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Credit: Bailee Abell / ITM ReporterThis is Halloween! Oogie Boogie Bash is Disney’s all-new Halloween party that takes place at Disney California Adventure on select nights throughout the Halloween season this year. We recently had the opportunity to experience it, and we have to say that it is definitely one of the best special events that Disney Parks have to offer.
The party is immersive, magical, fun, and just the right amount of spooky. Disney definitely got it right when it comes to having enough to offer guests of all ages. But since this is a special ticketed event and guests want to make it worthwhile, we thought we’d put together our best tips for attending the party. Here’s our guide to attending Oogie Boogie Bash in 2019.
Arrive as early as possible
Your ticket to Oogie Boogie Bash will get you into Disney California Adventure three hours before the party officially starts. And take our word for it when we say that the lines to get into the park and get your wristband (there are two separate lines) can get pretty long. This doesn’t mean it will take a really long time to get in, but if you’re fully dressed up in a costume and you’re standing in the afternoon sun outside the park gates, it can feel pretty long.
If you aren’t an annual passholder, make it your goal to arrive in front of the Disney California Adventure gates at or before the time your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket says you are allowed to enter (either at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., depending on the day of the week). This way, you can get into the park while waiting in minimal lines.
If you are an annual passholder, we suggest showing up even earlier than that (such as an hour before the time the ticket allows entry). This way you can get in line to pick up your Oogie Boogie Bash wristband right at the time they are handed out (either at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., which your ticket will specify).
Why should you get there early if the party doesn’t even start until 6 or 7? To eat all that delicious Halloween Time food! You’ll probably be so busy running around the party to even think about grabbing some dinner. Take our advice and use this pre-party time to get caffeinated, grab some themed food, ride some attractions, and even shop for merchandise.
Hit the immersive treat trails first
The treat trails open right when the party officially starts and a few of them are outside. For that reason, we suggest hitting the immersive trails as soon as the party starts so you can check them off your list. We don’t mean hit every treat trail — only the ones with characters! Be sure to see Oogie Boogie, the Mad Hatter, and the other three amazing characters early and then you can always get more candy from the regular treat trails later on.
If you want to meet characters, make it a priority
The lines can get long, but they move quickly. Still, there are a ton of character meet and greet opportunities, and we mean a ton. There were so many rare Disney characters and Disney Villains out and about throughout the party, and because we wanted to see every show, experience the immersive treat trails, and walk through Villains Grove, we just didn’t have time to do any character meet and greets during our visit. If the party wasn’t sold out, this would totally be reason enough to go back!
So if meeting characters is on your Oogie Boogie Bash bucket list, make sure you get to do it. Maybe get in those lines first, or be sure to get in line for character meets intermittently throughout the night. Either way, don’t put off the character meets until the last minute if you know you want to meet them.
But if you don’t get a chance to meet all the characters, watching Mickey’s Frightfully Fun Parade will give you that Disney Villain fix! There are plenty of viewing locations for this so it’s easy to find a spot before it starts.
Do the second showing of World of Color
The new Villainous! World of Color show runs twice during the party, and the second showing is far less crowded than the first. The second showing is also not until 10:45, and because World of Color can be seen from multiple angles, you really don’t have to stake out a spot for the second show. Take our advice and spend the last bit of the party doing this — it’s a great way to end the night.
Helpful reminders
You get complimentary MaxPass and Disney Photopass with your Oogie Boogie Bash admission ticket, so take advantage of these! You can use PhotoPass throughout the night and download all those amazing photo-worthy moments. And you can use MaxPass during the three hour time period between getting into the park and the official party start time.
Also, the popular Villains Grove walkthrough experience does not open right when the party starts. Be sure to check with a Cast Member and find out what time the walkthrough will open on the night of the party you are attending. We got in line around 20 minutes before Villains Grove opened and it worked out great for us.
Have fun and don’t stress
We had an absolute blast at Oogie Boogie Bash, and if you got tickets to the event we know you will love it. The atmosphere is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in the best way. Disney California Adventure is completely transformed and it feels like a whole new world of Halloween fun. But it’s only fun if you make it! Dress up, eat some great food, meet your favorite characters, and see the shows you can’t wait to see. If you make the night your own Oogie Boogie Bash, you’re bound to have a blast like we did!