Disney Hotel Lady

April 18, 2024 Update:

I used the EVE service this past week for my trip. Both times I rode a regular ART bus, but I saw on someone’s social media some cool EV vans that they rode for their EVE service. Jealous! Looking forward to riding in one of those vans on a future trip!

During non-peak hours, they combined routes into one bus. You might notice this in the video below (showing how to check the status of your bus) where the main Routes page shows the option for “Limited” routes. Again, if you are unsure, please ask a driver. This past trip, while I didn’t need as much help myself, I saw drivers kindly helping out other passengers (and non-passengers!) by answering their questions.

Also Tip #1 below has been updated to add you can immediately turn right out of the bus once dropped off at Disneyland.

I’ve also added a video at the bottom showing how to check the status of your bus on the app.

I’ve always wondered about the blue buses I would see coming and going in a steady stream from the Harbor entrance to Disneyland. I’ve never had an opportunity to use them. Until recently, all in pursuit to bring you more information.

I downloaded the A-Way WeGo app a long time ago and tried playing with it at home to prepare for using it in Anaheim. My efforts failed and I only felt confused. That’s the main reason I put off trying to use the ART (Anaheim Regional Transportation) buses. But this time I sucked it up and bought a ticket, through the app, so that I could write about it for you good people.

And guess what? It IS confusing! Every bus driver I spoke to acknowledged this. Right off the bat I will tell you, the bus drivers are the absolute best part of this system. They all were very kind, friendly, and helpful. They understand that the system is confusing and perhaps even flawed, but they will walk you through it the best they can.

The hotel I first tried this out from had a sign with QR code at the front desk advertising the ART bus service. I scanned the QR code and tried to gain an understanding on my own of the system. Again I failed.

So I asked the woman at the front desk if she could help me understand the service. Her reply was simply to walk next door to the next hotel where the bus stop is. That’s it. So off I went.

The hotel where I was staying and the one next door were not situated in exactly the same way so I found myself walking through an abandoned parking lot, wondering if this would all be worth it. Finally I found the entrance to the hotel next door. But I was expecting some sort of signage for the ART bus. There was none. So I went inside this hotel.

The concierge desk was directly in front of me as I walked in, so I approached the two ladies working that desk. I said I thought I might be lost and was looking for the ART bus. One lady came right around the desk and began explaining to me where the stop was. She gave me a map (pictured above) and confirmed yes, the system can be confusing. As she was speaking with me, the bus pulled up outside!

Abandoning my most helpful conversation so far, I rushed out to the bus. The driver assured me there was no rush and to take my time. I boarded the bus and scanned my (digital) ticket. Then I took a seat and apprehensively began asking the driver questions about how it worked, apologizing that it was my first time using the bus system.

He very kindly agreed that the app could be confusing and gave me tips on using it all the way until we pulled into the Disneyland drop off area.

Tip #1

When you exit the bus at the drop off area at Disneyland, your instinct will be to turn right – because that’s the way to Disneyland! But the walkways are set up in such a way that you will be blocked and have to turn around if you go that way. Instead, exit your bus and turn to the left. At the top of the pathway you will find a series of crosswalks. Cross the roadway using the crosswalk(s) until you arrive at the pathway leading to security (towards the white canopies in the video below). Then you can turn right. 😉 **If you are coming from Routes 3 – 6 (Grove District, Harbor, Grand Plaza, or Disney Way lines), you should be dropped off on the correct pathway to reach security. So you can immediately turn right.

Tip #2

For all you planners like me out there, by all means download the app before your trip. But don’t plan on practicing using it until you are there. Some of the features do not even work until you are in the vicinity. Some of the terms may not make sense until you see the area.

Tip #3

Keep asking for help until you get the answers you need. As noted previously, it is confusing. Not all hotel staff will be able to answer your questions. Even some of the bus drivers had outdated info. Bring your patience and good manners and you will learn to enjoy the bus.

