DISNEYLAND UPDATE: A Labor Fight Brews, Oogie Boogie’s Cauldron Stirs, and Toy Story Takes Over

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads reading this… we hope you got your day. Now, it’s barely summer, but we’re already talking Halloween… Oogie Boogie’s annual bash is back this August, and tickets are already on sale. In years past the event sold out the moment it went live, but more party dates and higher prices have slowed things down (a sign Disney may have finally maxed out both demand and pocketbooks?). We’ll be watching how this year’s sales shake out.

We’ve also got Toy Story 5 taking over DCA and all three hotels, the usual construction and refurbishment rounds, and, in case you missed it, a surprise first look at a brand new theme park… in Texas. But it’s not all construction and popcorn buckets this week… Disney and its performers are headed for a labor fight, and the opening offer is ugly.

So let’s ride like the wind, Bullseye!

Oogie Boogie Bash 2026

Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 went on sale last week, with Magic Key pre-sales early in the week and general sales opening Thursday. As always, the marquee nights went fast. Halloween (a Saturday) and October 11 (the Sunday before Columbus Day) are already sold out. If one of the remaining dates matters to you, don’t wait… but the rest of the calendar is available for now.

Tickets run $139 to $199 per person, with most fall dates at $169 or above, and Halloween night topping out at $199. For a family of four on a Saturday in October, you’re past $700 before you’ve bought a churro. Has Disney overpriced this event? 

• $139 on Aug. 18, 20, 23, 25, 27
• $159 on Aug. 30; Sept. 1, 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29
• $169 on Sept. 6, 20; Oct. 13, 20
• $179 on Oct. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22
• $189 on Oct. 25, 27, 29
• $199 on Saturday, Oct. 31

Tickets for D23 Night on Sept. 27 are $169 per person.

NOTE: All parties are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays except Halloween Night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Disneyland (@disneyland)

So how essential is the party this year? That’s a fair question in 2026, especially with one of the event’s signature draws on the bench. The Frightfully Fun Parade is out this year (construction on the new Coco attraction blocks the west side of the parade route), replaced by Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake, A Haunted Mansion Street Party. A cavalcade-style street party with a séance, a swinging wake, and ghostly dancing sounds fun… but a street party and a parade are not the same animal, and you’re paying parade-era prices for it. 

RELATED HALLOWEEN READING:

• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Halloween Time 2026: New Leota Street Party, Oogie Boogie Bash & More
• Disney California Adventure: Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 Event Guide

Toy Story 5 Hits The Parks

The toys are sporting new looks with accessories inspired by Toy Story 5, including Woody’s bandana poncho, Jessie’s sheriff badge, and Buzz’s star sticker. But that’s not the only way to celebrate the newest movie in the beloved Toy Story franchise, which debuted in theaters on June 19.

The all-new Bullseye Bucket ($29) is now available in California Adventure (limit two per person, per transaction; available while supplies last).

Returning Toy Story-inspired treats include a Forky Cake Pop ($7.29) at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff and a Moonliner Macaron ($8.79) at Alien Pizza Planet.

The Little Green Men Jetpack Sipper ($29.79) has also touched down in both Tomorrowland and Pixar Pier.

The Toys Check In

At Pixar Place Hotel a special Toy Story 5 installation on the second-floor atrium features drawings, paintings, a sculpture, and behind the scenes footage from the film.

Beginning on July 2, Disney Poolside Splash Bash is coming to Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on Thursdays and Sundays, featuring a root’n and toot’n dance party with Jessie, Bo Peep, and Woody.

RELATED TOY STORY READING:

• Toy Story 5 Merchandise Highlights: PetSmart, Topps Cards, Disney Store, Lorcana, & More!
• oooOOOooo! Papa Johns Launches Pizza Planet Pop-Up for Toy Story 5

 

More Labor Trouble For The Parks

Disneyland is playing hardball with its performers again, and the timing stings. According to Actors’ Equity, the union now representing roughly 1,700 parade and character performers, Disney has come to the table proposing to roll back a long list of current benefits: a smaller 401(k) match, eliminating paid time off for part-time cast, cutting vacation time for people with 10 to 14 years of service, ending paid parental leave entirely, dropping a paid holiday (Easter) for full-timers, and reducing how many shift trades a performer can use to claim a day off. On wages, Disney has rejected the proposed start rates and raises outright.

