Stress Free Standby Attractions and Dining at Disneyland

Please do an updated DCA rope drop strategy video like your recent Disneyland one.

Personally, I would put the Tiki Room on this list too. I feel like it’s really underrated and no one really ever mentions it in these videos. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid. Plus, there’s never a long wait, there’s lots of seating, and it’s air conditioned, so it’s a perfect respite on a hot day. Just my two cents though. 😁

This video really makes me want to experience a Lightning Lane-free Disneyland, or any Disney park for that matter. Lightning Lane and Mobile Order are total self-fulfilling prophecies: they wouldn't be necessary to use if they didn't exist, if that makes sense.

SO glad Disneyland is learning that mobile order suuuuuuucks and a huge portion of guests will never use it. Food arrives cold. Can’t customize orders. Let’s hope Rancho and Plaza Inn are the first of many to revert!

Did you forget Small World? Like pirates, It’s got big boats that load/unload large numbers quickly…that is ultimately the key to this strategy.

Back when the parks re-opened after the Covid closure, Genie+ wasn't a reality yet and they didn't have fastpass anymore so every ride was a regular stand by. It was fantastic. I know the crowds were lower since they were limiting reservations and people were still hesitant to go out into heavily crowded places, BUT the lines moved and were easy waits. Space mountain was super easy to get onto but as soon as lighting lane came along, we would rarely ride it since the standby is so painful to wait in. That last hallway before the standby and lightning lane lines merge is miserable. It's loud and stuffy and just a slog as you wait to see if your group will make the cut. I would love if they tried for just a month removing any and all lightning lanes. I think the results would be surprising, at least among passholders.

“Interrupted like thing like breakdowns or lighting lane.” Both those things = Indiana Jones Adventure and Rise of the Resistance. They’re always temporarily closed 😂

FreshBaked. David, When you walked past "Snow Whites Adventures" the Queen opened the curtains and looked down on you. Be very carefull I think she has her eye on you. She might need you to go up and see her sometime just don't let her turn you into an apple. Apart from all that a great way to have a stress free day at D/land. Cheers, Chris Perry.

Agreed on Dumbo. That is a PAINFUL line to wait in...

David, have you considered putting up a list of what you consider to be good wait times for every ride in both Disneyland and DCA?

Enchanted Tiki room...

Helpful overall, as always! A comment and question to add! Comment: it IS important to be aware that the Plaza Inn will have little-to-NO outside available seating at SOME times of the day! Those times are usually tied to the "reserved" areas for those on paid tours &/or dining packages connected to parades &/or nighttime shows! I've got BOTH for my upcoming Sept. trip! Question/request: PLEASE consider a similar video &/or list/tips/conversation re: the attractions with "single rider" options! Though few, it would be VERY helpful to know which DO have SR options, especially if those SAME attractions have G+ */or LL's as well! THAT info is hard to find and overwhelming for the occasional visitor to flush out! TIA! <3

I was with you until fantasyland. Those lines feel eternal

I love the fantasyland dark rides, but those feel slow to me, especially Alice and Pan. Maybe because of how narrow the inside of the lines are

For Pirates of the Caribbean right side used to be superior as left side would normally have to go back down by the treehouse and back up. Now they make the right side loop around towards the left line and back. Also the right side (from my observations) where they load DAS riders.

Great tips! My family just went to Disneyland a few weeks ago and found all the attractions that you listed to be easy waits. We also ate at Rancho Del Zocalo and loved the food and large, covered seating area! I also love when you talk about what the lines look like compared to what you think the wait will be. Since I'm not a local and don't go to Disneyland all the time I have a hard time figuring out what lines I should and shouldn't get into. Thanks for your great, helpful videos!!

Your Disneyland rope drop video was AWESOME. Thank you again for it. My husband and I are planning a trip soon and we’re using your exact strategy.

My recommendations are the Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer's Island for when it is busy. And a special mention of the Canoes.

so lets get rid of gene plus and lighting lane and im sure that wait time will be easy and less time and maybe people will be happy i have not been to disneyland since 2003 but since i follow fresh baked i can finally get caught up on what change since 2003 so thank you freah baked for let me get caught up with your video and i hope Disney will get rid of gene plus and lighting lane just saying fresh baked

I’ve been going to Disneyland for over 50 years. And I have never eaten at the Plaza Inn. When but I will in December when my wife and I go again. Thanks for the video, Dave.