The tradition of special event Halloween parties at the Disneyland Resort surprisingly did not begin until 1995 with Mickey’s Halloween Treat. It was held at Disneyland because it was the only Park at the time. The party featured merchandise, trick or treat locations, hoot locations, a kids costume cavalcade, and character meet and greets. Most Disneyland attractions were also opened for party guests to enjoy.
The event was held again in 1996, and discontinued due to low attendance. The party returned in a different format and name in 2005 and held at the then-Disney’s California Adventure Park.
‘Mickey’s Halloween Party’ quickly became a guest favorite due to the family-friendly theme of the party, unlike many other Halloween themed events at other Southern California theme parks. Trick or treat stations, along with character meet and greets, and a character cavalcade were part of this event. Guests were even encouraged to come to the parties in costume, which definitely added to the fun! There were no fireworks at this event, but there was definitely plenty of entertainment to enjoy. In 2006, “HalloweenTime” began at both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Parties continued as “Mickey’s Halloween Party” until 2007, and were very popular with guests.
The event name was changed to ‘Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party’ in 2008 to possibly avoid confusion of the super popular ‘Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party’ happening at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.
The party officially moved to Disneyland in 2010 due to construction at Disney California Adventure, and again renamed ‘Mickey’s Halloween Party.’ The Party included a character cavalcade, and the now party exclusive ‘Halloween Screams’ Fireworks Spectacular, which debuted at Disneyland in 2009. Going to a Halloween Party was the only way to see the Halloween fireworks show unless the show was canceled on Party nights. This resulted in a few public performances of ‘Halloween Screams’ on Saturday nights for all Disneyland guests.
Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, as well as most Disneyland attractions, were also open for the event. Guests were able to enter the Park three hours early, to enjoy some in Park fun before the party began. And even more trick or treat locations were added when the Party was moved to Disneyland.
‘Mickey’s Halloween Party’ would continue at Disneyland until 2018. In April 2019, a post on the Disney Parks Blog announced that the party would be moved back to Disney California Adventure and take on a whole new name and theme. ‘Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party’ will make its debut on Tuesday, September 17.
The party is named for Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which premiered on October 1993. The characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” continues to be popular to this day. In October 2001, the annual transformation of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland to Haunted Mansion Holiday began. Several elements have been added throughout the years, and there is a new gingerbread house in the ballroom scene every year, which is always fun to look at.
HalloweenTime has definitely been enhanced in recent years at Disney California Adventure with the addition of lighting and decor on Buena Vista Street and in Cars Land. Oogie Boogie has been the focal point of the entrance to the Park since 2017.
The ‘Oogie Boogie Bash” will include the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” which comes over from Disneyland for the party. Villainous!, an all-new World of Color show on Paradise Bay, is a nighttime spectacular exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. You’ll be spellbound as fountains sweep across the water in an electrifying display of lights, lasers, projections and special effects. Oogie Boogie is the host of this show who guides you through this enthralling tale about 9-year-old Shelley Marie, who is torn between dressing up for Halloween as a princess or a dragon—and being a little villainous. This will no doubt become a guest favorite!
Also coming to ‘Oogie Boogie Bash’ is “Villains Grove,” which will transform the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail like never before. This is a Halloween Party exclusive that will definitely be worth the price of admission alone! Featured in Villains Grove will be Frollo’s Sanctuary, Maleficent’s Will, Queen of Hearts Garden, and Scar’s Elephant Graveyard among others. So yes, the Villains have definitely taken over this part of Disney California Adventure!
Of course, there will be some “not-so-scary” fun for the younger kids including character meet and greets, trick or treat trails, the DescenDANCE Party at the Hollywood Backlot Stage, and Mickey’s Trick & Treat at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.
So no matter what you are looking for, there is plenty of Halloween fun to be had at Disney California Adventure this fall with “Oogie Boogie Bash.” Tickets are available now, and are going fast as some nights have already sold out!
