Final evening was once the primary 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Celebration of the yr! We have been readily available for the onerous price tag tournament in Disney California Journey at Disneyland, and sought after to percentage pictures & ideas concerning the adjustments & new choices. In particular, I’ll admit that I used to be flawed about “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration.”
That’s in point of fact the majority of this put up, as no longer a complete lot else modified from final yr’s model of the Halloween Celebration. In the event you’re making plans on attending the 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash and final did the development in 2021, it’s ~90% the similar. It’s a identical tale with Mickey’s No longer So Frightening Halloween Celebration at Walt Disney International.
Disney takes a “don’t repair what isn’t damaged” means since those occasions in most cases promote out very easily. Which means that visitors are vote casting with their wallets in terms of the fan-favorite Halloween events, so there’s little incentive to reinvent the wheel. And even grease it, because the case is also.
We had was hoping that Disneyland would extend and toughen Oogie Boogie Bash in next years after it introduced, particularly given the native fanbase, however that hasn’t came about. We coated this all at period in Why You Must Skip the 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash Disney Halloween Celebration.
Even supposing one sure from final evening was once that this was once the primary Oogie Boogie Bash we’ve ever attended that was once no longer offered out. It was once actually the primary time I had ever observed the signal underneath, despite the fact that anyone corrected me that it’s been used a few occasions prior to now, previous to same-day sell-outs. (Until I neglected it, the primary Oogie Boogie Bash of 2026 didn’t promote out all over the development.)
Because of the transfer from Frightfully A laugh Parade to “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” and the one new villain being Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove, I used to be pondering the 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash can be skippable.
Truthfully, I kinda had purchaser’s regret after buying tickets and studying that was once it on the subject of additions and adjustments (Oogie Boogie Bash call for and bulletins are usually such that it’s important to ‘purchase blind’ with out understanding what’ll be added when tickets first pass on sale, or chance the development promoting out. Clearly, that wouldn’t had been the case for 2026). Fortunately, I used to be flawed and our expectancies have been exceeded.
On an a laugh inside of baseball word, “I used to be flawed about…” is especially its personal style of posts in this weblog. It’s been used for Animal Kingdom’s excellence and full-day standing and Toy Tale Lodge and FuelRods and extra. I think it’s vital to possess my errors.
Sarah isn’t partial to this kind of put up. No longer as a result of she’s an suggest of keeping up entrenched reviews within the face of recent knowledge, however as a result of she’s defensive of me and believes I admit error greater than I trumpet correctness. I think that I do each to sufficiently affordable levels. Both method, the observe document speaks for itself and other people will draw their very own conclusions therefrom.
Additionally, it’s vital for the sake of humility to possess errors. However simply when you believe her: I’m on occasion proper. This isn’t a kind of events, despite the fact that.
On the subject of “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” or in point of fact any ingenious output (so maximum of what Disney does), I think this kind of reevaluation is particularly vital. There are individuals who very obviously poured their hearts, souls and sweat into this; they need to be praised for that.
Right here’s our critique of “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” from when it was once at first introduced:
Our assumption is that “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” will probably be a downgrade from Frightfully A laugh Parade. With out a right kind parade path, there’s most effective such a lot that may be staged from different behind the curtain spaces, which means that this will likely essentially be smaller scale than Frightfully A laugh Parade.
Disney is opting for to name it a boulevard birthday party versus a cavalcade, possibly as a result of this will probably be extra interactive in nature, inviting visitors to take part. Most likely the execution will probably be unbelievable, and this will likely pass over extremely neatly with visitors.
Perhaps some will like it to Frightfully A laugh Parade. We sincerely doubt that, and examine this as a downgrade as opposed to Frightfully A laugh Parade, a minimum of on the subject of scale and scope. It’s a laugh (and good) that they’re tying it to Haunted Mansion, despite the fact that.
The primary a part of this is proper. “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” is undeniably smaller scale than the overall Frightfully A laugh Parade. This isn’t in point of fact an issue of opinion.
It’s simply the sensible fact of the parade path being out of fee because of Coco building. Disney can’t level the overall Frightfully A laugh Parade because of the restricted behind the curtain area that’s recently to be had, so it follows that Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is essentially smaller-scale.
What’s flawed is that “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” is a downgrade as opposed to Frightfully A laugh Parade. I left the door open for this chance, largely as a result of I used to be by no means partial to Frightfully A laugh Parade.
Additionally from that unique announcement:
Frightfully A laugh Parade was once a excellent, however no longer nice, parade. It was once a lot shorter than Boo to You, and felt like both a glorified cavalcade or a mini parade (relying upon your point of view) by means of comparability.
