ART system: your experiences?

[pinktink83]

We used the ART tram during our last trip to DL and we really liked it. We would go out and wait for the tram about an hour before the park opened, and we would get to the gates about 20 minutes early. In fact, I am thinking of using it again this year, but after reading Hydroguy's tips I'm wondering if maybe we should just stay within walking distance this time.

My only concern is that I remember after spending all day at the park, we were all ready for a mid-afternoon nap, and I could barely manage to walk to the tram pick-up area myself (let alone the kiddos)...so I'm not sure if I would actually want to walk all the way back to the hotel, even if it is "just across the street".

The only problem we ran into with the tram, was that the tram takes a "midafternoon nap" as well, and they don't run for about 2-3 hours in the middle of the day. The first day we missed our last tram back by 30 minutes, but fortunately the very last one to come by took pity on us and drove us to our hotel even though it wasn't in his route. After that we had to plan to leave the park by the correct time, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

I've read other responses on here that some didn't like the tram, and I'm just wondering what everyone experiences have been. Thanks!

 

[PixiePowered]

Just got back from DL (8/10-8/15) and used ART from Residence Inn Maingate (within easy walking distance - but nice to have ART after a tiring day in the park!).

We had nothing but positive experiences. Buses seemed to run every 20 minutes, like clockwork, and were NEVER crowded. I, too, recall them taking LONG midafternoon breaks in the past... but that policy may have changed... as we took the bus back to our hotel on two different days at around 1-1:30pm .

Hope that helps! And have a great trip

 

[Disnee]

Personally, I hate the ART, and go out of my way to choose hotels within easy walking distance to avoid having to use it. We just found that, at the end of the evening, the lines were really long, with people jostling for position to try and get on each bus before it got too full. After being under our own steam all day, we just didn't like the feeling that we were having to work on someone else's schedule.

We like to pop back to the hotel mid-day, and sometimes one of us will go back to drop stuff off, pick up a sweater, or whatever - being able to walk to the hotel within 5-10 mins and head right back with no waiting for the next bus works much better for us.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I will never take any sort of shuttle again- hotel or ART. In many years past it has just been awful waiting for the bus to come, squishing on with many others and standing in the aisle. Then from DL everyone runs to get to the bus and then it is full and you hope for the next one.

We now drive our car everytime. It isn't far from Mickey and Friends parking to the DL tram. Our car is there if we want to put something in it after shopping or go get sweaters. Driving from a hotel a mile or two away isn't that hard and opens up new hotel opportunities.

 

[dalepool]

We stayed at HOJO's lst june. I walked the first day then decided maybe the ART was for me and I was so right. the servece to HOJO is very short it actually goes right by Chesecake Factory -- then one stop-- then to HOJO. So you could take ART go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner or lunch then get picket up again for home --HOJO's. They do take that afternoon break . Just ask in the morning the time it is scheduled for that day, then plan accordingly. I did buy my multi-day pass at HOJO just charged it to room. It was brought to my attention that they are short drivers for ART. Not having enough drivers may be the reason they are not double covered during lunch times. Times seemed to run about every 20-24 mins for Hojo. (Later the day gets the more off tiem they get--- but so glad we have them.)

A fast note---- I had an annual pass so did not need a hopper ticket for DL/DCA. My husband decided he was to tired to run over to DL the first night so he would no longer need a 3 day pass, which I was originally going to purchase at park. I did see room information that said HOJO sells the multi-day hoppers at a discounted rate. . I then asked if there was a 2 day hopper pass and was told yes . That saved me a bit of money not having to get a 3 day pass for the hopper. I think it was near a 50dollar savings.

Anyway Happy planning

 

[janc]

My problem with the ART was the afternoon break, for us it was inconvienant. We had to leave the park earlier then we had planned to get back to the hotel for a break, and stay there longer then we wanted.

This time we are staying at Hojos and looking forward to be within walking distance.

Last time we stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites, way to far to walk in the August heat with a 4 year old.

 

[Brady's Mom]

My oldest DS used ART in March and said it was okay. However, he wasn't in a hurry to get to DLR, he wanted to sleep in instead of hitting the parks early. He took art from Garden Grove where we were staying, I know he got to DLR in the early afternoon, but he couldn't find us and his cell phone had died. We didn't see him until later afternoon, when he called us from City Hall!!

So, my experience is probably not typical. I wouldn't use it for staying far off site, because it would cost too much for all of my family to use it. It was cheaper and easier to park. This time (Dec.) we are staying across the street and don't plan on using the car or ART or any other shuttle. We will see how it goes. I am hoping the walk back to HoJo's is okay after a full day in the park!! We will have a double stroller and a 12 year old. Plus my parents and my niece who is 10. I think we will be planning on strolling up the street on the DL side of Harbor and crossing at Manchester. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!

