Casi Amaradio | @ourmagicalreality
There is nothing more exciting than attending an event that the Disneyland Resort puts on, and one of my favorites is Oogie Boogie Bash! This special-ticketed event sells out every year and for good reason as there are so many villains to meet, treats to eat, and even a special parade…but I will dive into that in a little bit.
The only way to attend this event is by purchasing a ticket to the party when they go on sale. You then can print out your ticket for the Cast Member to scan or you can scan it into your Disneyland app (which is truly the easiest, I think). The party does not officially begin until 6:00pm, but with your party ticket you can enter as early as 3:00pm and enjoy Disney California Adventure Park. As you go through the front gates you will be given a map, a small bag to hold treats, and a wristband which is your ticket in for the entire night. Your wristband also has a QR Code on it for Photopass!
At 6:00pm sharp DCA shuts down to the general public and Oogie Boogie Bash officially begins and continues until 11:00pm. A key tip is to always go in with a plan as the event will go by fairly quickly and there is a lot to cover in a short amount of time. So let’s talk Treat Trails as there are a few old favorites and some new ones this year that you will not want to miss. Below is a list of where all the special characters are located so that you have an idea of where to go first.
- Sanderson Sisters: Hollywood Land (Meet and Greet)
- Cruella: Hollywood Land
- Maleficent: Left of Soarin’
- Mother Gothel: Grizzly Peak
- Sid: Pixar Pier
- Bruno: Grizzly Peak (Meet and Greet)
- Agatha: Avengers Campus
- Ernesto De La Cruz: Buena Vista Street
- Oogie Boogie: Animation Academy
- Madam Mim: Hyperion Courtyard
- Dr. Facilier: Right by the Golden Zephyr
Thankfully this was not my first Oogie Boogie Bash. However, it was the only one this season that I will be attending so I wanted to make sure to do and see as much as possible. My friends and I decided to not make reservations at the Wine Trattoria or the Dessert Party this year as we wanted to get the most out of our time. If you decide you want to book one or both of these places to dine, then just head to the Disneyland app to see availability.
Our goal was to start at Sid’s Treat Trail and work our way towards the front of the park, as it can take a while for general guests to leave which slows down the opening of the Treat Trails. Another strategy that we tried out was to skip the first parade and see the second one since typically the first parade is more crowded. Our plan was to see the Sanderson Sisters and Bruno, but sadly the sisters head out when the parades start, so we went off to Bruno! It was a good thing we did, because that line did not move very quickly. Meet and Greet lines take a bit longer since the characters stop to talk and take pictures with each party; Treat Trails, however, move fairly quickly, so even if it looks long, hop in line as Cast Members tend to keep you moving.
Villains Grove is a must-see when attending Oogie Boogie Bash. This is located where the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is and is open from 7:30 – 11:00pm. The trail is transformed with beautiful lights, sights, and sounds to make you feel like you’re in an entirely different world. There are several scenes that you will walk through like Frollo’s Sanctuary, Maleficent’s Will, the Queen of Hearts Garden, and so much more. Do note that this is not a treat trail and there are no characters to meet. It is a walk-through experience. This trail also does not allow strollers, so keep that in mind with tired kiddos. It’s recommended to try this at the very end of the night when lines are shorter!
Are you bringing littles with you? The one show I recommend for you is the Mickey’s Trick or Treat Show located in Hollywood Land where the Disney Junior Dance Party typically takes place. The show times are 6:00pm., 6:45pm, 7:30pm, 8:50pm, and 9:40pm. During this show you’re invited to hang with Mickey Mouse and pals for a very special costume party where you will dance, enjoy a fun spooky story, and take home some treats!
The other show that I would not miss during the Bash is the Frightfully Fun Parade. Parade times are 7:45pm. and 10:00pm. The parade starts next to the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta Restaurant, makes its way past Ariel, down by Cars Land and Avengers Campus, and through Hollywood Land. This parade is full of great music, dancing, and some of your favorite spooky characters, like Jack and Sally! Make sure to pay attention as the Headless Horseman will come 5 minutes before the parade begins and that is something you do not want to miss. A tip I have is to sit as close to the start of the parade as possible so you are not wasting time waiting for it to come your way. Again, this event has so much to do, and it’s tough to do it all! Save time wherever you can!
Let’s talk about special party food options. Below are all the options offered this year. Here are a few of the items that you can start mobile ordering the morning of the event to better prepare yourself and your belly.
Flo’s Café:
- Loaded Buffalo Chicken Fries: $12.49
- Loaded Gravy Fries: $12.49
Hollywood Lounge:
- The Witches are Back with Halloween Glow Cube (has alcohol): $23.00
Corn Dog Castle: *all corn dogs are dipped in black corn dog batter
- Original Corn Dog: $10.59
- Hot-Link Corn Dog: $10.79
- Cheddar Cheese Stick: $9.79
And we cannot forget the churros! There are the Pain and Panic Churros that are $5.75 each. Pain’s Churro is strawberry flavored sugar with hints of ghost pepper, and it can be found at the Senor Buzz Churro Cart. Panic’s Churro is blue sugar with raspberry popping candies on it, and it can be found at the churro cart located by Goofy’s Sky School.
There is one last thing that you do not want to miss if you are a Magic Key Holder, and that is the special treat trail just for you! The trail is located under Silly Symphony Swings. When you show your Magic Key, you will receive a cute reusable bag (perfect to hold a popcorn container), a full-size snickers bar, and a special photo opp.
Oogie Boogie Bash was a great hit this year, as always, and I hope that these tips help you make the most of your time at the Bash!
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