My Honest Review of Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

At Disney’s annual Halloween event, Oogie Boogie Bash, one of the event’s exclusive attractions is Frightfully Fun Parade. It’s been featured at every bash since the inaugural event in 2019 and has proven to be popular among guests.

While the parade is included with your event ticket, as is securing your own spot along the parade route, there is a way to elevate your experience by booking a Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party package.

The dessert party includes a variety of desserts (of course), non-alcoholic drinks, cocktail (for those 21+) and most importantly of all - an actual seat to enjoy the parade from. That’s right, no sitting on the same ground thousands of dirty shoes traverse on a daily basis.

In this review, I’m going to describe the details of the dessert party - what it includes, how much it costs, the check-in process, etc. I’ll also showcase photos I took of the parade from my seat and at the end, provide my opinion of whether or not it’s worth the money. Let’s get into it!

Dessert Party Cost and How to Book

In 2025, the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party costs an eye-watering $94 per person. Notice the keyword - person - not adult. Anyone aged three or higher pays the same rate. If you have infants or toddlers aged two or younger, then they’re free.

That price is inclusive of tax and gratuity, so no surprises at checkout. To book, go to the dessert party page on the Disneyland website and click/tap “check availability”. You’ll then be shown available dates and you’ll follow directions from there.

You should have decided ahead of time which parade to book. Frightfully Fun has two showings per event night, at 7:45pm and 10:00pm. My recommendation is to choose the second showing, as viewing spots (dessert party seating included) are typically less competitive (this is a tip I always give to first timers).

Another choice you’ll make during check in is if you prefer a high top table or lower table. If you want unobstructed views, I recommend the lower table. That’s what my Mother and I opted for and as you can see in this post’s photos, my view was just that…unobstructed.

Note that you shouldn’t book the dessert party unless you already have Oogie Boogie Bash tickets. Booking the dessert party won’t gain you access into the bash on its own. Traditionally, dessert party bookings are made available in early July each year, roughly a few weeks post-bash ticket sales.

Be sure to purchase a dessert party package for each person in your group, as only those with confirmed bookings will be granted access to the tables. Even though they’re free, be sure to still include those aged two and younger in your booking to avoid headaches.

What’s Included

Desserts & More

Once you’ve checked into the event and have been seated, each person will be given a signature box with an Oogie Boogie graphic sleeve (like the one pictured above). Inside, you’ll receive:

• A delectable selection of desserts

• Artisan charcuterie items (cheeses, salami, etc)

• Assoted freeze-dried fruit with gummy worms

• Exclusive enamel collectable pin

Aside from the desserts, which we’ll get to in a moment, you’ll receive one of three collectable Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party pins. You’ll either get the colorful one (common), colorful with glitter version (rare), or the gold-backed pin (ultra rare). I was lucky enough to score the ultra rare pin!

The selection of desserts are Halloween and Oogie Boogie-themed. For example, the Patchwork sugar cookie, which is themed after Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. In my opinion, it’s the best dessert in the box, as it’s soft with a slight crisp on the edges.

Other desserts in the box include the Blueberry Ooze Cake, Salted Caramel Macaron (not allergy friendly), a duo of mini cupcakes on cookies and cream tart and the Halloween Krispy, a rice crispy treat resembling a sushi roll.

Beverages

Beverages are also included in the dessert party package and are unlimited (in spirit, anyway. More on that later). Included are a variety of non-alcoholic options, such as bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite. There’s also the Oogie Boogie Bash specialty mocktail (pictured above).

Its exact flavor profile is unknown, but it’s straight out of the evil queen’s cauldron with a flavor profile akin to a citrus-punch and topped with a light whip. There’s enough sweetness to please the kids but just enough tang to keep adults from throwing it out.

For those who want to enjoy an adult beverage before the parade, there’s the Oogie Boogie Bash specialty cocktail. Much like its non-alcoholic counterpart, the exact flavor profile hasn’t been published. What I can say is it’s refreshing, is surprisingly liquor-forward (in a good way) and is tropical in taste.

If you want to skip the sugary drinks, you can opt for a selection of beers and wine. Exactly which brand(s) they serve is unknown, but your server would be able to provide you with that information.

Seating

Perhaps the biggest selling point of an Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party package is the seating. The usual strategy for Disneyland parades is to hunt down a spot on the ground along the parade route and camp there throughout the duration of the parade.

That’s of no concern here, as you’ll be provided with an actual chair to sit on and table to keep your food and drinks secure. This perk, alone, often sells the dessert party packages, with the desserts and beverages simply being an added bonus.

Dessert Party Check-In Process

It’s important to remember to check in for your dessert party booking. If you forget, it’s possible you’ll be seated later than everyone else and get stuck with a less-than-desirable view or worse…no view at all. Keep these terms in mind:

• Parade Showing: The time the parade begins

• Reservation time: 45-minutes prior to the parade showing time

• Check in time: One hour prior to your reservation time

You’ll check in one hour prior to your reservation time via mobile check in on the Disneyland app. Let’s say you chose the second showing, which begins at 10:00pm. That makes your reservation time 9:15pm (45-minutes prior to parade) and thus, you’ll check in at 8:15pm (one hour prior to reservation).

It’s a bit more stringent if you opted for the first showing, which is at 7:45pm. That makes your reservation time 7:00pm and since you’ll be checking in one hour prior to your reservation, that means 6:00pm…sharp. That’s also the time the bash begins, so don’t forget.

After checking in, you’ll receive a text message when your table is ready. This text will arrive either right at or shortly before your reservation time. In the examples above, that would be 7:45pm or 9:15pm. The text will tell you which section of the dessert party to report to.

You’ll either be sent to report to the sections near Wine Country Trattoria or in front of the Little Mermaid attraction. Unfortunately, there’s no way to choose for yourself and you won’t know where you’ll be seated until the text message comes in.

Seating Pattern, Drink Service and Parade Route

My Mother and I were seated at a lower table (just like we wanted) in front of the Little Mermaid attraction. The view was completely unobstructed, with the Mickey Mouse-side of the Pixar Pal Around attraction in Pixar Pier serving as the backdrop.

Each table, regardless if it’s lower or a high top, comes with four chairs each. Meaning, if you’re a party of two or three, you will likely be seated with another party. To keep things fair, cast members place one member of the party in the front seat and the other in the back seat.

If you both prefer the front the seats and you’re the first ones to the table, you could always try (politely) requesting the cast member to seat you accordingly. There’s no guarantee, though, so be prepared for that.

At your table will be a card with a QR code. Scan this code with your phone to see a nondescript menu of what is offered. There is no printed menu and the QR code just takes you to a general list of what’s offered, much like this post (so you may as well just save this post and reference it later).

Your server will come to your table to introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have. They’ll first drop off your signature dessert box and will then take your drink orders.

In my experience, the service was efficient and prompt. I was able to order and receive both the cocktail and mocktail with a minimal wait. This could have something to do my Mom and I arriving a bit late and most others having already submitted their orders, though.

You’ll have up until the start of the parade to order drinks. Once the parade begins, drink service will conclude. This is why it’s important to arrive as close to your reservation time as possible. This way, you can maximize the value as much as possible.

The parade runs for approximately fifteen or twenty minutes. It begins just behind Incredicoaster and coasts through Paradise Gardens Park, up Performance Corridor, briefly into the Buena Vista hub, then down Hollywoodland before concluding near Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission BREAKOUT!

Normally, when there’s two performances in the same day or night, the parades run in the reverse order during the second showing. Meaning it’ll begin in Hollywoodland before ultimately concluding in Paradise Gardens.

Frightfully Fun bucks this trend and runs both performances in the same direction. Not sure if this is a new development as the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration parade, which ran during Pixar Fest in 2024, ran opposite directions, but I digress.

Is Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party Worth It?

Moving to commentary, the debate as to whether or not the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party is worth it is a polarizing one. There are many who’re solidly in the “no” camp, while others admit it’s overpriced, but justify the expense solely by the guaranteed seat.

I should note that this was my first experience with the dessert party, but far from my first bash. In fact, it was my fourth. I’ve seen Frightfully Fun parade during prior events, once via the now scraped dining package offered by restaurant Wine Country Trattoria.

