This $1.75 Travel Hack Makes Visiting Disneyland More Affordable—but There’s a Catch

There’s an easy and economical way to visit the happiest place on Earth. 

That’s thanks to little-known buses in the Los Angeles area that bring theme park lovers right to the home of the Magic Kingdom, reports SFGate. Both the Los Angeles Metro and the Orange County Transit Authority run a network of linked buses between both downtown Los Angeles and Disneyland Resort as well as within Orange County and the house of mouse, according to Disney.

“Sit back in air-conditioned comfort as you take in the sights of Southern California during a relaxing bus ride to the Disneyland Resort,” Disney wrote on its website about the bus options. 

With daily parking rates coming in at as much as $60, the bus can offer a welcome reprieve. The Metro Express Line 460, which runs between the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and the park, costs just $1.75 to ride, according to the Los Angeles Metro. Best of all, riders receive two hours of free transfers when they pay using a TAP card. 

After picking up riders in Downtown Los Angeles, the 460 bus heads south to the city of Norwalk where it makes three stops. The bus then stops at another popular theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, before arriving at Disneyland. 

The value is no doubt enticing, but it can take a long time. The ride can take two hours or longer, according to the bus schedule.

“If you have a lot of time you don’t mind wasting, it’s cheap, but takes forever,” one rider shared on Reddit about their experience.

Travelers already in Orange County can opt for several buses to the park via the Orange County Transit Authority system. For these, one-way fares cost $2. The transit authority also provides access to the nearby Downtown Disney shops and restaurants.

For travelers planning to stay by the park overnight, several hotels offer shuttle services to Disneyland as well as parking at the hotel. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim Orange, for example, offers parking starting at $32 per day as well as a free shuttle to the theme park.

And once travelers are at the park, Disney offers a complimentary bus to and from Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Toy Story parking area. Disney also offers guests with valid theme park admission access to the Monorail between the Tomorrowland area of the park and the Downtown Disney District.