Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure is one of my favorite special events on either coast. My daughter and I make it a tradition to attend every year. This year, we combined it with our trip to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and attended the first party of the season. Sorry that this review is a little bit late coming to you.
I’ll start with the major change for 2026. There is no Frightfully Fun Parade this year. Instead, it’s Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party. The name is misleading. I was expecting maybe a DJ and some Haunted Mansion characters. Instead, it was a mini-parade. It lasted for less than five minutes. It also does not run the entire route that Frightfully Fun Parade ran. Since it was short, we needed to find a good viewing spot early. That was never a problem with Frightfully Fun Parade, we always found a great spot a few minutes before it started. Even though it was short and crowded, Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is very well done. It’s high energy, the music is catchy, and the performers give it their all.
The Headless Horseman rides about ten or fifteen minutes before Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake. I heard a lot of people complain because they thought they missed him or assumed that he had been cancelled with no full parade.
The Treat Trails at Oogie Boogie Bash are still my favorite part of the event. The character interaction is the best! The trails and characters are printed in your guide, and it’s easy to check off each character as you go through. These are some of the best in-character interactions I’ve seen on either coast. If you want lots of candy, you’ll get it too. Cast Members are more than generous when handing it out.
Villains Grove is back. It’s hard to describe, but really cool. You’ll walk through the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, but it’s been decorated to make it feel as if the Villains have taken over. There are sound and lighting effects, as well as plenty of fake fog. There are no characters, just suggestions of them. If you have sensitive little ones with you, you might want to skip it. Some kids do get freaked out by it.
Your PhotoPass pictures are included with your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket. This was something that we didn’t take advantage of this year, but have in the past. Five hours seems like a lot of time, but that time flies! You have to pick and choose what you want to do.
Wait Times were low during Oogie Boogie Bash, and that was something that we did take advantage of. Again, you pick and choose what you want to ride, but when WEB SLINGERS is walk-on we will do it!
Oogie Boogie Bash did feel more crowded than in past years, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Surprisingly, when we arrived there were still tickets available. I don’t know if it eventually sold out or not. Considering how quickly dates have sold out in past years, I assume that capacity has been raised.
We had a blast at Oogie Boogie Bash, just like always. There’s a lot to do, plenty of candy, and great character interaction. I already can’t wait for next year!