So who has used ART?

[MommytoaSweetie]

A previous thread is making us question our idea to park at DLR each day (we're not staying with walking distance). Our hotel (Marriott Suites) offers the ART shuttle, so maybe we should use that. What are the experiences with that like?

Does it open in time for EE/MM hour?

How late does it run (and do you have to run to catch the bus after fireworks and park closing)?

How packed are the buses?

Are they reliable in their times of pickup (I think every 20 minutes?)?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[nutshell]

I've done both and I prefer driving myself over ART. I think most of it is a matter of perception. With ART, you might have to stop at several hotels before getting to the park. If you drive, you feel like you get there faster because you drive straight to the lot.

I think the bigger difference comes at the end of the day when you're feeling pooped. You have to wait in a crowd for ART and then make the same stops at all the hotels on your way back. You'll have to wait for the shuttle train if you parked to get you back to the garage, but then you can go straight to the hotel or to dinner or wherever.

If you're a AAA member parking is free.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

If you're a AAA member parking is free.

How is that?? We didn't book through AAA, but we're members. How would we get free parking??

 

[dLandCory]

I pretty much loathe the ART. It can have some advantages depending on where you are staying and which direction you are going (to park or to hotel).

Going to the park:
If your hotel is near the first stop when picking up passengers to go to the park then its not too bad. The shuttle will be empty and you should get a seat. The problem here is that you may have several more stops to make before getting to the park with more and more people getting on. Or, there could already be a big crowd waiting to get on.

Going to the hotel:
This isn't so bad if you leave the park prior to closing. However, if you decide to stay to the very end (and who wouldn't? ) you may find a huge crowd waiting to get on. Once this happened to me and two of my kids. The kids almost fell asleep in the waiting area and we almost didn't get a ride back because the shuttle had too many people and wasn't going to make another trip. It was a bad enough experience that I'll always stay somewhere within walking distance or perhaps drive myself.

Oh, and if have a stroller it can be even more miserable.

Some hotels provide their own shuttle(Candy Cane Inn, Anaheim Sheraton, etc.) which I think is better.

Either way, you may have a different experience. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[pixiewings71]

We have used ART a few trips in the past. We prefer to stay closer so we can walk but ART is doable. We have 2 kids, it isn't a hassle for us but we don't have strollers.

ART starts running at 6:30 am and the last pickup is at midnight (times probably vary due to park hours). If you miss it you're walking or taking a taxi. They have more than one stop but not usually more than 2 or 3. The shuttles aren't normally packed but they can be, especially at the end of the night. They are pretty reliable, pickups are every 20-30 minutes.

 

[DangerMouse]

How is that?? We didn't book through AAA, but we're members. How would we get free parking??

If you purchsae your parkhoppers or a package through them, you get free parking.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We used ART once and will *never* use it again. We stayed at the Hilton Suites which is a little further out that some of the other routes...the bus never showed up when it was supposed to and the drivers we had were always rude. Plus, we'd sometimes have to wait 45-60 minutes for our particular bus to show up for the trip back to the hotel. It may have just been the route we were on because other ART buses seemed to show up more frequently, but the temps were quite cool in the evening and that long wait got very uncomfortable at times.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Speaking of the AAA parking pass, is it something you receive prior to check-in? I'm asking because we will be receiving one but won't have a car so we don't need it. If it's separate from the other components of our package I'd be happy to give it to someone.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Oh, that stinks that ART isn't always reliable. We're still not sure as to what to do. We didn't buy our package through AAA, so it doesn't sound like we'll be getting a free parking pass. Calypso, if you get one and won't use it, we would LOVE to have it! We'll definitely park at least the first day, and it sounds like the rest might be best, too, because I'd rather have a wait at a parking lot than unreliable transportation.

 

[Tink208]

I was in Anaheim for a convention a couple years ago and took ART to the park and back for an evening trip. Getting there wasn't too bad, but the return trip was awful. The crowd waiting for the bus was way too big for the one bus and people were pushing and shoving to get on, and not everyone did. Thankfully, they did at least send another vehicle (not a big bus but more of a trolley car looking thing) for the rest of us, but we had to wait awhile for it. I was alone, and I don't think it would have been something I would have wanted to do with the kids in tow. If we ever stay off property again, walking distance and/or private shuttles will help me make my decision about where to stay.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

If we ever stay off property again, walking distance and/or private shuttles will help me make my decision about where to stay.

That's exactly why we chose the Candy Cane Inn!