Disney4me Posted Wednesday at 05:00 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 05:00 PM Even after all this time, the Disneyland Resort continues to find ways to surprise me. Oogie Boogie I’ve been going to Disneyland for 30 years — yes, THIRTY YEARS — but that doesn’t mean I’ve explored every nook and cranny. In fact, I just attended my very FIRST Oogie Boogie Bash this year! I know. I know. If you’re a Disneyland regular, you’re probably wondering how I managed to avoid one of the biggest Halloween events at the Disneyland Resort for THIS long. Well, I reckoned it was time to finally experience this huge Disney California Adventure party, and I went in with pretty reasonable expectations. Suffice it to say, I walked away with some shocking discoveries. I figured there would be Halloween decorations, some characters, candy, special entertainment, and maybe a few shorter ride waits. What I wasn’t expecting was just how much I would feel both during and after the event. After finally experiencing Oogie Boogie Bash for myself, there are three things that genuinely shocked me. 1. The Value Is WAY Better Than I Expected Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are not cheap. Tickets range between $139 and $199 per person, and they don’t include all-day access or park-hopping capabilities. But when you actually look at what you’re getting, the value is surprisingly good. Let’s go to Oogie Boogie Bash! The ticket price can be comparable to what you might pay for a regular one-day, one-park Disneyland ticket. But Oogie Boogie Bash gives you something that a normal park day doesn’t necessarily provide: a significantly different experience with a much emptier-feeling Disney California Adventure. Happy Halloween from Disney California Adventure! And you get more time than you’d initially think! The party officially gets going in the evening at 6 PM, but guests can enter Disney California Adventure as early as 3 PM. The party doesn’t end until 11 PM — so that gives you a whopping eight hours in DCA. Madame Leota’s Singing Wake And during the party itself, you have access to experiences and offerings that you simply aren’t going to get on a normal day. There are shorter waits for many attractions, tons of characters, Halloween entertainment, themed areas, special treats, and — perhaps most importantly — candy. Lots and lots of candy. Got our bag and wristband, so let’s trick-or-treat! Yes, you are essentially paying Disney to let you walk around California Adventure collecting candy. And honestly? It’s worth it. My bag alone still isn’t empty, and I walked away with A BUCNH of goodies. Still, the biggest thing for me was how much more manageable the park felt. You aren’t trying to cram all of this into a normal, packed Disney day while it’s 90 degrees out. The event gives you a different rhythm. Ernesto de la Cruz The flexibility offered is unique to this event, and I wasn’t quite ready for it. 2. The Atmosphere Is WAY More Immersive Than I Expected I expected Oogie Boogie Bash to look like Halloween, and I was ready for the cuteness and Disney showmanship, but I didn’t necessarily expect it to feel like Halloween. Events like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights can really embrace the holiday — no holds barred because it caters to an older audience. Disney still has to be family-friendly, and it was, but there was a bit more theming that toed the line of being very spooky that really impressed me. Oogie Boogie Bash Once the party gets going, the atmosphere becomes a huge part of the experience. Disney creates different themed areas throughout the park, and some of them are surprisingly elaborate. Villains Grove is probably the most obvious example. It’s a little spooky in here! This isn’t just “Hey, there are some Halloween decorations over here.” It feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different environment. There are lights, sounds, projections, effects, music, and an overall atmosphere that makes you slow down and actually take in your surroundings. Villains Grove And then there are the characters. They are EVERYWHERE. There are so many opportunities to see characters throughout the event that it can start to feel like you’re constantly choosing between things you want to do. Hades Treat Trail I’m personally not much of a character fanatic, but I still enjoyed them nevertheless! You get to see a bunch of villains with this event, and those characters can often be sassy, extra-creative, and quite funny. Maleficent With that said, if your priority is character interactions, get ready to wait in long lines. Those eight hours can fly by fast, and it’s easy to miss opportunities to ride attractions, grab snacks, check out a street show, or revisit a treat trail. Judge Doom Let’s talk about the music for a minute. Disney goes HARD on the Halloween soundtrack. You’re going to hear a LOT of Halloween music during Oogie Boogie Bash — and it really does immerse you in this manufactured Halloween realm. I have to sing! For the most part, this is pretty cool. HOWEVER, I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of every single Halloween song that Disney has chosen to blast throughout the park, and the songs do repeat over and over again. While there were some bops, I did get tired of some songs. Dr. Doofenschmirtz All in all, the music does make the event feel like an actual party rather than a normal day at Disney California Adventure with a Halloween overlay. That distinction surprised me. 3. There Really IS Something for Everyone I typically budget my Disney days to regular park days, and my Magic Key annual pass rather than splurging on after-hours events, and my aversion to character meet-and-greets typically keeps me away from events that really focus on these kinds of experiences. But I was fairly surprised by how much fun I had. Agatha at Oogie Boogie Oogie Boogie Bash isn’t really one experience. It’s a bunch of different experiences happening at the same time — which means you can make the event whatever you want it to be. Oogie Boogie Bash Map Love characters? You can go all-in on character meet-and-greets and treat trails. Love candy? Congratulations. You have found your Olympics. Obsessed with rides? You can spend your night taking advantage of shorter wait times and enjoying attractions. Craving some exclusive eats? There are special Halloween treats and food offerings to hunt down. Ready to take in some spooky entertainment? There are special shows and entertainment throughout the event. Constance Hatchaway Float What you CAN’T do is everything. There is simply too much happening. If you try to experience every character meet-and-greet and every attraction, you’re probably going to spend the entire evening running around and wondering where your time went. ©Disney Instead, I think the trick is to figure out what YOUR thing is. But keep in mind — I think it’s totally possible to do a little bit of everything in eight hours. In my 30 years of visiting Disneyland, that’s not a sentence I was able to utter. I’ve experienced plenty of Halloween at the Disneyland Resort over the years. But Oogie Boogie Bash feels different because it gives you the opportunity to make your own version of the event. And honestly, I wish I’d tried it sooner. ©Disney So, if you’ve been putting off Oogie Boogie Bash because the ticket price seems high or because you’re wondering whether there’s enough to actually do, I’d say it’s worth taking another look. We’ve covered the event thoroughly so you can know what you’re getting into and plan before your visit (game-planning certainly helped me!). FULL Guide to Oogie Boogie Bash Treat Trails Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you plan on hitting up Oogie Boogie Bash this year? Let us know in the comments! View the full article Quote
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