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!

Buy me a coffee?

If you found this blog helpful, consider leaving a tip through the Buy Me A Coffee button below! Whether it’s $1 or $5, every bit helps offset small travel costs like coffee, water, lunch, parking, or park entry fees. Your support means the world—thank you!

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.

Buy me a coffee?

If you found this blog helpful, consider leaving a tip through the Buy Me A Coffee button below! Whether it’s $1 or $5, every bit helps offset small travel costs like coffee, water, lunch, parking, or park entry fees. Your support means the world—thank you!