Spooky season is here and what better way to kick things off than by taking a mom’s only trip to Disney California Adventures Oogie Boogie Bash! We’ve lived in Los Angeles for years, and have been season pass holders in the past, but I had yet to experience Disney California Adventures like this. Every year since 2010, Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim has become the ultimate Halloween event that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages! The event begins around the first week of September and runs through October 31st. Here’s what you can expect during your Boogie Bash night out! 

What’s Oogie Boogie Bash & what’s the big deal?

What’s Boogie Bash & what’s the big deal? Well, let me tell you. Oogie Boogie Bash is a yearly event that begins early September and runs through October 31’st at Disney California Adventure Parks. On select days, Disney California Adventure shortens their regular operating hours to host the most anticipated Halloween event of the year. And from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm it’s time to party Oogie Boogie style. 

Are costumes required to attend Oogie Boogie Bash?

Costumes are not required, but Californians and people from all around the world visit Disney parks during this time of year and take the opportunity to dress as their favorite Disney characters! Of course, my friends and I could not miss out on the opportunity to dress up! We dressed up as Hades, Pain, and Panic. My friends had the idea- I cannot take credit for our fantastic cosplay of the infamous trio from Hercules. 

We received so many compliments for our costumes. There were so many awesome costumes there, and seeing all the different costumes was definitely one of my favorite things about this event.

Are there any costume restrictions?

Yes, but nothing unreasonable. The most notable rules are for guests ages 14 and older. Guests who are 14 and older are not allowed to wear capes that fall below the waist or masks that cover the entire face.

For guests 13 and younger the rules are more relaxed, but the mask rule still applies to the youngin’s. 

Extra Costume Tips:

Even Though it’s technically fall, Disney California Adventures is still in Southern California. Trust me, even if you visit toward the end of October it is going to be warm out there. Try to avoid wearing plush costumes, thick fabrics, or layered clothing. Keep the warm temperatures in mind when you’re planning your costume. And wear sneakers or your feet are going to hate you the following day. 

Do I need a special admissions ticket to attend Oogie Boogie Bash?

Yes! You will need to purchase a ticket for the event way far in advance. Tickets for the event are not available for purchase at the ticket booths. You will have to purchase tickets for this event online in September and be aware that ticket sales for this event are intense!! You’re going to want to try and purchase your tickets the same day they go on sale. 

Ticket prices range from $135 – $189 depending on day of the week & proximity to Halloween. If you’re planning to go with a friend or a group, one or preferably all of you must be prepared to purchase all of the tickets for your group. The reason for this is that tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash sell out insanely fast. 

This year, two friends and I were in the queue to purchase tickets at 9:00am and finally, at around 4:00pm one of my friends made it through! Out of the three of us, she was the only one to make it to the checkout process and bought all of our tickets. So if you’re a group trying to attend this event, keep our experience in mind to improve your chances at scoring tickets.

What are the main attractions at Oogie Boogie Bash?

The Character Trails

The main attractions of Oogie Boogie Bash are the character trails! All throughout the park there are short walking trails where you can collect candy and at the end you get to meet some of your favorite disney villains. Cast members interact with you while staying fully committed to their villain’s character. See below for a list of this year’s character trails and where to find your favorite villains! 

The Oogie Boogie Bash 2023 Character Trails & Where to Find Them

• Oogie Boogie – Animation Building Lobby
• Mother Gothel – Grizzly Peak Trail
• Ernesto De La Cruz – Next to Hyperion Theatre
• Cruella – Hollywood Land
• Sid – Pixar Pier
• Agatha Harkness – Avengers Campus
• Judge Doom – Soarin’ Around the World
• Yokai – San Fransokyo

The Parade

Disney has got the formula down for many things, including their parades! Noone does parades like Disney does. And I don’t know if their Halloween parade is seriously the best one, or if my love for the holiday is influencing my thoughts on this. But, it is! The parade at Oogie Boogie Bash has been one of my favorites! We attended the second parade and got a front row seat right in front of the Pixar Pier. The parade cars and cast members were absolutely stunning!

How crowded is Oogie Boogie Bash? 

I would say the crowds are about the same as a typical day at Disneyland California Adventure. But, since a lot of people are there to experience the Halloween activities, the lines for rides aren’t bad! Most of the lines we had to stand in were 30-60 minutes long. Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout was our longest wait for the day, which was about an hour. We were able to ride the Incredi Coaster twice. The line was about 20 minutes the first time and 5 minutes the next! 

Bonus tip for squeezing in more rides during your visit:

There are two parades, so if you have a couple rides you MUST ride, I would get to them during one of the parades.

So, does Oogie Boogie Bash live up to the hype?

My answer is yes. I think it lived up to the hype. My personal experience at Oogie Boogie Bash was fantastic! I got to experience the park and party with two of my best friends. We got to try a few different cocktails and we got to ride every attraction we wanted! And bonus points because  the lines were somewhat reasonable! The parade was great & the character trails were definitely a fun touch. I would definitely do this again and hopefully one day soon I’ll get to take my daughters to experience the ghostly magic of Disney’s Oogie Boogie Bash.

* This year’s Oogie Boogie Bash special event is sold out, but you can still enjoy Disney Parks during Halloween Time!