Tips For Taking Your Kids To Oogie Boogie's Bash At Disney California Adventure

Updated 10/11/2023

Mickey’s Halloween Party was such a wonderful event. I am fortunate to go every year. Now Disney is changing the party to Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure. There is plenty to do in Disney California Adventure. Disney California Adventure is much bigger. I recall the parties at DCA and I am excited. There is more room for treat trails. I for one am excited. 

Party dates and prices:

• Tuesday, September 5: $134

• Thursday, September 7: $144

• Sunday, September 10: $159

• Tuesday, September 12: $134

• Thursday, September 14: $144

• Sunday, September 17: $159

• Tuesday, September 19: $134

• Thursday, September 21: $144

• Sunday, September 24: $159

• Tuesday, September 26: $144

• Thursday, September 28: $144

• Sunday, October 1: $169

• Tuesday, October 3: $159

• Thursday, October 5: $159

• Sunday, October 8: $169

• Tuesday, October 10: $159

• Thursday, October 12: $159

• Sunday, October 15: $169

• Tuesday, October 17: $159

• Thursday, October 19: $159

• Sunday, October 22: $169

• Tuesday, October 24: $169

• Thursday, October 26: $169

• Sunday, October 29: $189

• Tuesday, October 31: $189

You will have to pay for parking. It is expensive. For several years, this was the only way I could bring my children to Disneyland. You can visit Disney California Adventure three hours before the party.

Also, the Halloween parade is exclusive to the Halloween party. I recommend going to the earlier parties in September when they cost less. The last hour of the party, you can walk on rides. We walked right onto rides. It was amazing.

Remember you enter three hours prior to the party and the number of guests are limited so if you can get a ticket for Oogie Boogie Bash is so worth it. These tips will make your party experience memorable and enjoyable. I know firsthand how hard it can be to please your kids at Disney. 

Make dining reservations in advance. I recommend dining at Wine Country Trattoria. Request an outdoor table. You can observe what is going on. Wine Country Trattoria is very accommodating. The pickiest eater will like the food. Your child can have spaghetti or pizza. You the parent can relax and unwind. Odds are after dinner you will be on your feet. Relax when you can.

For quick service, I recommend Boardwalk Pizza and pasta. I love the meatballs. Flo’s V8 cafe is also a great quick service location. You can try Walt’s famous fried chicken there. I love the Milk Shakes. All of these locations have healthy and delicious food even a picky eater will eat. I know I have two myself.

Stopping to eat dinner gives you a chance to sit down and eat real food. Not candy or a corn dog and relax. For little kids this chance to sit down and rest a little makes a huge difference in their enjoyment. It might seem like a long time to spend during and a ticketed event to eat dinner, but it only takes about 45 minutes. Sitting down and having dinner is worth it. It makes the experience so much more pleasant for everyone including yourself. 

As a parent even when you’re having fun with your kids you’re still the boss. This gives you a change sit the kids down and relax with them while someone waits on you. We went to the Lamplight Lounge which has a shorter wait and better chances if you're a walk in. My daughter had the Infinity Fizz and mac and cheese. We did this before the party started and it was the best idea. We eat before the party and get takeout on the way home. That way we do not worry about eating during the party. My youngest is a slow eater too. It helps save time. You should know the counter service locations close early. So packing a snack is a good idea.

This leads me to my second must do if you’re going with your children is visit Radiator Springs at Night. Most kids go through a phase for they don’t like the dark or they get scared. That is understandable, and that’s why am recommending you see Radiator Springs lit up. With the Halloween overlay the rides are even more adorable. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters play Halloween music. I recommend riding each a few times to hear each song.

If you don’t know if your child will go on the ride I always recommend going to YouTube first.  Watch the video with your child if they are frightened by the video don’t take them on the ride. It also helps to watch Disney movies before the party.

Make sure you stop at Trolly Treats. The reason is the confections. Trolly Treats is the best place to go buy a candy apple. Take a picture of your child dressed up in their Halloween costume with their treat. This helps create a memory they will remember every time they see the picture. A confection is a special treat that helps make that Disney experience even more special. The candy apples are beautiful. They are something to consider trying with your kids.