A fair word before the pitchforks come out: this is the union’s account of the proposals, and Disney hasn’t responded publicly. Opening offers in any negotiation tend to move, and we hope this one will too. But it’s the starting position Disney chose, and it’s a bitterly unfortunate one. Keep in mind this is also the first contract for these performers, who only voted to unionize in 2024. Most workers go to the table hoping to gain ground. This group is fighting to hold onto what they already have.

The infographic above reached us from a longtime park performer who says he can barely cover his bills as it is. With the cost of living surging, hold his wages flat and cut his benefits, and he has no choice but to walk. Multiply him by a few hundred and you have to ask what the goal really is. It’s hard not to read a package like this as a way to thin out the experienced, expensive, hard-to-replace performers who have been here the longest. Whether or not that’s the intent, it’s the likely effect. And these are the people guests hug, photograph, and remember for generations. You don’t get that on the cheap, and you don’t get it back once it’s gone.

It’s also an early test for Jill Estorino, who became Disneyland Resort president in March when Thomas Mazloum moved up to chairman of Disney Experiences. A benefits standoff with the lowest-paid, most beloved people on the property is a rough note to open a tenure on.

Disney might want to remind themselves of the mess the Starbucks in Downtown Disney fell into during their labor fight last fall; it didn’t resolve quietly and left the store with a bloody nose and a lousy reputation. The store limped along on reduced hours, baristas picketed near the store entrance, the union told customers to stay away, and they did! The standoff dragged on for weeks before the two sides finally settled and the location returned to normal. Whether or not the actors strike, just the thought of Disney treating them so poorly is sure to create ill will not just with the cast members at the heart of this news item, but the public as well. 

And here’s the part that grates on the cast members and all of us who follow Disney closely… Disney keeps raising the price of nearly everything it sells to guests, tickets, parking, food, all of it, and protects its own margins just fine. Then it turns to its lowest-paid employees and asks them to give back, while rent, groceries, and gas keep climbing. You can’t claim to cherish your cast and then offer them less in the middle of an affordability crisis. The math doesn’t hold, and guests are sharp enough to see it… once the word gets out… which it is. 

It’s time for Disney to rethink how it treats and talks to the people who are the product guests pay for. The union benefits infographic above is not the warm, generous Disneyland that people grew up loving. I’m sure Disney doesn’t want you wondering the next time you hug Mickey or Cinderella whether they have to live in their car so you can have a magical day.  

Constructionland

There’s some progress in the Disneyland Resort this week. Let’s take a look at what’s new… and what’s not…

Downtown Disney Construction

Earl of Sandwich and Gordon Ramsay – The Carnaby are inching closer and closer to their still-unannounced opening dates. Considering the poor Earl has been hopping back and forth across Downtown Disney for years, it will be nice to see this popular establishment finally settle in a (hopefully) permanent location.

Construction walls have finally come down in front of the building, and all signage is now in place. This is a good sign that testing is underway or about to be. 

Gordon Ramsay’s “The Carnaby” tavern is also looking nearly ready to welcome early guests.  And look at that ’60s mod-style front door. Loving the design and color. 

There’s still a bit of construction on the end of the building closest to security… but that shouldn’t impact any previews or soft-openings the Earl may have planned. 

Metal British ornamentation has been added to some of the posts on the upstairs balcony. 

Even the back of the building, which is inaccessible from inside Downtown Disney, has a polished look with expensive signage. 

We also spotted some action behind the “mile-long” construction wall for Porto’s.

Porto’s looks like an archaeological dig site… which is more than we can say about the future site of Arthur & Sons Steakhouse and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ. It sure would be nice to get some real BBQ in Downtown Disney… who does Disney have to bribe to get those permits approved? 

