Halloween at Disneyland with Kids (Family Guide to Fun)
What is there to do for Halloween at Disneyland with kids? So much, it’s scary! From Oogie Boogie Bash parties to festive rides, food, and decorations throughout both California theme parks, Disney’s Halloween Time is the most fun you’ll have this season. Get in the Halloween spirit with a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth during the spookiest time of year. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Halloween season at Disneyland.
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Oogie Boogie Bash Party
A separately ticketed event, Oogie Boogie Bash is Disneyland’s Halloween party. This shindig replaced Mickey’s Halloween Party in 2019. It takes place from 6 to 11 pm on select Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings in Disney California Adventure Park.
Since Oogie Boogie Bash requires advanced reservations, it is a more intimate affair. That often means shorter lines for rides and other attractions! All areas of Disney California Adventure Park remain open during the event.
Although Disney California Adventure closes at 6 pm to guests not attending the Oogie Boogie Bash, Disneyland Park remains open.
Unique Halloween Shows
Available only during Oogie Boogie Bash, experience two unique Halloween shows in 2022.
Mickey’s Trick and Treat
In Hollywood Land, Mickey’s Trick and Treat show features two original Halloween songs, colorful video projections, spooky special effects, bubbles, and other surprises and interactive experiences.
Frightfully Fun Parade
The Frightfully Fun Parade marches through Disney California Adventure Park. The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow marks the start of the parade. Then Mickey and Minnie lead familiar characters like Disney villains, Jack Skellington, Haunted Mansion ghosts, and the Cheshire Cat along the not-too-scary street party.
Trick-Or-Treating at Disney California Adventure
Immersive treat trails are the highlight of Oogie Boogie Bash. Kids and adults alike collect goodies from special trick-or-treat stations at Disney California Adventure. Treat-seekers receive a map and a collection bag.
Half a million pounds of candy are doled out to party attendees each year! For those seeking healthier treats at Halloween at Disneyland with kids, you can collect alternative snacks like carrots, apple slices, and raisins.
Wearing Halloween Costumes at Disneyland
Dressing up in costume is a big part of the fun of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland. If you plan to go, then don a costume! This is a great excuse to act like a kid again.
Many attendees choose Disney-themed costumes and some go above and beyond with elaborate outfits. Families often come in group ensembles, such as a group dressing up as The Incredibles or all the emotions from Inside Out.
Even if children and other guests love your Disney Princess or other beloved Disney character costume and want to get your autograph or photo, however, you may not oblige them. (Womp womp.) It’s against Disney rules so it’s best to say thank you and move on.
Guests of all ages are welcome to dress up in family-friendly costumes that aren’t too scary. Masks are allowed but your vision should not be obstructed. Weapons and pointy objects should not be carried or worn either.
Keep in mind, though, that only guests aged 14 and younger are allowed to wear a costume when visiting the Disney parks during the day. Guests with Oogie Boogie Bash tickets can enter the Disney California Adventure theme park up to four hours before the party starts. Plan to stow costumes in a locker or carry them in a backpack before the party starts.
Oogie Boogie Bash Tips
The cost to attend Oogie Boogie Bash starts at $129 and goes up to $179. The ticket prices tend to be lower earlier in the season and they peak on Halloween.
Expert tip for future attendance: Spend your Oogie Boogie Bash party day relaxing at your hotel pool or exploring the Downtown Disney district until you can enter Disney California Adventure Park. That way you don’t have to buy a theme park entrance pass when you have Oogie Boogie Bash tickets. The entry time is as early as 3 pm for a 6 pm party start time.
Halloween Fun Beyond the Bash
The bad news is that all tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash have already sold out for 2022. Tickets went on sale on June 30th and were sold out by July 5th. So, if you would like to attend in 2023, mark your calendar so you can nab a party ticket.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to purchase tickets to this Halloween event to get into the spooky spirit of the season. Disney makes this fall holiday shine with Halloween decorations, seasonal treats, costumed Disney characters, and even Halloween-themed attractions. Additionally, Disney fans will want to shop for unique Halloween clothing, mouse ears, and other souvenirs throughout the parks.
The even better news is no separate event tickets are necessary to soak up these seasonal offerings. Simply visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure anytime between September 2 through October 31, 2022.
Main Street Pumpkin Festival
Disney decks out both parks with holiday decorations of the jack-o-lantern and semi-scary variety. The bulk of the festive décor can be found along Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. as part of the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. It features over 300 pumpkins in store windows.
You can’t miss the centerpiece Mickey Mouse pumpkin. Be sure to stop by to get photos taken in front of this giant Mickey pumpkin as a souvenir of your Disneyland Halloween 2022 experience.
Along Main Street, you’ll also find an array of pumpkin-themed special treats like pumpkin-shaped candy apples, pumpkin-flavored fudge, and pumpkin spice cupcakes.
