Oogie Boogie Bash: Worth the Hype?

The Oogie Boogie Bash may have come to a close for this year, but if you missed out, don’t despair, there’s always next fall! That being said, if you want to join in the revelry with your favorite villains at the next bash, it’s wise to start planning ahead. This was my first time experiencing the thrilling attractions, entertaining encounters with Disney villains, and the overall magic of Disney Halloween Time—there’s so much to discover! So, grab your favorite treat and settle in, because I’m about to share some tips and insights that will have you counting down the days until the next Oogie Boogie Bash, which runs from August 23 to October 31st. Let’s get this party started!

Mark Your Calendar

Tickets for this event go on sale around the end of June, and sell out fast. If you don’t want to miss out, I’d mark your calendar and make a point to purchase tickets the day they go on sale to be safe. For the 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash, tickets sold out in just over a week. Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash start around $134 per person and can go up to $189 per person. The pricing varies based on the specific date, with tickets typically becoming more expensive closer to Halloween. There are no separate prices for children, although kids ages two and under don’t require a ticket. So grab your little Minnie’s, choose a costume theme, and take the crew for a night of family fun.

Park Plans

The Oogie Boogie Bash is held in Disney California Adventure (DCA), not Disney Park. If you want to visit Disneyland too, you’ll need an additional ticket for that. Your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket will give you access to DCA at 3pm giving you a few hours to enjoy the park before the party officially kicks off at 6pm. It’s definitely worth arriving early and making the most of your time, with so much to see and do it goes by fast! When you check in at the park you’ll be given a special wrist band and at 6pm those without party tickets, will be shuffled out of the park.

Smaller Crowds & Shorter Lines

This event was such a fantastic experience and I’m full of wonderful things to say about it, but let’s start with one of the most enjoyable perks—shorter lines! Because this is a special event they limit the number of tickets, and lines for rides after 6pm are significantly shorter. If you’re into rides, which I totally am, this alone makes the event worthwhile. Fast passes were not available, or needed. We got on every ride with hardly any wait at all. Even Guardians of the Galaxy (formerly Tower of Terror) with the Halloween overlay, had us strapped in and screaming our guts out in no time.

Cosplay All Day

If you’ve ever wanted to be a Disney Princess, villain, or any other kid-friendly character, now’s your chance. This is the one magical time of year where adults can hits the park dressed as their favorite characters. Before choosing your costume however, it’s important to adhere to the event’s guidelines. Costumes must be family-friendly and should not obstruct the view of others, so oversized costumes with large props, or masks that cover the entire face, are not permitted.

Colorful Characters

It’s so much fun to see the park come alive with a diverse cast of characters, as joyful visitors showcase their Disney style and passion for Halloween. Whether it’s a group of friends running amuck as the Sanderson Sisters, or a couple channeling their inner Jack and Sally, seeing all the amazing costumes definitely enhances the ambiance of the event. Not to mention how much joy filled my heart, when smiling children yelled “Princess Jasmine,” as I walked by, giving them my best prom-queen style wave. It was the most Disney Princess moment of my life! It should be noted that although guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters, they may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests. So, just smile and keep it moving, like you’ve got a magic carpet to ride.

Villains Vibes

Of course the Oogie Boogie Man himself was there to greet his guests, as well as a mix of classic and new characters coming to the party. The characters can be found onstage at the end of their designated Treat Trail, where partygoers can collect bunches of candy, interact, and depending on your situation, even get roasted by a Disney villain. This year’s villain lineup included:

• Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb
• Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Hades from Hercules
• Ernesto de la Cruz from Coco
• Judge Doom from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• Yokai from Big Hero 6
• Madam Mim from The Sword in the Stone
• Sid from Toy Story
• Agatha Harkness from Agatha All Along

Hades sparked a lot of interest this year, as he would periodically change from blue to red when he got fired up enough. I did not witness this live, but color-changing magic aside—I’m just a fan of his sarcastic wit.

If seeing characters and hitting the Treat Trails is your thing, you may want to bring an extra bag for all the candy you score. They give out bags when you enter the park, but they will fill up fast with all the goodies flying around. They also have allergy friendly treat options, all you have to do is ask the cast members handing out the stash.

Stroll Through Villain’s Grove

Villain’s Grove is a special immersive experience at Oogie Boogie Bash, where visitors can wander an enchanted path through a variety of scenes inspired by Disney villains. This walk-through attraction features incredible lighting, moody music, and special effects to create an all around spooky space. This attraction can attract crowds, so if you want a shorter wait check it out during one of the parades (around 7pm or 10pm).

Splurge On Dessert

If you really want to feel like royalty, enjoy the Frightfully Fun Parade from the comfort of your reserved table along the parade route. Nibble on a variety desserts and toast the Pumpkin King himself, as you kick back and take in a great view of the show. This special Dessert Party requires a reservation and comes in around $89 per person. That is including tax, gratuity, and all the following spooky-themed desserts:

• Chocolate Topped Stuffed Vanilla Cake
• Cookies & Cream Tart
• Salted Caramel Macaron
• Gummy Candies
• Chocolate Marshmallow Crispy with White Chocolate Drizzle
• Patchwork Sugar Cookie
• Mini Cheesecake with Buttercream

Need a little pick-me-up after all the day’s activities, or perhaps you want to wind down with an adult beverage of sorts? The menu includes the following:

• Oogie Boogie Bash Nonalcoholic Mocktail
• Unlimited Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and bottled water—plus coffee, tea and hot chocolate
• For Guests ages 21 and older:
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Oogie Boogie Bash Specialty Cocktail

There are also some gluten free, and allergy friendly options available upon request when you make your reservation. I requested one of these special plates, and was impressed when I received an email from the culinary team, wanting to clarify the specific dietary needs. In true Disney fashion, there was great customer service, care, and attention to detail all around. I love how they made the watermelon look horrified, and the kiwi was even carved to look like Jack Skellington.

The whole Oogie Boogie Bash was an absolute blast, but watching the late parade during the dessert party was one of my favorite things. It’s a little pricey, but being able to sit down (after running around the park in my Jasmine slippers all day), with a great view of the parade, while being served drinks and desserts was like a whole new world.

The Frightfully Fun Parade

Even if you don’t want to fork over the extra cash, for a seated dining option, this parade is definitely worth standing on the sidelines for. It has everything a spooky, Disney lover would hope for. The parade begins with the Headless Horseman leading the way, and is followed by an amazing procession of villains atop spectacularly decorated floats, and some led by talented groups of dancers. Jack and Sally are always fan favorites. Mickey and Mini danced through. We also saw Cruella, Dr. Facilier (from The Princess and the Frog), Ursula, and so many more. One of my personal favorites was the Haunted Mansion section of the parade. The float was preceded by a group of ballroom dancers—a nod to the ballroom scene in the traditional Haunted Mansion ride. Then we see the three Grim Grinning Ghosts standing on top of a hauntingly impressive float, which had dancing hologram ghosts inside. Everything that went down the parade route that night was a spectacular sight. As much as I loved hitting all the rides, this was my favorite part of the evening!

So, is the Oogie Boogie Bash worth the hype? Absolutely! If you’re looking to experience the joy and splendor of Disney during Halloween—complete with exhilarating rides (and shorter wait times), dazzling parades, encounters with hilarious villains, delicious treats around every corner, and all the fun, fall vibes, then this is a bucket-list event. So mark your calendars. the countdown to next year’s party is on!

Have you been to Oogie Boogie, or plan to attend in the future? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Check out our Top Tips for Halloween at the Disney Parks by clicking the button below 👇🏻