California Adventure

The biggest project at the resort right now is the expansion of Avengers Campus, which is mostly taking place behind construction walls, but will add two new attractions to the Marvel-themed land.

There’s also a new bathroom under construction between the new rides and Cars Land. 

But we’re also watching the future Coco-themed boat-ride attraction site, which is under construction behind Paradise Pier (and, as we mentioned, why the Frightfully Fun Parade is sidelined this Halloween season).

Disneyland

We recently shared our disappointment over the boring, sold white paint job revealed at the Buzz Lightyear attraction. We had hoped it was just a temporary primer base coat, but when the construction walls came down, it appeared to be the final look. Now, after a lot of upset comments online, the walls and scrims have gone back up… though the attraction remains open. Hopefully round 2 will be better integrated into the overall look of the area. 

Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 6/19/26)

The refurbishment calendar has been trimmed down for summer as Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind has finally reopened. But Pirates of the Caribbean is hot on its heels, with a posted return date next Friday. And Chiller, the quick-service shushee stand at Paradise Gardens Park, has once again made an appearance on the list.

Currently Under Refurbishment

• Silly Symphony Swings: April 27 – TBA
• Pirates of the Caribbean: May 4 – June 25

Upcoming Refurbishments

• King Arthur Carrousel: July 5 – 16
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition: July 5 – TBA
• Matterhorn Bobsleds: July 20 – 23
• Chiller at Paradise Gardens Park: July 27 – TBA

This & That

This has become one of our favorite sections in the Update… a grab bag of Disney news. 

MiceChat Live @ Five

Last week, we brought you not one, but two special theme park lives! In the afternoon, Dusty (along with his sister and six-year-old niece) took us along as they previewed the new Universal Kids Resort in Texas, which officially opens on July 1… but check the article link for preview opportunities as well.  If you live within driving distance of Dallas, you might want to visit. 

Then at our regular 5 p.m. time, Mike took us to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, where Cinderella’s Castle has returned to her opening day shades of gray after transitioning to pink in recent years.

Congratulations to Disney Legend Floyd Norman

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present an Academy Honorary Award to Disney animator (and friend of MiceChat) Floyd Norman. Floyd was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2007.

Floyd Norman began his 65-year career at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1956, becoming the studio’s first Black animator. His first Disney feature film was “Sleeping Beauty,” but he also contributed to “The Sword in the Stone,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book” and “Robin Hood,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Mulan,” “Toy Story 2,” and “Monsters, Inc.”

Floyd will receive his Oscar statuette alongside actor Glenn Close and director Ridley Scott at the Academy’s 17th Governors Awards event on Nov. 15, 2026.

“Floyd Norman is a legendary animator who has broken barriers and inspired generations of artists over his remarkable career,” said Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to present this year’s Governors Awards to…remarkable individuals whose groundbreaking work has forever shaped the art of film making.”

Happy Ice Arrives

Two weeks ago, we told you that L.A.’s #1 Philadelphia Italian ice brand is coming to Downtown Disney, and now we can tell you that Happy Ice has arrived!

The new Anaheim location not only debuts the brand’s first fully all-natural menu featuring handcrafted Philadelphia water ice made with real fruit, pure cane sugar, and premium ingredients (no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial colors here, folks), but also features new specialty flavors, including Berry Bonanza and Cloud 9.

The Downtown Disney location also marks the debut of JOY-LATI, a new layered dessert with flavors like Peach Cobbler, Banana Pudding, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Disneyland Ticket Tracker

As we told you at the top of the update, Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are now on sale, and we’ll be tracking availability leading up to the event’s August 18 kickoff (a mere 2 months away!)

While October 11 and 31 are already sold out, the rest of the party dates are still available… at least for now.

The exclusive D23 party on September 27 is also still available at $169 per person. You must be a D23 Member (General or Gold Member) to purchase.

