The Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) is shutting down for good after March 31, 2026, ending nearly 30 years of bus service connecting Disneyland Resort area hotels with the parks, the ARTIC transit center, and downtown Anaheim. If you’ve ever taken the ART bus to Disneyland from your hotel, this is going to change how you plan your next trip.
What Happened
The ATN’s board of directors voted unanimously to begin what they called an “orderly wind-down” of operations after years of financial challenges. In a statement, the board said:
“For nearly three decades, the Anaheim Transportation Network has supported mobility in the Anaheim Resort, serving residents, employees and millions of visitors. After an extended evaluation of our current and future financial position and exhausting all options, ATN will begin an orderly wind-down of operations.”
Why the ART System Is Shutting Down
The ART system is funded primarily through hotel contributions (based on the number of rooms) and rider fares. While hotel payments have increased annually with a 5% cap, those adjustments haven’t kept pace with rising labor and operational costs. More than 70% of ATN’s expenses go toward labor alone, and the gap between revenue and costs has widened to the point where operations are no longer sustainable.
The city of Anaheim had previously explored taking over the system but ultimately decided not to proceed. With no alternative funding source or operator stepping in, the board determined that a shutdown was the only remaining option.
How Many People Use the ART Buses
More than 8 million riders use ART buses each year. The majority are tourists heading to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, but the system also serves local employees, residents, and visitors to the Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding area. The ART network has been a critical piece of the Anaheim Resort’s infrastructure since it launched in the late 1990s, operating 20 routes at its peak.
What This Means for Disneyland Visitors
After March 31, 2026, there will be no ART bus service connecting off-property hotels with Disneyland Resort. Here are the alternatives for getting to the parks:
- Hotel Shuttles: Many Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels already operate their own shuttle services to the parks. Check with your hotel directly when booking to confirm availability and schedules.
- Ride-Share Apps: Uber and Lyft are widely available in the Anaheim area. The designated ride-share pickup and drop-off point for Disneyland Resort is at the Toy Story parking lot, with a short walk or tram ride to the park entrance.
- Disneyland Parking: Self-parking at the Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals parking structures is available for guests driving to the resort. Parking is $40 per day for standard vehicles.
- Walking: Several hotels along Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue are within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort esplanade, typically 10-20 minutes on foot.
- OCTA Bus Service: Orange County Transportation Authority operates public bus routes that serve the Disneyland Resort area, including Route 50 along Katella Avenue and Route 43 along Harbor Boulevard.
What Anaheim Is Doing Next
The city of Anaheim is reportedly studying new transportation solutions to connect its major attractions and hotels in the future. No specific timeline or plan has been announced, but the city has acknowledged the need to address the gap left by the ART system’s closure.
For anyone planning a Disneyland trip after March 31, the most important step is to check your hotel’s transportation options before you book. The ART bus was an affordable, reliable system that millions of visitors relied on, and its absence will be felt across the resort area.
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Source: Orange County Register
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