Haul-O-Ween Decorations in Cars Land
Cars Land in Disney California Adventure is one of the most elaborately themed areas of the Disney parks in Anaheim during Halloween. Radiator Springs celebrates an auto-centric Haul-O-Ween as the playfully spooky-themed Radiator Screams.
Lots of glowing lights and other happy yet haunted touches sparkle throughout Radiator Screams. Scary the Scare-car greets guests as they enter this land. Then, look for Fillmore’s spinning mobile of jack-oil-lanterns. At the Cozy Cone Motel, Sally has displayed a themed miniature model of the motel made of candy.
The Halloween Tree
When hunting for holiday decorations, be sure to stop by the Halloween Tree in Frontierland near Golden Horseshoe Saloon. The living tree adorned with jack-o-lanterns was inspired by Ray Bradbury’s novel, The Halloween Tree. Introduced to Disneyland Park in 2007, it has become a beloved fixture during fall.
Headless Horseman Statue
A Headless Horseman Statue is installed on Buena Vista Street near the entrance of Disney California Adventure Park for Halloween. The 10-foot-tall statue looks somewhat creepy during the day, but fog and lights really add to the scare factor at night.
The Headless Horseman is a character from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, one of 34 short stories featured in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent by Washington Irving. Disney included this spooky story in the 1949 animated feature, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. (Yes, that was the inspiration for the terrifying dark ride, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!)
Special Fall Foods and Sweet Treats
During Halloween Time and throughout fall, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks offer special tasty treats. All sorts of past favorites return this year like a Fruity Sugar Churro from Cozy Cone, tossed in cereal sugar and topped with a purple and green glaze. To try something new, look at the exciting 2022 offerings below.
New 2022 Fall Foods and Sweet Treats at Halloween at Disneyland
- Oktoberfest-Inspired Burger from Galactic Grill
- Halloween Cake from French Market Restaurant
- Chocolate Cookie Crumble Churro from Town Square Churro Cart
- Pumpkin Spice Churro from Tomorrowland Churro Cart
- Spicy Firefly Chips from Refreshment Center
- Pumpkin Cheesecake from Jolly Holliday Bakery Café
- Pumpkin Cold Brew and Grave Stuff (dessert) from Red Rose Taverne
- Butter Pecan Cold Brew from Pym Test Kitchen
- Rocky Road Halloween Sundae from Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
New 2022 Fall Foods and Sweet Treats at Disney California Adventure
- Carnitas Burrito, Plant-Based Chorizo Quesadilla, and Elote at Paradise Garden Grill
- Peanut Candy Churro from Grizzly Peak Churro Cart
- Pumpkin Spice Churro from Buena Vista Street Churro Cart
- Ghost Pepper Nachos and Pumpkin-Spiced Donuts from Lamplight Lounge
- Cereal Sundae, Chocolate Brownie Sundae, Hard Apple Float, and Pumpkin Pie Hard Float from Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream
- Blood Orange Lemonade from Fairfax Fruit Market
New 2022 Fall Foods and Sweet Treats Outside the Parks
- Día de los Muertos Cocktail from Hearthstone Lounge at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
- Candy Corn Cream Soda from Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney
Disney Halloween Characters
Your favorite Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck get dolled up in their own Halloween costumes. Plus, there is an influx of villain characters available for meet-and-greets at this time of year.
If scary characters are what you seek, then head to Villains Grove, a candlelight path in Grizzly Peak along the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. You will stumble upon Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Scar, Dr. Facilier, and other Disney Villains. Special effects truly transform this Disney California Adventure attraction, immersing you in the sights, sounds, and scents of Halloween.
In Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, look for beloved “Cars” characters dressed up in “car-stumes.” Mater is dressed up as a “van-pire,” Lightning is a superhero, Cruz Ramirez is a pirate, and Red the Fire Truck is a clown.
Halloween Rides at Disneyland
During Halloween at Disneyland, several attractions get a spooky makeover with ride overlays.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion transforms into the Haunted Holiday thanks to Jack Skellington and friends from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. This ride maintains its mixed-up Halloween/Christmas makeover through the winter holidays. This ride may feel less frightening to young children during this timeframe so it’s a good chance to give it a go.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
Meanwhile, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT at Disney California Adventure gets even scarier than usual when it becomes Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. In addition to Guardians of the Galaxy characters and terrifying drops, the ride is overrun by terrifying beasts at nighttime.
Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-o-Ween
Two of the three Cars Land rides take on ride overlays for Halloween.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree transforms into Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. Mater serenades riders with spooky tunes.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters changes into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-o-Ween. The Italian roadsters sing and dance along to a new playlist, specially made for the season.
More Scary Rides for Halloween
A favorite in previous years, the Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy overlay did NOT return to Disneyland for Halloween at Disneyland 2022. You can, however, still ride this roller coaster and other exciting rides during your fall visit. For more thrills, take a look at our list of the scariest rides at Disneyland.
Halloween Screams Spectacular
Anyone with a Disneyland Park ticket can view the themed Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular as part of the regular entry. This show includes a dazzling array of lasers, projected images, and music with Sleeping Beauty’s Castle as the stage. On weekends, the show is topped off with an impressive display of Halloween-themed fireworks.
