Closing Disneyland Strategy Test (Bonus Time?) | How I approach last two hours 

There's literally nothing better than closing out Disneyland proper on a beautiful night, either alone or with fellow Disneyland lovers. And if you can hit Big Thunder just right, riding during fireworks is absolutely epic. Man these videos are my therapy when i can't be there.

We only get to go to Disneyland once every few years and each time has to be open to close! 3 days in the park is 3 days of open to close, no breaks at the hotel, for me at least. I've got to get every second possible in my happy place!

Aloha Dave..I love these closing the park vids. I will probably never rope drop..I did that with my son when he was little..i am now 70 and love my mornings in bed. I am also a DAS user and walk with a cane so I am slower than you...but I DO love closing the park and did it twice on my last visit. Here's what I did. First I had a great chicken dinner at the Plaza Inn and watched the fireworks from there. I sat for a bit to let the crowds thin out a bit got my return time for Rise and started my walk over. I stopped and got a churro on the way and walked on to Rise, After Rise I got a return time for Big Thunder and went right on that. After that I got a return time for Indy and had fun on that. I wanted to be on the last train around the park..which leaves the station at 11. I had a bit of time so went into Candy Palace for some Peanut Clusters(I love them and they are so darn fresh here) to enjoy while on the train. I got to the train in plenty of time and just loved going around in a leasurely pace. After the train, the Emporium was still open and I wanted a new coffee mug...I found my Stich mug and got it wrapped up for the trip home(to those concerned about it making it in my luggage..They wrap them so well that they will survive anything. With that I ended my day said good night to the Cast Members and all the characters they had brought out to say good night and walked back to my hotel... It was a great day at the park! Thank you Dave and thank you for the space to tell what an old guy can do. Love to you Liz and Sophie

FreshBaked. David, more and more people at Disneyland are starting to find it's best kept secret. In the last 2 to 3 hrs the park takes on a whole new vibe. That's completly different to any other times. Just has a different feel like late night beignets. You just can't beat it. Cheers, Chris Perry.

This is now one of my favorites! While I enjoy that early morning Disneyland vibe, it's almost a completely different experience at night. Seeing a dazzling Main St., the calm waters of the Rivers of America, the warm and cool tones of all the lights around the park, the simple lighting on a popcorn/ churro cart, everything just coming together for a perfect "grand finale" to the day. This video perfectly captures that sensation!

Definitely see this getting updated with reopening of Mansion and Tiana's. Something purely magic about the Mansion queue at night, and when it was Splash Mountain, skipping the line and getting to ride 2-3 times in a row is always a blast.

I have so many fond memories of working at Dland during the bicentennial. I was a ride operator in New Orleans Square, and the Mike Fink Keelboats were operating back then. So, I ran those and the Tow Sawyer Island Rafts. Sometimes, I was opening the rides, and to get to New Orleans Square, we walked across the park instead of using the backstage area. It had a special feeling to do that walk with the music playing, and practically no one was there. Similarly, working the evenings, doing a special boat on the river to watch the fireworks in the complete darkness on the northside of Tom Sawyer Island, closing down Tom Sawyer Island and closing the Keelboats, and walking back out when there was no one in the park but the backshift maintenance crew starting their work, cleaning, repairing and planting for the next day. Very fond memories.

I literally was shaking my head vigorously to say yes when you asked if we should try to ride Pirates. 🤣🤣 Perfect ending to closing a night at Disneyland.❤

on May 7, we did every single ride in the park from 6 PM to 1 AM. We barely sat down. we were constantly moving . We didn't eat we didn't shop. We did rides and we had a great strategy, the fresh baked strategy.!! and it works if you stay with your plan!!! and there was four of us. I've done Bell to Bell so many times in my life specially when I was younger, but like you, David, I haven't done double Bells in at least 5-10 years. It was one of the best times I've ever had Disneyland because there was practically no one there from after the fireworks until 1 AM. It was basically until we were the only ones there basically last people in the park.🎉 it was a great time❤ thanks David for all your great tips!!! THEY WORK!!!🎉Ps: I saw you waved Liz at the end 👋 love you, queen!❤

As a night owl I love LOVE closing down the park!!! Rope drop has tons of energy and you can get so much done, but I love how everything slows down and gets quieter as you get closer to closing. And you can still get a ton done!! Love closing!

