PHOTOS, VIDEO: Villains Grove Walk-Through at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party 2019 at Disney California Adventure

Matthew Soberman

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Villains Grove Walk-Through at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party 2019 at Disney California Adventure

Well, well, well, what have we here? Welcome to the first ever Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure! We’re lurking through a night of spine-tingling treats, bone-chilling merchandise, and thrilling entertainment! We’re taking a stroll through Villains Grove, a new walk-through experience taking over Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for the event!

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 7

Posters of Disney villains line the queue for this walkthrough experience. The wait looked long, and when we got in line they told us it was an hour and 45 minutes, but we were in within 20 minutes.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 8

(Also, the Cheshire Cat, who is definitely a villain. You can also see him below next to some nondescript character.)

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 9

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 12

Then you enter Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, and the eerie display begins.

villains grove sign

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 6

 

 

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 15

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 16

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 19

Please note that the Maleficent was part of our group. There are no character meet-and-greets in Villains Grove, but there are some incredibly immersive displays. There’s also no candy in Villains Grove. Candy-seekers should look for the Treat Trails elsewhere in the park. As you wind through the trail, you’ll see a series of themed lighting and vignettes themed to each villain.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 10

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 20

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 23

Maleficent’s display features projections of rose thorns on the rocks in the area, as well as a spinning wheel effect that looks great.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 27

But soon, you’ll encounter the Cheshire Cat… when you can see him, that is.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 28

villains grove cheshire cat

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 30

Once you’re properly disoriented, its off to the rose garden of the Queen of Hearts.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 36

And here’s something that’s that should bring a smile to even her face: thanks to some simple lighting, the roses paint themselves!

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 37

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 32

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 38

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 39

And once you’ve left Wonderland, you’re on the savannah… and is that the march of hyenas I hear?

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 40

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 42

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 45

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 47

It was funny seeing the existing trail signs juxtaposed with the spooky motifs, but it all still worked really well.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 49

The geysers are a nice touch. It really helps bring Scar’s lair to life.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 53

Then it’s time to head down to New Orleans to pay a visit to Dr. Facilier… and his friends on the other side.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 54

There’s a reason they call him “the shadow man.” The floor projections in this scene are amazing.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 57

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 61

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 63

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 68

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 71

Mirror, mirror on the wall, have we entered the forest where the Wicked Queen lurks?

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 72

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 74

And to wrap things up, there’s an otherworldly enchanted garden. It doesn’t seem themed to any particular villain, but it is really immersive.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 76

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 79

The pleasant music and flowers suggested the triumph of good over evil. (I mean, this is Disney, we’re talking about.) Some of the little moving lights in this experience reminded our group of the willow wisp vibe from Brave.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 82

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 84

After walking through the fallen log that these flowers are projected on, it’s back into the light and the park.

villains grove oogie boogie bash disney california adventure september 2019 87

A few people in our group compared it to a zoo lights type of experience, which is fair, but Disney’s level of quality elevated the experience. We really didn’t want to leave! It’s like Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, full of great visuals, but no one scares you and everything is beautiful. It wasn’t scary, but it was suspenseful. People half-expecting characters or some kind of interactions will be somewhat disappointed, but we weren’t. It’s particularly enjoyable to take in with a group, though a solo trip can be fun, too. The full audio and visual package really works for this experience. There are sections with fog and dim lighting, but nothing dangerous or difficult. Walking the trail itself does take longer than a Treat Trail, but it’s a great walk, and the experience is worth it.

We should reiterate that there are no actual characters in this, and besides the Dr. Facilier and Scar projections, everything is very subtle, and that’s what makes this really work.  Between this and the fun new World of Color “Villainous!” nighttime spectacular, plus meeting and greeting Kingdom Hearts characters, Oogie Boogie Bash is worth it.

You can check out the new walk-through experience in our video below!

4 thoughts on “PHOTOS, VIDEO: Villains Grove Walk-Through at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party 2019 at Disney California Adventure”

  1. The symbols on the map correspond to the movie. In order it goes: Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Lion King, Princess and the Frog, Snow White, Brave, and Moana (the last two seem kind of overlapped, with the lights possibly representing both will o’ the wisps and water. The flowers are from Te Fiti’s transformation.)

    Very clever, I’m disappointed to have missed out. I hope they bring it back next year!

Comments are closed.