On my last two trips to the Disneyland Resort area, I stayed at Good Neighbor Hotels that were beyond where I felt comfortable walking to the theme parks. Other folks were walking, but for me, a 0.75-mile walk in the cool morning air or at the end of a long day wasn’t something I wanted to do. So, I had to figure out an alternative.
I had my car with me, so parking on property was definitely an option, but at $35 a day, it wasn’t cost-effective for a single traveler. The other option would have been to take a ride-share vehicle to the theme parks, but again, it didn’t make sense for a single traveler. I decided to revisit Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART).
ART is a bus system that has several routes around the Disneyland Resort area, along with connections to John Wayne Airport and dining options outside the resort. I’ve used ART in the past, but it’s been a while, so I needed to do a bit of research to get the latest information.
Currently, ART has 10 routes that connect to the Disneyland Resort. A one-way ride can be purchased onboard the bus ($4.00 adults/$1.50 ages 3-9) using a credit card or tap to pay. Better deals, however, are available using the A-Way WeGo app that ART has partnered with.
1-Day (all day) Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $2.50 for kids, 3-Day Tickets are $16.00 for adults and $3.50 for kids, and 5-Day Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $5.50 for kids. 15 and 30-Day Tickets are available as well.
The A-Way WeGo app is new since I last used the ART and I am not a fan. I didn’t find it nearly as user-friendly as previous apps that ART has used. Still, all of the information, including routes and tickets, is there. One tip is to set up an account as soon as you open the app. I skipped that screen and couldn’t find my way back to it. When I actually wanted to set up an account to buy tickets, I had to delete the app and start over.
The various routes are set up in 20 minute loops, however, I found that the buses typically ran behind. I also heard that ART currently has a shortage of bus drivers, which explains why some of the routes are combined during slower times of the day, leading to even longer waits for the bus. While the waits for the buses were sometimes longer than advertised, there was only one night at the end of a long day when I gave up and walked back to my hotel.
The buses drop off just at the resort near the Harbor Boulevard entrance. This is the same bus area as hotels that have a dedicated shuttle. The buses for the Toy Story Lot are also nearby.
If you’re a single traveler or a young couple, Anaheim Resort Transportation might be a cost-effective way to get to the parks. As your group gets larger, ride-share or Disneyland Resort parking may be a better option.
I love a good bargain and actually enjoy using public transportation…weird, I know…so, despite its shortcomings, I won’t hesitate to use ART again.
