Halloween may still be months away, but that hasn’t stopped Disneyland Resort from getting a head start on the spooky season. Each year, fans eagerly await the return of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure Park—a limited-time event known for its elaborate theming, immersive treat trails, and a villain lineup that pulls from some of the darkest corners of Disney lore.
Related: Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets Are Coming—Will You Be Fast Enough to Get Yours?
This year, Disney decided to unveil a few surprises early, including a new set of posters and a look at Mickey and Minnie’s Halloween outfits. But while these early peeks are usually met with nothing but excitement, this time around, one seemingly small detail sparked a flurry of speculation, leading to a much larger discussion than anyone expected.
Among the new materials released for the event were two promotional posters. One featured a group of fan-favorite villains, including Hades, Agatha Harkness, Ernesto de la Cruz, Judge Doom, and the star of the show himself—Oogie Boogie.
The second poster showed Mickey and Minnie posing on Buena Vista Street in their Halloween costumes, with the shadows of Ursula, Captain Hook, and Cruella de Vil looming in the background.
But what caught some fans off guard wasn’t the costumes or the characters—it was Mickey’s hand.
Shortly after Disney posted the new visuals, sharp-eyed social media users zoomed in on the artwork and claimed that Mickey’s oddly shaped hand indicated the images had been generated by artificial intelligence. That speculation escalated quickly, especially given Disney’s high-profile legal battle with Midjourney, a platform accused of using copyrighted Disney imagery to train AI models.
In that lawsuit, Disney described Midjourney’s practices as a “bottomless pit of plagiarism,” specifically referencing unauthorized usage of characters like Elsa from Frozen (2013) and Darth Vader from Star Wars.
Related: Disney Halloween Party Cost Hits Record-Breaking High
With this controversy still fresh, many fans felt uneasy about the idea that Disney might be using AI to produce artwork—especially for an event as beloved and artistically rich as Oogie Boogie Bash.
However, Disney has responded to the speculation directly, shutting down rumors that artificial intelligence played any role in creating the artwork.
According to Disney insider Scott Gustin, the posters and other design elements were created by real Disney artists, with no AI used at any point in the process.
FWIW – I confirmed the artwork is entirely original and that AI was not used at any stage of the creative process. 👍
FWIW – I confirmed the artwork is entirely original and that AI was not used at any stage of the creative process. 👍 https://t.co/JDt2MKSbus
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 13, 2025
In addition to the posters, maps were also released showcasing the party layout—including interactive treat trails, the Frightfully Fun Parade route, and a mystery tease about a new character coming to Pixar Pier. In recent years, that spot was occupied by Sid from Toy Story (1995), though Disney has yet to confirm this year’s replacement.
Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash officially go on sale June 26, with staggered early access available for Magic Key Holders. Inspire Key holders can buy starting June 24, while Believe, Enchant, and Imagine Key holders can make their purchases on June 25. The event kicks off earlier than ever this year, with the first party night taking place on August 17 and continuing through Halloween night.
So what do you think? Were fans too quick to assume AI was behind the spooky new poster? Do you believe there’s still a place for AI-generated content in theme park experiences, or should Disney stick to its team of talented human artists? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to Disney Dining for more Oogie Boogie Bash updates as Halloween creeps closer.