My family is a closing family, not a rope drop family, and this video just reminded me why. Disneyland is pure magic at night! That moment of catching that last ride, being one of the last out of the park on Main Street, thanking Walt at the Fire House.... magic.

LOVE to just watch Freshbaked walk and talk through Disneyland!!

FRESHBAKED is DISNEYLAND!! Congratulations, 199K Subs!!!! Long live Freshbaked!!

I was at Disneyland and DCA on 5/20. Lines were really weird. Got Radiator Springs Racers done in 20 min and Rise in 18 min. Incredicoaster 60 min.

Rope drop vs. late night? Late night every time!! There is just something extra magical about Disneyland at night.

I rope drop EARLY and get on a bunch of E-tickets…..then LEAVE the park around 11am to swim, eat, and NAP……then return around 7pm to close the park! (Very, VERY happy I never had kids!!! 😀😎👍).

That last min bonus ride is everything ❤live that situation

As soon as you made it into the Pirates queue, I couldn't stop smiling through the end of the video. What a great night! Can't wait to be there again.

Closing the park is definitely the way to go. Something special about the relative serenity on the grounds.

David, you have the greatest job on the planet. And you do it very well.

Hi David. We would love to go from Rope-Drop to closing at Disneyland like we did back in 2008! But we are much older and just can’t do it. If we could we would go in the afternoon until closing! It’s a totally different ambiance! Beautiful and the magic is great! Have a great weekend ahead! A shout out to Liz and Sofia. Love you guys 💖🏰💖

I personally love to close Disneyland out. First, I'm not much of a morning person. Second, I love the intimate feeling of Disneyland at nighttime. Near the end, it almost feels like Disneyland is staying open just for me. Third, some rides just transform at night like Thunder, Matterhorn, and any other outdoor attraction. That's my vibe!

FRESHBAKED is DISNEYLAND!!

We love Fresh Baked!💛✨

great video! i love everything you do, and my family always rope drop to maximize our day, but there’s just something extra, extra magical about disneyland later at night. closing the park down is soooo satisfying. 😍

The last few hours at Disneyland are ALWAYS my favorite! They are, without a doubt, the most magical for me. And definitely closing down the park at Refreshment Corner! And YAY for getting in Pirates for your bonus!!

Awesome Fresh Baked!

Fresh Baked! We love you! 🎉 We bought our kids for the first time last summer and we stayed opening til close. It was truly magical. My boys loved staying in the parks past midnight. 💕

Honestly, your luck + the bonus gave me joy just watching it. Low key some kind of therapy, all my overthinking thoughts went away, keep the videos coming, I love them to bits

this is great. will definitely try this next time

Thanks FB ❤this made the always fun waiting at the doctor’s office much more tolerable 👏today.

Maybe it's just me, but I LOVE to go "bell to bell" at Disneyland every time I visit. I always go from Rope drop to close, no matter how many times I go, because I don't know how much longer I'll be able to do it! I'm getting older and one day I might not have the energy to do that anymore, so I'm trying to cherish the ability to do that while I still can! I never want to take my trips for granted because I love the parks so much. Also, it's always great to see an Offhand Disney Dallin cameo! Love his channel!

I followed your “get in the left line” advice last time and definitely didn’t regret it! 😁

Awesome Dave! Me and the family are going in June! Can't wait...we are night owls, so this vid is a perfect primer for us-Fresh Baked!!

Idk why exactly, but my favorite part of Indy queue is being above the loading area, then descending down into “purgatory”. The sudden warmth and activity of that room. Something a bout it. ;).