What made this bash different was I brought my Mother, who’s never attended an Oogie Boogie Bash and thus, has never seen Frightfully Fun. I initially planned for the dining package again, as I felt the meal and viewing area combination to be of decent value.

Due to Disney seemingly shelving the dining package option in favor of further expanding dessert party seating, I was forced to pivot and booked a dessert party package instead. I did this just a week out from my bash night, by the way. It doesn’t appear to sell as exponentially as event tickets do.

That said, having the option of an actual seat was more advantageous for us (Mom specifically) than the standing-room only viewing area the dining packaged would’ve provided. We flew in from the Bay Area that morning and were already exhausted before the parade even began. Having the ability to “rest the dogs” was nice.

For that reason, I give that aspect of the dessert party top marks. Expanding upon that opinion, I feel compelled to point out the check-in process and how I feel it caused unnecessary distraction from the event leading up to that point.

I understand the need to check in, as no-shows occur and checking in ahead of time gives Disney a better idea of seating availability. However, I often felt anxious leading up to check-in, constantly checking the time and the Disneyland app. Then, once I did check in, I kept checking for their text, not wanting to miss it.

For me, and those like me, who get overly anxious with things such as this, it’s distracting. I often felt myself being more concerned about the time and a text message, rather than what was going on around me.

While we were eating, the text unexpectedly popped up, right around the 9:15pm mark. We were at Smokejumpers Grill at the time and needed to trek it to the Little Mermaid building. By the time we arrived, a queue had already formed at the check-in desk.

By the time we made it through the queue and were seated, it was 9:39pm. Just a short twenty-one minutes prior to parade time. I was able to receive my cocktail and mocktail before drink service concluded, though, which contrasts sharply with other Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party reviews I’ve read.

I’ve read many reports of folks only receiving one drink and never seeing their server again, totally negating the benefit of "unlimited drinks” as a perk. That wasn’t my experience at all, as our server was attentive and prompt, but it’s still worth mentioning.

To the contrary, had we arrived early enough to be seated quickly, I similarly view that as a potential drawback, as it takes up quite a bit of time from an event that’s only five hours in length. Dependent upon the individual bash night, those five hours already cost as much or more than a regular full day park ticket.

Between spending forty-five minutes in the seating area and sitting through the parade itself, that’s an hour or more of event time consumed. Admittedly, finding your own spot would likely take up as much time, but that could be reduced by watching the second showing, where space is often more readily available at the last minute.

Still, it’s a big ask to dedicate that much event time to a single attraction. So why did I book it? As mentioned earlier, it was Mom’s first OBB and she has a penchant for Disney parades. So I already knew going in this would be a highlight for her and I wanted to make it extra special.

Would I still have booked it if it were just me? Or if my wife, who has also been to OBB numerous times, was with me instead? Besides wanting the content and first-hand experience to write this review, the dessert party would’ve likely been a hard pass.

Then again, the main highlight for me during Oogie Boogie Bash are the characters and Villains Grove, so I don’t concern myself too much with parades. I do enjoy them, but I’ve already seen Frightfully Fun and while it’s a fine parade, I feel it’s largely a one-and-done. Especially considering it hasn’t changed much since its inception.

Combine the time commitment with the overall quality of the desserts and drinks, which fall somewhere between mediocre and decent, plus the fact you could easily attain a similar view on your own, and that equates to a $94 horse-pill that’s nearly impossible to swallow.

Be that as it may, the true seller is the seat. That’s the perk most folks, myself included, use to justify the egregious price. The desserts and drinks are merely a fringe benefit to most guests. So is the seat, alone, worth $94? That depends, as it would likely be an equally polarizing debate as the first question.

Bottom line - if you and/or your group have a penchant for Disney parades, you’ve never seen Frightfully Fun and the thought of sitting on the ground sounds like an absurd notion (and you have money to burn), you may find the up-charged dessert party worthwhile.

Conversely, if this isn’t your first bash and you’ve already seen Frightfully Fun, then I wouldn’t recommend it as it simply consumes too much time and you wouldn’t have any issues finding a great spot on your own, especially during the second showing.

For clarity, the time commitment aspect of the dessert party bothers me more than its price. For a family of five, that’ll likely be in reverse order. The sticker shock is real, for sure, but considering the only other avenue of obtaining a seat is by booking an Oogie Boogie Bash VIP Tour…that $94 suddenly sounds reasonable.

What about you? If you’ve done the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party, did you feel it was worth it? What led you to your decision? If you haven’t done it, are you considering it? Tell me in the comments below.

Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 Dates and Prices (+ Villain Info)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Recently, Disney made a slew of announcements regarding a multitude of Disneyland’s special events in 2025. One such announcement was the official Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates. Which was somewhat of a surprise considering we don’t normally receive that information until closer to the middle of the year.

In 2024, the Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort began earlier than ever in August. Oogie Boogie Bash also followed suit, with a few events held in August for the first time. Disney will continue that trend in 2025, only with expanded dates in August starting even earlier in the month than before.

Oogie Boogie Bash held its first event of 2024 on August 25. In 2025, the first event will be on August 17. Additionally, Disney will hold more OBB events in 2025 than they ever have before, with 31 total confirmed dates (as compared to 2024’s 27, which was the previous record until now).

Here’s the full list of Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates in August (dates with a strikethrough are sold out):

• August 17, 2025

• August 19, 2025

• August 21, 2025

• August 24, 2025

• August 26, 2025

• August 28, 2025

• August 31, 2025

Here’s a full list of Oogie Boogie Bash dates in September 2025 (dates with a strikethrough are sold out):

• September 2, 2025

• September 9, 2025

• September 11, 2025

• September 14, 2025

• September 16, 2025

• September 18, 2025

• September 21, 2025

• September 23, 2025

• September 25, 2025

• September 28, 2025

• September 30, 2025

Lastly, here are the Oogie Boogie Bash October 2025 dates (dates with a strikethrough are sold out):

• October 2, 2025

• October 5, 2025

• October 7, 2025

• October 9, 2025

• October 12, 2025

• October 14, 2025

• October 16, 2025

• October 19, 2025

• October 21, 2025

• October 23, 2025

• October 26, 2025

• October 28, 2025

• October 31, 2025

When Do Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets Go On Sale?

(New updates below this section)

Unfortunately, the answer to that question (as well as date-specific pricing) wasn’t included in the media release. However, thanks to historical data (and first hand experience), we do have a general idea as to when they’ll go on sale and for how much.

Typically, Disney releases date specific pricing and sales date information in June of each year. In 2024, specifically, pricing and dates were announced in the middle of the month, with the first sale date occurring the following week on June 27.

While Disney could always surprise us again, I suspect they’ll stick with the usual June timeline. Last year, the event carried a price range between $134 - $189. Generally, August and early September dates were at the lower end of the spectrum.

The closer it got to Halloween, though, the prices tipped towards the higher end, with Halloween night itself commanding the highest. These prices were nearly identical to 2023, with Disney opting to increase profits via expanding the number of dates versus raising prices.

Considering they’ve expanded Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates even further, It’s possible they’ll repeat this strategy. Conversely, I also anticipate a fair share of individual dates will be priced higher than they were last year, as that seemed to be the formula in 2024.

That said, 2024 was wrought with price hikes. Hotel rates, magic keys, multi-day tickets, you name it. Nothing was safe. There’s a good chance Disney will keep that ball rolling by raising prices by $5 to $10, effectively pushing the high end to the $199 mark.

I’m not encouraging them, but Disney can charge even more than that and still sell out. While it took longer than it had historically, OBB 2024 dates all sold out. As they have every year since the event’s debut in 2019. Time will tell, but I don’t anticipate a huge price increase, if anything at all.

*UPDATE: Disney announced that Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 26, no earlier than 9am (pst). Magic Key holders will enjoy earlier sale dates, with Inspire Key holders getting the jump over everyone on June 24 and on June 25, all other key tiers will have their turn.

*UPDATE: Ticket prices did increase as expected. The new range is $139 to $199. That’s a $5 dollar jump on the low end and a $10 dollar jump on the high end. There are six dates in August and September at the $139 price point, with Halloween night being the sole date at the $199 mark. If you’re looking to save, then aim for an event in either August or early September.

Oogie Boogie Bash Villains 2025

(New updates below this section)

The biggest draw of any special event at Disneyland is arguably the characters, but this is especially true for Oogie Boogie Bash. Each year, the event features around eight or nine rarely seen villains, largely portrayed by face actors. Additionally, there are numerous costumed characters conducting traditional meet and greets.

