Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed event at Disney’s California Adventure, which offers five very special features which make it very different from a normal day in the theme park.
First, there are themed Treat Trails throughout the park where guests essentially trick or treat for candy, snacks, and even some fresh produce (packaged apples, grapes, etc.)
Second, villains and other rare characters can be found around the park, both in the Treat Trails and at separate Meet and Greet locations. This year’s event featured three brand new characters to the parks: Cruella from the newest live action film, Sid from Toy Story, and Agatha from Wanda Vision.
Third, the Redwood Creek Challenge trail (essentially a national parks themed playground) is completely transformed into Villain’s Grove, a walkthrough experience with lighting effects, sounds, music, and even fragrance.
Fourth, a special Halloween show (Mickey’s Trick & Treat) and Frightfully Fun parade are available only to guests during the event.
And fifth, since this is a low capacity ticketed event, the ride times are significantly shorter than they would be during a normal day. In fact, most rides have no line at all, guests can simply walk on without waiting.
The big question is, how do you make the most out of your tickets, which range from $124-$169 per person, comparable to a full day ticket?
Pick your priorities! Are you there to see all the characters and take photos? Photopass is included with your ticket, so there are many specially themed photo opps available. Are you there to ride as many rides as possible? Even the newest attraction, Spider-Man WEB Slingers offers a standby queue and is available to all event guests without needing a virtual boarding pass. Are you trying to collect as many treats as possible? There are 9 different treat trails to explore!
Before you attend Oogie Boogie Bash, you need to choose what is most and least important to you so that you can maximize your time. It is a 5 hour event, and the time goes fast!
For our family, we decided that we wanted to collect as many treats as we could carry, watch the special entertainment, and visit Villain’s Grove. Here’s how we did it all without stressing or running from place to place all night:
Tip 1: Dress up! It’s so much fun for the characters and Cast Members to interact with you when you have a unique or creative costume. And if you dress up like a character’s enemy or ally, be sure to play along.
Tip 2: Visit Villain’s Grove during one of the two parades of the night, when the line is short. Even for children, this walkthrough experience is incredible, with subtle nods to Disney villains in a slightly spooky but not overtly scary way. Breathtaking visual projections are accompanied by beautiful music and other effects, it’s a unique and can’t miss part of the evening.
Tip 3: You can visit a Treat Trail as many times as you like! Each trail offers slightly different treats, so if you find one that offers your favorite, go through it again! And again!
Tip 4: Wait for the ride queue times to go down! The lines will get shorter and shorter as the night goes on, so enjoy other things until rides are walk ons. If you’re not interested in watching the parade, that is the best time to jump in line for a popular attraction.
Tip 5: Watch the 2nd parade for a better selection of seats. We were near the beginning of the parade route and had plenty of empty space around us when the parade started. The later showings of Mickey’s Trick & Treat in the Disney Junior theater also had smaller crowds.
Tip 6: Bring bigger bags! The small bags you are given when you enter the event will be full after 2-3 treat trails, so you’ll need a backpack, bag, or maybe a stroller to carry all your goodies home.
If you have any questions or want to share your own tips, let me know!
Castles, Characters, and Crayons 