When you think of Halloween, images of jack-o’-lanterns, spooky costumes, and trick-or-treating may come to mind. But what if I told you there’s a place where Halloween takes on a whole new magical dimension? Welcome to the spookiest time of the year: Halloween at Disneyland.
Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash is quickly becoming the must-have ticket of the season. If you are lucky enough to land a ticket, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re a seasoned Disneyland visitor or a first-timer, Halloween at Disneyland is an event not to be missed.
With so much to see and do, it’s important to plan ahead to make the most of your visit, from character appearances to Halloween-themed food and merchandise. So we’ve put together a guide for you, based on our many visits to Disneyland at Halloween.
Planning a trip to Disneyland?
- Get your Disney tickets. Save $26 on a 4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket!
- Book your private airport transfer from Anaheim hotels to LAX.
- Renting a car isn’t necessary for a Disney-only trip, but it is if you plan to go anywhere else. We always find the best deals on cars through DiscoverCars.com.
Where to Stay in Disneyland:
- The Westin Anaheim Resort (Very close to the park, tons of room options)
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Direct access to the park + perks)
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate (Free breakfast, kids stay free)
Best Tours and Experiences in Disneyland:
Dates and Hours
Halloween Time at Disneyland will run from September 1 through October 31, 2024. During this period, the park will be transformed into a spooky wonderland, with special decorations, attractions, and events.
Guests who purchase a ticket for the Oogie Boogie Bash will be able to enjoy exclusive entertainment, trick-or-treating, and character meet-and-greets. Disney’s California Adventure closes early on those days so be aware, if you don’t have a ticket you will have to exit the park.
Planning your trip? We’ve got tons of helpful Disney planning guides from our awesome list of 40 essential tips, to how to get to Disneyland, where to stay near Disney, what to pack, what to wear, where to park, and what to eat in both Disneyland and California Adventure.
Highlights of Halloween at Disneyland
As you enter Disneyland during the Halloween season, you’ll immediately be greeted by a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, with Main Street U.S.A. adorned in orange and black, and whimsical pumpkins around every corner. The meticulous attention to detail in the decorations is astounding; it’s as if the Disney magic itself has conjured these delightful scenes.
But the real magic lies in the transformation of classic Disney attractions. And don’t miss out on the opportunity to see your favorite Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, adding an extra layer of charm to your visit.
Halloween Decorations
Halloween decorations go up and are visible in both parks from September 1st – October 31st.
Over in Frontierland, there’s a traditional Dia de los Muertos display.
But the pièce de résistance? Haunted Mansion Holiday, where the ride gets a “Nightmare Before Christmas” makeover that lasts through the New Year.
And let’s not forget about the Halloween-themed food and merchandise that pop up all over the park. It’s a blend of spooky and magical, just the way Disneyland does best.
Themed Treats
No visit to Disneyland during Halloween is complete without indulging in some of the delicious themed treats, from pumpkin spice churros to holiday-themed candy apples. Guests can also enjoy seasonal menu items at select restaurants throughout the park.
The best way to look through all of your seasonal options is to do it through the Disneyland app. Each restaurant and food cart will show their seasonal offering.
A big hit with guests every season are the limited edition popcorn buckets found throughout the park. Check out this cute Zero bucket from last year. People say that the popcorn at Disneyland is amazing, I hear it all the time. Everything tastes better at Disneyland!
Holiday Attractions
Disneyland is always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, and 2024 is no exception. There are several attractions that visitors can look forward to during Halloween.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion Holiday is a beloved Halloween tradition at Disneyland. Picture yourself riding the Haunted Mansion, where the “999 happy haunts” take on an even spookier, but still family-friendly, twist.
The classic Haunted Mansion is transformed into a whimsical version featuring characters from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. Enter into the world of Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero; you might even catch a glimpse of the characters themselves in Disneyland.
This is such a change from the original ride that it closes down for weeks in order for the transformation to take place.
Frontierland
Frontierland is celebrating the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead with a festive exhibit. You’ll encounter a musical trio of skeleton figurines, along with brightly colored decorations. Look for them outside of Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
While you are there, grab some classic Mexican cuisine and relax in the shade of the bougainvillea on the patio. The trio of street tacos is always good and for a great vegetarian option, go for the cauliflower tacos.
Halloween Screams
This season don’t miss the Halloween Screams projection show every night through the end of October. Music, projections, and special affects can be viewed on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, The River of America, Main Street USA, and “Its a Small World”. On select nights, a fireworks show will accompany it.
The Halloween Screams Dining Package is also available on select nights at Plaza Inn, which includes tasty concoctions and reserved viewing for “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular.
Pro Tip: If you have a MagicBand+ you will experience the show with a special surprise.
Highlights of Halloween at Disney’s California Adventure
Oogie Boogie Bash
The Oogie Boogie Bash is a Halloween party that takes place at Disney California Adventure on select nights during the Halloween season. A separate ticket is required for this event that takes place on select nights from September 5th to October 31st.
Unfortunately, tickets for this event have already sold out, but don’t worry, you can still enjoy Halloween at Disneyland. Park guests without Oogie Boogie Bash tickets must leave the park by 6pm when the event officially begins.
It is a favorite among guests and it’s easy to see why. It features exclusive Halloween-themed entertainment, such as over the top trick-or-treating where everyone comes away with pounds of candy, Disney Villians meet-and-greets with a chance to interact with them, and a Halloween-themed parade. Costumes are encouraged, dress up in your favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy the festivities.
Headless Horseman
The Headless Horseman statue is a popular photo spot in Disney California Adventure park. The statue is a life-size replica of the Headless Horseman character from the classic Disney movie, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
The statue is located in located on Buena Vista Street just past the entrance plaza of the park and features the Headless Horseman riding a black horse and holding a jack-o’-lantern in his hand. The statue is incredibly detailed, and is even better at night!