In 2024, the Oogie Boogie Bash villains line up included:

• Ernesto de la Cruz

• Dr. Doofensmirtz (new for 2024)

• Judge Doom

• Sid

• Yokai

• Oogie Boogie

• Hades (new-ish for 2024)

• Agatha Harkness

• Mad Madam Mim

Disney usually retains the more popular villains, with Sid and Oogie Boogie himself being the sole originals from the first OBB. Ernesto de la Cruz made his debut in 2022 and has remained a mainstay ever since. If you’ve never seen him before, you’re in for quite the experience (psst - read my Oogie Boogie Bash characters guide to learn how to see all of them, and others, in one night).

Mad Madam Mim, Yokai, and Agatha Harkness were also repeats from the 2022 and 2023 events. In 2025, I would definitely expect Yokai to return, as he’s the only real villain you could place in San Fransokyo Square.

I would be surprised to see Agatha return, as her Disney Plus series didn’t exactly pull stellar numbers and there will be tons of construction for the Avengers Campus expansion still going on at that time. If anything, I would expect a different Marvel villain this time around (Doc Ock, preferably).

Dr. Doof and Hades were the freshmen villains last year and were a mega-hit with guests. Their return in 2025 is a near certainty, in my opinion. Same goes for Judge Doom, who debuted in 2023 and has also been a fan favorite. And of course, you can’t have OBB without the host himself, Oogie Boogie.

For me, the wildcards this year are Mad Madam Mim and Sid. As mentioned above, Sid has been appearing since OBB’s inception and Madam Mim has been around since 2022. Both are great, but Disney commonly introduces two new villains each year and it may be their time to bow out.

My money is on Sid and Madam Mim bowing out this year. Personally, I would love nothing more than to see a face actress portray the Old Hag from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The actresses currently portraying Madam Mim would kill it, for sure.

We likely won’t know what the Oogie Boogie Bash villains line up will be until the first event. Similar to prior years, we’ll likely get teasers of who the new additions will be. Now that the Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates have been revealed early, though, there’s a chance we’ll learn the villain line up early as well.

Oogie Boogie Bash Characters 2025 Update

Disney recently released an Oogie Boogie Bash-themed map revealing certain aspects of the event, including characters. As suspected, there isn’t much changing in 2025 with familiar favorites returning - such as Villains Grove and Frightfully Fun Parade.

It also revealed specific villains returning. These include Judge Doom, Hades, Dr. Doof, Ernesto de la Cruz, Yokai, Agatha and Oogie Boogie himself. One surprise was the all-but-confirmed return of Hagatha.

Between the underwhelming performance of her Disney Plus series and the ongoing construction in Avengers Campus, I was certain we wouldn’t see her return this year. With all the amazing villains in the Marvel canon, it’s a head scratcher why Disney won’t pull the trigger and replace her.

It’s no surprise to see Ernesto returning, as he’s become a fan-favorite (and rightfully so). Dr. Doof and Hades were the two debuts in 2024, so their return is also no surprise. The two missing from the graphic, though, are the two I predicted would be replaced when this post was originally published - Mad Madam Mim and Sid.

Sid is an original Oogie Boogie Bash villain, having been at every event since the inaugural 2019 OBB. He’s become a fan-favorite over the years, with his roast-style crowd interactions being legendary amongst Disney fans.

Based on the graphic, though, it appears as though 2024 was Sid’s final year. As well as Mad Madam Mim. It has become tradition in recent years for Disney to introduce two new villains each year. It does a fine job at causing FOMO with those who’re on the fence about attending the event.

Whichever villain will replace Mad Madam Mim will be a wildcard, with my hope of it being the Old Hag (Snow White) or Yzma (Emperor’s New Grove). Sid’s replacement is all but guaranteed to be a Pixar villain, given the location.

We will likely see teasers from Disney as the event draws near, but I’m going to drop my predictions now (based on nothing but gut instinct). My three guesses as to who it’ll be are Stinky Peat (Toy Story), Charles Muntz (Up), or Syndrome (Incredibles). I’ll be sure to update this post once the new villains are announced. For now, be sure to read my 12 Oogie Boogie Bash Tips here.

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Is Disneyland Busy in October?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

***Whoops…you’ve landed on an old post. To see updated information about visiting Disneyland in October, see the new and improved post here (no new window)

October is an immensely popular time of year to visit the Disneyland Resort. With the Halloween season and celebrations at their peak, October offers guests the chance to try unique food, decorations, attractions exclusive to the season and special events, including the annual Oogie Boogie Bash event at DCA.

When researching a potential month or time of year to visit the resort, many wonder if Disneyland is busy in October. In this post, I aim to answer that question while providing context as to why. Additionally, I’ll explain what’s special about visiting Disneyland in October that you couldn’t experience otherwise. Let’s get into it.

Is Disneyland Busy in October?

Disneyland in October is notoriously busy. In terms of attendance, October (and the holiday season in general) often rivals the summer months in terms of large crowds, largely driven by the included Halloween-themed attractions and decor, as well as the Ooogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party, at Disney California Adventure park.

Another draw that’s been growing in popularity in recent years is the Plaza de la Familia celebration, also held in DCA, which adds additional interest and draws even larger crowds. Additionally, DCA has become known as the “Halloween Park”, so-to-speak, with multiple attractions receiving holiday overlays and the wonderfully decorated Cars Land.

The aforementioned Oogie Boogie Bash is the seasonal wildcard as it pertains to crowds, as it’s a hard-ticketed special event which causes Disney California Adventure park to close early to normal guests, which consequently results in a massive guest migration across the esplanade into Disneyland park, spiking night-time attendance.

However, since DCA has become increasingly popular during the Halloween season, crowd levels between the two parks have somewhat evenly leveled. My wife and I visit the resort during every Halloween season annually and have noticed trend (especially in the last few years). In general, no one park appears to be any busier than the other.

That’s in stark contrast to prior years, particularly when Disneyland hosted Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween, the former Disneyland Halloween party. Disneyland park often received the lion's share of the large crowds, while attendance at DCA lagged somewhat.

The downside to this is those who purchase the park hopper option on their tickets, or Magic Key holders, no longer have a “safe haven” park for when crowds get dense, as it’ll likely be the same. It gets worse on Oogie Boogie nights, as there will be a noticeable spike in crowds in Disneyland after 6pm, as there's no option but to stay or leave altogether.

If you’re not purchasing the park hopper option and your dates coincide with Oogie Boogie nights (and they likely will), I recommend not making a reservation for DCA on those days as you’ll be forced to leave the park early (6pm) and you’ll have nowhere to go.

To get the most bang for your buck, spend that day at Disneyland. Remember, the price of your ticket is the same regardless if DCA closes at 10pm or 6pm. Disneyland park remains open until midnight in October, so don’t waste a day of your ticket at DCA on an Oogie Boogie Bash night.

However, if you do have the park hopper, I recommend starting your day at DCA and later head to Disneyland. One caveat to this is to make sure you do so before 3pm. I say this because at 3pm, those with Oogie Boogie tickets are let in, and those three hours where Oogie Boogie guests and normal day guests mix are notoriously dense.

Get out of DCA before 3pm and you’ll largely avoid the rush. If you decide to leave before 3pm, but head back to your hotel for a mid-day break instead (great choice, by the way), I suggest waiting until 6:45pm or later to return to Disneyland. At 6pm, there will be mass exodus from DCA, causing long lines to get into Disneyland park. Give it 45-minutes or so and you’ll likely walk right in.

Weather at Disneyland in October

October is generally a good month, weather-wise, in Anaheim. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees and humidity remains low, on average. October is a transitional month of sorts, offering a break from the prior month’s high heat but still doesn't get too chilly when the sun goes down.

People who aren’t familiar with the weather in Southern California often assume it’s nothing but warm weather all the time and while the area does see great weather, that cool ocean breeze at night catches many off guard. Due to this, I recommend packing a light jacket or hoodie...just in case.

As far as precipitation is concerned, you won’t have much to worry about as October doesn’t generally see much rain. Anaheim’s infamous marine layer will be ever-present in the early mornings, especially for those partaking in the rope-drop tradition. Its density will depend on temperatures on any given day and usually dissipates by late morning or noon.

