It seems hard to believe, but it is already Halloween time at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. The spookiest time of the year seems to get more popular every year, and this year, Disney decided to start its celebrations earlier than ever.
Over at Walt Disney World Resort, guests began celebrating Halloween at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on August 9. The event runs for many nights throughout August, September, and October. On those nights, the Magic Kingdom closes early, and guests attending MNSSHP can go trick-or-treating around the park. They can also meet rare characters, watch the Sanderson Sisters perform during their Villains Spelltacular, enjoy the Boo To You Halloween Parade, and see some seriously spooktacular fireworks!
Related: Yes! August Is Too Early to Celebrate Halloween at Disney World
Over at Disneyland Resort, the Halloween celebration still started early, but not as early as it did at Disney World. Halloween Time kicked off on August 23, and the resort’s first Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween party was on August 25. Oogie Boogie Bash does not take place in Disneyland Park, but instead is held over at Disney California Adventure.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a relatively new experience, only beginning in 2019, when it replaced Mickey’s Halloween Party. Guests can enjoy interactive treat trails, watch the Frightfully Fun parade, and experience the artfully creepy Villains Grove.
One of the great things about Oogie Boogie Bash is the interactive treat trails that feature a ton of great Disney characters. And every year, Disney will introduce never-before-seen characters to the Halloween Party. Over the past few years, guests have been able to meet Ernesto De La Cruz from Coco (2017), Bruno from Encanto (2021), Yokai from Big Hero 6 (2014), Agatha Harkness from WandaVision, and even Madame Mim from The Sword in the Stone (1963)!
Last year, Disney thrilled guests when it introduced Judge Doom from the iconic 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The experience was incredible, but guests were terrified when, just like in the movie, Judge Doom took an innocent Toon shoe and killed it by putting it in his destructive Dip.
@yourfriendjanice Judge of Character #oogieboogiebash #disneyland #disneycastlife #halloween #rogerrabbitt #judgedoom
Related: Disney Announces New Halloween Parade!
It seems that Disney might have taken things a step too far with the murder of the adorable shoe. This year, guests noticed that, while Judge Doom was still performing, no murder was taking place. Instead, the shoe is being kept in a cage above the dip and Judge Doom will only “murder” the footwear if there is a specific request, but even that isn’t guaranteed.
Judge Doom killing it again this year. But no dip for the shoe.
Judge Doom killing it again this year. But no dip for the shoe. pic.twitter.com/eKVXUNwOH3
— Fresh Baked! (@FrshBakedDisney) August 26, 2024
This year, Disney did it again and introduced brand-new characters to Oogie Boogie Bash, and guests are freaking out. They can meet Hades from Hercules (1997), and Dr. Doofenshmirtz from the Disney Channel show Phineas & Ferb. In a truly impressive move, Hades’ hair even changes colors when he gets upset, just like in the movie!
Tickets to this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash are sold out, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of fun Halloween experiences at Disneyland Park. All guests can enjoy the Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular, which is shown on select nights (weather permitting). They can also head on over to New Orleans Square and ride Haunted Mansion Holiday, a nightmarish overlay that shows what happens when two holidays collide.
Do you think showing Judge Doom killing a shoe was too much? Was Disney right to remove that part of his act? Let us know in the comments!
