Getting the Most Out of Oogie Boogie Bash

There's nothing more special to me than Disneyland during the Halloween season. So, of course we had to bring our son Miles to experience Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland California Adventure! I will preface this by saying that this particular trip to Disneyland is a few years late hitting the blog, but I wanted to still share it for anyone who's been interested in visiting the happiest place on earth during one of the happiest times in the year. Don't be surprised if you see me with a totally different look and little James is nowhere in the picture!

We're part of a large Disney-loving family. If you're looking for other travel tips, like how to visit Disneyland with young toddlers, tips for handling long road trips, and more, visit my Disneyland tag here for all the tips and tricks goodness! We're well-versed these days on going as a couple, a family, and with a big crowd.

Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash

Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland California Adventure is the premiere ticketed Halloween event held every year. The event runs from late August to the end of October, with 3 available ticketed dates every week. Different dates cost different amounts, so you'll need to check the site as soon as the tickets become available for purchase. If you're not planning on attending the party, but still want to visit the Parks, be sure to plan accordingly for the days you want to be in DCA. Event ticket holders are allowed into the park without a park ticket at 3pm the night of the event. Regular ticket guests will be required to leave DCA around 8PM. If you don't have a special wrist band, you're out. And they are VERY thorough about checking everyone to ensure only the event guests stay in. The party goes on until 11PM.

Tickets for the event, specifically Halloween night and all weekends in October, sell out really fast. If you're interested in buying tickets, you have to be proactive about looking up sale dates and setting alarms on your phone to make the purchase. Halloween night sells out almost immediately. Dates for when the tickets go on sale are usually announced about a month or two before the actually date, so make sure you visit the event page often to stay on top of that. Ticket sales also launch at 12:01AM PST so be prepared for a long night! Easiest dates to grab are in August and September, or during the week for all 3 months.

Maximizing Your Event Ticket

Whether you have kids or not, this is the perfect opportunity to maximize your access to the Park. Trick or treating doesn't really start until about 6PM, and the lines build up fast. Use this time to get an actual meal in you to keep your energy up for the rest of the night. Grab your Golden Hour photos around the park, your bags at the entrance and your wits about you. I recommend grabbing 2 bags or bringing your own because you will fill up your bag FAST. It can get really overwhelming at first. All regular ticket guests are usually totally out by 8PM. If you're big on rides, start hitting all the rides, hitting the trick or treat trails along the way.

There's a parade around 10:30 PM that I definitely recommend catching. Great time to take a break, eat some snacks, and enjoy a show! If you're not into parades, keep hitting the trick or treat lines and villain character meet-and-greets. They're everywhere. I will say that I love the amount of stops in DCA than there were in Disneyland when it used to be there.

Must-See Spots

If I had to pick only one spot in the entire Park to consider as a must-see spot, it would have to be the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail which gets converted into a haunted light show trail during the party. It's not scary at all, but it's very dark with a lot of LED lights to create a very magical experience. We all absolutely loved it and I couldn't believe the photos we took in that experience! Do not leave the party without doing this walk through. It's disability friendly, so if you have a family member in a wheelchair or scooter, there is a version of the trail that's doable for them.

Grab your photos in Buena Vista Street near Carthay Circle right as the sun is going down. You'll get some of the most hauntingly beautiful photos in that space, and there's quite a few meet-and-greets you can experience there! Celebrate those who we have loved and lost in the Plaza de la Familia and experience the beautiful sights of the Dios dos Muertos and Coco setup. There's a live band, photo opportunities, and fun activities for the kids. Cars Land is also a massive hit for our family! They go all out for both the Halloween and Christmas seasons, and the Cars characters come out in their holiday finest for the seasons. The Cozy Cones also serve up some fun and festive treats, so don't skip out on this area. It's also a calmer vibe. Avengers Campus doesn't really change throughout the year, so unless you're already planning on visiting this space, you can gloss over it during the party. Hollywood Land does a fair bit of decorating, but its pretty much only really necessary for the trick or treat line and getting in the dance party.

I highly recommend this Halloween family friendly event for anyone who is able to stay up late and enjoys the fun of trick or treating. You will end up with a lot of the same snacks and treats, but it's 100% worth it! If you plan on going in costume, keep in mind that the rules for adults are pretty strict than for kids. This is to keep it safe for kids to not get random strangers confused for actual characters and cast members. If you're looking to dress in your Disney best, be prepared to be potentially denied at security or Park entry. Have a backup plan if you think your costume is too high quality! We can't wait to go back with both boys to experience Oogie Boogie Bash and share that next great magically experience with you all!