October Offerings at Disneyland

Of course, the dig draw at Disneyland in October are the various Halloween time offerings, which include ride overlays. The only holiday overlay in Disneyland proper is the Haunted Mansion’s annual conversion to Haunted Mansion Holiday, which features characters from the stop-motion film Nightmare Before Christmas and lasts throughout the holiday season, including Christmas.

Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure park, there are three attractions with ride overlays. The biggest draw being Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark. It’s the same ride, just with a unique storyline and heavier music. Instead of being tasked with helping the Guardians escape, Rocket recruits unwitting riders into being the distraction for free-roaming monsters while he gets Baby Groot to safety.

The transition from “Mission Breakout” to “Monsters” occurs at 3pm daily. If you’re planning to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, both versions of the attraction will be listed on the service and you’ll be able to use it on each version once. Do keep in mind that on Oogie Boogie nights, “Monsters” is only available to the general public until 6pm. After that, guests without event wristbands will be directed to leave the park.

The other two attractions with overlays are “Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree” and “Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween”, both of which are in Cars Land. All other attractions in the parks operate (unless they’re closed for refurbishment) as they normally would throughout the year.

Additionally, you can expect Halloween decor scattered throughout both parks. In Disneyland proper, the majority of decor is relegated to Town Square, Main Street U.S.A, and the hub, including the Mickey-shaped pumpkin. Beyond that, the only “Halloween” you’ll see is the Halloween Tree in Frontierland.

In Disney California Adventure, Buena Vista Street is heavily adorned in bat-themed decor and at night, is lit up in purple and green lighting. However, Cars Land is the real draw, as just about every square inch of the land, including the attractions, are decorated.

The Halloween decor continues outside of the parks and into the Downtown Disney District. Throughout the district, starting at the fountain adjacent to the tram loading area and extending towards the west end, you’ll find several figures of Mickey and Friends dressed in their Halloween bests, in addition to the Lonesome Ghosts.

The first one you’ll encounter (if you’re coming from the parks) is the one of Prince Mickey and Princess Minnie surrounded by pumpkins, bat topiaries and an autumnal archway. This has proven to be the most popular, especially at night when it’s all lit up. You can find it across from the World of Disney store, next to the water fountain in the floral bed.

From there, you’ll see a figure of Pluto accompanied by several pumpkins, each carved with a letter spelling out Halloween. This will be in one of the water fountains adjacent to the tram loading area. Beginning past Centrico, you’ll spot the Donald Duck and Lonesome Ghosts figures in the flower beds in the middle of the walkway.

A little known activity offered only during the Halloween season is Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. Hidden throughout both parks and in Downtown Disney are several pumpkins, each themed after a Disney character, and it’s up to you to locate them from the hints given to you on the provided checklist. It’s a fun activity to do when the parks are considerably busy.

A favorite pastime among Disneyland guests, particularly locals and Magic Key holders, is to eat and drink your way through the dozens of offerings from the Halloween foodie guide. With few exceptions, these items are only available during Halloween. In 2024 there were a few duds, but many winners overall. You can see the 15 Halloween foodie guide offerings we tried here. Many of these are once again being offered in 2025.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party. It’s a hard-ticketed special event held in Disney California Adventure park on select nights through August, September and October. If you’re reading this in August or later, chances are the event has already sold out for the season.

Oogie Boogie Bash hosts a variety of exclusive offerings, including treat trails featuring rare Disney villains, additional character meet and greets, the Frightfully Fun Parade, Villains Grove, special food and drink offerings, and more.

If you’ve never heard of Oogie Boogie Bash or you’re planning to go for the first time this year, give my Oogie Boogie Bash guide a read. Additionally, you can see my 15 tips for Oogie Boogie Bash first timers here. There’s a lot to do during the five hour event, so knowing these tips and tricks can save you time and help to ensure a smooth visit.

If you’re considering a Disneyland vacation in October (or any other month for that matter) see one of my top recommendations for a hotel by Disneyland. This property offers one of the most comfortable hotel mattresses I’ve ever slept on and best yet, it’s close to the entrance of the resort. As always, you can visit my partners at Get Away Today, who are the best in the business as it pertains to Disney-related vacations.

Oogie Boogie Bash Character Guide (2025 Update)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Oogie Boogie Bash is the premier Halloween event at the Disneyland resort. While many have fond memories of Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween party over at Disneyland Park, Disney decided to move the party across the esplanade to Disney California Adventure, and give it a fresh makeover with a new theme.

While there are numerous things to do at Oogie Boogie Bash, one of the main attractions of the event are the numerous, rarely seen characters that pop up. Some are face actors portraying iconic villains in treat trails while others are fully costumed, equally rarely seen characters conducting traditional meet and greets.

It can be difficult to navigate them all and figure out where they are, which ones to hit up first, what to expect in regard to wait times, and the like. In this guide, I intend to help you with those challenges. I have been to the bash numerous times and have developed a sound strategy that allows to see most, if not all, of the characters that I will share with you below.

Let’s get into it.

*UPDATE: Scroll down to see updates on the two new Oogie Boogie Bash villains of 2025!

Oogie Boogie Bash Dates

First, you need to know the event dates. Disney recently made an early (and surprising) announcement by releasing the Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates much earlier than usual (like, by six months). This is great as you know have plenty of time to plan whereas before, you have a week or so to decide on a date.

As far as to when tickets will go on sale, late June is the usual timeframe. However, June was also the usual time Disney would announce dates and prices, so anything is possible. However, considering OBB regularly sells out, I don’t see a reason why they would change it.

Don’t allow desperation to kick in and purchase tickets from third party sellers, or through sites like StubHub or Craigslist. Disney does not allow for tickets to be resold and if it’s discovered that you obtained tickets this way (and they’ll likely know), they will deny you entry and no, they won’t care if you were duped or how much you spent.

Trust me, Oogie Boogie isn’t going anywhere. It’ll return next year. Just hold off until then and purchase your tickets directly through Disney. If you did obtain your tickets and this is your first bash, be sure to read my 12 tips to maximizing your time at the event.

*UPDATE: All Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 dates are sold out!

Oogie Boogie Bash Traditional Meet and Greets

I’m beginning with the traditional meet and greets because far and away the most popular one at the bash are Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Clarabelle cosplaying as the Sanderson sisters (Hocus Pocus). They meet with guests at the far side of the Hollywood Backlot. As of 2025, their new spot is in Paradise Gardens Park, just across from the Little Mermaid attraction.

If you’re going to want a photo with them, heed my advice and line up prior to the start of the event. The bash begins at 6pm, but your ticket allows you into the park at 3pm. Grab an early dinner, review the event map, and then head over to Paradise Gardens Park.

I recommend lining up at least 45-minutes prior to start time. My wife and I did just that and only waited 20-25 minutes to get the photo above. Just a minute before the event started, as new guests entered the queue, I heard a cast member advise them that it’ll be a 1.5-2 hour wait. So if you must have a photo with them, make them your first stop and line up early.

There are several other meet and greets happening around the edges of the Buena Vista Street Fountain. Pain and Panic, the sidekicks to Hercules antagonist, Hades, are making their Oogie Boogie Bash debuts and have proven to be popular. During my visit, I saw them rotating out with Prince Hans (Frozen).

On the other side of the fountain during my event was Captain Hook and his sidekick, Smee, rotating out with each other. It would’ve been cool to be able to photograph them together, but I digress. These meet and greets begin at 6pm and continue until roughly 10:30pm (a half hour before the event ends).

These were only characters at the fountain that I saw during my visit but at past events, I have also seen the following characters:

• Blue Fairy (Pinocchio)

• Mulan (Dressed as Ping)

• Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dam)

• Sheriff of Nottingham (Robin Hood)

• Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas)

• The Old Hag (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Further into the park, you’ll find additional meet and greets. Bruno (of Encanto fame) is in his usual spot near the Grizzly River Run Water Wheel. He’s been there since 2022 but now that he’s a character you can see during regular park hours, I suggest skipping him (unless you’re a big Bruno fan).

Down the Performance Corridor, in that little enclave behind Carthay Circle, is where you can meet Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy in their Kingdom Hearts outfits. We decided to skip this as we had little knowledge of it. Their outfits looked cool, though.

