Whoops, I never updated!
So we went to the Boo Bash on 8/27 (a Friday. Typically, I wouldn't choose a Friday, but it was the only day we could go.)
The short version: to us, totally worth it.
We didn't "do" it the way we may have normally done it; i.e. it wasn't about strategizing to get in as many rides as possible. We were going more for a feeling - specifically the feeling of being at the MK at night with low crowds. It's special at night. It's something we always enjoyed years ago, and has become difficult to come by naturally. Add to that: avoiding COVID.
Don't discount the benefit of just being there after dark in August/September. Less sweating = huge.
Although we could get in at 7, we were a little late, what with dropping off the dog at Best Friends Pet Care, parking, TTC, ferry, etc. The only things I wanted to do before the event began were: Carousel of Progress - because it's closed during the event and a favorite of mine, and also meet another WDWmagic friend for a quick hello.
The hello happened, the CoP did not. We got to it just a few minutes after 8, and for whatever reason, they had closed it at 8. Bummer, but I've been on it a zillion times. It's been a couple of years, but there's [presumably] always next time.
It was "double crowd" at this point, with the day people and the night people crossing paths, but it still wasn't crazy. Here's where we took a planned COVID-inspired detour: as previously mentioned, we had an ADR at Skipper Canteen at 8:50. We casually strolled over there, arrived a few minutes early, and sat in the chairs outside. I call it a COVID-inspired detour because it kept us out of the crowd. We had driven up that afternoon and were ready for a good meal and a drink or two to kick off the event. That all happened, everything was fab. Chakalaka wine in the house! (Loved it at Jiko and Tiffins, and then it was gone for a good while, so glad to see it back!)
We took our time with dinner, exiting after the day to night switchover was complete. We didn't bother trick or treating. DH is diabetic, and the only option (I think) was sugar free Werther's, and we've got plenty of those. I wasn't interested in the other stuff. We did get some popcorn, meant to get more, but it never happened. We looked for more at the end on our way out, but didn't happen to pass it (or it was gone.) We had a couple of waters, he had a diet whatever. When we couldn't find the popcorn at the end of the night, we got a Mickey bar, and he had a bite, and I had a couple of bites. So we experienced it without going overboard and didn't mind since we didn't "pay" for it. (I know, I know...wasting food.)
As for the attractions: most showed a 5 or 10 minute wait and were walk ons. HM showed a 20 minute wait but was still a walk on.
We didn't get through everything, but wanted to see some of the refurbs/enhancements like Jungle Cruise (first, after dinner, obviously) and IASW, plus Pirates, HM, etc.
A highlight was Country Bear Jamboree. It's a favorite, and we thought it might be closed, but there was just nobody else going. We had the whole theater to ourselves, and they asked if we'd like to sit in the front row (beyond the rope LOL!) That was a first, so we agreed. Warning: you get a whole bunch of bear butt in your face when you sit in the front row and what's-her-name comes down from the ceiling on her swing!
Anyhoo, that experience (especially because I'm known for 14 years for saying to my husband in such situations: "Honey, I rented out the whole place just for us") was worth the price of admission, IMO.
We didn't stop for cavalcades, but when one was around, you could see how "not so dead" the place was. People came out of the woodwork. Otherwise, everyone was spread out enough to make it seem very empty. Anyway, just seeing the characters as they went by was fun.
By the end of the night, we could have done more. Seven Dwarfs is something we rarely do because we won't wait for it. It showed a relatively low wait time and we weren't far from it. But ultimately, it was 10 minutes to closing, and we thought it best (per usual) to get a head start on the crowd getting back, and make sure we picked up the pooch on time. So, we skipped it.
I could have done another 30 minutes to an hour - but that was our choice to hit dinner first, and I'm glad we did.
Overall, mission accomplished - MK at night, low crowds, less heat, less covid risk. Folks were mostly considerate and respectful. Been home since Tuesday and everyone is fine.
I would do that again before paying for a one-day MK daytime ticket in a heartbeat.
Wasn't thinking about the 50th as I have no interest in it. That is the week of our last trip before our AP's expire.
