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August 18–October 31, 2026
Party dates
August
September
October
September 27 is the D23 members event. Highlighted dates show the schedule, not ticket availability. Check official tickets and dates.
6–11 p.m. · party nights only
Ride wait times
Start here to decide which rides deserve a spot in your night.
| Ride | Party avg. | Current party wait |
|---|---|---|
| Monsters After Dark | 25 min | — |
| Radiator Springs Racers | 40 min | — |
| Incredicoaster | 10 min | — |
| Toy Story Midway Mania! | 20 min | — |
| Soarin’ Across America | 15 min | — |
| WEB SLINGERS | 15 min | — |
| The Little Mermaid | 5 min | — |
| Villains Grove (walkthrough) | 15 min | — |
Current party waits appear during party hours. Party averages through September 15.
About the wait averages
These are posted standby waits while rides are operating, not measured time spent in line. Only completed 2026 party dates and the party hours above are included. Closed periods and missing waits are left out; genuine zero-minute waits count. The comparison gives each comparable ride equal weight. Monsters After Dark and Villains Grove are excluded from the daytime comparison. Averages are rounded to five minutes. Past waits cannot guarantee your wait tonight.
How we’d spend the night
Use the early-entry hours for an optional ride and dinner, then save the evening for party entertainment and two ride priorities. Confirm your night’s showtimes before following this order.
- 3 p.m.
Arrive and get settled
This is the earliest entry time, not the start of the party. Collect your wristband and treat bag, take photos, and check the evening’s entertainment times.
- 3:30 p.m.Optional · before the party
Choose a Pixar Pier ride
Try Incredicoaster or the all-height Toy Story Midway Mania! before the party. Choose one using the posted wait; these are still regular park hours. Skip a long queue and enjoy the decorations instead.
- 5 p.m.
Dinner, water, and a sit-down break
Allow about 45 minutes for a quick-service meal, then use the remaining time for restrooms and the walk to your first trail. Check mobile-order pickup times before leaving Pixar Pier.
- 6 p.m.
Start with one priority villain trail
Choose a must-see near Hollywood Land or Avengers Campus using the event guide. Leave the rest for later. If this queue runs long, keep the character stop and drop the next ride.
- 6:30 p.m.Ride stop
Ride Monsters After Dark
Join only if the posted wait is 30 minutes or less. Budget up to an hour for the queue, preshow, ride, and exit, then head to the street-party route. Skip it if you cannot be heading there by 7:30.
- 7:40 p.m.
Find a spot for Madame Leota
Our plan uses the 8:05 p.m. Swinging Wake performance. Check your date’s schedule and route in the app; it reaches different viewing areas at different times. Keep this whole window free of ride queues.
- 8:45 p.m.
Head to Villains Grove after the show
Allow roughly an hour for the walk over, queue, and illuminated trail. If the show reaches your spot later or the Grove queue is long, use the next snack break as extra time.
- After the Grove
Take a snack break on the way to Cars Land
Refill water, use the restrooms, and stop at a nearby treat trail if time allows. This is spare time, not another must-do queue.
- 10 p.m.Ride stop
Finish with Radiator Springs Racers
Racers’ recorded party waits have been lowest in the final hour. Allow most of the remaining hour for the queue and ride. If you would rather see another villain, use this last block for that instead.
Pick your priorities
When to ride
01 / Avengers Campus
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
The Halloween version of Guardians sends you back into the Collector’s fortress to help Rocket rescue Groot. Expect sudden drops, loud music, and creatures loose in the building.
40-inch minimum · Drop ride
Average wait by party hour
Minutes · hour beginning
Loading chart
Average wait by party night
Minutes · completed party dates
Loading chart
02 / Cars Land
Radiator Springs Racers
A drive through Ornament Valley becomes a side-by-side race past the red rocks of Cars Land. The ride itself stays the same for the party; the surrounding neon and Halloween decorations make the nighttime visit worthwhile.
40-inch minimum · Racing ride
Average wait by party hour
Minutes · hour beginning
Loading chart
Average wait by party night
Minutes · completed party dates
Loading chart
03 / Pixar Pier
Incredicoaster
Chase Jack-Jack through a launched coaster with a loop, enclosed tunnels, and views across Pixar Pier. There is no party-only overlay, so treat it as a bonus between Halloween stops.
