Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Park is one of the premiere Halloween events in Southern California and possibly the best current Halloween Event at any Disney Park worldwide. One thing that makes Oogie Boogie so special is the amount of characters and interactions the event offers guests each year – and also the new and unique activities offered each year. Online and specifically in the dark corridors of DisTwitter there has been plenty of speculation already (I know it’s only May) about which villains might be added to Oogie Boogie Bash this Halloween season at DCA at the Disneyland Resort. One need only remember that we received Cruella in 2021 and Ernesto De La Cruz in 2022 to realize that Disney Parks now seems to want to make at least one big new character addition to this themed night each year.
So who will it be in 2023? Some online (me actually) have theorized that with the summer release of HAUNTED MANSION we might see the inclusion of the Hat Box Ghost or the three hitchhiking ghosts from the Haunted Mansion ride. I don’t think this is a bad idea but with the ride in another park and the fact that these ghosts are a regular part of the legendary “Boo To You” parade at Magic Kingdom at Disney World, I’m a little less sure today than when I first thought about this idea.
Others have speculated that it could be a Marvel villain from one of their current or upcoming films. But we’ve already seen Kang and with the real uncertainty around the future of the fictional character, I doubt we will be seeing him again at Avengers Campus – or Oogie Boogie Bash anytime this coming season. Maybe the High Evolutionary from GUARDIANS 3? A possibility but he’s such a “bad guy”, I almost can’t see Disney guests getting that excited about his presence. I mean he almost feels like a Halloween Horror Nights type of character.
Another crazy idea I’ve had is potentially seeing Quaritch’s Avatar from THE WAY OF WATER inside the park. I think this would be AWESOME. It would be a HUGE win for Disney to have the first in park Navi character land at Disneyland (where they have only vaguely hinted at an Avatar experience in the future much to guests’ disappointment). And it would also set the stage for potential future AVATAR expansion in the parks down the road in a tangible way for guests to really get excited about.
Earlier this week I began to think we might see new (Melissa McCarthy’s version) Ursula from the upcoming THE LITTLE MERMAID. And with the ride inside the park AT DCA it would set up the perfect meet and greet spot. If the film becomes the big hit that everyone says it will be, this feels like the most obvious and correct choice at this time. The Disney Parks cast member playing Ursula could have a blast figuratively “mustache twirling” for guests and I don’t think it would be too dark or evil for the little ones – a lot of whom are probably already familiar with animated Ursula and will be ready to see live action Ursula in the fall.
But I want to pitch an idea that I’ve had since last year. I hereby submit an idea from the CARS franchise – a franchise that has been happily and inexorably tied to DCA for over ten years and a franchise that has AMAZING character meet and greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz Ramirez, and Red the Fire Truck. My way, way, way long shot idea but one that I think would absolutely break the proverbial internet is Miss Fritter from CARS 3.
Miss Fritter is the undefeated demolition derby champion at Thunder Hollow Speedway. Although she is later revealed to be a fan of Lightning McQueen, her initial appearance and actions – as she tries to destroy both Lightning and Cruz, is quite intense. She bacame a fan favorite and she now also has her own short, “Miss Fritter’s Racing Skool” and is one of the odd and oddly beloved character of the threequel. Also imagine Miss Fritter, the size of a BUS, showing up in CARS Land at DCA during Oogie Boogie. I think guests would go nuts, even if they had no idea who the character was. They could potentially redress Red the Fire Engine for the bash or even make a new vehicle (I get this is probably VERY expensive hence the former option).
Anyway, I know Miss Fritter is a reach but she is by far my #1 most wanted for Oogie Boogie Bash.
No Scoops Club 