If you’re into Kingdom Hearts and want a photo with them, do note that their queue gets long, but it starts to taper later in the night. You’ll likely have to settle for one or the other, as they tend to rotate with each other, leaving one character at a time greeting guests.

Along Pixar Pier are several meet and greets. One of the biggest draws in the area is Lotso (Toy Story 3). I managed to get lucky and walk by right as Lotso was walking out, so my wife and I ended up being the first in line. I have heard his queue isn’t as large as it used to be, but cast members still do a great job keeping the queue moving. You can find him in front of the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction.

Just across from Lotso’s meet and greet is where you can meet some not-so-rare Pixar characters. Joy and Sadness (Inside Out) often stop by, as well as the newly minted Anger character (I missed him, unfortunately). Additionally, Ember and Wade (Elemental) made their bash debuts here. We got to meet them during Pixar Fest.

Moving into Cars Land, multiple characters from the popular franchise make appearances throughout the night donning their Halloween costumes. Mater is dressed as a vampire, Red (fire engine) is dressed as a clown and Lightning McQueen as a pirate.

I know for sure that Mater and McQueen appear in their costumes during regular park hours, but I believe Red only appears in his costume during the event. Mater and McQueen are usually near the Cozy Cones, while Red is typically parked in the pathway between Cars Land and Avengers Campus.

In Avengers Campus, numerous characters appear throughout the night. After we left Agatha Harkness (we’ll get to that momentarily) we randomly ran into Spiderman on a stroll. I’ve also seen Shuri as the new Black Panther, the zombie variant of Captain America, and more.

That about sums it up for traditional character meet and greets. The specific characters you can see are always subject to change. So the ones that I’m discussing in this post may or may not be there during your event. Though it’s likely you’ll see at least most of them.

Oogie Boogie Bash Villains Treat Trails

Now we’re going to discuss the villains treat trails at Oogie Boogie Bash. The treat trails differ from traditional meet and greets in the sense that the character is elevated above the crowd and aside from Oogie Boogie, they’re all face actors portraying iconic Disney villains rarely seen in the parks.

The characters will interact with you, and will even briefly stop to pose for photos or video but aside from a quick selfie, you won’t be able to take a photo with them as you could with the characters listed above. Cast members keep these lines moving quickly so despite how long some are, they go quickly.

Below, I’m going to list the villain treat trails in the order in which I recommend you hitting them up in. This is also assuming you’re going to follow the above-mentioned advice and get your picture with the Sandersons first thing.

The treat trails have candy stations positioned at multiple points throughout the queue to keep the lines moving. Additionally, you are allowed to take photos and video of the characters but if you linger for too long, a cast member will likely start to shoe you along. Remember to keep in mind that these characters stay active until the end of the night (11pm).

In the Hollywoodland/Backlot area, there are five popular villain treat trails. They are Hades (Hercules), Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb), Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas), Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco) and Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?).

Assuming you’ve already knocked out the Sandersons, there’s a good chance it hasn’t gotten dark enough yet. I recommend skipping Hades, Ernesto, and Judge Doom for now, as their lighting productions are amazing once it’s dark. Instead, begin with Oogie Boogie and Dr. Doofenshmirtz, since they’re both indoors and unaffected by ambient light.

Oogie Boogie is located in the Art of Animation building and Dr. Doofenshmirtz (or just…Doof) is positioned inside Disney Theatre. The queues for both get rather long, but don’t be scared of even the longest of lines as they go rather quickly. During my visit, the queue for Doof stretched and snaked outside the theatre and all along the street but despite that, our wait was only 15 minutes.

By now, it should be dark enough to see Judge Doom, who has a new location in the Hollywood backlot, where Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle used to be. Bringing Judge Doom to life was a home run by both Disney and the actor portraying him. His stage is brilliantly decorated and like Ernesto and Hades, his lighting package is great.

Even if it isn’t totally dark yet, I still recommend making Doom your third stop. If you’d rather wait, you could always head over to the Buena Vista Street Fountain and spend time with those characters while you wait for it to get darker, and then go see Judge Doom.

From Judge Doom, I recommend skipping Hades and Ernesto (for now) and head over to the Grizzly Peak area, specifically in the pathway behind Grizzly River Run, to see Maleficent. This is her first Oogie Boogie Bash appearance since 2022.

From here, your next stop is going to be the highly anticipated newcomer, Syndrome (Incredibles) at the far end of the park in front of the Pixar Pier bandshell. Syndrome is the only legitimate new villain in 2025, because as stated above, Maleficent was featured in prior years.

Since he’s the newest, his line has been a bit crazy. You’ll often arrive to find it snaking all around the pier. Still, it doesn’t take long to get through any of these lines, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If you’d rather wait it out, you could always hold off until the first showing of Frightfully Fun Parade.

From here, you’re going to make your way through Pixar Pier and into San Fransokyo to see the next villain - Yokai (Big Hero 6). He’s positioned in the back corner of the land, where Baymax and Hiro conduct their meet and greets during the day. His queue is usually quite short, so you should be able to breeze through it.

After Yokai, make your way through Cars Land and into Avengers Campus for the next villain. Cars Land does have a treat trail, but there’s only candy stations, no villain. You can find it along the pathway leading to San Fransokyo, across from Flo’s V8 Cafe’s outside seating area.

Once you’re in Avengers Campus, head left after entering the land and into the Ancient Sanctum, where Dr. Strange usually does his meet and greets. There, you will see Agatha Harkness, who’s the star of her own Disney Plus series, “Agatha All Along”. Much like Yokai, her queue never gets too long.

Honestly, it’s amazing to me that Agatha returned again. This is her third straight year and when I think about all of the amazing villains Marvel has in its arsenal, it’s criminal that we haven’t gotten a new featured villain. Not that I have anything against her, I would just rather see Disney pull the trigger on bringing Thanos or Doc Ock to life.

After Agatha, head back to the Hollywood Backlot. At this point, it’ll be plenty dark to see Hades and Ernesto in all their glory. First, you’ll stop to see Hades, who’s located on the backlot stage. Take your time with this one so you’ll have a chance to see his lighting package change according to his mood pattern.

This was one of my favorites this year and I’m so glad we waited for it to get dark. He interacts with the crowd in a similar manner to how Sid used to, often roasting guests who dare to bring up Hercules, or mention Hades’ loathed sidekicks, Pain and Panic.

This is actually Hades’ second time being a featured villain at the bash, but now his production value is a vast improvement from the previous version. His queue remained fairly consistent throughout the night but since he’s outside, you’ll have sight of him the entire time.

Once you’ve bagged Hades, it’s now time to make your way to Ernesto de la Cruz who, in my opinion, is the premier villain to see. The actor(s) portraying him do a phenomenal job at bringing him to life. They actually sing a spooky rendition of “Remember Me” and play the guitar. Whether or not you’re a fan of the Coco movie, I implore you to check out Ernesto.

I’m going to sound like a broken record here but like a few of the above mentioned villains, Ernesto attracts large crowds and thus, has long queues. In previous years, his queue moved a bit slower because he’s consistently been the most popular villain since his debut and folks would tend to linger.

This year, to solve that issue, Disney set aside a viewing area in front of the stage for guests to watch Ernesto perform. According to guest reports, this has helped to expedite the queue. If this is what you want to do, then simply make your way to the stage and stay there.

Lastly, if you’re keen on avoiding long lines for your favorite villain, you can always wait until the Frightfully Fun Parade begins. Queues tend to be significantly shorter during parades, whether it is for characters or attractions.

2025 Villains Line Up

Recently, Disney released a map seemingly confirming the return of certain villains and the exit of a couple others. This is a first as Disney typically doesn’t advertise the full line up ahead of time.

In 2025, the following villains have been confirmed by Disney as returning:

• Oogie Boogie (Art of Animation building)

• Dr. Doof (Hollywoodland)

• Hades (Hollywood Backlot)

• Ernesto de la Cruz (near Hyperion Theatre)

• Agatha (Avengers Campus)

• Yokai (San Fransokyo)

• Judge Doom (near Soarin’ Around the World)

• Maleficent (Grizzly Peak)

• Syndrome (Pixar Pier)

The returns of Dr. Doof and Hades are no surprise, as they were Oogie Boogie Bash freshmen in 2024. Disney typically keeps villains for roughly three or so consecutive years, provided they were received well by guests.

