Disney has announced new & updated Villains Treat Trails for the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party, along with the event exclusive merchandise & menus at DCA for the spook season special event. This post covers what’s coming to OBB, photos & videos of Syndrome & Maleficent, plus some quick thoughts.
Fair warning: not much changes about Oogie Boogie Bash from year to year. If you’re planning on attending the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party and last did the event in 2021, it’s about 90% the same. There are major differences with Oogie Boogie Bash as compared to 2019, but unfortunately, they’re almost all downgrades. I’d go as far as to argue that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has seen more meaningful updates since 2019 than OBB.
We had hoped that Disneyland would expand and improve Oogie Boogie Bash in subsequent years after it launched, especially given the local fanbase, but that really hasn’t been the case. We covered this all at length in Why You Should Skip the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Disney Halloween Party, which makes the case against attending the event. Although that’s mostly aimed at locals and repeat visitors, some of the points apply to first-timers, too.
If you’re on the fence about attending, it’s worth point out that you can have a lot of fun for “free” during Halloween Time at Disneyland. Unlike Walt Disney World, the base experience during Halloween is fantastic in the California parks. Attraction overlays, great menu updates, and decorations galore! See our Ultimate Guide to Halloween 2025 at Disneyland for everything you need to know.
Nevertheless, there are changes for the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. That’s where this post comes into play–so you know what has changed and can plan accordingly. With that said, if you’re a first-timer, you need not worry about “staleness” since everything at Oogie Boogie Bash will be new to you, and overall, it is a good event. There’s a reason tickets sell out every year.
In that case, though, this post is not our resource. For everything you need to know about this event–beyond what’s new–see our Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party!
Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets Not Sold Out
After several years of tickets selling out with minutes, hours, or days of going on sale, tickets are starting to sell slower for Oogie Boogie Bash. At least, we hope. There’s also the reality that Disneyland has added many more OBB event dates to the calendar, so it’s also possible that demand is more or less unchanged while supply has increased.
In any case, here are the dates that currently still have ticket availability:
- August 21, 2025
- August 28, 2025
That’s it. There were more dates available relatively recently, but they’ve since vanished. We expect these final two dates to sell out, so don’t delay if you’re on the fence about whether to purchase.
There has never been a single Oogie Boogie Bash date that did not sell out, but it appears we’re closer to ~2019 normal in terms of ticket sales. Back then, it took until mid-September for the event to sell out (the event also started in mid-September as opposed to mid-August).
Nevertheless, it’s our hope that the slower sales incentivizes Disneyland to address the Oogie Boogie Bash staleness issue next year. Because as it stands, 2025 looks to be the year with the fewest changes since the event started.
One (1) New Villain
The biggest change from year to year of Oogie Boogie Bash is two new characters joining the Villains Treats Trails, replacing older or less popular ones, each year.
Disneyland previously released a ‘Fun Map’ for the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash showing that there will be replacements for Sid from Toy Story and Madam Mim from The Sword in the Stone. Madam Mim being replaced makes perfect sense–she was always an oddball deep cut, albeit a fun one! I’m glad she was offered, but not upset she’s going away.
On the other hand, I’m honestly a little surprised that Sid is being retired. While he’s an original that’s been at the event since the beginning, he’s also incredibly popular–seemingly more so with each passing year. By contrast, the more recent additions of Yokai and Judge Doom have seen their demand die down.
Last year, the newcomers were Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas & Ferb and Hades from Hercules. Dr. Doofenshmirtz was an indirect replacement for Mother Gothel from Tangled. Hades replaced Cruella from the live action movie of the same name. Although that movie is now several years old so this change was due, it’s still somewhat disappointing since the Cruella they cast was a dead ringer for Emma Stone.
Here are the official announcements of the new for 2025 villains via Disneyland:
First Look at Syndrome from Incredibles
Filled with villainous rage and a desire to be known as a true hero himself, Syndrome will debut for the first time at Oogie Boogie Bash on select nights from August 17 through October 31, 2025.
During each night of Oogie Boogie Bash, you’ll be able to hear Syndrome’s tactful plans and snarky quips as you scoop up treats being passed out by a friendly Disneyland cast member.
Whether you’re his number one fan or an ultimate hero looking to foil his wicked plans, you can spot Syndrome at his own dedicated Oogie Boogie Bash treat trail near the Pixar Pier Band Shell. Stop by for a super time filled with sights and sweets, but be careful of potentially nefarious activity from this fierce villain.
