Getting to Disneyland With Kids: Walk, Drive, or Take a Shuttle?
ART stopped running on March 31, 2026. No single shuttle took its place. Visitors staying near Disneyland now need to compare walking, hotel shuttles, OC Bus, rideshare, and Disney parking.
For families, the hardest part is rarely the morning trip. The real test comes after fireworks, when children are sleepy, adults have sore feet, and the stroller holds jackets, bags, and souvenirs.
With Disneyland only 5 to 10 minutes from home, driving was our default option when the kids were young. We loaded the trunk with everything we needed—stroller, extra jackets, snacks, and park bags—and left whenever we were ready.
Living close to Disneyland did not make the trip from the parking space to the entrance easy. We still unloaded the stroller, gathered the bags, kept both children close, rode a tram or bus, passed security, and walked to the gates. After a full park day, we repeated the same steps on the way back to the car.
My children are older now, but I still remember which parts were hardest when they were small. Those years shape how I compare walking, shuttles, buses, rideshare, and Disney parking for families today.
Use the same full-trip thinking for every transportation choice. A hotel listed as “close to Disneyland” does not tell you how many signals you will wait through, where the shuttle stops, or how a tired child will handle the return.
What ended with ART?
Anaheim Transportation Network ended ART service on March 31, 2026. Old hotel pages, route maps, and travel articles still appear online. Some still describe hotels as being “on the ART route.” Those descriptions are outdated.
Before booking a hotel, call the front desk. Ask which transportation service operates today. Get the operator's name, boarding location, fare, frequency, first departure, and final return time.
The words “Disneyland shuttle” are too vague. A hotel page might refer to a private hotel vehicle, a shared shuttle serving several properties, or an old ART listing.
The nighttime test: Picture your return around 10:00 p.m. One child is asleep. Another wants to be carried. The stroller is full. Everyone has tired feet. Choose the option your family would still manage at this hour.
Five questions matter more than hotel distance
- How many children need an adult's hand near traffic?
- Are you bringing a single or double stroller?
- Will your family return to the hotel for an afternoon break?
- Does anyone in your group struggle with long walks or standing?
- Who will manage the children while someone folds and lifts the stroller?
A map does not answer these questions. Your family setup does.
Quick comparison after ART
| Option | Best fit | Cost | Stroller work | Hardest part at night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Nearby Harbor Boulevard hotels | No fare | No folding, but every crossing adds effort | Distance, signals, weather, tired children |
| Hotel shuttle | Hotels outside an easy walk | Free or paid, depending on the hotel | Folding, lifting, and storage | A full shuttle or missed final return |
| OC Bus | Adults traveling light near one route | Public transit fare | Children, bags, and stroller during boarding | Walk to the stop and evening frequency |
| Rideshare | Groups wanting flexible timing | Price changes with demand | Folding and loading at pickup | Crowds, traffic, wait, and fare |
| Disney parking | Locals and groups staying farther away | $40 standard, $60 preferred | Unload, fold, transfer, and reload | The tram or bus trip back to the car |
Walking from a Harbor Boulevard hotel
Walking gives you control over departure time. You avoid fares, shuttle lines, and stroller-folding rules. For adults staying near the Harbor Boulevard pedestrian entrance, walking often makes sense.
Look at the walking route from the hotel lobby to the pedestrian entrance. Ignore the straight-line distance to the edge of Disney property. Large blocks, hotel driveways, crosswalk locations, and wide intersections change the trip.
One short walk with a stroller feels manageable. A longer walk presents a different problem. Every red light means another stop. Parents need to keep children close while watching turning cars, bicycles, and other pedestrians.
Several young children change the situation again. One adult pushes the stroller. Another watches the children walking alongside. A solo parent has both jobs.
Time and weather matter. A route feels easier on a cool morning than under afternoon sun. Rain means wet stroller wheels, covers, and slippery pavement. After dark, sleepy children move slowly or ask to be carried. Adults feel the full park day in their legs too.
Before reserving a room, check walking directions to the Harbor Boulevard pedestrian entrance. Count the major intersections. Read recent hotel reviews for comments about the nighttime return.
Choose walking only when the same route still feels reasonable after fireworks.
Using a hotel shuttle with a stroller
A private hotel shuttle has more value now, especially for properties outside a comfortable walking range. Service rules vary by hotel.
Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel offers one current example. The hotel says its complimentary Dream Machine runs directly between the hotel and Disneyland without other hotel stops. The posted schedule begins at 7:00 a.m. Service frequency changes during the day. The last return leaves 1 hour and 15 minutes after Disneyland's scheduled closing time.
The hotel also tells guests to expect waits during the morning rush and park closing. Registered guests ride on a first-come, first-served basis. Wristbands are required for guests age 10 and older. ADA shuttle service requires a reservation.
Policies at another hotel will differ. Ask these questions before paying for the room:
- Is the shuttle free for every registered guest?
- Does the driver stop at other hotels?
- Do riders need a ticket, wristband, or reservation?
- What time does the final return leave?
- What happens after a full shuttle leaves?
- Must parents fold strollers?
- Is there space for a folded double stroller?
Folding a stroller sounds easy until the storage basket is full. Someone has to remove the bags, hold a child, fold the frame, and lift everything aboard. With two or three children, another adult needs to keep the group together. The same job waits at the other end.
Park closing creates the hardest version of this routine. A sleeping child often needs to leave the stroller before boarding. One adult carries the child. Another handles the stroller and bags. A crowded line adds more pressure.
Families planning an afternoon hotel break should also check midday service. A one-hour gap between shuttles turns a short rest into a long outing.