This is exactly what I do nightly at WDW and my favorite time of night. Great pictures. You get to feel like you own the place. Can't wait to try this as much as I can (they will close early often when I go) for my first trip to Disneyland. Super excited.

This would be my dream night at Disneyland. Solo. Pure enjoyment. Thanks for bringing us along with you.

Thanks, David. Great episode! 😊👍

Love closing the park. I might try a open to close. It's been a while for me. Thank you Dave

I did a rope to close in December. CM daughter joined me after her shift. Heard morning and closing announcements!

Holy cow. What a fun show. We only do bell to bell and we try and tell people that the best times in the park are rope drop and closing! Amazing stuff. Thanks for the video. Fresh Baked!

I've only closed Disneyland,it was New Year's Eve 1996. Disneyland stayed open until 3am and we left and walked across the parking lot to the Marriott.

I was just thinking about my last time thinking about Closing the park. The overall vibe is insane such an amazing experience every time I go to Disneyland ❤Never have rope dropped but maybe this will my year 💪

Me and my kids close out the park whenever we go. We never make it early for the rope drop so therefore we always stay until closing time and we just love ❤️ Disneyland and are going back again coming up soon so I’m getting more and more excited!

Planning your attack to include a pretzel at Coke corner. ;). Sounds about right. Also, hit those beignets!

I have to go with closing. I love my sleep and I spent my children’s early years at rope drop. Now they’re older and we are super chill about coming to the park later in the day and leaving at closing. Great video and my plan to copy our first night in a few weeks!!!❤🎉

I love the relaxed vibe during the last two hours at night.

Ok I love love LOVE the nighttime video 😍 please do more nighttime content!

What an awesome night! We're hoping to do something similar when we go there in a week!

I like opening and closing disney. Something about it just makes it special and magical in its own way

I loooooove staying until closing!!! It's SO cool & different. We don't manage it very often (it's a long day after rope drop), but it's always worth it....🤩🤩🤩

I like doing both rope drop and closing the park! And taking a break in the afternoon at one of the hotels is the best way to achieve it.

I agree 100% with late night beignets at Dland. I always get them late at night. SO GOOD! Then we grab a coffee from Starbucks on Main Street -- all the lovely twinkle lights on Main, so lovely!

I struggle through getting up for Rope drop, but I do it since there's such a discount on wait times. I love late night in the park, and do it most every day I'm there. Mid day when the parks are busy is a great time for a break, a good sit down meal, time by the pool, maybe even a nap. Incredicoaster and Big Thunder at night are my absolute favorite :>

My son and I go down for 10 days most of the time bell to bell but I prefer the last hours much more peaceful. Great video!

When I was there in Dec. I hit Big Thunder 15 minutes before closing - was able to ride 3 times as it was a complete walk on. Loved it!

David do you like your fans? 😂 the random shout reactions are hilarious

I love closing out the park. It's so beautiful at night. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

There’s NOTHING better than being in the park after closing. Bliss!

What an epic night and that ending on pirates was *chef's kiss*!!

Getting in as many rides as possible late night is always fun, but I think I actually prefer to get a small meal, or ice cream sundae and sit at a table near Main Street and just people watch and enjoy the music and ambience! That might be my happy place!

I will do anything for Fantasyland after 10 pm. Love love love it. Closing DL is the absolute best

I'm a closer. Love nighttime mainstreet and the chill vibe.

Closing down the park is my absolute favorite time of the whole day. I'm from northern California so I only get to the parks 3 or 4 times a year. But something I have to do on my last day is ride the last train of the night (called the sweeper train) that leaves Main Street station at exactly midnight. it's a great way to say goodbye to the park and see all the different lands empty and lit up and beautiful. 🚂✨️

Can't watch all right now, save for big screen tonight!!

I love closing out Disneyland. But I'll definitely need to try grabbing beignets at Mint Julep next time!

