swapped a bare bones DAH in for their famous halloween party. They can point to the website all they want - but they will let people down.

Yes, I expect the parties to return as soon as Disney is able to do so. Why? As has been stated by insiders on this board the parties make more money per night than DAH nights. If that wasn't the case, then Disney executives owe the shareholders an explanation for why they're running the less profitable party in Anaheim when they had the chance to swap it out for a DAH event

Because Disneyland doesn't close at 9pm in Aug and Sept like the now pathetic WDW hours which start cutting back all the way in JULY. Disneyland didn't tie their seasonal entertainment to a ticketed event until only recently, and even then it's not be so exclusive as WDW has done. The pay-to-play model isn't nearly as established yet in DLR with their different visitor patterns as it is in WDW.

. The parties will return. The stage shows will return. The lower prices with higher capacity will return. And DAH events will continue to run in non-holiday seasons because these 2 events appeal to different audiences and Disney can make mo ey from both groups. Running nothing but DAH will eventually saturate the market and they will become less profitable over time.
I agree about saturation - but Disney has shown there is almost no signs of reaching that as of yet and keep pushing further and further. I mean lets be honest.. It's ten thousand degree mid-august and the MK is having a fall halloween event.. and is doing it 6 times this month alone :) They had amp'd the first half of 2020 with basically 20+ dates.

Disney has a pattern of introducing something, establishing its brand, and then methodically reducing its actual value over time. Be it DDP, the festivals, etc. With strong sales like they had for Boo Bash... I can't see them changing course. They raised prices compared to Villians, lowered the offering, and still sold out 3x the dates. What kind of feedback is that giving Disney? MAWR :)
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Some of us won't actually become like what you describe.

Some of us will just move on if we no longer enjoy WDW as we used to.
I agree. Look, I understand the other posters' frustration with rising prices and disappearing perks, but I still feel WDW is an excellent vacation venue for my multi-generational family. It's getting more expensive, and I don't like that any more than anyone else, but I'm not sure what people think they are going to accomplish by trying to guilt others into skipping the Boo Bash (or other events they feel have insufficient value.)

The company is what it is right now and realistically, nothing anyone proposes here is going to change that. (I'm not saying I like it that way or that it's the way things should be - I'm just saying it is what it is.) If everyone on this site boycotted the Boo Bash, the only thing they would accomplish is denying themselves that particular event. It sure wouldn't have any effect on Disney. Absent some type of massive organized economic boycott, the only thing that will change Disney's behavior is the response of the free marketplace - and no one here controls that no matter how much they wish they could (hence the free part). When something is no longer worth it to me, I stop doing it. Right now, WDW with its current Halloween offering is worth it to me.

If it makes someone feel better to skip the Boo Bash in order to stick it to Disney, go right ahead. I'm not telling anyone what to do - that's their choice. I'll make mine. And I'm not going to sit around feeling bad about my choice because someone else is trying to blame me for decisions made by the Walt Disney World Company.
 

Muffinpants

Well-Known Member
Them charging for this event while also doing EEH from 9-11pm for deluxe guests on some nights.. my family just pretty much got a free after hours event (low wait times) for free. (Akl on rented points only 200$ a night). This event needs to be longer to make the price worth it imo.
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
Agreed, what do people expect in a three hour event for only $199 plus tax…..

They should expect exactly what was advertised and decide if that's worth the price for them. Spending money on something and expecting more than what's advertised is a foolish move. And the only people paying $199 + tax are attending on Halloween night. August and September are $129 or $139.
 

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
Looks like Disney is listening to the criticisms that Boo Bash is lacking in entertainment.

Next year will probably still be the "After Hours" branding and price point, but be more like MNSSHP in terms of content.

The compromise to the complaints of crowds and early closures with parties past seems to be to do the event later at a higher price.

Of course the most consumer-friendly solution would be to do daily Halloween entertainment and keep the park open late for everyone, but we know Disney isn't going to do that.
 

Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
Here’s the next one - seems to have slightly more to it; I wonder if the price will be higher.
View attachment 579218View attachment 579219
The answer is yes, the price will be higher!
If we enjoy the Halloween one for my bday, we'd be likely to do the Christmas one for my husband's 50th in December - provided they are still limiting crowds. That's a nice overnight trip from South Florida.
I don’t know. They have one happening on his birthday, but it’s $229 per person vs. $139 this time. We would mostly ignore the extra features (parade/fireworks) so this one would make less sense, especially if we “do everything” this month.

I remember around 10 years ago paying close to $229 for Weekday Select APs(!)
 

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
So after seeing a few videos.. All this is similar to a regular After Hours event with a few extra perks..You get the 3 hours in the park, The freebie Ice cream, Soda and Popcorn and of course the rides..

With the additional perks has the Cavalcade, Distance characters and trick or treat trails..

I got a weird feeling this will be the norm if they see how well they do..
 

Wendy Pleakley

Well-Known Member
So after seeing a few videos.. All this is similar to a regular After Hours event with a few extra perks..You get the 3 hours in the park, The freebie Ice cream, Soda and Popcorn and of course the rides..

With the additional perks has the Cavalcade, Distance characters and trick or treat trails..

I got a weird feeling this will be the norm if they see how well they do..

And yet some people will continue to argue that this isn't a regular After Hours event with a few additions.

I don't think it will be the norm though. After Hours are known for capping attendance at a few thousand. The parties sell tens of thousands of tickets. I think they must make far more money.
 

pixarprincess

Active Member
If this Disney genie thing hits oct 1 then these 3 hours seem like the only time we won’t be up charged as we enjoy the parks. Pay an up charge to get in and make that choice ahead of time? Count me in.
 

Disstevefan1

Well-Known Member
They should expect exactly what was advertised and decide if that's worth the price for them. Spending money on something and expecting more than what's advertised is a foolish move. And the only people paying $199 + tax are attending on Halloween night. August and September are $129 or $139.
Agreed, paying more and getting less may still be worth it to some and not worth it to others…
 

DCBaker

Premium Member
Original Poster
August 27th, September 3rd, September 5th, September 7th and September 10th have sold out.

Current remaining dates -

August - 31
September - 12, 19
 

Squishy

Well-Known Member
August 27th, September 3rd, September 5th, September 7th and September 10th have sold out.

Current remaining dates -

August - 31
September - 12, 19
I wonder if they are going to be selling tickets the day of again or was that only a one time thing?
 

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
The key words everyone misses are "Sell Out". If and when Disney can not "Sell Out" an event or experience the warning light bulb will turn on. Until that happens it will be smile and wave while raking in the money.
 
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