Ernesto is also no surprise, as he’s become incredibly popular with guests. This year will become his fourth consecutive year being featured at the event since debuting in 2022. Despite his popularity, this could be his final.

One villain who is a surprise is Agatha. With so many iconic villains in the Marvel canon at Disney’s disposal, it’s shocking to me they’ve kept her around, especially after her Disney Plus series flopped. This year is also her fourth.

Another confirmation from the map is the phasing out of two villains, one of which was a hit with guests - Madam Mim (Sword in the Stone) and Sid (Toy Story). In their former spots on the map you’ll notice the flame, indicating something “soon to be unleashed”.

Then, Disney " target="_blank">dropped a teaser trailer on their social media accounts, hinting at who the two new villains will be. The teaser all-but-confirmed the debut of Syndrome from The Incredibles, as you clearly see one of his utility gauntlets rolling on the ground.

The second villain is up for debate. The teaser shows visuals of green smoke and thorny shadows, in addition the caws of a crow. You would think that heavily leans to Maleficent but that would be too easy, especially considering she’s already been a part of Oogie Boogie Bash in the past.

While it very well could be Maleficent (and probably is), I’m going to throw out a deep-cut. One so deep, most people would never see it coming - Horned King from The Black Cauldron.

It’s a long shot, especially since Disney has barely referenced or acknowledged anything ‘Black Cauldron’ related since its initial release. However, the green smoke and thorn references in the shadows and the video’s caption make it a possibility...albeit a slight one.

Planning a trip to Disneyland during Oogie Boogie Bash? If so, read my Disneyland Halloween Guide to see all that’s going on throughout the resort. Also, check out my Ultimate Oogie Boogie Bash Guide to see all of what the event offers. If it’s your first time, see my 12 tips to maximize your time at OBB. Lastly, for great deals on Disneyland vacation packages and excellent service, visit my friends at Get Away Today.

17 Oogie Boogie Bash Tips for First Timers

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Oogie Boogie Bash has been the Disneyland Resort’s annual Halloween party since its inception in 2019. It’s a superbly popular, special ticketed event inside Disney California Adventure on select nights throughout the months of August, September and October.

If this will be your first Oogie Boogie Bash (or you haven’t been in a while), this post will offer you seventeen of my best tips to make the most out of your experience. My wife and I are regular OBB attendees, and each time we go we learn something new to add to our ever-evolving repertoire of strategies.

For more details about Oogie Boogie Bash, you can consult my 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Guide. Let’s get into it!

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1) Take Advantage of Early Entry

The actual event runs from 6pm to 11pm, but your OBB ticket includes entry into Disney California Adventure starting three hours prior to the event (3pm). This is advantageous for several reasons.

Early entry allows you to research the pamphlet and figure out where your favorite villains’ treat trails will be, get in an early meal or knock out a few attractions before the event starts. It’s especially helpful if you’re planning to purchase a dining package.

If you do arrive just before 3pm, be prepared for hefty queues at both security and the gate. To beat those crowds, plan to arrive somewhere around 2:15pm or so to be amongst the first to arrive. Disney reserves a few gates on the right side of the entrance for Oogie Boogie Bash guests. Or…..

2) Use The Grand Californian Park Entrance for Quicker Access

Disney’s on-property, high end hotel has its own exclusive entrance into Disney California Adventure. While you’ll still need to go through a security check, it’s often far less crowded, particularly in the mid-afternoon.

You can use this entrance even if you’re not a registered guest and there will be cast members stationed nearby to help you with your event wristband and candy bag.

Keep in mind that if you’re being dropped off via a ride sharing service or a friend/family member, you’ll need to be dropped off at Downtown Disney and then enter the hotel there as Disney restricts drop offs to registered guests only.

If you’re a registered guest at Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel, cast members will also be stationed at its exclusive entrance into the park to assist you with checking into the event. If you’re not a registered guest at PPH, you cannot use this entrance.

3) Bring Your Own Trick or Treat Bag

One of the primary perks to Oogie Boogie Bash is the ability to trick or treat throughout the park at various “treat trails”. This is included with your ticket, and both kids and adults alike can partake.

When you check in, you’ll be provided with a complimentary bag, but it is super small. Cast members often give out heaping handfuls of candy out (especially towards the end of the night) and that bag will fill quickly.

To combat this, bring your own, larger bag with you (or purchase one at the various shops around the park). Thus far, Disney has permitted this ‘hack’ without any restrictions. Backpacks and tote bags are fair game (so far).

4) Research Character Locations Prior to the Event

If you’re attending the very first Oogie Boogie Bash of the year, then you’ll have to do your research on character offerings when you’re provided with your pamphlet. Past the first night, though, there will be plenty of online resources to help you.

There are a plethora of Disney influencers on YouTube, TikTok, and the like who provide updates. For those of you who prefer the written word, I’ve written an Oogie Boogie Bash Characters Guide that provides villain roster updates, locations, and strategies to see them all.

Conducting this research prior to arriving can help you come up with a game plan and spend your time more efficiently. There’s nothing worse than wasting time at an event you’ve paid a pretty penny to be at.

5) Enjoy an Early Dinner

Since you’re permitted into the park at 3pm, it makes sense to get in an early meal during this time. This is especially true if you plan to book the dining package at Wine Country Trattoria.

If you get hungry later on, there will be plenty of special food and snack offerings (including two great birria dishes in San Fransokyo) at various locations throughout the park that you can only purchase during the event or during the Halloween season to hold you over.

6) Attend the Second Parade Showing

Oogie Boogie Bash’s parade, Frightfully Fun, has two showings each event night. Once at 7:45 and another at 10:00. Whether or not it’s worth spending the time to watch it is a matter of perspective but if you’re keen on watching it, do so at the second showing.

Reason being is because, much like any parade or show at Disneyland that has two showings, the second one almost always has lower crowds. Making finding a preferable viewing spot much easier.

This doesn’t matter much if you’re booking the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party, as you’re guaranteed a seat with a great view. I still recommend the second showing, though, as seating can be still be competitive…even at the dessert party.

7) Save Villains Grove for Later or During Parade Times

Villains Grove is perhaps the most anticipated attraction during Oogie Boogie Bash. If you’re unaware, it’s a walk-through attraction featuring several scenes themed after many of Disney’s most beloved villains. They use lighting effects, music, projections and more to make it the amazing experience that it is.

As such, it’s hugely popular and often has a long queue to get in. However, if you wait to go during one of the parade times or towards the end of the night, you’ll likely be able to walk right in or have a minimal wait.

When I went to OBB, my wife and I held off until the end of the night and were able to go through it twice without any wait at all. Additionally, there was barely anybody else in the attraction. Making it an even better experience.

8) Take Advantage of Low Attraction Wait Times

There are usually far less people in the park during these special ticketed events than during normal park hours, which means the queues at the attractions are often minimal. Most are practical walk-ons while high demand attractions, such as Radiator Springs Racers, are about a third of the normal queue length.

While I always recommend prioritizing the event-specific attractions over the everyday ones (since that’s what you’re paying for), walking onto an attraction that normally sees high wait times is hard to pass up. Remember, as long as you have fun, that’s all that matters.

9) Don’t Purchase Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets Through Resellers

How long it takes varies by year but generally, Oogie Boogie Bash tickets always sell out quickly. Unfortunately, many will purchase these tickets with the intent of reselling them on third party sites, often at two to three times their original value. While it’s tempting to go this route, I suggest avoiding it.

If Disney discovers that your OBB ticket was purchased from a third party, they will not take pity on you. You won’t get into trouble, but they will not let you in and won’t care how much you paid for them. For that reason, I highly recommend not doing this. It isn’t worth the risk.

I have heard of military personnel being able to purchase event tickets on the same day of a sold out event at the booths. I also know that each Disney resort hotel keeps a small stash of OBB tickets for registered guests. They start selling them at 5am on the day of the event. I recommend getting there prior to that time to increase your chances.

10) Get Your Mobile Orders in Early!

During special events like Oogie Boogie Bash there are often special food and drink items only available during the specific event or season. Many of these items are available through Disney’s mobile order service, which can save you significant time versus the traditional stand-by.