Plaza de la Familia
The Plaza de la Familia is a special area of the park that celebrates the traditions, cultures, and values of the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The area is located in the Paradise Gardens Park.
The Plaza de la Familia features a variety of activities, including live music, dance performances, crafts, and storytelling. Enjoy delicious food and drinks inspired by Mexican cuisine.
One of the highlights of the Plaza de la Familia is the immersive experience called “A Musical Celebration of Coco.” This interactive show tells the story of the Disney/Pixar movie Coco through music, dance, and storytelling. Guests can also take part in a special photo opportunity with a display of the iconic Mexican marigold flowers.
Cars Land Haul-o-Ween
Get into the Halloween spirit while enjoying the fun and whimsical world of Cars. Cars Land gets a major Halloween makeover. There are so many great decorations. You’ll want to spend some time there just exploring and taking photos.
Halloween-Specific Attractions for 2024
Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a fast-paced ride where guests board a tractor-trailer and are taken on a ride through Mater’s junkard. For Halloween it’s turned into Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, with a new soundtrack and decorations.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
During the day you can experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! But, after dark this ride transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
The ever popular Guardians of the Galaxy ride is a thrilling drop tower ride that takes you on a mission to rescue the Guardians from the Collector’s fortress. The Halloween version features a new storyline and special effects. The story picks up where the original ride leaves off, with the Guardians escaping the Collector’s fortress, but accidentally leaving behind Groot.
Character Appearances
One of the highlights of Halloween at Disneyland is the chance to see some of your favorite Disney characters dressed up in their Halloween costumes. While the exact characters and costumes may vary from year to year, you can usually expect to see classic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, as well as popular Disney princesses and villains.
In addition to the standard character meet and greets, there are also special Halloween-themed character appearances throughout the park. For example, you may be able to see Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in New Orleans Square, or the Disney Villains in Fantasyland.
Buena Vista street is a great place to catch a Disney character walking around signing autographs and posing for pictures. It’s also a great place to see how Carthay Circle restaurant comes to life after dark. Halloween colored lights are projected around and bats swarm.
Keep in mind that character appearances are subject to change and may have limited availability. It is recommended to check the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date information on character appearances and locations.
Character appearances are a fun and festive way to get into the Halloween spirit at Disneyland. Be sure to bring your camera and get ready to snap some memorable photos with your favorite Disney characters in their Halloween costumes.
Halloween Themed Food
Disneyland Resort has released its full guide to all the special Halloween food, beverages, and souvenirs that will be available this year. The resort is going all out with Halloween-themed food and merchandise offerings, and you can expect to find a variety of spooky treats and souvenirs throughout the park.
The resort’s culinary teams have created some sinister sweets and treats to celebrate Halloween at Disneyland Resort. From savory bites like the Spicy Chili Dog at Refreshment Corner to sinister sweets like the Poison Apple Funnel Cake Fries at Award Wieners and Halloween Donut at GCH Craftsman Grill, there’s something for every ghoul this year.
Make sure to try a churro or two while you are there. Each churro cart has their own specialty churro with a Halloween theme. They display a sign on each cart telling you when their flavor is and if it comes with a dipping sauce.
Tips for Visiting Disneyland during Halloween
Pro Tip – PhotoPass is a fun way to get amazing photos of your experience in the park. It is included when you purchase Genie+ or you can purchase individual photos through the Disney app.
Best Time to Visit
I don’t think there’s a “best time to visit” during Halloween. It has become so popular that it can be pretty packed any day of the week. I recently heard that Monday’s can be just as busy as the weekend.
Try to go during the week in September or early October. The crowds tend to be smaller, and the weather is usually cooler. However, if you are looking for a more festive atmosphere, visit during the weekends or closer to Halloween.
Costume Guidelines
You can wear costumes during Oogie Boogie Bash at DCA, but there are some guidelines to follow. Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive, offensive, or violent. Masks are allowed, but they cannot cover the entire face, and eyes must be visible at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the dates for Oogie Boogie Bash 2023?
Oogie Boogie Bash is a special Halloween event at Disney California Adventure park. There are 25 nights planned this year. It starts in early September and run through the end of October.
What characters can be seen at Disneyland during Halloween?
During Halloween at Disneyland, guests can expect to see a variety of Disney characters dressed in their Halloween costumes. Some of the characters that have been seen in previous years include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and many more. Guests can also expect to see some of the Disney villains, such as Maleficent and the Evil Queen.
What special decorations can be expected at Disneyland for Halloween 2024?
Disneyland is known for its elaborate and immersive decorations during Halloween. You can expect to see the park transformed into a spooky wonderland, with pumpkins, ghosts, and other Halloween-themed decorations throughout the park. Some of the highlights include the giant Mickey Mouse pumpkin on Main Street, the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, and the Dia de los Muertos display in Frontierland.
Is a visit to Disneyland during Halloween worth it?
A visit to Disneyland during Halloween is definitely worth it for those who love the holiday and the Disney magic. The park is transformed into a spooky wonderland, with special decorations, character meet-and-greets, and Halloween-themed food and merchandise. However, keep in mind that the park can be crowded during this time, and some of the attractions may have longer wait times.
Are costumes allowed at Disneyland during the Halloween celebration?
Yes, costumes are allowed at Disneyland during the Halloween celebration, but there are certain guidelines that guests must follow. Costumes must be family-friendly and cannot be overly scary or violent. Guests over the age of 14 are also not allowed to wear masks, and all costumes must comply with Disneyland’s dress code policy.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
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Angie is a long-time California fan, having lived in the Monterey area for many years. She loves reading, cooking, and hanging out with her two kids.