48-inch minimum · Looping coaster
Average wait by party hour
Minutes · hour beginning
Loading chart
Average wait by party night
Minutes · completed party dates
Loading chart
04 / Pixar Pier
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Pull the spring-action launcher through a series of Toy Story carnival games. This is an all-height option for families who want a ride break without the drops and intensity of the bigger attractions.
Any height · Interactive dark ride
Average wait by party hour
Minutes · hour beginning
Loading chart
Average wait by party night
Minutes · completed party dates
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Leave time for these
The party beyond the rides
Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake
A Haunted Mansion street party brings ghostly dancers and familiar spirits into the park. This replaces Frightfully Fun Parade for 2026.
Choose your viewing time before committing to a ride queue. Check the performance schedule.
Villains Grove
Colored light, sound, and projections turn the redwood trail into a series of villain-inspired scenes. Make this a separate stop from the treat trails; you are here for the atmosphere.
Give it an unhurried stretch of the evening. The live queue appears in the wait table when the walkthrough is operating.
Villains and character stops
Oogie Boogie and Ernesto de la Cruz are among the characters to look for along the treat trails. Choose your personal must-sees before you arrive; a character you care about is a better use of party time than another ride you could do tomorrow.
Trick-or-treating
Your treat bag is included, and adults can collect candy too. Spread your trail stops through the evening so you are not carrying a full bag all night. Ask at each trail about allergy-friendly choices.
More of the party
Dinner first. Treats all night.
Food & drinks
Plan a proper meal around 5 p.m., after an afternoon ride and before the party begins. Leave time to sit, drink water, and use the restrooms, then enjoy snack stops during the evening. Regular seasonal food and party-exclusive items are not the same thing.
The seasonal Oktoberfest Dog is a pre-party dinner option. Photo: Disney
A pumpkin milkshake for a sweet stop in Hollywood Land. Photo: Disney
The Haunted Highway cocktail is an Oogie Boogie Bash-only drink for adults 21 and over. Photo: Disney
Available to party guests at select popcorn carts and dining locations, while supplies last. Photo: Disney
Mobile order before you get hungry
Check the Disneyland app for open locations and pickup windows. Select the time you can actually reach the restaurant, allowing for your current queue and the walk.
Dessert party or more time exploring?
The separately priced dessert party includes preferred viewing for Madame Leota’s street party. Consider it if a dedicated viewing area matters more to your group than another ride or trail.
See Disney’s full seasonal menus and check the app for party-night restaurant hours.
Bring a little Halloween home
Merchandise
Look for event clothing and accessories at Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood, and Seaside Souvenirs. If one item is a must-have, check early; sizes and stock can run out.
Set a shopping budget before entering the first store. If nothing is a must-buy, save browsing for a convenient pass through Buena Vista Street instead of dedicating a prime ride window to it.
Tickets & arrival
Tickets and availability
General-admission dates are sold out as of September 16. September 27 is a separate D23 members night. Check official availability before making travel plans.
3 p.m. entry. 6 p.m. party.
Your dated party ticket provides entry to Disney California Adventure from 3 p.m. No separate daytime ticket or park reservation is needed for that entry window. Disneyland Park is not included.
Parking and getting home
Parking costs extra. Leave time for security, the walk from parking, and collecting your wristband before you begin your plan.
PhotoPass is included
Link your party wristband to the Disneyland app. Digital photos taken during the 6–11 p.m. event window are included, with downloads available for 45 days.
Before you go
Is the party worth it for shorter ride waits?
Shorter waits can be a useful bonus, but do not buy the ticket expecting every ride to be a walk-on. Use the averages above to choose a few priorities, and leave the rest of your time for the entertainment and character experiences that require the party ticket.
Can adults wear costumes?
Yes, within the event’s costume rules. Avoid realistic weapons and costumes that drag on the ground or block movement. Read the official restrictions for your age group before choosing masks or props.
What happens if a ride closes or the weather changes?
Check the app and posted waits before walking across the park. If a ride is down, move to a nearby indoor attraction, treat stop, or shop. Keep your must-see outdoor entertainment in the plan, but be prepared for delays or cancellations.
What should I bring?
A charged phone, comfortable shoes, a compact rain layer, and room for candy. Bring any necessary medication and a small battery pack. A bulky costume, heavy shopping bag, and full candy bag can make the last hour much less comfortable.
Can I use Lightning Lane during the party?
Lightning Lane passes are not offered during Oogie Boogie Bash. Plan around standby waits and the party experiences instead.
More for your trip
Disney California Adventure live park data · Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party guide
Updated September 17, 2026.