The Oogie Boogie Bash is back for 2021 and better than before.
When we last attended the Oogie Boogie Bash it was 2019. Pre-pandemic. We had no idea it would be two years before our next Disney Halloween party. Attending a Disney Halloween party had been our family tradition for 10 straight years, but the pandemic finally broke our streak.
In 2019, the party location moved from Disneyland to Disney California Adventure. That year, the event transformed from Mickey’s Halloween Party to the Oogie Boogie Bash. We were excited to return for the 2021 party to see whether it had changed much from the inaugural event. Turns out, the festivities were relatively the same as we remembered.
Here’s what you’ll want to know if you plan to attend:
1. Buy your tickets in advance
A normal theme park ticket won’t get you access to this event. You need to purchase a special event ticket and quantities are limited. Buy your tickets early! This is our most important piece of advice. In previous years, tickets for Disneyland’s Halloween events went on sale in the spring. Purchase your tickets early to secure the date you want to attend! We always buy our tickets the day they go on sale. That requires some planning ahead, but just know that the event will eventually sell out. 2021 ticket prices ranged from $114 to $169, depending on the night.
2. Take advantage of early park entry
The special event ticket to the Oogie Boogie Bash allows theme park admission three hours before the party starts. To maximize your ticket, enter Disney California Adventure at 3pm and stay until close. You’ll receive a special bracelet upon entry that will allow you to stay in the park when it closes to regular guests at 6pm. Cast members will ask to see your wristbands.
3. Line up for Web Slingers: A Spider Man Adventure before 6pm
Currently the only way to ride the new Spider Man attraction is by joining a virtual queue via the Disneyland app. There are no standby lines for this attraction. With one exception. That’s during the Oogie Boogie Bash. The queue will start to form before 6pm so you’ll want to be in the Avengers Campus at this time to hop in line. This attraction is a lot of fun so don’t miss out on your chance to experience it.
Lines for other popular attractions are shorter. We waited just 15 minutes to board Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. The attraction often has a 60+ minute wait.
4. Check the entertainment schedule
Upon entry, you’ll receive a treat bag and an event schedule. Be sure to check the schedule for the times of some special events. This will help you to plan your night. One of our Halloween time favorites is the Frightfully Fun Parade featuring the Headless Horseman and a host of villains. The parade runs twice per night. There’s also a Mickey’s Trick & Treat party in the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land. Times are posted outside the theater. The schedule will also help you know where to look for characters dressed in their Halloween best.
5. Expect to leave with a ton of treats
There are immersive treat trails around the park. You’ll be inundated with candy at every stop and you’ll meet some sassy villains, too. The complimentary Disney treat bag will fill up quickly. Bring a back-up bag to hold your treats. You’ll probably leave with enough candy to get you through the entire holiday season.
Related: 12 Things To Know About Disneyland’s Halloween Festivities
6. Wear a costume
While you certainly don’t have to, this is your night to dress up. Costumes are encouraged at this event. You’ll see lots of kids… and adults alike… in costume. But we do draw the line at festive footwear. We recommend wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes over glass slippers any day.
7. Skip the Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party
We decided to treat ourselves this year by splurging on the Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party at Sonoma Terrace. It came at an added cost of $84 per person. The price included a plate of desserts, festive cocktails and mocktails, as well as premium seating for the parade. There were six Halloween themed desserts on each plate. All drinks and gratuity were included in the cost. We were seated along the parade route, allowing for an unobstructed view of the Frightfully Fun Parade. But by 9:30pm we’d had our fill of candy and theme park treats and had a tough time finishing the desserts on our plate. They did do a good job of accommodating my food allergy. A Disney representative contacted me in advance of the event and they had a special Gluten Free dessert plate waiting for me.
8. Spend the night at the Grand Californian
If it fits within your budget, stay at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa the night of the Oogie Boogie Bash. This is the most expensive of the Disneyland Resort hotels, so it’s a splurge. But you can quite literally stumble back to your room as there’s an exit from California Adventure into the Grand Californian. We stayed until the stroke of 11pm (when the party ended), then walked right out of the park into our hotel. There’s even a fun Oogie Boogie display in the hotel lobby.
Schedules & details will vary for 2022. Watch the Disney Parks blog for information about 2022 ticket sales.
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