I just finished reading AVP's nice little article about the new Anaheim Resort Transit system. Just to prove that not all Disneyland CMs are clueless about ART, I'll add some of my own suggestions related to system.

I had the, um, "privilege" of working in the Shuttle area the day the ART debuted. Fortunately, there was a manager-chick around helping out and just making sure things went smoothly in general. I would recommend that anyone considering use of the system take a long hard look at the huge sign just east of the Information Booth in the East Esplanade. It lists the various hotels that every lettered zone serves and is essential because most CMs won't have the master list of all the routes and stops. Before I managed to snag one, I had to constantly direct folks back to the big yellow sign for directions.

Most drivers I saw seemed to have the master list of ART routes so don't be afraid to ask 'em.

UD,

You'll never catch me saying that ALL CMs are clueless about anything, but the opening day of ART was like a Three Stooges movie.

First, I went to the Harbor ticket sales office, to find that they did not have route maps, had not yet recieved their tickets to sell, and were actually surprised to learn that the shuttles had begun operation that morning. They suggested I go to one of the participating hotels to buy a ticket.

Then I walked to the nearest participating hotel, and was told that they didn't sell tickets, but that their hotel shuttle would be along in 30 minutes to take me to the park. When I asked about the ART shuttle tickets, they didn't know what I was talking about at all. They sent me across to Disneyland.

So I went to Disneyland, and not one CM I asked knew anything about the shuttles. The guest relations kiosk didn't have any route maps, and the CM just pointed me towards the big yellow signs. She suggested I talk to a driver.

When I ent over to a shuttle that had just pulled up, the driver handed me a route map, (finally - after an HOUR!), and told me everything he knew. He was extremely helpful and even let me ride around the system to get my bearings. He said the drivers were told not to worry about tickets for the first weekend - most of the authorized sellers didn't have them to sell yet.

BTW, when I went BACK to the Harbor ticket sales office the next day, they STILL didn't have tickets to sell, or route maps.

ALL Disneyland CMs are certainly not clueless. I know that information, and even route maps, were handed out at Mickey's Roll Call all that weekend. But there was massive communication breakdown somewhere. When the parks, hotels and even the authorized ticket sellers don't have decent information about the system, tourists are going to be totally lost.

AVP

I had no idea that we were riding the ART shuttle on its very first day. We had just arrived at our hotel, and had asked for the shuttle schedule. The guy at the front desk had one printed up for us. When we asked for the next day's schedule, he said that he won't know/get the day's schedule till tomorrow. So we decided to go back to the hotel and wait till the next shuttle. I must say, the shuttle is very nice and the drivers are very helpful and not to mention friendly. As we didn't know much about the route our shuttle took (and not to mention we had plenty of time to kill), we rode the 'H' shuttle's whole circuit. We wound up being the only passengers and the driver was asking us about our trip, where our hotel was, and even though the stop wasn't right in front of our hotel he let us out right in front of it. Mind you, he had to stop anyway due to a red light- but it was still nice of him to do that. :) Judging by the service we received, we never would have realized that it was a brand new system. :D

I saw an ART trolley/shuttle/bus Sunday; the palm tree design caught my eye. I thought to myself "I guess I've never noticed that before." But after reading this article I guess it was new.

Originally posted by AVP
ALL Disneyland CMs are certainly not clueless. I know that information, and even route maps, were handed out at Mickey's Roll Call all that weekend. But there was massive communication breakdown somewhere. When the parks, hotels and even the authorized ticket sellers don't have decent information about the system, tourists are going to be totally lost.

AVP
Interesting. Well, the roll out was pretty low key, and I suppose the system is likely to have a few kinks in it on the first day…

Everything seemed to be going okay at the end of the day when I came on duty. Hopefully they've managed to get the whole operation up and rolling by this point. I'm just glad that this isn't really Disney's "thing" so that someone else has the blame to shoulder for any failures that arise. :D

Somebody has asked more than once, so I would like to see if anyone has the answer...

Does the ART stop in front of the Paradise Pier Hotel... they want to cut down the amount of walking, and the walk from the PP is a good hike.......

If you know, please respond,, thanks!!!!!

No, the ART system does not service ANY of the Disneyland Resort Hotel Properties. I suppose you could ride ART to the Anabella hotel and walk from there....

AVP