It’s been a while since we’ve covered Disneyland transportation, mostly because we drive to the parks and there are only so many complaints about Mickey & Friends that the average reader will tolerate (precisely why we are so excited for the Eastern Gateway project). But now we have a good excuse to offer a few updates on trains and airport shuttles, using a new 70th celebration-themed wrap as our excuse.
Even as tourists, our approach was pretty simple: fly into John Wayne Airport and take an Uber or Lyft to Anaheim. We arrived into LAX on occasion if that was the only non-stop flight option or significantly cheaper, but the downside of Los Angeles traffic, chaos and congestion made that less desirable. We also flew into Long Beach every once in a while, as there’s a rare non-stop flight from Orlando to LGB on Southwest.
We never rented a car when visiting just Disneyland. That changed when expanding the scope of our trips to encompass more of California, especially trips that included National Parks. But if we were just going to Los Angeles or San Diego, we tried to stick with rideshare or, better yet, trains. That’s where this post comes into play–along with an update on airport transportation between SNA and DLR.
In celebration of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency invites guests aboard Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to experience a whimsical limited-time train wrap rolling down the Southern California coast, designed to bring a bit of Disney joy to every leg of the journey.
The custom-designed exterior train artwork, unveiled and placed into service in late June 2025 encourages summer travel to The Happiest Place on Earth. With special discounts on Disneyland Resort tickets and travel for riders, families can now start the fun the moment they board.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration,” said LOSSAN Agency Chair and City of Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung. “Taking the Pacific Surfliner to one of the world’s most iconic and beloved destinations makes magical memories start the moment your journey begins.”
“With the launch of our Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, we’re excited to collaborate on this initiative and see the all-new 70th themed Amtrak Pacific Surfliner riding along the coastline of Southern California,” said Disneyland Resort VP of Sales & Services Lynn Clark. “As we honor the legacy of Disneyland Resort, we’re delighted to join LOSSAN to create magical, memorable vacation experiences together for our guests, where the celebration can begin even before they arrive.”
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers a relaxing travel alternative with scenic views, spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and a café car. Whether planning a weekend getaway, a summer vacation or a day trip, the train is a stress-free option for Disney fans. Connecting major Southern California destinations from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner provides easy access to Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort, making it the ideal first and last ride of a magical day.
To commemorate the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, Amtrak riders can unlock the following special offers:
Save 5% on Disneyland Resort Theme Park Admission – Available for a limited time, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner customers can enjoy 5% savings on standard theme park tickets (1-day or more Park Hopper ticket) and the Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer (specially priced 3- and 4-day tickets valid now – August 14, 2025).
Savings available after tickets are purchased through the Disneyland Resort Online Ticket Store at PacificSurfliner.com/Disney. This is really only a good deal if you’re looking to purchase 1-2 day tickets. Otherwise, better options exist–see our Guide to Discount Disneyland Tickets.
Save 20% on Train Travel to Anaheim – Use promo code V712 when booking an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner ride to Anaheim for a 20% discount on adult fares.This offer is valid for travel on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner only and not combinable with any other discount offer. Discount is available for adult fares and applied at checkout. Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change. Other restrictions may apply.
Free Shuttle to the Park – Guests arriving at the Anaheim Station can present their Amtrak ticket to board a complimentary ART (Anaheim Regional Transportation) shuttle to the Disneyland Resort.
We love the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Calling it our favorite way to get to Disneyland isn’t quite apt–more accurately, it’s our favorite way to travel in Southern California, period. (It’s actually slightly less desirable for Disneyland trips since that stretch of the track is more inland and less scenic.)
Surfliner can be slightly pricier than the alternatives, but it’s an excellent experience. The coastal portions of the route are absolutely breathtaking–it’s very much a ‘journey is the destination’ types of things. While Pacific Coast Highway is considered the most scenic drive in the country and arguably the greatest American road trip, I’d say the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is every bit as good. Better even, since you don’t have to deal with traffic or driving.
