2026 Oogie Boogie Bash Report, Guide, and Tips

Late summer at the Disneyland Resort means warm weather and high crowds before the school year begins. In recent years, it has also become the start of the Halloween season.

That’s right, the Halloween season at Disneyland begins in August with seasonal decor, music, fun character costumes, attraction overlays, and the after-hours party at Disney California Adventure, the Oogie Boogie Bash.

In its seventh year at DCA, the Oogie Boogie Bash for 2026 promises familiar staples and new offerings. Some may be thinking, after seven years, is it still worth it? Are the new things enough to entice repeat guests? Well, that is up to each individual. But for those thinking it’s just a bunch of tired hullabaloo, I for one still think it’s worth a visit, especially since you get the most bang for your buck compared to other Disneyland After Dark events.

I visited on one of the first nights, and there were distinct differences and similarities to past years. For returning guests and first-timers, I have a handy Oogie Boogie Bash guide on what’s new and returning, timeline tips, and everything to expect at this fun and whimsical event.

Although the official Oogie Boogie Bash hours are 6 pm to 11 pm, they allow anyone with an event ticket to enter the park at 3 pm. You can do as much as you like with the DCA guests until the party starts. Being in the park before the party starts is key to getting as much done as possible, so plan on arriving early.

Crowds arriving at 3 pm will be large. If parking at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pal structures, or the Toy Story parking lot, plan on arriving at least an hour before to allow time to take the tram or bus and get through security.

You can also beat the crowds by planning on arriving just after 3 pm. This year, I walked to the Toy Story lot, took the bus, and walked right into DCA with no long lines.

One of the most fun aspects of the Oogie Boogie Bash is that guests of all ages can wear costumes. This presents ample opportunities to really go all out and dress as your favorite Disney character. Many guests dress to impress with elaborate costumes, makeup, wigs, the whole shebang.

Of course, as fun as costumes are, they can also be cumbersome and uncomfortable, particularly in the heat. And August through October can be very hot in California. In that case, I recommend a few options.

You can do something similar to me and wear an outfit akin to a character that isn’t a full-blown costume. Check out the brand Little Adventures for all the character options. Similar choices can also be found on Etsy. Guests can also Disney-bound, which utilizes everyday clothes that resemble a character’s color scheme and essence. The last option would be average park apparel but Halloween-themed. Goodness knows there is a plethora of Halloween T-shirts, button-up shirts, and dresses out there. Check out The Disney Store, Target, Amazon, Kohl’s, Poshmark, Etsy, Rsvelts, Mercari, and World of Disney, and you’ll surely find something you love.

Besides your apparel, guests should not overlook other warm weather essentials. One might think that temperatures will cool down for the majority of the evening and not bother bringing certain items. However, temperatures can still be high well into the night. On the evening I attended, it was warm until closing, and the humidity was particularly brutal.

In this case, I suggest bringing in portable fans, misters, and cooling towels to help stave off the heat. I also recommend staying hydrated. You’ll be very busy going from place to place during the event, so don’t forget to drink your H2O.

Arriving early has many benefits, one of which is the opportunity to eat before the party begins. Given the limited timeline, it would be a costly mistake to eat a full meal after 6 pm. Your best bet is to have a late lunch around 3:30 or 4 pm, or early dinner around 4:30 or 5 pm.

Planners can check out the Disneyland app and make reservations at Lamplight Lounge (if available), Carthay Circle, or Wine Country Trattoria. Mobile ordering is another time-saving option. I actually mobile ordered from Smokejumpers Grill while on the Toy Story shuttle, and I was able to eat right when I arrived.

There are also specialty food items for Halloween time that guests might enjoy. These include Chicken Pot Pie Soup at Aunt Cass Cafe, Beef and Cheese Tamales at Hollywood Lounge, and BBQ Pork Muenster Grilled Cheese from Pym Test Kitchen. Check out the full 2026 Halloween Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog.

One of the greatest aspects of Disneyland After Dark events is the low wait times on attractions. Although there are many things to do at Oogie Boogie Bash, it’s good to balance your time with a handful of attractions.

When entering the park with day guests, you may try to ride a few attractions, especially if you catch a short line. I was able to ride The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure right before 6 pm and only waited 10 minutes.

However, for the most part, the event itself will have the shorter lines. Pick a few you really want to experience between the Treat Trails. I rode Mater’s Graveyard JamBOORree (the fun seasonal overlay) and Soarin’ Across America, and waited 5 and 10 minutes respectively. Others you might consider are Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark, an Oogie Boogie exclusive overlay, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, Toy Story Midway Mania, Goofy’s Sky School, and the Incredicoaster.