 

[CAbryan]

It sounds like the ART experience really vary's depending on the route your hotel is on.

We were at Residence inn (8-5 to 8-9) and the bus ran consistant at the top of every hour then at 20 after and 20 til. We had minimal waits and the bus was for the most part empty.

We used it to in the mornings, at closing and for our breaks each day, will definately use it agian.

 

[DahliaRW]

Some hotels offer a family ART pass for $38. I also know you can get the pass if you book through AAA and other companies. Since we have 6 people (5 who would be charged to ride ART) and are going to be in Anaheim for 6 days, it ended up being quite a bit of savings for us.

 

[pixiewings71]

Ya, I'm not a fan of ART but I have used it and it's been OK when I've used it. If you go during peak season the shuttles fill up FAST!!!! I don't like that so much. I'd much rather just stay on Harbor and walk. Our favorite hotel is the HoJo, we cross at Manchester and cut thru the shuttle drop off lot, it's about an 8 min. walk and we have no problems doing it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Some hotels offer a family ART pass for $38. I also know you can get the pass if you book through AAA and other companies. Since we have 6 people (5 who would be charged to ride ART) and are going to be in Anaheim for 6 days, it ended up being quite a bit of savings for us.

I have to agree, we used it off and on the last few years and the mid day break was a pain, but we always asked them when that time would be. Big savings with the family pass for a group of 6 like ours.

Jack

 

[trodrigue]

the servece to HOJO is very short it actually goes right by Chesecake Factory -- then one stop-- then to HOJO. So you could take ART go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner or lunch then get picket up again for home --HOJO's.

So, am I clear on this? When you leave DL shuttle area, you make just one stop, by Cheesecake factory and then it takes you to HOJO? Does it drop you right in front of Building one? How long does this take?

 

[dalepool]

I guess I need to be a bit more percise. The ART bus leaves DL makes I think 3 stops then makes a stop right across from the Cheeesecake factory-- then I think it was 2 more stops then the last stop is HOJO. IMO it was not many stops and never seemed to be anyone waiting at the other resorts. (One was a long stay facitlity so I imagine guests jsut drove to DL). It was very fast. This ART line has to be the shortest of all the routes. Hope that helps sorry for any confusion.


Patty

So, am I clear on this? When you leave DL shuttle area, you make just one stop, by Cheesecake factory and then it takes you to HOJO? Does it drop you right in front of Building one? How long does this take?

 

[RuthieT]

We will be using this probably for our next trip in November, we will be staying at HOJO, but with a long day at the park it will be nice to have something to get back to the hotel without the walk and having it stop by cheesecake factory is an added bonus. How long would you say the trip from DL to HOJO took?

 

[eduk8r26]

We used ART this week. We were at the Comfort Inn Maingate down on Harbor, near the Ramada. Since we have AP's, we weren't in any hurry to get there, but had no problems with it. Didn't have to wait long in the AM and no problem going back about 2 or 3 in the afternoon then coming back a couple of hours later. We didn't stay till closing, either, so the crowds were not an issue. I'd use it again.

 

[Mililani Mouser]

we used the ART a few times (it was even free about 4 yrs ago) and found it to be fairly convenient. we stayed at the parks all day, without returning for naps. the only thing we didn't like was when it was cold (november time), it was torture waiting 15-20 min for a ride.

 

[honeymom]

We didn't use ART, but stayed at Fairfield Inn across street. I can relate about the walk. I was fine in the morning and we could walk quickly, but my feet were in terrible shape in the afternoon and the walk took me 3-4 times as long.

I wasn't that impressed by how much I saw ART shuttles as we passed through the shuttle area. However, I was really impressed by how often I saw Candy Cane Inn and Sheraton shuttles. I think they run on regular schedules and perhaps you should check out those hotels.

 

[PixiePowered]

I guess I need to be a bit more percise. The ART bus leaves DL makes I think 3 stops then makes a stop right across from the Cheeesecake factory-- then I think it was 2 more stops then the last stop is HOJO. IMO it was not many stops and never seemed to be anyone waiting at the other resorts. (One was a long stay facitlity so I imagine guests jsut drove to DL). It was very fast. This ART line has to be the shortest of all the routes. Hope that helps sorry for any confusion.


Patty

On this particular route... ART leaves DL and stops at Little Boy Blue Motel (or some thing right there on Katella). The goes up the the light and turns onto Clementine, stopping at La Quinta Inn (which would be the closest to the Cheesecake Factory). It goes on to Residence Inn Maingate and the HoJos before returning to DL.