Going to Disneyland this year? Brace for chaos as ART bus service shuts down

Service shuts down March 31

The Anaheim Transportation Network announced Jan. 28 that it will end all operations, shutting down the ART bus service that has connected Disneyland visitors and employees to hotels and transit hubs since 1998.

The board voted unanimously for an orderly wind-down of services. The decision came after years of financial struggles.

Guests planning trips before March 31, 2026, can still use the service, but routes may change as the network winds down.

Rising costs outpaced hotel funding

ATN relied on hotel assessments based on room count plus rider fares to fund operations. Hotel contribution increases were capped at 5 percent annually, but those increases did not keep pace with rising expenses.

More than 70 percent of operating costs went toward labor. The gap between revenue and expenses widened over time, leaving the network without enough money to continue running buses.

Millions of riders used ART

The system transported 8.2 million riders in 2024. ART buses connected about 70 hotels to the Disneyland Resort, with routes also serving the Anaheim Convention Center and downtown Anaheim.

Service ran from 90 minutes before park opening until 30 minutes after closing. The schedule made it easy for visitors staying off-site to reach the parks without renting a car or paying for parking.

Buses offered a budget-friendly option

A one-way fare cost $4 for adults and $1.50 for children. Multi-day passes offered additional savings for guests staying several nights.

The service competed directly with rideshare apps and resort parking fees. Disneyland parking currently costs $35 per day, so a family of four could save more than $100 over a multi-day trip by using ART instead of driving.

Disneyland employees relied on ART too

The buses did not just serve tourists. They also provided transportation for Disneyland employees, connecting workers from area hotels and transit hubs to their jobs.

ATN operated a fleet of 74 vehicles at its peak, including standard buses and smaller micro-transit vehicles. The closure leaves cast members searching for alternative ways to get to work.

Anaheim backed away from takeover plan

The City of Anaheim explored acquiring ATN in 2025 to stabilize the system. The goal was to keep service running without raising hotel costs.

City officials signed a letter of understanding to study the option. Since then, however, they have backed away from the acquisition plan. The city has not announced any alternative solution to replace ART service.

Disney says it is exploring options

Disneyland Resort issued a statement acknowledging the situation, saying the resort recognizes the value of area transportation for guests. Disney is actively exploring next steps, according to the statement.

No specific replacement plan has been announced. The resort has not said whether it would launch its own shuttle service or partner with another provider.

OCTA buses cover most ART routes

Visitors still have public transit options. The Orange County Transportation Authority operates throughout Anaheim, and about 75 percent of ATN routes are also served by OCTA buses.

The remaining 25 percent of ART stops are within walking distance of OCTA service. OCTA recently expanded a route connecting the ARTIC transit center to Harbor Boulevard, which runs past the resort.

Rideshare and hotel shuttles remain

Uber and Lyft continue operating throughout the resort area. Many Good Neighbor Hotels offer their own shuttle service to the parks.

Private shuttle companies also run between airports and Disneyland-area hotels.

Guests who prefer to drive can park at resort parking structures, though the $35 daily fee adds up quickly for longer trips.

Eastern Gateway project changes everything

Disney is building a new parking and transportation hub that will reshape how visitors arrive. Construction on the 6,000-space garage begins in fall 2026.

The new hub will include shuttle and rideshare drop-off areas. A pedestrian bridge will cross Harbor Boulevard to a new park entrance.

The project depends on moving the current bus hub to make room for construction.

Plan ahead if visiting after March

Trips before March 31, 2026, can still use ART service, but guests should check current routes and schedules as the network winds down.

Budget travelers planning visits after the shutdown should research OCTA bus routes in advance.

Hotels within walking distance of the parks offer another option for visitors who want to skip parking fees and rideshare surge pricing.

Transportation landscape keeps changing

The ART closure marks the end of a nearly 30-year transportation era for the Anaheim Resort area. Resort-area transit will look different by 2028, once Disney’s Eastern Gateway project opens.

Disney’s expansion plans depend on clearing the current bus hub site for construction. Visitors should expect ongoing changes to the arrival experience over the next several years.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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