Every summer, as temperatures soar and vacation season hits its peak, Disney fans know something special is waiting just around the corner. While others are still planning barbecues and beach trips, Disneyland Resort is already stirring up excitement for Halloween—and one of its most highly anticipated events: Oogie Boogie Bash.
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Held annually at Disney California Adventure Park, the spooky celebration combines villains, immersive experiences, and a parade that turns the park into a Halloween lover’s dream. This year, however, the event started trending for a reason Disney likely didn’t expect—an online debate over how its latest promotional art was made.
As excitement builds, Disney recently unveiled a set of colorful new posters to promote the party. One showcases villains like Agatha Harkness, Judge Doom, Hades, and Ernesto de la Cruz, while another features Mickey and Minnie posing on Buena Vista Street.
A shadowy image of Oogie Boogie looms in the background, with even more iconic Disney villains like Cruella de Vil, Ursula, and Captain Hook lining the street.
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But it wasn’t the characters that sparked conversation—it was Mickey Mouse’s left hand.
Fans quickly noticed what they felt was an unnatural look in the artwork and began circulating theories that Disney had secretly used artificial intelligence to generate the image. On social media, the accusations gained momentum, with users referencing what they believed were “AI tells” in the design.
The controversy was amplified by the timing. Just weeks earlier, Disney had filed a lawsuit—alongside Universal—against Midjourney, a well-known platform that creates images based on text prompts.
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In the lawsuit, Disney alleged that the service used copyrighted images, including characters like Elsa and Darth Vader, to train its AI model, calling it a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.”
Considering that recent legal action, some fans found the possibility of Disney using AI internally to be not only ironic but deeply frustrating. The company’s silence initially led to more speculation, until Disney insider Scott Gustin stepped in to clear the air:
FWIW – I confirmed the artwork is entirely original and that AI was not used at any stage of the creative process. 👍
FWIW – I confirmed the artwork is entirely original and that AI was not used at any stage of the creative process. 👍 https://t.co/JDt2MKSbus
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 13, 2025
According to Gustin, the posters were created entirely by Disney’s in-house artists, with no artificial intelligence involved at any point. He also confirmed that the event maps—used to guide guests through treat trails and view the Frightfully Fun Parade—were created without AI assistance. This year’s maps even include a tease for a new character appearance in Pixar Pier, a spot that previously featured Sid from Toy Story (1995).
The first official Oogie Boogie Bash party night is set for August 17, the earliest kickoff date yet. The event will run through Halloween on select nights, and general admission tickets will become available on June 26. Magic Key Holders will get early access, with Inspire Keys eligible to purchase on June 24, and Believe, Enchant, and Imagine Key Holders on June 25.
What’s your take? Were fans right to question the poster? Do you see a future for AI-generated visuals in theme park advertising, or is this one part of the magic that should stay hand-crafted? Head to the comments and let us know where you stand on the great Halloween poster debate!