Tip #4

While the buses regularly go to the hotels, there are some locations on the map that might have modified schedules or “on demand” pick ups. For example, I wanted to go to the Outlets at Orange one day. I was already at Disneyland but didn’t know which stop was designated for this destination. So I asked a bus driver. He told me this was an “on demand” stop. This feature only works when you are in a location a bus can pick you up from (as noted in Tip #2). Below is a brief video of my phone screen as I ordered a bus to take me to the Outlets.

Tip #5

The pickup and arrival times listed in the app, especially for on demand pickups/arrivals, may not be accurate. One of the complaints some of the bus drivers had is that the schedulers often did not allow enough time for them to drop off their current passengers before heading to pick up the next; or that the schedulers miscalculated drive times to pick up passengers. Again, please be patient.

Tip #6

You do NOT need the app to use the ART bus system. But it does make it easier. The buses are all cashless, so you just need a credit card (or your phone with tap to pay functionality). You can pay per ride each time you enter the bus. There are also tickets offered in 1-, 3-, 5-, 15-, and 30-day increments. I recommend these options because riding the bus only 2 times at a per ride rate will be $2 more expensive than buying a 1-day pass. (One way fare is $4; 1-day pass is $6, as of this writing.) Having the app makes it easier to keep track of your passes.

Tip #7

Take note of the name and number of the line or route your hotel is on. Buses have signs on the front, back, and side showing which route they are serving. Also, where you get dropped off at Disneyland is usually where you will be picked up, so take note of the number on the sign. Your bus driver should inform you if there are any changes for that day.

What is EVE? What is FRAN?

EVE (Everyone Ventures Everywhere) is an on demand service to take you from the John Wayne/Santa Ana airport to any Disneyland-area hotel on the ART bus route, and vice versa. Tickets are $15 per adult, per ride ($30 roundtrip). The website and pamphlet will tell you that you do not need to schedule this in advance. While “technically” correct, you really want to schedule it in advance. I purchased a ticket on the app and then just showed up at the bus stop at the airport. Thankfully, there was a bus there, but the driver informed me he was waiting for a group that had scheduled their ride. He could take me also, if I was willing to wait. Or I could “schedule” my own ride, which would then be dispatched to pick me up – a minimum 20 minute wait. So if you want a bus to be there waiting to pick you up, schedule your ride in advance.

The bus stop is located across from Terminal A in the “Transportation Center” – which is just where the taxis and free hotel shuttles pick up. I usually fly Southwest which goes out of Terminal C. To reach the Transportation Center from Terminal C, you just exit the terminal, turn to the left, and take about a 5-minute walk.

At the Transportation Center, if you do not see your bus/van yet, you should see a sign like this:

You’re in the right place! Enjoy your trip!

FRAN stands for Free Rides Around the Neighborhood. I haven’t had a chance to personally use this service yet. But according to the information, you can book short rides to local stores, restaurants, or points of interest for free.

Pricing

For the ART bus to/from your hotel and Disneyland Park, adult one way fares are $4. Children ages 3-9 (as well as Seniors 65+ or Americans with Disabilities (ID required for either)) are $1.50 one way. Adult 1-day pass is $6; 3-day $16; and 5-day $25. A children’s (etc.) 1-day pass is $2.50; 3-day $3.50; 5-day $5.50.

For the EVE service, adults are $15 one way; children, seniors, and disabled one way fares are $7.50.

Children 2 years old and under are free for all services.

Conclusion

I think this is a fantastic service that can be very economical for families. Don’t be intimidated by the confusing app. I highly recommend ART!

How to Book EVE: Open app. Select three bars icon in top left. Select EVE from drop down menu above Home. Select On Demand in the lower left. Type in the name of your hotel. Then select Current Location and change to Santa Ana airport. Select Depart now at the top left of map. Change to Depart at and select your arrival day and an approximate time of when you will be ready after your plane lands (consider baggage retrieval, bathroom breaks, and walking time). Input number of passengers. Select Save. Now you should have a Schedule Ride option. Press, and you should be set! In the video, I also continue to show how to cancel if you did anything incorrectly or your plans change. You will receive an email to verify your pickup. Like this one ⤵️ ⬇️

Don’t have a travel agent? Book here with mine! Self-serve on their website or contact them to get your personal agent.

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