Halloween Screams Dining Package
New in 2022, Disney fans can reserve a special viewing area for the Halloween Screams spectacular. With the purchase of a Halloween Screams dining package, you’ll get a special spot on the northern edge of the Plaza Inn patio…without having to wait for hours. Dining times are 7:30 or 9 pm.
For adults, expect a charcuterie and cheese plate plus a villain-themed pineapple beverage with a glowing ice cube. Grown-ups also get a choice of fountain drink, bottled water, hot chocolate, or coffee.
Meanwhile, kids dine on pepperoni and cheese pinwheels. Children also enjoy hot cocoa in a souvenir Halloween tumbler plus either bottled water or milk.
All ages top the meal off with berry cheesecake and a Forbidden apple tart. Yum!
Disneyland Dia de los Muertos
In addition to Halloween, you can also celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Disneyland with kids. Most of the festivities take place in the Plaza de la Familia in Disney California Adventure and feature elements from the Disney film Coco. Get into the spirit of Día de los Muertos with live entertainment like Mexican music and dance performances, crafts, and Coco character meet-and-greets.
Learn More Disney Tips
Beyond Halloween fun, discover more reasons to visit Disneyland in the fall!
Visiting Disney’s California parks with children? Make the most of your trip with these Disneyland with kids tips before you go.
Disney throws an amazing New Year’s Eve Party. Learn what it’s like to ring in the New Year at Disney California Adventure Park.
While in Anaheim, get outside the theme parks with this list of the best things to do in Orange County with kids.
Save Money on Your Disneyland Vacation
Want to save money on your Disneyland at Halloween with kids vacation? Of course, you do! Use discount code TravelMamas to get $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and 2-ticket minimum) when you book through our trusted partner, Get Away Today.
Just want tickets? Purchase discounted Disneyland Park tickets now!
Keep this Guide to Halloween at Disneyland with Kids
Be sure to save this Halloween at Disneyland guide for families. Just pin the graphic above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!
Have you ever experienced Halloween at Disneyland with kids? In the comments below, let us know your favorite thing about celebrating this fall holiday Disney-style!
Disney has hosted my family during Halloween Time in the past, and we’ve also paid full price to experience Halloween at Disneyland many times. All opinions are mine, as always.
If there’s ever a time you want to go to Disney, this is the time of year! They really go all out for the holidays and Halloween!
So true! Love all of the festive decorations and special touches!
I want to see Cheshire Cat at Disneyland. So cute and adorable! Hope I can visit them soon!
The Cheshire Cat is such a fun character. Love that they’ve added him to the Halloween celebration!
Lisa B. – I have never been to the Walt Disney World during Halloween. I’d love to know how they compare too!
Mara – I tend to limit how much sugar the kids eat at these events so while I don’t restrict them to ALL healthy treats, I do encourage opting for some of the less sugary items. 🙂
I loved the online Vote-for-your favorite villians videos. What fun!
Have you been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party at Walt Disney World? I’m wondering how similar the parade and fireworks are.
I have always wanted to do the after hours Disney party but have yet to check it out. Your post is making me want to hop in the car and go now! You always have the best advice.
What a GREAT idea! I love Disney as it is, but combine Disney and the holidays makes me overjoyed. Halloween can be such a grusome holiday, so I’d love to make it more fun with Disneyland…adding that to my bucket list for travel!
I am sold on the Disney Halloween party. It may be a few years though. My two year old would not make it that late. We were at Disneyland last week and he was falling asleep at dinner between bites. I have two things to look forward to when he’s older- The Disney Cruise and the Halloween party. I love the baby stage but there’s so many fun things to look forward to when they are older:)
Just returned from Disney and checked everything that you said! Loved to greet the Cinderella, Snowwhite and Alice whitches! Not so often, except this time of the year, you can see them hanging around, had a geat time! Thanks for your hints!
OK, so I have to know – are there parents who actually make their children eat carrots and raisins in the midst of all that sugar?
Love the photos – definitely looks like a fun time. I like that the “bad” characters come out to play.
I didn’t really “get” what was so different about Halloween at Disneyland either, until I went. Great photos! I love the one with your little girl & the Wicked Queen.
Thanks for the info! We’re taking the kids the week of Halloween – can’t wait!
I think it’s a great time of year to go–fewer crowds. But that Haunted Mansion is something I haven’t ever been able go to–always have a kid in tow to young to brave it, even when it’s not Halloween!
YAY!! I love Disneyland at Halloween time. What a fun day. 🙂
I soooo want to do this! I have a friend who takes her daughter every year for Halloween. It has become a tradition for them.
Halloween at Disney is awesome. The great thing about Disney is the attention to detail and man, when they do it up for Halloween, the detail is amazing.
Oh, and I love this line: “I voted for the Queen. Poor thing! No one likes to age! And who needs a talking mirror reminding you that there’s a hotter number in town all the time?!” 🙂