Oogie Boogie Bash 2022

This weekend we went to the Disneyland Halloween party, the Oogie Boogie Bash, with Kristin, Dan, Skylee, and Anna Holly. 

We took an early morning flight Thursday. We flew to LAX, which is the most cost-effective LA airport these days. But LAX is quite possibly our least favorite airport US airport. This year getting transportation from LAX to Anaheim has gotten quite expensive. So we rented a car at LAX, drove to Anaheim, and dropped the car off after we checked into our hotel. This was easier and less expensive than an Uber. It was a good trick to save a little money. 

We walked over to Downtown Disney to grab lunch at the GCH Craftsman grill and then ice cream at Salt & Straw. It wouldn't be a Disney trip without stopping for our favorite ice cream. Salt & Straw had excellent seasonal flavors in October. 

After enjoying our ice cream Alison and I ran back to the hotel to change into our Halloween costumes. This year we were finally Captain America and Black Widow. Halloween party guests can enter California Adventure 3-hours before the party starts. We got to the park right at 3 pm. Since we were there well before the party most of the people we saw while walking into Disneyland weren’t wearing costumes. It kind of felt like we showed up to a costume party, but we were the only ones in costume. 

DCA was really busy when we got in. That was fine, we didn't have much on the agenda before the party. We rode a couple rides and took a few pictures in our costumes before the party started. Alison and I wanted to get a picture at Avengers Campus since we were dressed as Avengers. The photographer was great. He wanted us to do our character poses. We hesitate so he demonstrated the Black Widow pose for Alison. Once she had seen it once, she was a natural. 

Before the party started we got in line to meet Minnie and her friends. This is one of the highlights of the party. They were dressed as the Sanderson sisters. We had excellent line placement. Once the party was officially underway we got our pictures with Claribel and Minnie Mouse. 

Then we headed to the Oogie Boogie treat trail. The treat trails were the other highlight of the party. Most of the treat trails were themed. In addition to cast members handing out piles of candy, there would be characters that would interact and entertain. It was the best thing about them moving the party to California Adventure and it made trick or treating so much fun. We loved the character interactions - Malificent and Sid were two of the highlights. Maleficent complained about not being able to turn into a dragon and burn the whole place down to burning green embers. Since the host, Oogie Boogie asked her not to. Sid mercilessly teased and heckled everyone who walked past. When he saw Alison dressed up as Black Widow, he advised her to watch out for cliffs - if you know you know. The characters were funny and engaging. Skylee and Anna Holly especially loved them. We got so much candy - bags and bags packed full. By the last few treat trails, I gave up on collecting candy because I had nowhere to put it and I didn't want to carry any more candy.  

In addition, to the treat trails, we waited for a couple of the character meet and greets. The girls were pretty excited to meet the Blue Fairy and of course Bruno, but we don’t talk about him. We also walked through the Villian’s grove. This was a spooky villain-themed walkthrough with areas themed for Dr. Facilier, Frollo, Scar, the Wicked Queen, and others. It was so spooky that by the end Anna Holly was ready to get out of there. 

Time flew and before we knew it 4 hours had passed. Anna Holly fell asleep so Kristin and Dan took her back to the hotel. 

Many times Anna Holly doesn't like to smile or pose for pictures so this photographer taught her a princess pose. Here we are all doing the princess pose. 

Alison and I stayed with Skylee and watched the Halloween parade. This might be Alison’s favorite Disney parade. It has great music, tons of Villains, and Disney Halloween characters. I love the headless horseman that precedes the parade. 

After the parade, we took Skylee and rode on the Incredicoaster. At this point, the park was emptying out so all of the ride lines were walk-on. Skylee was so excited to go on the roller coaster - she loves it. I love riding the roller coaster at night because I love seeing the park all lit up. Then I wanted to ride the Spider-Man ride, but Skylee isn't a fan. So instead we rode on Guardians of the Galaxy. At night during the Halloween season, they have the Monsters After Dark overlay going. It is a fun alternative set-up and would be my favorite Halloween overlay after the Haunted Mansion, of course. 

By the time we finished the ride, the California Adventure had closed. Which was good because Skylee's adrenaline was wearing off and she was tired. She was a trooper and marched back to the hotel. On this trip, we are staying at the SunCoast Park Hotel so which is about a mile from the park, but we like it because you only have to cross Harbor one time. So the walk feels shorter than it really is. 

The Oogie Boogie Bash was the highlight of our trip. It had all of the Disney magic. We did everything we wanted to do, we had fun new experiences, and we loved it!