However, due to the limited hours of the event, mobile order pick up times tend to get snagged up quickly. Additionally, the items themselves sell out rather fast. Much like character locations, it’s best to research the offerings ahead of time and get your mobile orders and pick up times early on. You can always modify it as needed.

11) Know the Halloween Costume Guidelines

Oogie Boogie Bash is the one time a year where kids and adults alike are not only allowed, but encouraged to wear Halloween costumes in the park. So be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

There are just a few guidelines to follow. They are:

• No weapon accessories (lightsabers being the exception).

• No masks for those over 14 years of age (face paint is ok, provided there are no words painted on the face).

• Costumes considered offensive or pose potential safety hazards (i.e, a cape that drags on the ground) are prohibited.

• You may dress as a Disney character, but you cannot pose for pictures and/or sign autographs with other guests (as if you were a sanctioned Disney character actor).

12) Don’t Bother with Lightning Lane

Lightning Lane Multi-Pass (or premiere) cannot be purchased or used during Oogie Boogie Bash. If you’ve spent the day in either park prior to the event and purchased Lightning Lane, you’ll be unable to make selections after 6pm. Don’t fret because as stated above, most attractions are walk-ons during the event anyway.

If you’re a DAS (Disability Access Service) guest, the only attraction during the event that you’ll be able to use it for is Villains Grove. However, even that could be rendered unnecessary by following the advice for Villains Grove in tip #7.

13) Save Money by Going in August or Early September

For two consecutive years, Oogie Boogie Bash (and the Halloween season in general) has started in August. A trend I’ve noticed last year and this year is tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash tend to be priced lower in August and early September.

I’m not saying this trend will continue in subsequent years but if it continues to hold up, this could be a way to save yourself some money. Remember, as a general rule, the events closest to Halloween tend to be highest priced.

14) Line Up Early for Popular Traditional Meet and Greets

Despite intimidating queues some villains receive, those lines move quickly due to them being treat trails where cast members keep people moving. However, there are also traditional meet and greets at Oogie Boogie Bash, and those tend to move much slower.

The current most popular meet and greet (since 2022) is Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Clarabelle dressed as the Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus). Their queue often reaches the two hour mark, or closes all together, and that’s detrimental when you’re attending a five-hour event.

If you’re wanting a picture with them (and why wouldn’t you?), my advice would be to queue up prior to the start of the event (6pm). This is what I did, and my wife and I only waited 20-minutes. By the time the event began, guests just queuing up were facing a one hour wait.

15) Link Your Wristband to the Disneyland App

One of the included perks with your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket are photos taken of you by Disney’s PhotoPass photographers. There aren’t many during the event, but you’ll definitely find them at popular character meet and greets, such as Minne Mouse, Daisy and Clarabelle cosplaying as the Sanderson Sisters.

After taking your photo, the photographer will scan the QR code on your wristband with their device to load the photos, which typically takes just a couple minutes. In order to view/save them, you’ll need to link your wristband to the Disneyland app. Be sure to do this before having your photos taken.

To do this, open the Disneyland app on your device. Tap on the hamburger (three lines) on the bottom right corner of the screen, then tap “Link Photos”. From there, tap “Link PhotoPass Card” at the top of the screen. Then, line the screen up with the QR code and it should automatically link from there.

16) Shop Oogie Boogie Bash Merchandise Early

Oogie Boogie Bash-specific merchandise is put out by cast members shortly before the 3pm “mix-in” period on event days. If you’re attending the event that night, use a portion of your three hour early entry to shop the merchandise so you’ll have that must-have item for the event.

If you’re not attending Oogie Boogie Bash but you’ve been dying to get your hands on the bash’s signature jersey or LoungeFly bag, that three hour mix-in period is your time to shine. Merchandise is typically available at Elias & Co., Rushin’ River Outfitters, Gone Hollywood, as well as various carts throughout the park.

17) Purchase the Frightfully Fun Parade Dessert Party

Finding a great spot to watch the Frightfully Fun Parade isn’t as difficult as getting one for Paint the Night over at Disneyland but if you want a guaranteed great view, I recommend opting for the dining package or booking the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party.

The dining package is sold at Wine Country Trattoria. In 2025, it starts at $59 for adults and $36 for kids, and includes a three-course meal (appetizer, entree, dessert) and non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll then receive a voucher that grants you entry into the viewing area.

*UPDATE: Disney will not be offering the Frightfully Fun Parade dining package at Wine Country Trattoria (or anywhere) in 2025. Only the dessert party will be offered. It isn’t currently known if it’ll return in 2026.

The dessert party includes an array of, you guessed it, desserts. You’ll also receive an array of non-alcoholic drinks and for those twenty-one and up - an Oogie Boogie Bash cocktail. The biggest perk, though, is you’ll have an actual seat versus sitting on the ground. The dessert party starts at $94 per guest. You can read my comprehensive review of the dessert party here.

Planning a trip to Disneyland during Halloween? If so, read my Ultimate 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Guide here. Additionally, get information about dining reservations, mobile order, and more by reading my Disneyland Dining Guide. Finally, read about the changes to the DAS program. For great deals on Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line packages, visit my partners at Get Away Today.

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The Ultimate Oogie Boogie Bash Guide (2025)

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While we already knew that Oogie Boogie Bash would be making a return this year, Disney recently released additional information about this year’s event during the Halfway to Halloween celebration.

If you don’t know what Oogie Boogie Bash is, it’s an annual after-hours, separate ticketed event held at Disney California Adventure on select nights throughout the Halloween season. It’s different than normal theme park Halloween events, as it’s more about the spirit of Halloween rather than the scares.

It started back in 2019 as the successor to Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party as a way to beef up the crowds at DCA. The gamble worked, as many would argue that Oogie Boogie Bash has surpassed its predecessor in nearly every way.

In this post, we’re going to discuss several topics pertaining to Oogie Boogie, such as 2025 event dates, ticket prices, when tickets go on sale and some frequently asked questions about the event. Let’s get into it.

Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 Dates and Ticket Prices

This year, Disney’s Halloween season at the resort kicks off on August 22. In prior years, Halloween didn’t begin at Disneyland until the first or second week of September. Consequently, as I previously predicted, Oogie Boogie Bash will expand with event dates in August.

There are a total of 31 event nights this year, which is four more than last year. Considering the immense popularity of the event (evident by it’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ticket sales), it isn’t surprising to see Disney add more dates to the calendar.

Additionally, there’s no word on if they’ll be a D23-specific night like there was in 2022. I doubt this is something they would intentionally hold back so since they haven’t announced it, it’s safe to assume it isn’t happening. I’ll be sure to update if that changes.

To see specific 2025 dates and pricing information, be sure to read my 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Dates and Information post here.

The event begins even earlier this year than it did last, with the first event on August 17. Prices did see a jump at $139 to $199. This is a $5 increase on the low end and a $10 increase on the high end. All of the $139 dates are in August and early September, with Halloween night being the sole $199 date.

This is no surprise as Oogie Boogie Bash has consistently sold out every year since its inception in 2019 and is no showing no sign of slowing down. Like most things, though, there is a ceiling and I believe Disney is pushing to see how far they can take the price before receiving pushback.

Considering the event has remained mostly the same through the years, albeit with changes to its villain line up, I imagine that ceiling is drawing near. If Disney wants to push it beyond the $200 mark, they’ll have to introduce more than a new villain or two.

When Do Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 Tickets Go On Sale?

Unfortunately, Disney made no mention as to when Oogie Boogie Bash tickets would go on sale, other than stating they would do so, “in the coming weeks”. In 2023, tickets went on sale in late June, but that was when the halfway mark to the Halloween season was closer to June. Since it’s now in early May, I would predict sales dates in late May.

As has been the case with After Dark events this year, definitely expect to see Magic Key holders to get first crack at tickets with exclusive sales dates. Disney could even hold an Inspire Key-only sales date, much like they did with the Star Wars Nite event.

As stated above, there’s not yet been any mention of a D23 night. If they do decide to add one, you would need to be a member of D23 in order to purchase tickets. If you’re not a D23 member but you know someone who is, you’ll be able to attend the party with them provided they’ve purchased the tickets.

*UPDATE: Oogie Boogie Bash tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 26. Magic Key holders will again receive their own sales dates, with Inspire getting an exclusive sale date on June 24. All other keys can participate in their pre-sale on June 25.

