Credit: DisneyDisneyland guests are scrambling to find other ways to visit the theme parks in California after news broke out last month that bus services would be removed for a large portion of the Disney guest pool.
Disneyland Bus Service Mowed Down as Guests Seek Other Means of Transportation
Disneyland has always been more than just a theme park. For generations of families, it’s been a ritual—packing bags, checking hotel confirmations, and trusting that every detail, from park entry to transportation, will feel seamless. That sense of ease is part of the magic. Guests expect that once they arrive in Anaheim, everything else will simply work.
But over the past few weeks, something has felt different around the Disneyland Resort area. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just… quieter. Longtime visitors and frequent locals have begun to notice subtle shifts in how they move through the resort district—small changes that hint at something much bigger unfolding behind the scenes.
Fans are heartbroken whenever anything tied to their Disneyland routine begins to change, especially when it affects how they start and end their park days. Transportation, after all, is the invisible backbone of the vacation experience. When it runs smoothly, no one notices. When it doesn’t, everyone does.
A Familiar System That Helped Millions Reach the Magic
For years, the Anaheim Resort Transportation system—better known as ART—has quietly served as a lifeline for guests navigating the Disneyland Resort area. Operated by the Anaheim Transportation Network, the bus system connected hotels, shopping areas, and local attractions to Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and surrounding destinations.
Millions of riders have relied on ART to bridge the gap between their hotels and the parks, especially guests staying off-site. Its recognizable buses became part of the Anaheim backdrop, particularly for visitors heading to the Toy Story Parking Area before entering the parks.
As Disneyland tourism rebounded after pandemic-era disruptions, systems like ART played a crucial role in handling increased demand. That’s why recent developments have raised eyebrows—and concerns—among both visitors and locals.
Quiet Changes Are Catching Guests Off Guard
In early February, guests began reporting changes across the ART network. Some routes appeared less frequent. Others looked different altogether. What initially felt like routine operational tweaks soon revealed a pattern: consolidation.
Routes 9 and 11, for example, are now operating as a single combined service. Stops previously served by those routes will continue coverage via the Katella Avenue and Ball Road line, but the adjustment has already altered familiar travel habits for many riders.
At the same time, another shift is looming. The on-demand ART service—used by guests traveling to Anaheim-area hotels, the Outlets at Orange, the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, and other destinations without fixed routes—is scheduled to end on March 1.
For many Disneyland guests, this service was a convenient, flexible option, especially for hotel-to-parking-lot travel. Its removal signals that the changes are not temporary.
The Context Behind the Concern
These developments follow an announcement made last month by the Anaheim Transportation Network. In a statement posted to its website, ATN confirmed that after evaluating its financial position and exhausting available options, it would begin an orderly wind-down of operations.
According to ATN, service is scheduled to conclude entirely on March 31, 2026, with a transition process designed to allow coordination and transparency as operations are responsibly concluded.
Now, those words are turning into visible reality.
ART Is Officially Winding Down Ahead of a 2026 Shutdown
As of February 7, the shutdown process is clearly underway. Service reductions, route consolidations, and the discontinuation of on-demand transportation mark the first concrete steps toward ART’s full closure next year.
Disneyland officials have confirmed that shuttle service from the Toy Story Parking Area will continue even after ART ceases operations, though specific details about how that service will change have not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, the City of Anaheim is reportedly exploring options to maintain connectivity across the resort area once ART is gone. As of now, however, no replacement system has been formally revealed.
What This Means for Future Disneyland Trips
The long-term impact remains uncertain, and that uncertainty is fueling online discussion. On social media platforms like X and Reddit, guests are already sharing concerns about affordability, accessibility, and convenience—especially for visitors who rely on off-site hotels.
Many are asking the same question: what will replace ART, and will it offer the same ease and value?
As Disneyland continues to evolve under The Walt Disney Company, transportation infrastructure around the resort is becoming just as important as new attractions. With millions of visitors expected annually, how Anaheim fills this gap could shape the guest experience for years to come.
Are you a California resident or Disneyland regular affected by these changes? Do you think the city and resort will deliver a worthy replacement—or is this truly the end of an era? Let us know what you think.