Talk about main character Syndrome… catch Metroville’s most notorious villain at Oogie Boogie Bash. 🎃 pic.twitter.com/NBObrAx7WJ
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) August 14, 2025
Syndrome should be a really interesting and fun character in a similar style as Sid.
He’ll be able to heckle the audience and offer a good amount of humor. From the above video, it looks like Disney pulled off translating Syndrome to a human face character.
We would expect Syndrome to be the most popular villain at the 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash, with long lines throughout the evening. Going during the parade or towards the end of the night will definitely be the best bet. We would not recommend going at the very beginning of Oogie Boogie Bash, especially if you’re attending one of the August parties. Syndrome being the only new offering will exacerbate those waits early-on.
Return of Maleficent
You may have walked through Oogie Boogie Bash before and spotted her once upon a dream, but this devious, dark fairy is back with a vengeance this year. Filling the dim night with sinister schemes and ferocious fury, the mistress of all evil flies over to Mountain Road in Grizzly Peak (behind the queue for Grizzly River Run) for an encounter with guests.
You’ll be able to deal with Maleficent and all the powers of her imagination on each night of the separately ticketed event this fall, as cast members pass out treats at this unique treat trail. Don’t forget to dress in your Disney best and brace yourselves for a cool rush of pure evil as Maleficent lights up California Adventure with her signature flair this fall.
Maleficent has appeared at Oogie Boogie Bash previously, but not since 2022. I was hoping that Disney would pull out all the stops and make her appear in dragon form, like Murphy 2.0 rising from the ashes. This is a bit underwhelming by comparison. From best I can tell, this is identical to what was presented in 2022.
Find her on the treat trail…if you dare🐦⬛🏰 #OogieBoogieBash pic.twitter.com/aBwiWBMG4k
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) August 14, 2025
I also have to admit that I’m a bit disappointed in Disneyland fans. I went to the Instagram announcement comments, hoping for some good ole fashioned outrage, and there was nothing of the sort. Everyone was excited and enthusiastic!
Either Disneyland fans have gotten soft or I’ve become a curmudgeon, but back in the day, there would’ve been at least mild disappointment, plus plenty of pointed shots at the current (sorry and sad) state of Fantasmic. I guess this shifting sentiment also helps explain why Oogie Boogie Bash keeps selling out every single year despite minimal changes.
With all of that said, I will admit that I am also looking forward to having Maleficent back. She’s a great villain with excellent interactions who should be a core character at this event. She also shouldn’t be one of the only two (2) marketable additions at Oogie Boogie Bash. Both things can be true!
Oogie Boogie Bash Merchandise
At Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood and Seaside Souvenirs, special event merchandise will be sold featuring Mr. Oogie Boogie himself. A crossbody bag, Minnie Mouse ear headband and Spirit Jersey are available while supplies last.
I’m definitely not the target audience for this stuff, but I appreciate the colorful designs. These items look fun, even if they’re not for me.
Oogie Boogie Bash Menus
Before Oogie Boogie Bash officially starts, delight in food and drink available during regular park hours at Disney California Adventure. There will be so many seasonal options to try beginning August 22, from a pumpkin pie churro to an achiote half-chicken. (Remember, Oogie Boogie Bash has three parties before the official start of Halloween Time at Disneyland.)
Some savory bites and a themed beverage are being served specially for Oogie Boogie Bash. Here’s where to find them:
- Loaded Buffalo Chicken Fries at Flo’s V8 Cafe
- Carolina Loaded Tenders at Flo’s V8 Cafe
- Chili-Cheese Fries at Award Wieners
- Ube Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Vodka at Cozy Cone Motel
The new Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor Sipper is also available for purchase at various locations, while supplies last:
- Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
- Chiller at Paradise Gardens Park
- Corn Dog Castle
- Fairfax Market
- Mortimers Market
- Paradise Garden Grill
- Smokejumpers Grill
- Select vending carts
It’s our assumption that these items will be available starting with the first party on August 17, but that’s unclear. I guess we’ll find out soon. (None of these dishes sound all that appealing, so I won’t be too upset if they’re unavailable until August 22.)
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you looking forward to seeing Syndrome or Maleficent? Wish there were more 2025 additions than one (1) new villain and one (1) returning/replacement villain? Have you attended Oogie Boogie Bash? Done multiple Halloween parties over the last 5 years? Is Oogie Boogie Bash still a must-do for you, or do you agree that it’s gotten stale for repeat guests? Do you disagree with any of our advice and assessments? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!