Whether you’re a repeat guest or first-time attendee, the Treat Trails will be a memorable part of your Oogie Boogie experience. Set up throughout the entire park, each guest will receive a map upon entering DCA to plan their trail route.

Each section features multiple stops where Cast Members hand out treats. The event provides a treat bag, but it’s suggested to bring a second smaller one, or one large bag because it will fill up. This year, the treats included mini Snickers, M&Ms, Life Saver gummies, Rice Krispie treats, Mickey Goldfish crackers, Cinnamon cookies, and more.

Beyond the treats, what makes these trails unique are the Villains. While they’re not traditional photo meets-and-greets, you can interact with and take pictures and videos of each character- sometimes even take a quick selfie. These characters are such fun and full of energy and will end up being the favorite for many.

This year, the Villains include Oogie Boogie (naturally), Yzma (making her Oogie Boogie Bash debut), Maleficent, Agatha Harkness, Syndrome, Judge Doom, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Hades, and Ernesto de la Cruz (my personal favorite).

I recommend starting in Hollywood Land or Pixar Pier. And don’t let the lines intimidate you. Even when long, they go super quickly. It’s possible to see every villain and have time for the other activities.

The Treat Trails are not the only place to see characters during Oogie Boogie Bash. Several characters have designated roaming or meet-and-greet spots. Additionally, many of these characters don special attire exclusive to the Party.

This year, Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle are dressed as the Sanderson Sisters again, while Mickey and Donald don their Kingdom Hearts looks. These lines in particular get very long and move slowly. So, if getting a photo with any of them is a priority for you, get in line early. Guests can see other characters throughout the evening, some of which are quite rare. These include Anastasia and Drisella, Dr. Facilier, Gaston, the Evil Queen, Megara, Pain and Panic, Cruella De Vil, Woody, Bo Peep, Mr. Incredible, Edna Mode, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Scarlet Witch. Check out this guide for the times each character will be greeting guests.

Several spots also have PhotoPass photographers, such as the Headless Horseman statue, Hollywood Land, and Cars Land. I also suggest the waterfalls near Grizzly Peak and Paradise Lagoon with the Pixar Pal-a-Round in the background.

It was definitely disappointing to hear that Mickey’s Frightfully Fun Parade would not be returning at this year’s event, due to ongoing construction. However, Disney has created an exceptional alternative, especially for Haunted Mansion fans.

Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is a smaller cavalcade that takes the Haunted Mansion floats, ballroom dancers, and grave diggers from the parade and adds to it. The new floats include characters like The Bride Constance Hatchway, the tightrope walker, and the frightened caretaker. There’s also even more dancers and a brand new energetic song.

The most important thing to note about Madame Leota’s is that it’s not a traditional parade. While everyone watching on the parade route will see all the floats and characters, only certain people will see the full dance “show.” This stops at three spots on the route: at the beginning of Hollywood Boulevard, in front of The Little Mermaid, and by SanFransokyo Square. I sat toward the end of Hollywood Land, and the show was a bit hard to see. I’d recommend finding a spot one hour and 30 minutes before showtime, and trying to sit in front of the Animation Building, Off the Page, or Award Weiners.

Also remember that Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman walk down the route about 15 minutes before the parade begins. The latter is especially impressive and a favorite of the entire party. Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake had two showtimes- 8:05 and 10:15 pm.

While I don’t recommend wasting precious time eating a sit-down meal during Oogie Boogie Bash, I do think it’s worth taking time to indulge in a sweet treat or two. Many dig into the free bag of sweets from the Treat Trails, which proves to be efficient and frugal.

However, they also offer quite a few specialty sweet treats and drinks. Some of the most delicious-looking include the Fluffer-Nutter Churro (my personal favorite), Caramel Cheesecake Churro, Mickey-shaped Waffle Macaron, and Strawberry-Peach Margarita. Once again, for the full list, check out the Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog.

Since the Oogie Boogie Bash debuted in 2019, Villain’s Grove has been a favorite for attendees. For me, it’s the highlight of the event thanks to the beautiful lighting effects, incredible projections, and darkly whimsical atmosphere.

Taking over the Redwood Creek Trail, Villain’s Grove is divided into several sections dedicated to the villains Maleficent, Frollo, the Evil Queen, the Queen of Hearts, Scar, and Dr. Facilier. The Grove’s trail ends with the “Home of the Wisps” and a pathway that feels as if you’re stepping through an angelic portal of light. The experience is awe-inspiring and enchanting.

While lines can get long, don’t let it deter you too much. However, I’d avoid any line that extends past the large Grizzly Peak Bear. Indeed, the best times to enter Villain’s Grove are during Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake, especially in the 10 o’clock hour. It was my last stop this year and a perfect way to end another wonderful time at the Disneyland Resort’s finest Halloween tradition.