One of the most exciting parts of Oogie Boogie Bash is seeing villains, rare characters and new characters in costumes. Some of them appear in the middle of treat trails and others have their own meet-and-greet areas. If interacting with the darker side of Disney is what you are there for, we offer some Oogie Boogie Bash character tips so you can get the most out of your night. But not all the characters are villains. You'll see Mickey, Minnie and pals in not-so-scary costumes, rare characters, princesses, pirates, Cars in "cartumes" and Pixar pals at the event as well.
Oogie Boogie Bash Character Tips
The Oogie Boogie Bash added two new villains to its treat trails in 2024. Plus, there are a few surprises.
These tips will help you plan ahead no matter what year you visit and who you want to meet:
- Hop over to our Oogie Boogie Bash post for hopful tips for the whole event.
- Use the event guide for treat trail character locations.
- The event guide does not show the other character locations around the park. You can find them in the Disneyland app. Once party time starts at 6 p.m., go to the park map and use the pull-down menu for characters. Tap on the Mickey heads to see what characters appear in those locations and the approximate times.
- Hop back to our hopful posts to find out specific information so you can locate your must-see characters before you go.
- Hop by some character locations more than once. They may rotate characters.
- Link the PhotoPass QR code on the event wristband to your Disneyland account in the app. Then collect the included PhotoPass photos with a quick scan of your wrist.
- Bring a bag. The candy bag you receive at the parks can barely contain a portion of the huge amount of loot you are collecting in one treat trail (let alone 12!). Bring that bag and stash candy in a locker when it gets heavy.
- If you see a long line, skip it. You do not want to spend your limited party time in line. Five hours fly by so fast! The treat trail lines drop off a lot as the party progresses.
- Identify three must-see characters — anything more is a bonus.
- Don't froget that regular park characters are out before the party starts, so feel free to chat with them or take pictures together with you in your Halloween costume before the party is underway!
- Follow a park plan. We've visited the Oogie Boogie Bash every year since it started. We create an Oogie Boogie Bash Party Park Plan each year to help you accomplish the most in a night by following the shortest lines.
- Eat early. Dine before you arrive or during the early mix-in time. Grab some food and drink; then hop in your first character line. Save your party time for the characters. Use Mobile Order if you need a quick refreshment during the party.
- Cast members may cap a line if it gets too long.
- Cast members may cap a line before the end of the night. Find out when a must-see character's line closes so you do not miss out.
- If you are already in a character line when the event ends, you can stay in line to meet them.
- Meet characters during a parade, when line waits may drop off.
- Character "window shop." If you are running short on time, take advantage of watching visible characters from afar if you cannot wait in all the lines. Carthay Circle Fountain is a great spot to character watch, and it has the shortest lines and a variety of characters who rotate in and out.
- Have a question or comment for the character to strike up a conversation. Sometimes a prop or costume will spark some fun interactions, especially if it's related to their story in some way.
- Hop in a character line before the party starts. We recommend the Kingdom Hearts line because that line is always the longest character line. But keep in mind that some characters have a delay before they appear.
Here's a hopful infographic with the locations of all the characters you can see:
Characters Not in Treat Trails at Oogie Boogie Bash
Want to know where you can find characters at Oogie Boogie Bash? Check out our Oogie Boogie Bash Character Guide below.
Here is a run-down of the 2024 characters.
Minnie, Daisy and Clarabelle Cow as the Sanderson Sisters
The sassy Sanderson Sisters have not disappointed since their debut in 2022. Although they are no longer the new characters to see, their line does get pretty long in the beginning of the night as they are meet and greets. If they are your priority we suggest lining up in Hollywood Land before the event begins. Otherwise, head their way towards the end of the night for a much shorter wait. We visited them with a short wait during the second parade.
Lotso (Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear)
Lotso joined the villainy in 2023 and is back for 2024! Does he smell like strawberries? (Sadly, no. But he is definitely full of hugs.) Find him in front of Toy Story Midway Manis!
Bruno
He is once again at Grizzly Peak near The Little Mermaid — Ariel's Undersea Adventure.
Carthay Circle
Here is where to find several characters from Disney animated films. We saw Pain and Panic, Captain Hook, Hans and the Sheriff of Nottingham here. But the selection could vary.
Heroic Encounters: Avengers Campus
We saw TVA Loki, Thor, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, Star-Lord, Black Panther and more.
Pixar Pier across from Incredicoaster
Here is where to find some Pixar pals such as Joy, Wade and Ember.
Incredibles Fountain
Edna and Frozone were out during our party night.