Be wary of uninformed opinions of how quickly Oogie Boogie Bash tickets will or will not sell out. Many will point to how long it took for tickets to the bloated amount of Star Wars Nites to sell out. Honestly, they’re not entirely wrong, but Star Wars Nites are not Oogie Boogie nights. Not by a long shot. While many of the offerings during Oogie Boogie events remain the same year after year, Disney changes them up just enough to remain appealing.

Typically, one or two new villains are added to line-up of treat trails, which prove to be immensely popular with event-goers. Admittedly, the parade could use a refresh, but that’s a conversation for another post. Villains Grove is a major attraction and the chance to see even more rare characters entices more and more guests to attend.

To sum it up, don’t slack on tickets or count on them not selling out quickly. They likely will. So if you’re intent on attending Oogie Boogie Bash this year, be ready to go on the first available sales date you can participate in.

Same-Day Admission to DCA with Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets

Many ask what time do Oogie Boogie Bash events start and if they could get into the park early with those tickets. The event officially begins at 6pm and goes until 11pm but with your ticket, you can actually get into DCA earlier than that.

Guests with tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash can enter Disney California Adventure as early as 3pm. That’s three additional hours of park time. Many use this time to research the park guide, get in an early dinner, or camp out at the most popular event offerings to be the first in line.

If you do arrive early, you can check in and receive your event wristband and treat bag near the main entrance to Avengers Campus. If you arrive closer to the event start time, though, you’ll receive them the gate in which you entered.

Additionally, there’s no need to worry about reservations as your ticket is your reservation (remember those simple days?). Aside from that, if you want to spend time in the park prior to 3pm, you’ll need a regular park ticket or Magic Key, in addition to a reservation.

What to Expect at Oogie Boogie Bash

If you’ve never attended Oogie Boogie Bash before, you should know that it isn’t scary like Knott’s Scary Farm or Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. The mood at Oogie Boogie is generally lite, and more about the spirit and celebration of Halloween than the scares. If you have littles, they shouldn’t have any issues as far as being scared is concerned.

We don’t yet know what the exact offerings will be during Oogie Boogie Bash 2025, as Disney doesn’t release that information until the event gets closer. As stated above, the main offerings generally remain the same every year, with just a few changes or additions. That said, I can fill you in on what will likely be offered with a decently high degree of certainty.

Villains Grove Walk-Through Attraction

You can definitely expect to see Villains Grove return to the event. Each year, Redwood Creek Challenge is transformed into a ethereal world of Disney villains. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s a walk-through attraction featuring several scenes with projection, lighting, and shadow effects, in addition to musical elements, themed after many of Disney’s most beloved villains, such as Scar and the Queen of Hearts.

It’s the attraction that consistently has the longest queue during the event and many would argue that it’s worth the price of admission all its own, so be sure not to miss it. While it can always change, scenes from past events included:

• Frollo’s Sanctuary

• Maleficient

• Queen of Hearts’ Garden.

• Scar’s Elephant Graveyard

• Dr. Facilier’s Friends on the Other Side

• The Queen’s Lightning Forest

• Home of the Wisps

Villains Treat Trails

Another villain offering during Oogie Boogie Bash are the treat trails that feature several, rarely-seen Disney villains. These treat trails are not your typical character meet and greets, as cast members entice guests to keep moving through the queue with handfuls of candy.

The villains will interact with guests and periodically stop to pose for photos, but you won’t be able to take a selfie or group picture with them. This keeps the line flowing, ensuring short wait times. At last year’s event, we didn’t wait longer than ten minutes to see each one. A few examples of villains from past parties include:

• Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco)

• Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?)

• Sid (Toy Story)

• Cruella (live-action version)

• Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

• Mother Gothel (Tangled)

• Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas)

• Syndrome (The Incredibles)

Judge Doom and Dr. Doof were the two new villains in 2024 and they’re sure to stick around in 2025. However, I believe that Mad Madam Mim and Sid will be the two who’re replaced in 2025. As to who they’ll be…only Disney knows that. We’ll find out through online teasers once the event nears.

To read more about which characters to expect at Oogie Boogie Bash, read my ultimate Oogie Boogie Bash villain guide here.

Frightfully Fun Parade

The Frightfully Fun parade is exclusive to the event and runs twice nightly at 7:50pm and 10:05pm, respectively. The first showing begins in Paradise Gardens, runs up through the Performance Corridor, then down Hollywood Land, before concluding near Mission Breakout. The second showing runs in the opposite order.

It’s a relatively short parade and it isn’t the greatest thing Disney has ever produced, but it’s fun and fine for what it is. The Headless Horseman kicks off the parade, followed by multiple villains and Halloween-themed floats, including those from Nightmare Before Christmas and the Haunted Mansion. Mickey and Minnie Mouse also make an appearance, of course.

You can elevate the experience by booking the Oogie Boogie Bash dessert party. With your booking, you receive a box of decadent desserts, charcuterie items, and a pin, as well as unlimited drinks. Not to mention, you’ll have an actual seat versus sitting on the ground. You can read my comprehensive review here.

Halloween-Themed Food and Drinks

While the Halloween season in general brings about several specially-themed Halloween treats throughout both parks, Disney will also reserve a handful that are exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash attendees.

These special offerings include everything from tasty desserts and full-blown entrees to bagged candy and cocktails. As stated above, Wine Country Trattoria offers a special three-course meal as part of a dining package for the parade and several other locations, including Studio Catering Cart and Schmoozies, get in on the action as well.

These are the main offerings during Oogie Boogie Bash, but there are plenty of others as well. In addition to the Villain Treat Trails, you’ll also experience several traditional character meet and greets, unlimited trick or treating, ride attractions with low to no wait times and more.

Speaking honestly, I love the existing offerings, but I wish Disney would offer just a bit more. Personally, I would love to see a special dining experience with ultra-rare characters. Imagine enjoying a three or four course meal at Carthay Circle while the Seven Dwarfs make their way around the room. Or the villains of Pixar greeting you while dining at Lamplight Lounge. The possibilities are truly endless.

Oogie Boogie Bash Frequent Questions

How quickly do Oogie Boogie Bash tickets sell out?

In prior years, tickets sold out either the same day or by the next day. In other words, they go super quick. Be sure to be on-the-ball once Disney announces the on-sale date.

Are the attractions open during Oogie Boogie Bash?

As long as they’re not down for refurbishment, yes, most or all attractions are open during the event. Often with little to no wait times.

Does DAS work during Oogie Boogie Bash?

Yes and no. The only attraction that offers DAS during Oogie Boogie Bash is Villains Grove. Since there aren’t as many people in the park during the event, the rides have little to no wait times, making DAS mostly unnecessary. To read about the recent changes to DAS, go here.

Does Genie Plus work during Oogie Boogie Bash?

No. If you’ve purchased Genie Plus during normal park hours, it will no longer work once the event begins. Additionally, you cannot purchase it during the event.

Is the park crowded during Oogie Boogie Bash?

Busy is a relative term and highly depends on you perceive it. From my perspective, the crowd levels are nowhere near like they are during the day. That said, the queues at the most popular offerings, such as Villains Grove and certain character experiences, can experience long wait times.

Are costumes allowed at Oogie Boogie Bash?

Yes! Both children and adults alike can dress in a Halloween costume for the event. There are a few rules, however. They are:

• Guests who dress like Disney characters cannot pose for pictures or sign autographs

• Costumes cannot have sharp or pointed objects or material

• No part of the costume can drag on the ground

• Costumes that surround or cover the entire body may not be allowed

• Costumes must not be violent, objectionable, or offensive

• They may not contain objects that could be construed as weapons

Which entrance can I use?

All three entrances into DCA can used to access the gate. All guests can utilize the main gate and the Grand Californian entrance, and guests who’re registered at the Pixar Place Hotel may use their exclusive entrance as well.

Is there a World of Color showing during Oogie Boogie Bash?

While there was a villains-themed World of Color shown during the first Oogie Boogie Bash, it has not made a return since. That could always change, though.

Planning a trip to Oogie Boogie Bash? If so, read my 17 Oogie Boogie Bash tips. If you only have one day to spend, read Disneyland in One Day: 8 Tips to Maximize Your Time. Finally, for great prices on Disneyland tickets and vacation packages to just about anywhere, visit my friends at Get Away Today.