We have had the chance to see both parties on both coasts and we feel the Oogie Boogie Bash is a far superior After Hours Party when it comes to celebrating Halloween.
Let us start by discussing the differences and why one may be superior to the other. First off these events are not cheap. For an After Hours Party they are similar in cost to others ranging from $129 to $169 per person for the Boo Bash and $114 to $169 for the Oogie Boogie Bash. While the West Coast may have some cheaper days, for a family of four this can be a big expense for the holiday season so is it worth it? The short answer is “Maybe?”. While both events will allow early access to the park it is hosted in, the Boo Bash is only a 3 hour event versus the Oogie Boogie Bash at 5 hours. this does not include the 2 hours of “early admission” where both party goes and the regular attendees can experience the attractions before the official festivities begin.
First let us look at the Boo Bash at Walt Disney World! One of the biggest perks exclusive to this event is the unlimited popcorn, Mickey Premium bars, and soda (or water). This may be a perk for many as you can stock up on your drinks and enjoy some fresh popcorn while strolling through the park – hydration is key after all! Walking around you will find the opportunity to catch one of several Cavalcades throughout the evening. Some of these include Jack and Sally with Oogie Boogie, Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween best, as well as Maleficent in dragon form. You will also find 8 Trick-Or-Treat trails throughout the Magic Kingdom to assist in loading up on candy and treats (not many tricks to be found here – it is Disney after all!). There are also several characters out for you to socially meet and greet including some of the face characters in front of the Haunted Mansion which was a highlight in our opinion.
Now how about our West Coast friends? While you will not find the free treats here, you will find some more activity – and more creativity possibly with how things are organized. First off, all Trick-Or-Treat trails are themed to different villains. There were 7 trails this year and 3 of them featured all new characters never seen in a Disney park! These were Agatha Harkness from WandaVision featured in Avengers Campus, Cruella from the live action film in the Hollywood Backlot, and Sid from the original Toy Story in the Pixar Pier area. The other villains around the park are Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, The Evil Queen, The Mad Hatter (from the live action film), and of course Oogie Boogie himself. Each trail has not only candy but another sweet treat option such as apples, grapes, rice crispy treats, and temporary tattoos! There is another unique offering for this bash, Villains Grove. This is a spectacle of light and projections in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. There may not be any candy or villains to be seen, you will see sections of the path themed to our favorite villains. Make sure you keep your eyes open for some rarely seen characters throughout the park as well. Along Buena Vista Street you will find some villain duos such as Cinderellas Stepsisters, Pain and Panic from Hercules, and more! Over by Grizzly Bear Rapids some rare characters can be seen including Mr. Smee, Governor Ratcliffe, and the Sherriff of Nottingham! Lastly, in contrast to the Cavalcades, the Oogie Boogie Bash features the Frightfully Fun Halloween Parade – the first parade back at a Disney Park since Covid! It truly was a great time as the attraction lines are short and the party was a fun one.
Have you been to one of these parties? Share your thoughts with us!
