Visiting Disneyland 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.

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 foods and experience attractions exclusive to the season, including the annual Oogie Boogie Bash event at DCA, spooky decor, and more.

When researching a potential month or time of year to visit the resort, many wonder if October is a good time to visit or if Disneyland is crowded in October. In this post, I aim to answer those questions, while providing context as to why. Additionally, I’ll explain what’s offered at the parks during October that you couldn’t experience otherwise. Let’s get into it.

Is Disneyland Crowded in October?

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

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 more guests. 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 event that causes Disney California Adventure to close early to normal guests, which often 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 leveled. My wife and I visit the resort during every Halloween season and have noticed this (especially in the last couple years). In general, no one park appears to be any busier than the other.

That’s in stark contrast to prior years, especially back when Disneyland hosted Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween, the former Disneyland Halloween party, as Disneyland park often received the overwhelming majority of guests, while attendance at DCA lagged.

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

If you’re not purchasing the park hopper option and your dates coincide with Oogie Boogie Bash 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 throughout October, so don’t waste a day of your ticket at DCA on an Oogie Boogie 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 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 and as a result, the lines to get into Disneyland are often chaotic. 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 not getting 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.

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

Disneyland Offerings in October

Of course, the dig draw at Disneyland in October are the various Halloween-themed offerings, which include attraction 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 generally lasts throughout the holidays.

Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure, there are three attractions with holiday 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 available and you’ll be able to use it on each version of the attraction once. Do keep in mind that on Oogie Boogie Bash 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 winner, 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 out to 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 flower bed.

From there, you’ll see a figure of Pluto with 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 queues are too long.

A favorite pastime among Disneyland guests, particularly locals and Magic Key holders, is to eat and drink their 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.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party. It’s a hard-ticketed event held in Disney California Adventure 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 trick or treat trails featuring rare Disney villains, additional character meet and greets, the Frightfully Fun Parade, Villains Grove, special food and drink offerings, and more.

In 2024, Oogie Boogie Bash ticket prices ranged from $134 at the low end and maxed out at $189. Additionally, it was the first year that hosted event nights in August, as the Disneyland Resort decided to match Walt Disney World and start their Halloween season in that month. This was a way for Disney to increase profits without having to substantially raise prices (the max out price in 2023 was also $189).

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 12 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 grief) 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 east 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.

The Ultimate Oogie Boogie Bash Character Guide

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.

Oogie Boogie Bash Dates

First, you need to know the event dates. In 2024, Oogie Boogie Bash runs on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursday evenings throughout late August, September, and October. This is the first year where the Halloween season begins in August at the Disneyland Resort.

If you’re seeing this post for the first time and its past early August and you haven’t purchased tickets yet, I’m sorry to report that tickets to every Oogie Boogie Bash in 2024 have sold out. It took much longer this year for the event to be a complete sell out, as in previous years it happened in a matter of days.

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.

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.

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 to the backlot.

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 were entering the queue, I heard a cast member advise them that from the end of the line, 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 Embarcadero and past the Little Mermaid attraction in the waterfront area is where you can meet Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy in their Kingdom Hearts outfits. We decided to skip this as we’re not video game people and have little knowledge of it. The outfits did look pretty cool, though.

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

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 coming out, so my wife and I ended up being one of the firsts in line. I have heard his queue isn’t as large as it used to be, but regardless, cast members do a great job keeping the lines moving. You can find him in front of the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction.

*Note: In case you’re wondering, yes, he does smell like strawberries when you hug him

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) are making their bash debuts in this area. We got to meet them during Pixar Fest this year.

Moving onto 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 the Agatha Harkness treat trail (we’ll get to that momentarily) we randomly ran into Spiderman just walking around. 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 character meet and greets and/or villain treat trails. When it comes to the later, there are four total, two of which are brand new additions to the event; Hades (Hercules) and Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb). The others are the event namesake himself - Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas) and returning fan favorite, Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco).

Assuming you’ve already knocked out the Sandersons, there’s a good chance it hasn’t gotten dark enough yet. I recommend skipping Hades and Ernesto for now, as their lighting packages are amazing and unless it’s dark, you won’t get the full experience. 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 in the 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.

Next, head over to the Grizzly Peak Area to see Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?). 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.

This is one that I wish we had waited just a little bit longer to see, as it was still light out and the effects didn’t come across as well as they should’ve. I still recommend making Doom your third stop though, but stop at the Buena Vista Street Fountain and spend some time with those characters while you wait for it to get darker, and then go see Judge Doom. You can find him on the side of the Soarin’ Over the World building.

From here, your next stop is going to be Sid (Toy Story) at the far end of the park in Pixar Pier. Sid is another character who’s queue often gets long but again, it’ll go by quickly. It can be a bit chaotic here, and trying to find the back of the line can be difficult. Simply look for the sign pictured below.

Sid is an Oogie Boogie Bash original. Disney keeps bringing him back year after year because of how well he interacts with the audience. There’s a reason why he sees some of the longest lines during the event. Sid is definitely a can’t miss villain. You can see him in front of the Pixar Pier Band Shell, across from the Pixar Fun Wheel.

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 from there, 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 line never backs up that much.

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 Hagatha, you’ll work your way out of the main entrance of Avengers Campus to the Performance Corridor to the next villain, Mad Madam Mim (Sword in the Stone). The actress playing Madam Mim has done a fantastic job portraying this beloved villain. You’ll find her in the little enclave behind Carthy Circle.