Whilst I left the door open for “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” being higher, I didn’t be expecting it. That is evidenced by means of use of the phrases “honest doubt” and repeated use of downgrade. My expectation was once the similar common really feel of Frightfully A laugh, however shorter and (as a result) skippable. Mistaken on a minimum of one rely!
In spirit and elegance, Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake maximum indisputably isn’t “Frightfully A laugh however shorter.” As a substitute, the road birthday party offers Oogie Boogie Bash the shot within the arm that it’s wanted for the previous couple of years, for the reason that post-COVID luster wore off.
Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is full of life and chaotic in the easiest way imaginable. It’s, paradoxically sufficient, alive in some way that Frightfully A laugh merely was once no longer. The choreography and performances are subsequent degree, with the strikes being a laugh and frenetic and perhaps a tad foolish (or a minimum of no longer self-serious) with a touch of sultriness (sure, in point of fact).
This shouldn’t had been an entire surprise for the reason that Haunted Mansion unit of the Halloween parades at each Walt Disney International and Disneyland are all the time the most efficient, however this takes the whole thing up a notch. It’s nearly as though the crew in the back of this and the performers have an awl to grind, and prefer Constance, are out to turn out the haters flawed. Smartly, they did–after which some. Fortunately, I lived to inform the story.
Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake has possibly the most efficient dancing we’ve ever observed on the home Disney Parks, rivaling the productions at Tokyo Disney Lodge (see additionally, this viral scene-stealing tree at TDR).
To not be overwrought or cliche, however those performers have been nearly possessed, giving it their absolute all on a scorching 90-degree, mid-August day. Their strikes are entrancing, and make you omit that it is a “downgrade” (as some clueless critics have claimed!) from the overall parade.
In the case of that downgrade perspective, there are fewer floats. And excluding the primary Haunted Mansion one, they’re all smaller, with some even being navigated by means of boulevard performers. However what this misses is that, because of the long showstops, Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is roughly the similar period as Frightfully A laugh when you’re in one of the most showstop places. Each are shorter than Boo to You or some other complete parade, however we’re nonetheless speaking a reasonably meaty and pleasant 10+ mins from begin to end.
On peak of that, the song in Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is superb. The brand new track is an absolute ear-worm. I’ve been buzzing and making a song all of it day these days, despite the fact that I’m no longer somewhat certain of all of the lyrics. (Sarah additionally loves once I do this.)
Then there are the little main points at the new floats, which Haunted Mansion enthusiasts will admire. You’ll in point of fact inform Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake was once put in combination by means of a skilled and passionate crew. It’s only a ton of a laugh, to the purpose that you just’ll need to rewatch it over and over.
To that time, I indisputably counsel the second one efficiency for decrease crowds…but additionally the primary so you’ll come to a decision whether or not you “want” to look it once more. (Most likely watch the sooner efficiency from a decrease stakes, last-minute location and get a great spot for the second one?)
In line with Forged Participants, Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake stops in 3 places: The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Journey, Wine Nation Trattoria and Sonoma Terrace (dessert birthday party viewing), and round Award Wieners in Hollywood Land. The road birthday party pauses in every spot for more or less 10 mins.
All over the place else, it passes reasonably briefly, within the span of just a couple mins. In those places, it’s indisputably extra like a portion of Frightfully A laugh Parade plus a couple of additions. The choreography continues to be excellent, however you pass over the over-the-top dance sequences. You want to observe from a showstop spot.
I watched the primary efficiency from Hollywood Land and the second one from Little Mermaid. (Technically, I adopted the second one down the Efficiency Hall taking pictures alongside the way in which and preventing with it in entrance of Paradise Bay.)
I indisputably most well-liked the Little Mermaid, each on the subject of lights and crowds. The second one showtime was once lifeless, and it most certainly helped that the second one boulevard birthday party ends at Little Mermaid, while the primary begins from there.
Going ahead, my expectation is that the display forestall places will turn into busier, particularly for the second one efficiency. I used to be ready to get a entrance row spot on the absolute final minute when we met the Sanderson Sisters, however I wouldn’t be expecting that someday. Phrase goes to get out that that is in reality nice, and insist will probably be upper for the Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration, particularly the place it stops.
Similar to Viva Navidad ahead of it, which is the exact non secular successor to Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake (versus Frightfully A laugh), that is destined to turn into a cult vintage. I’d no longer be in the least shocked if, even after the parade path is cleared to go back, Disney reveals a technique to flesh out the Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration versus bringing again Frightfully A laugh Parade.
The Disney Reside Leisure crew in the back of this has controlled to seize lightning in a bottle. It’s fascinating that they regularly do that no longer with their big-budget, blockbuster productions, however as a substitute with the scrappy ‘little’ choices the place they’re sponsored into an artistic nook and must make lemonade out of lemons.
Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake is strictly that. It doesn’t simply set up to benefit from “compromise” prerequisites that necessitated a smaller scale manufacturing. It’s an quick cult vintage, providing the very best marriage of exact high quality, possessed performances, and full of life choreography–all infused with a light campy high quality.
I will be able to’t imagine I’m penning this effusive reward for one thing that I anticipated to be an afterthought, but it surely’s most effective truthful after those gifted performers and creatives put the whole thing they’d into Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake. It’s a can’t pass over that, a minimum of for me, is awesome to Frightfully A laugh Parade. However in equity, I by no means concept the parade was once that groovy, particularly as contrasted with Boo to You at Walt Disney International. That is totally distinct, so possibly that is helping.
Different Oogie Boogie Adjustments
Previous to Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake, Ichabod Crane hurries thru Disney California Journey evading the sinister specter of the Headless Horseman astride his darkish steed at make a selection occasions right through the night time.
That is necessarily the similar as ahead of, with what gave the impression of an excellent longer hole between the Headless Horseman and arrival of the Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration to its ultimate forestall. Disneyland’s Headless Horseman additionally has showstops. However they’re random and accidental ones. It’s a laugh, and nice for photographers.
The most important alternate from yr to yr of Oogie Boogie Bash is in most cases one or two characters becoming a member of the Villains Treats Trails, changing older or much less well-liked ones, every yr. This yr, there’s only one: Yzma from Walt Disney Animation’s The Emperor’s New Groove.
Yzma is stirring up mayhem in Grizzly Top together with her suave potion-making functions, and “pulling each lever” she will to find. Yzma is a part of a two-fer with Maleficent that makes use of the Grizzly River Run queue.
Yzma is a great addition. I do know completely not anything about this villain, however she’s witty and a laugh and appears cool. She’ll most probably have endurance given the resurgence of The Emperor’s New Groove with more youthful generations.
My hope is that subsequent yr, Oogie Boogie Bash provides two new villains. Syndrome is not anything particular; he’s mainly simply an ordinary dude heckling visitors. Dr. Doofenshmirtz was once a a laugh novelty for a few years, however is simply too area of interest. (I say, whilst my favourite villain is Pass judgement on Doom.) It additionally turns out adore it’s time to switch out Agatha Harkness for a distinct Surprise unhealthy man (or gal).
Meet & greet sensible, I didn’t see any additions. On the contrary, it kind of feels like there are fewer characters with every passing yr. I consider again in 2019, the meet & greet lineup was once jam-packed, entire with random Disney Afternoon characters simply loitering round Grizzly Top.
This yr, I did Cruella roaming round Hollywood Land and heard (however didn’t see) that Maleficent was once doing the similar. Extra loose roaming characters for spontaneous interactions can be an implausible factor, if this is a part of a concerted effort for that. Cruella was once best possible.
Backside Line
Truthfully, I’m no longer certain how any of the above strikes the needle on attending the 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash. Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake completely exceeds expectancies…however to the purpose that it pointers the scales on attending? Almost definitely no longer except you have been already at the fence and searching for an excuse to head.
The Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration is healthier than we anticipated, but it surely on my own isn’t a enough explanation why to spend $150+ on tickets. Even ahead of the transfer from Frightfully A laugh to this, which maximum visitors will most certainly thought to be a lateral transfer or as regards to it, we have been complaining that Oogie Boogie Bash doesn’t have sufficient. It’s been slowly scaled again since 2019, versus scaling up.
Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake overdelivers, however Oogie Boogie Bash continues to be stale and desires extra. It merits a different International of Colour (once more) or a level display as some other piece of marquee leisure. It wishes extra characters, other villains, and extra secondary reviews.
Repeat guests will nonetheless have problem justifying Oogie Boogie Bash. That can come with us in 2027. Partly as a result of we’ll have to buy 3 tickets as a substitute of 2 (and youngsters costs are absurd given how a lot a child will in reality revel in), and partly as a result of we’ll be keen to play the ‘wait and notice’ recreation on the subject of what’s introduced, given the slower promote outs this yr.
On paper and in observe, Oogie Boogie Bash simply doesn’t measure as much as Mickey’s No longer So Frightening Halloween Celebration, except for for visitors who’ve completed that too time and again and grown jaded.
To that time, despite the fact that, first-timers and not using a prior historical past right here will nonetheless love Oogie Boogie Bash. The entirety is recent and there’s lots to fill a night, even supposing the development provides much less (whilst charging extra) than in 2019.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Guidelines for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Know about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Ratings. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Critiques. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll toughen your travel, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In the end, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different puts!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you bring to mind the brand new “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Boulevard Celebration” changing the Frightfully A laugh Parade? Excited for the alternate or disillusioned extra isn’t being added to offset the parade loss? Did you attend final yr’s Oogie Boogie Bash? Do you disagree with my review of the Halloween Celebration? Any questions? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