Next MiceChat Adventure: Pacific Coast & Alaska Back-to-Back

If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to finally visit Alaska, this is it. MiceChat is sailing from San Diego to Vancouver (May 6-10, 2027), and for those who want more, the fun continues straight into Alaska (May 10-17, 2027). Do one leg, do both, and plenty of us are booking the same stateroom for the full run.

The Pacific Coast sailing hugs some genuinely beautiful coastline before depositing everyone in Vancouver, which is worth a few hours of wandering on its own. The Alaska leg hits Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau, plus a pass by the Stikine Icecap, the kind of scenery that makes you wonder why you’ve waited so long to make this journey.

Traveling with MiceChat means the people at your dinner table already share your Disney obsession, and shore excursions happen with a group that’s genuinely fun to be around. You’ll disembark with friendships you didn’t expect.

Bookings go through Teresa Cory at [email protected], and that’s the only way to get in on the group rates and MiceChat activities. Come join us!

Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tours 

Step inside the Walt Disney Storybook Mansion in the Hollywood Hills for a rare opportunity to walk in Walt’s footsteps at one of his most storied homes.

This intimate, small-group tour, led by our own Dusty Sage, explores the rooms where Walt entertained friends, dreamed up projects, and lived during a pivotal chapter of his career. You’ll hear the history, the Hollywood connections, and the personal stories that make this house far more than just another celebrity address. Space is limited, and access to this home is exceptionally rare.

These tours are infrequent and very popular. Just a few spots remain for some of the tour times, with others already sold out. Act fast!

Tours are available on June 27, July 11, and July 25. 

🎟️ Book Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tour Tickets HERE

You can now follow the Walt Disney Storybook Mansion on Instagram.

If the tour dates are sold out (which they frequently are) join the Storybook Mansion’s email list for first notification when tours and events become available: Join the mailing list – HERE  

Happy Father’s Day

Disneyland’s Plaza Inn put on a Father’s Day brunch for $79 per adult. It opens with a father/son meet and greet with Goofy and Max, complete with PhotoPass hard copies and a QR code for the rest.

Plaza Inn is known for its fried chicken, but the buffet ranged well past that, from standard breakfast fare to savory lunch items. The broccoli craisin salad and loaded mashed potatoes were standouts, and a “pineapple whip” bread pudding stole the show.

The characters kept coming too, nine in all: after Goofy and Max came Geppetto, Pinocchio, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Chip and Dale, and Donald Duck, all warm and engaged.

Every guest got a Father’s Day button, which is also our one small quibble: last year it was a pin and a button, and this year it’s just the button. Minor gripe on an otherwise special morning. 

Disneyland Blues

We experienced something disgusting over the weekend in Downtown Disney. While visiting with some pin trading friends near the food kiosks on the bridge between Jazz Kitchen and the Lego Store, we noticed dozens of large roaches crawling on the planters and even on the booths. We heard a lady scream and drop some food she was eating in the area because a roach crawled on her and up her arm. After that incident we spotted at least a dozen other roaches and other guests jumping up from the planter/seating area near the lululemon. 

We understand that Disney can’t keep pests out of all outdoor areas, but they can and should spray for roaches in food-service areas such as this. We’ll be back next week to check on this gross situation. 

MiceShots

Last week, Disneyland celebrated Pride at Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite.

 

Did you know that when the Rocket animatronic malfunctions in Guardians of the Galaxy, there’s a “B-Mode” where Rocket gives his spiel on a screen? It’s not ideal, but better than nothing at all. Many Disney rides utilize alternate story elements for times when an essential set piece isn’t functioning. For example, from time to time, you may encounter a video version of Kylo Ren shortly before the big drop on Rise of the Resistance. Do you have a favorite Disney B-mode? 

We spotted these adorable Clarabelle Cow apples at Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street. 

---

Follow MiceChat on social: MiceChat Facebook Page, MiceChat Facebook Group, MiceChat Instagram, MiceChat Threads, MiceChat X, MiceChat YouTube

Discount Disney Tickets and Travel