Every year I always get a confection for my children. It’s a nice way of celebrating the night. Some believe the candy from trick-or-treating is enough. Why buy them a confection? Buying a treat is about making the night memorable. Stopping to get a candy apple and taking a breather is a nice way to decompress. You’re not sitting down and taking a break you’re sitting down and enjoying a special treat with your family. My favorite photo locations are on Buena Vista Street. I love the Headless Horseman Statue. The purple lights in the trees also make for great pictures. 

Do not miss the Frightfully Fun Halloween parade. Let’s address the parade. The parade is a must. I recommend grabbing counter service food and then claiming your spot and eating. If you want to eat and wait that is a smart idea. I found a good spot right before the parade started. Yet, if the parade is important, do not risk it. Get a spot early.

This is a ticketed event. You are paying for it so the time you spend sitting doing nothing can upset and frustrate you and the kids. But you must eat real food! Too much candy can cause tummy troubles for the littles. I always recommend the first parade with your kids if you plan on leaving early. 

Disney always reminds people in the first row to sit. The second row has its advantages if you like to take pictures. The parade will be fun for everyone. Adults and kids. They’ve got villains you rarely see. The Haunted Mansion floats and entertainers are amazing. Jack and Sally will wave at you. The Frightfully Fun parade is something you should not miss. Finally, you must search for rare and hard to find characters. 

Make sure you use Instagram. A Hashtag like #OogieBoogieBash might yield results. This hack will help you find rare characters. For example Mulan is difficult to find. Sometime she’s there in the mornings at the gates or at Royal Hall but she’s barely ever there. Rare Princesses appear at the Halloween Party. Same goes for Pocahontas.

You can use the Disneyland App too. But some characters are walking around and not doing a traditional meet and greet. Also consider the villains. Disney villains you seldom see should make appearances. Spot all the rare characters you can. Follow me on Instagram. I am attending the first party and will go live on Instagram. 

I also recommend families with children ages five and under bring a stroller. Be sure to check the Disneyland website and make sure it meets requirements. As Disney has banned oversized strollers and wagons. You can park your stroller and check on it every so often if you do not need it. A stroller will make for happier kids. If they get tired, you can push them. When their candy gets heavy, you will not have to carry it for them. It also enables you to walk to and from your car if you park at Mickey and Friends. On days where there are long tram lines you may get to your car faster.

If your children are young, I recommend you watch Mickey’s Trick and Treat show. I feel much of the entertainment is perfect for children who are school aged. So this is perfect for the younger children who may be afraid of villains. 

Mickey’s Trick & Treat at Oogie Boogie Bash show is ok. I think the Disney Junior Dance Party is better. My kid and the other kids loved it. I would not skip the show. If you wait until later in the night the show is less crowded. We walked up before the last showing and sat in the front row. This saved us so much time waiting in line. So go to a later show.

The DescenDance Party in the Hollywood Backlot is a great place to let kids play and dance. But it is unknown if there will be any kind of dance party in 2021. If your kids love the Descendants, this is a must. Dancers from the Isle of the Lost and Descendants music will surly make their day. DescenDance Party is great for tweens too. Once again, the longer you wait to visit the smaller the crowds are.

If your kids want to do specific things (like go on rides) and time is an issue, time skip Villans Grove. The line was long. And it is Redwood Creek Trail with lights, music, and a smog machine. Smaller children may like it (some were crying) but older children may find it to be boring. If you want to visit Villian's Grove, wait until later in the night.

The party will tire your kids out. If your child will fall asleep on the car ride home bring their pajamas and toothbrush. You can change them at the Baby Care Center at the Wharf and brush their teeth. That way you will not have to wake them up to change and brush their teeth.

I urge you to stay as late as possible. As one year my daughter rode the carousel with Cinderella. Because we stayed until the end. That is real pixie dust there. An amazing memory we will never forget. We would have missed it if we went home early.

I hope your children have an amazing time. If you have questions ask in the comments or call Disneyland because Cast Members can help.  

Want to learn more about Oogie Boogie Bash?

Click here for five things to skip at Oogie Boogie Bash.