Thanks David. We did this beignet stop on a fabulous trip we took at Easter. We hit the mint julep bar right before closing and they actually offered us free mint juleps because they had pre poured them and would be 😮 throwing them away. It was a cool night and I had ordered a hot chocolate but my daughter ended up getting her first mint julep for free!

Close!! Or yes at best, yes bell to bell! FRESH BAKED!!

If I have to choose between the two, closing. It’s a much more chill relaxed vibe. Short lines. The lights on in the dark are pretty.

I don't get to go as often as I used to, but even when I did spend about a month, open to close, in the park's per year, I always stayed from open to close to REALLY make those tickets reach their value. I still do that. That's just the way I was raised in the parks.

We love closing the park! I have teens though that can handle closing every night. We prefer it to doing rope drop. So quiet and chill

We just bell to bell one week ago today. It was a blast!

As a regular nocturnal visitor to the parks (I'm not much for the daylight hours), you're on point. Thanks for representing, and showing some love to, the late night guests of the Happiest Place on Earth. As always, keep up the great work. P. S. The late night Main Street vehicles are still a thing.

I love when people stay right in queues. Im always looking for an opening ❤

Just saw you live on So Cal haunts. It great to see you live.

Since I am not from US, I do bell to bell. Last year was my first visit, and while there were some rides we couldn't do due to time (most of Fantasyland) we did manage to hit all the E tickets in a good way, even did Splash before it closed. We didn't do much for closing since the park was closing one hour after the castle show, but still did a third ride of Star Tours.

We actually have a tradition of hitting Indiana Jones just before closing - like getting in line just minutes before close. Very little waiting. Good way to end the day.

hey fresh baked hopefully I see you at the park

Always love to stat until closing!!!..💕

Last two hours are my favorite in the park. I did the Tree House for the first time at night, park was beautiful from up there.

You've hit on a few critical things for us. There's something unbelievable about the outdoor attractions at night, especially Big Thunder (even better if you can catch Big Thunder during the fireworks) and Pirates. The outdoor vibes of Big Thunder at night is unmatched as is walking out of the darkness of Pirates into a dark NO Square that just truly extends the attaction back into the rest of the park (sometimes can be shocking to leave the darkness of pirates back into a bright, sunny NO Square). You can get similar vibes in Fantasyland and Matterhorn if you have the time as well.

You should relabel this... Last to ride Pirates. Cool!

We were there Sunday-Tuesday. Our first two days were pretty standard, if not light. Though I was shocked at how crowded Tuesday closing was. We left 30 minutes before close and Matterhorn was posted at 130 minutes. 😬

This being documented is going to start a trend where anyone who watched this will try and implement the strategy u have shown us 😅

Close is nice but so is rope drop, If I had to pick...Closing, often I miss closing because I am on the 5 headed home. Thanks for the video, it was good to remember.

Enjoyed this thanks!! What camera setup do you use? The low-light performance is excellent

MR. FRESH BAKED! ❤

Wow last boat on pirates is a great way to end your night. When I go to Disneyland/CA Adventure I am start to end person with rope dropping and staying till the park closes. I love rope dropping but something about the last couple of hours is magical. I personally would also recommend skipping the fireworks does sound a tad crazy however big ticket rides have a tad shorter lines.

I love and prefer to close out the park!

Closing DL is the Best!

haha the backside of ...the ROTR queue

Last time I was down I did bell to bell for 5 park days. One day was New Year’s Eve. That was a loooong day.

Love this video ❤ could we maybe get a last 2 hours at DCA? Please 😁

I would like to see a "Last Two Hours" video when there is a Fantasmic! performance that night.

Hey Fresh Baked!!

Closing every time David

I go once every two years or so. Will be there next week and my goal is early entry to close. Wish me luck!

David was hopped up on carbs and giddy as all get out! My kinda vlog! Side Note: Don't the clouds at night in the parks hit different!?

I totally called it…. I new the “bonus” was going to be POTC!

I'm one of those brave souls who goes opening to close. I can sleep at home!