After hearing so much about this highly sought after separately ticketed event at Disneyland, I was finally able to attend the 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash! I spent 11 hours in an online queue over the course of two days and we paid hundreds of dollars just for the tickets. So, was it worth it?
2023 Oogie Boogie Bash
I’ve attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World several times. However, a year or two ago I started hearing people go on and on about Disneyland’s version of a Halloween Party. I am happy I was finally able to attend this party and see what the hype is all about.
Treat Trails
Just like at MNSSHP, there’s trick-or-treating at this party! However, Disneyland kicks it up a notch by having Treat Trails. Basically, they added a popular villain for guests to see at the end of the line for candy! This is more of a drive by experience so the line is continuously moving. This isn’t a character meet and greet. I had ample time to take pictures though. I loved this addition to the candy trails as we didn’t really use the app and just wandered in to be surprised by the characters!
I also think it’s worth mentioning the types and quantity of treats you receive here. It’s not just candy. In fact, we even received some mini bags of a carrots at one stop! We also got a couple bags of Sun Chips, Mickey Goldfish crackers, and giant Cinnamon Goldfish! Then, Mars Wrigley supplied lots of candy! My mom was really impressed with how much we were given with very little effort here.
Parade
I was so excited to see the Frightfully Fun Parade that we even booked the dessert party for reserved seating! You can read my full review of the Oogie Boogie Dessert Party here. This parade is similar to the one at Mickey’s Not So Scary, but shorter. However, it also features The Mayor from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” driving his car! I think the parade is a must-see, regardless of if you book the dessert party.
Villains Grove
The Villains Grove is unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. They take the Redwood Creek section of the park (which is very much like the redwood forests of California) and make it spooky. Each area is themed to a particular villain, including specific scents (like roses) and other touches. It makes for a fun and unique experience. We hit this up towards the end of the night, during the end of the second parade without too much of a wait. I think it’s worth checking out this experience just because it’s so cool.
Characters
There were several special rare characters with meet and greets around the park. However, the lines to meet them were long! We managed to do the Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters one during the second parade. The estimated wait was around 45 minutes, but it didn’t feel that long. I highly recommend this strategy if you want to see them since the line was much shorter and we didn’t have to wait in the hot sun.
Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show
My mom wanted to see Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show as it was the only exclusive show at the event. We managed to walk up after the first parade and join the line as they were entering the building. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was a cute show. I enjoyed seeing the different costumes on the characters. I wouldn’t wait long for this show personally. However, if you have little kids, they will love it. It’s also a nice place to sit in some air conditioning if it’s hot.
Tips
The party sold out in hours this year. So, if you want to attend next year, I recommend clearing your schedule and packing patience to secure tickets. I also highly suggest hitting up the more popular stuff (characters, Villains Grove) during a parade. Additionally, we ate dinner at Lamplight Lounge at 4:15 PM as I always make sure to eat prior to an after hours party so as not to waste precious party time.
Is it worth it?
Was the 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash worth the 11 hours in queue and the hundreds of dollars we spent? I think so. My mom even said during the party that it was the most fun she’s had with candy since she was a kid! I don’t think you can get a much more glowing review than that.
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