Kingdom Hearts at World of Color Viewing Area
Meet Mickey, Goofy or Donald in their Kingdom Hearts costumes.
Cars Land
Meet the cars in their "cartumes." Vampire Mater is near Cozy Cone, Pirate Cruz is near Luigi's, Clown fire truck red is closer to Avenger Campus, and keep an eye out for super hero Lightning McQueen.
Characters in Treat Trails
During the Oogie Boogie Bash, about nine characters host treat trails. (Plus three treat trails have no characters.) This means you will trick-or-treat at various candy stops along a trail that contains a villain in it. These characters are usually on a stage of some kind and speak to the crowds as they pass. They are thoroughly entertaining.
You do not get to stop for extended periods and interact or take individual pictures with them, but you may get to snap a quick selfie with them. Some have longer lines than others. But the lines generally move quickly, so it's a good way to see a lot of characters and collect candy at the same time.
Because it's dark and these characters may not stand still or pose, it can be hard to photograph them. You might catch a short video instead, especially since they are so fun to watch and hear. We love seeing the villains interact with guests wearing costumes from their respective movies!
Here's a look at the 2024 villain treat trails:
- Madame Mim — Across from waterfalls outside of Avengers Campus
- Ernesto de la Cruz — The Hyperion Courtyard (you just might catch him performing one of "his" famous tunes)
- Oogie Boogie — Inside Disney Animation
- Judge Doom — Behind Soarin'
- Agatha Harkness — Avengers Campus (find her in her new outfit in the Sanctum)
- Sid — Pixar Pier (check out the Sid Show Circus and Sid's toy creations)
- (New!) — Dr. Doofenshmirtz — Inside Disney Jr. Theater
- Yokai — San Fransokyo Square
- (New!) — Hades — Hollywood Backlot (Watch him get heated enough to turn red! Also see him at night for the best effect.)
The character locations on the parade route may temporarily close during the parade. This may be Madame Mim, who is to the left of the main entrance to Avengers Campus (across from the waterfall).
Lines for these trails are longer at the beginning of the night. Do not wait in a long line. Skip it and circle back later. Lines get shorter to almost nonexistent at the end of the night or during the parades.
The villains do take short breaks throughout the night. But they always come right back, so either hang tight for those with lengthy lines or check back later for those with shorter lines.
Special Entertainment
Catch different characters in the Frightfully Fun Parade! This incredible parade features villains not found in Treat Trails, Nightmare Before Christmas characters, Haunted Mansion and, of course, Mickey and Minnie in their costumes! Our favorite element is the Mayor with the changing face from Nightmare Before Christmas driving in his hearse to make way for Jack and Sally.
Villains Grove
There are no actual characters to meet in the Villains Grove. Instead, this walk-through experience that takes place in Redwood Creek is a lighting, projection and sound experience that is themed to these villains and themes:
- Frollo's Sanctuary — Enter an otherworldly cathedral of trees infused with incense smells and chanting voices (guilty!).
- Maleficent's Will — Roam through a region of eerie ravens, thorny vines and a seemingly spellbound waterfall of cascading color!
- Cheshire Cat in Wonderland — We took a swirling trip "over there."
- Queen of Hearts Garden — Wander through a charming garden of roses that paint themselves red right before your eyes!
- Scar’s Elephant Graveyard — Descend into a vast expanse. Can you hear the echoes of hyena laughter and see shooting flames?
- Dr. Facilier's Friends on the Other Side — Summoned by the great beyond, shadowy hands and colorful spells lure you deeper into the grove’s dark corners.
- The Wicked Queen's Lightning Forest — Experience the forest awakening as an electrifying storm flashes from branch to branch.
- Home of the Wisps — Winged caretakers guide you to safety amidst endless magical light.
- Dawn — Follow flickering lanterns toward a brilliant sunrise and your escape from this mythical trip!
A scary long line can form for Villains Grove, but the line moves quickly. The grove opens once it's dark. It opened at 7:30 the night we visited, and the line was shortest then and during the second parade. It grows pretty quickly after the parade ends. You might time your journey during a parade or just before the park closes. You can check wait times in the Disneyland app just like you do for ride wait times. We usually wait until during or just after the last parade so we don't spend too much of our night at this attraction. If you use DAS, you can get a return time for this trail once it's open.
Which Oogie Boogie Bash character are you hoping to meet? Let us know in the comments section below. If you need any discount Disneyland ticket for visits to the parks outside of the Oogie Boogie Bash or hotel stays, get a hoppin' deal from your favorite froggy friends.
Related: Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland — Dates, Details and Tips!
Related: Our Spooky-Good Guide to Disneyland Halloween Time
Hoppy planning!