I’d also recommend riding the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner before it’s too late. Portions of the line in southern Orange County have been suspended several times in the last few years due to coastal erosion, and ridership is down significantly as a result. Authorities have proposed moving the track inland in some spots, but I’m skeptical that’ll happen. For one thing, California doesn’t exactly have a sterling track record when it comes to rail.
For another, the cities through which the move would need to happen are among the most affluent in the entire United States. They’re not going to simply allow train tracks through, under (or whatever) their neighborhoods. They’ll fight, tens of billions of dollars will be spent, it’ll be delayed…and then quietly cancelled. That’s the California way.
The alternative that we use more frequently is the Metrolink. This is similar to the Surfliner, servicing much of the same route–but it’s more of a commuter train, so it makes more stops and the seats (etc.) aren’t as nice. It’s cheaper and less luxurious (not that the Surfliner is the pinnacle of luxury, but it’s up there as far as trains in the United States).
In any case, the Metrolink can be helpful if you’re staying outside of Los Angeles but want to visit the city for a day or an overnight. We like using the Metrolink from Orange County, particularly the $10 unlimited weekend pass. We’ve used this frequently for going up to Dodgers games, Universal Studios Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica, etc.
It’s easy to transfer from the Metrolink at Union Station in DTLA to the specific Metro lines in LA County, which are also covered by that unlimited pass. The Metrolink is safe and reasonably well-maintained, but I probably would not travel alone on the Metro in LA County if I were a woman. I’ve used the Metro by myself several times without issue, but it can be sketchy.
Since we’re on the topic of Disneyland transportation, we should discuss the newest option for getting between the airport and Anaheim Resort District: EVE (Everyone Ventures Everywhere) Shuttle, which connects between John Wayne-Orange County Airport (SNA) and all ART stops. View all stops HERE.
EVE is an all-electric 9 Passenger Vehicle, and is a shared shuttle–meaning you might be paired with other parties and make other stops along the route between SNA and your hotel in the Anaheim Resort District. Also note that an ART bus may be utilized in lieu of an EVE Shuttle (smaller van).
Reservations are required for the EVE Shuttle and can be made up to 90 days in advance via the A-Way We Go App. When making your reservation, please account for the time it takes to deboard the plane and collect your luggage at the baggage claim (30 minute buffer is advisable–although flights often arrive early into SNA).
Once you’ve exited the plane and collected your luggage from baggage claim, head to the Ground Transportation Center located between Terminal A and B across the street from SNA. Guests will be dropped off at the closest ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) stop to the hotel.
One-way EVE fares are $15 per adult or $7.50 per child; round-trip is double that. You can purchase passes via the A-Way We Go App via major credit cards. You can also tap to pay on-board the bus via a credit card, debit card, or smartphone. After activation, EVE passes will remain valid until 3:00am the next day. Use your EVE pass to ride ART for FREE the day of arrival.
EVE vehicles carry booster seats. However, children under 2 or under 40 pounds must be in a rear-facing car seat that guardians must provide. EVE vehicles do not carry car seats–so it’s not a shuttle bus in that sense, it’s a large van. EVE operates seven days a week, from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
We’ve never used the EVE Shuttle, and I doubt we ever will. For one thing, we live in Southern California. For another, there are 3 of us and the per person cost for our party makes this more expensive than an Uber or Lyft from SNA to DLR. There have been a couple of times when I’ve flown directly between Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and even then, I opted for Uber/Lyft–it was only like $25, and more efficient. (And honestly, I forgot about EVE. I otherwise would’ve tested it out for research.)
Nevertheless, we’re glad that the EVE Shuttle exists. We used to take SuperShuttle way back in the day, and there was also the Disneyland Express Shuttle, and at least one or two others that I’ve forgotten. All have gone out of business. Not everyone is comfortable with Uber or Lyft, and there are other reasons to favor a shuttle. So it’s nice to see the Anaheim Transportation Network step up to fill the void, even if we’ll probably never use it.
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
What’s your favorite way to get to Disneyland Resort? Have you taken the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink before? Used the EVE Shuttle from SNA to DLR? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Any advice on wheelchair transportation from the airports to the parks? That has been especially difficult in recent years.