Taking OC Bus
OC Bus still serves the Anaheim Resort area. OCTA lists Routes 43 and 543 along Harbor Boulevard and Route 50 along Katella Avenue. Public bus routes do not cover every former ART hotel stop.
OC Bus fits adults traveling light when both the hotel and Disneyland sit near the same route. A low fare loses its appeal after adding a long walk to the stop, a transfer, or a long evening wait.
Parents should plan for boarding before choosing the bus. Bags need to come out of the stroller basket. Children need an adult's attention while riders enter and exit. A busy stop leaves little room for a slow folding process.
Check the outbound and return schedules shortly before your trip. Visit the stop during daylight or inspect the exact location on a street map. Pay close attention to the final hours of service.
Using Uber, Lyft, or a taxi
Rideshare works well for adults and groups staying beyond a comfortable walk. Departure time stays flexible, and no hotel shuttle schedule controls your day.
Disneyland identifies official passenger areas on Harbor Boulevard and near Downtown Disney. Use one of those locations.
Park closing brings the main problems. Many guests request rides at the same time. Nearby streets fill with traffic. Pickup areas become crowded. Wait times and prices rise and fall with demand.
A family still needs to fold the stroller, load the bags, settle the children, and fit everyone inside. A regular car offers limited space for several passengers and a large stroller. Choose the vehicle size before requesting pickup.
Car seat tip: Bring the correct seat for each young child. California requires children under age 8 to use a car seat or booster in the back seat unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Uber gives drivers the option to refuse a trip when a required seat is missing, and Lyft tells families to bring a seat meeting local legal requirements.
Price the full day. Add the morning ride, evening ride, and two more rides for an afternoon hotel break. A lower room rate looks less attractive after several daily fares.
Driving and parking at Disneyland
Disneyland lists three standard theme park parking locations: Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story. Standard car or motorcycle parking costs $40. Preferred parking costs $60. Disney changes prices without advance notice.
Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals use trams to the Main Entrance Esplanade. Toy Story uses buses. ART's shutdown did not end Toy Story bus transportation. ART served hotels and other locations across the Anaheim Resort area. Toy Story buses serve Disney parking guests.
I learned this routine when my children were small. The parking space was only the first stop. We unloaded the stroller, gathered the bags, kept both children together, reached the tram or bus, passed security, and walked to the gates.
Our car held jackets, extra shoes, snacks, and stroller supplies. The extra storage helped during a long park day. We also left home on our schedule and returned to our own car at night.
Driving still required work. We folded and lifted the stroller for the tram or bus, then loaded the children, stroller, and bags back into the car after a long day. Driving gave us control over our schedule. It did not remove the transfer between the parking area and the park entrance.
Hotel guests should compare two parking charges. A nearby hotel might charge for overnight parking, followed by another $40 at Disneyland. Paying both fees makes little sense when the hotel offers a short walk or dependable shuttle.
Take a photo of your parking level, row, and section before leaving the car. Disneyland also offers Car Locator in its mobile app. I still prefer a photo as a backup. After a full park day, a row number is easy to forget.
Preferred parking shortens part of the parking-area walk. The extra $20 does not remove the tram, bus, security, or entrance process. I would pay the difference only when someone in the group needs fewer steps.
Which option fits your family?
For a family with a stroller
Start with the shortest safe walking route. Walking avoids repeated folding when the hotel sits close enough. For a longer route, choose a direct shuttle only after confirming the stroller rule, final return, and full-vehicle policy.
For adults who tire easily
Count total walking and transfers. Ignore the advertised ride time by itself. A direct hotel shuttle reduces street walking. Disney parking gives your group a private vehicle and flexible departure, but the route from parking space to entrance still takes effort.
For adults trying to spend less
A nearby Harbor Boulevard hotel often makes walking the lowest-cost choice. OC Bus deserves a look when both ends sit close to one route. Add every daily fare before choosing a cheaper hotel farther from Disneyland.
What I would choose
Because our house is only 5 to 10 minutes from Disneyland, I still drive and park there. For our family, the car offers the simplest trip home and space for anything we bring. I still count the tram or bus, security, and the walk to the gates as part of the trip.
For visitors staying near the Harbor entrance, I would choose walking only after checking the nighttime route. For a hotel farther away, I would favor a direct shuttle with clear hours and a workable stroller policy.
Adults traveling light have more flexibility. Walking, OC Bus, or rideshare all deserve a price and time comparison.
Do not choose based on the easiest morning. Choose the trip your group will tolerate after a full day in the parks.
Frequently asked questions
Is ART still running in Anaheim?
No. Anaheim Transportation Network ended ART service on March 31, 2026.
What replaced ART for Disneyland visitors?
No single service replaced ART. Current choices include walking, private hotel shuttles, OC Bus, rideshare, taxis, and Disneyland parking.
Does the Toy Story parking bus still operate?
Yes. Disneyland lists bus transportation between the Toy Story Parking Area and the Main Entrance Esplanade. This service belongs to Disney's parking operation.
How much is Disneyland parking?
As of August 2026, standard car or motorcycle parking costs $40. Preferred parking costs $60. Check Disney's official parking page before your visit.
Which OC Bus routes serve the Disneyland area?
Routes 43 and 543 run along Harbor Boulevard. Route 50 runs along Katella Avenue. Check the current OCTA schedule for your hotel and planned return time.
Last checked: August 2026. Transportation schedules, fares, and parking prices change. Confirm current details with your hotel, OCTA, or Disneyland before your trip.