Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
If you’ve found yourself disappointed by Halloween offerings at Disneyland and Disney World lately, you’re not the only one.
While Oogie Boogie Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are two of the most anticipated events of the year at both resorts, the reality is that this year seems to have proven underwhelming for many Disney guests.
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With tickets soaring to an all-time high (Oogie Boogie Bash set guests back up to $189 per person, while Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets hit a high of $199 with the cheapest ticket $10 more expensive than 2023), many have noted that the offerings no longer seem to justify the price tag.
Personally, we’re huge fans of both coast’s Halloween parties. We’ll agree that our most recent experiences haven’t been quite as magical as they were in the past – but with just a few tweaks, Disney could easily upgrade its Halloween offerings in the years to come. Here’s how we think the experience could be improved.
More Entertainment
This is a critique of Oogie Boogie Bash more than Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. In fact, it’s comparisons between the two that make us bring up this point in the first place.
Credit: Disney
While Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offers Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and Moonlight Melodies – plus all the character meet-and-greets – the only entertainment you’ll find at Oogie Boogie Bash is the Frightfully Fun Parade, Villains Grove, and the Treat Trails (plus characters).
The price difference between the two events isn’t massive, which is what makes the gap between the entertainment offerings all the more frustrating. We’re huge fans of both Halloween parties, but with a few more entertainment offerings (there are multiple theaters at Disney California Adventure Park! Make use of them, Disney!) we think Oogie Boogie Bash would reach a whole new level.
Backup Entertainment
Speaking of entertainment…
When everything goes to plan, the entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is truly top-notch. But it’s a universally acknowledged fact that the weather in Central Florida between August and October can, well, suck. The odds of the event being rained out are depressingly high during hurricane season, and when this happens, you don’t exactly get your money’s worth.
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Admittedly, Disney is good at providing refunds or alternative ways to make up for the disappointment when this happens. For those who’ve traveled out of town, however, this often isn’t enough.
Obviously, nothing compares to seeing the Sanderson sisters take to the stage in front of Cinderella Castle or seeing the Headless Horseman trot down Main Street, U.S.A., but if there was backup entertainment—think the B-mode offered for certain effects or animatronics on Disney’s newer rides—this would go some way in filling the gap.
More Food Options
Again, this criticism is better aimed at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party than Oogie Boogie Bash.
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While lines for rides are often shorter during the event, we’ve encountered some pretty scary wait times for food, of all things, in the past – especially at Sleepy Hollow. This is partially because of the hype around some of the party’s limited-edition, often pumpkin-flavored offerings but also because there just aren’t as many options for places to eat.
We know that lines are something you just have to grin and bear while visiting Disney, but considering how little time you actually have to enjoy everything at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this is something we’d love to see change in the future.
Switch Things up From Year to Year
This is our biggest issue with both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash.
Credit: Disney
Magical though it would be, we understand that totally revamping either event on an annual basis would be a costly affair. However, it would still be good to see at least some kind of diversification from year to year.
Increasing the ticket prices every year without actually switching things up will eventually grow frustrating – if it hasn’t already. While tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash sold out in record time in 2023, with scalpers reselling tickets for $2,000, it took 11 days in 2024. If demand is already slipping, fingers crossed for more changes in 2025 and beyond!
How do you think Disney could improve Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash?
My daughter, 2 grandsons and myself spent the money to go to the Halloween party and were disappointed with the offerings. Yes, there were the majestic headless horseman, photo ops, and the parade. The kids dressed up and was looking forward to the usual “Disney wow.” The disappointment started with the trick-or-treat trek from one place to another. We decided that we wouldn’t spend the money to do this again. The decorations and special fireworks available to all guests were the best part of the Halloween season without spending $200 per person extra.