After Madam Mim, head back to the Hollywood Backlot. By now, it should 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 have a chance to see his lighting package go from blue to red (as his mood changes).

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 does, often roasting guests who talk about Hercules, or mention Hades’ loathed sidekicks, Pain and Panic.

This is actually Hades’ second time being a featured villain at the bash, but 2024’s iteration has been given a higher production budget from 2019’s version. His queue remained fairly consistent throughout the night but since he’s outside, you’ll have sight of him through your entire wait.

Once you’ve bagged Hades, it’s now time to make your way to Ernesto de la Cruz whom, in my opinion, is the premier villain to see during Oogie Boogie Bash. 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. If you’re only going to visit just one villain during the event, make it Ernesto.

I’m going to sound like a broken record here but like a few of the above mentioned villains, Ernesto often attracts large crowds and thus, has long queues. Unlike the others, his tends to go a bit slower because as stated, he’s consistently been the most popular villain since his debut in 2022 and folks tend to linger around his stage.

One thing you can do is wait until the final parade showing. During this time, the lines tend to be much smaller than they usually are. Speaking of the parade, if you happen to come across it while trying to leave Avengers Campus to see Madam Mim, do the opposite of what we discussed above.

After Hagatha, go see Ernesto. You’ll still happen upon the parade going in that direction but over there, cast members will eventually let people cross between parade floats. Then from there, go see Hades and conclude with Madam Mim.

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.

12 Tips For Your First Oogie Boogie Bash

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 twelve 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 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash Guide. Let’s get into it!

1) Take Advantage of Early Entry

The actual event runs from 6pm to 11pm, but your OBB ticket includes early 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.

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 other platforms, such as the Fresh Baked and Magic Journeys channels that are usually quick to post guides on which villains are being featured and where they’ll be located, special food offerings, and more.

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 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 purchasing the dining package or the dessert party, as you’re guaranteed a great view with both. However, with the purchase of either of those, you do have the option of which showing you’d like to attend.

7) Save Villains Grove for Later or During Parade Times

Villains 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.

We 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 (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 Purchasing Lightning Lane Multi-Pass

Lightning Lane Multi-Pass 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.

Planning a trip to Disneyland during Halloween? If so, read my 2024 Disneyland Halloween Guide. 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.

Oogie Boogie Bash 2024: Ticket Prices, Dates and What to Expect

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While we already knew that Oogie Boogie Bash would be making a return in 2024, 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 2024 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 2024 Dates and Ticket Prices

This year, Disney’s Halloween season at the resort kicks off on August 23. 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 27 event nights this year, which is surprising as that’s only two more than last year. Considering the immense popularity of the event (evident by it’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ticket sales), I have to believe that Disney could’ve held thirty or more parties.

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.

In 2024, Oogie Boogie Bash dates are:

August

• Sunday, Aug. 25

• Tuesday, Aug. 27

• Thursday, Aug. 29

September

• Tuesday, Sept. 3

• Tuesday, Sept. 10

• Thursday, Sept. 12

• Sunday, Sept. 15

• Tuesday, Sept. 17

• Thursday, Sept. 19

• Sunday, Sept. 22

• Tuesday, Sept. 24

• Thursday, Sept. 26

• Sunday, Sept. 29

October

• Tuesday, Oct. 1

• Thursday, Oct. 3

• Sunday, Oct. 6

• Tuesday, Oct. 8

• Thursday, Oct. 10

• Sunday, Oct. 13

• Tuesday, Oct. 15

• Thursday, Oct. 17

• Sunday, Oct. 20

• Tuesday, Oct. 22

• Thursday, Oct. 24

• Sunday, Oct. 27

• Tuesday, Oct. 29

• Thursday, Oct. 31

Disney hasn’t released date-specific pricing just yet, but did announce a price range of $134 - $189, which is the exact price range as last year. This is interesting as it marks the first time since the party’s inception that there wasn’t a price increase.

That was another prediction of mine, that Disney would forego a price increase in favor of expanding the number of nights since they’re now starting in August. That’s another reason why I’m baffled that they didn’t add more nights to the calendar.

I’ll be sure to update this post once date-specific pricing is released but generally, you can expect the price to be higher on Friday and Saturday event nights and even higher as Halloween approaches. The Halloween night event almost always sells out first and is always at the highest price point.

Furthermore, I’m predicting that three events in August will be at or near the low end of the price range. My reasoning for this belief is two-fold. For one, this is the inaugural year for Disneyland’s early start to Halloween and two, that final week or so in August is almost always slow (crowd-wise). Setting the price at the lower end of the spectrum for those dates would certainly entice more guests to visit.

When Do Oogie Boogie Bash 2024 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.

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 2024, 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

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

Treat Trails Featuring Disney Villains

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)

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 add to the experience by purchasing a dining package with reserved viewing at Wine Country Trattoria or a dessert party with exclusive seating along the parade route in front of Sonoma Terrace, along the Performance Corridor. The viewing area of the latter option is in front of Grizzly Peak, just across from the main entrance to Avengers Campus.

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. This could always change in 2024, though.

Planning a trip to Disneyland? If so, be sure to consult my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar for information on current and upcoming ride closures. If you only have one day to spend, read Disneyland in One Day: 8 Tips to Maximize Your Time. Additionally, see my 2024 Disneyland Halloween Guide. Finally, for great prices on Disneyland tickets and vacation packages to just about anywhere, visit my friends at Get Away Today.