If anyone has any suggests for local Anaheim companies for in room celebrations, I’d appreciate it because I trust this blog more than the reviews on Google. And, I don’t want to go with Disney because my mom is not really interested in a Mickey plush. We are going to celebrate a big birthday for her after other plans fell through and I want to try to do something special.
I’m interested in taking the Metro C-Line light rail east from LAX to end of line park and ride at Norwalk. Then taking a Lyft/Uber from park and ride to Anaheim hotel. Is this a reasonable option for mid-morning travel?
I assume there’s a bus that goes from that park-and-ride to the resort, because I often see cast members in that parking lot. But Uber/Lyft would be ok depending on the time of day
I used EVE from SNA to Disneyland last December and it was great! The bus was clean, uncrowded, and right on time both to and from the hotel. For those of us in the original Mouseketeer generation, the $7.50 rate is available for 65+ year olds. Way better than SuperShuttle used to be.
I’m so happy to see more attention on the AMTRAK and it’s use to get to Disneyland. Fyi to the person below who was frustrated when using the ART shuttle, it will only drop you at the Esplanade. Not to any of the hotels. However there are several OCTA lines that DO go to the hotels and it is also a free transfer from AMTRAK. These are the same buses as the ART bus, but are the general public buses for Orange County. Riding OCTA was a nightmare when I was a kid, but our experience last summer was great. (We got a little “local flavor” on the way back, but I have no problem talking to chatty locals on the bus. YMMV) I’m not sure if there is one that will get closer to the Grand Californian however. I think no matter what you will be dropped somewhere to go through security before entering the hotel from transportation.
Someday I would love to take the entire Surfliner route from SLO down the coast. We have friends in SLO and it stops in my old stomping grounds in Ventura as well. (Coast Starlight skips Ventura)
D’oh, wrong version of its up there. Silly typos.
Loved the Surfrider from my home in San Luis Obispo to Anaheim. However, the ART shuttle did not work quite as easily as I had hoped. The driver was sweet, it was free with my Amtrak ticket, but even though I told the driver I was trying to get to the Grand Californian Hotel, he dropped me at the entrance to the park and I had to take my suitcase through DL security. A little embarrassing and more of a walk than I had hoped. I’ve taken the Surfrider a few other times, and just grab a Lyft or Uber from the Anaheim Station. It’s quick and not too expensive. Perhaps if I was staying at a Harbor Hotel the ART shuttle would have worked better.
We are heading to CA in just over a month. 3 days at Disneyland then we are booked on the Pacific Surfliner down to San Diego where we will spend the rest of our trip. Unfortunately I could not make flying into SNA or LGB fiscally or logistically feasible so we are landing at LAX. I was hoping this post would have some new trick to get to Disneyland from LAX but I don’t think that exists. Is my best best just a Lyft XL? We are flying Southwest which I believe is the closest terminal to the rideshare lot, but any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Same question. Based on what I’m seeing for flights, it’s just too expensive to fly into anywhere other than LAX.
We are flying from Providence so I knew there wouldn’t be any non-stops, but even if we wen to Boston, to land at SNA was 40% more expensive than LAX. All departures from Providence required two plane changes which is a non starter. We had to go with one layover and plane change and fly into LAX.
“We are flying Southwest which I believe is the closest terminal to the rideshare lot, but any other suggestions would be appreciated.”
Well, the good news is that it’s a really easy walk from there to the rideshare lot! Just by flying into Terminal 1 and walking to that lot, you bypass pretty much all of the chaos of LAX. Not having to navigate that loop is huge.
Other than that…hopefully you have a weekend or nighttime arrival? That’s the best-case scenario for light traffic and less expensive rideshare prices to Anaheim.
For what it’s worth, I’ve never felt flying into LAX was *that* bad, but I’m also used to busy airports; grew up in Atlanta (busiest airport in the world no joke) and now live in NYC. The worst part of taking rideshare is the walk to the lot; I usually plan on it taking around an hour drive to get to Anaheim with afternoon LA traffic.
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