TOURISM

Disney Welcome for Drivers: Hundreds of people arrive at Disneyland by bus every day. So how does the bus driver spend his or her day while passengers enjoy the attraction?

Drivers can now kick back in front of a TV set in a special lounge at the Travelodge Maingate motel next to the park. The motel is one of several that Walt Disney Co. bought in the past couple of years as part of land acquisition for the new theme park resort it wants to build.

The lounge also has a kitchen and two bathrooms, and the motel offers a shuttle that will take drivers from coach to couch until it is time to head out on the freeway again.

The lounge operates on a simple theory: Keeping the drivers happy will keep the tourist supply flowing.

“Tour operators are valued travel partners for Disneyland, Anaheim and all of Southern California. We appreciate their efforts in promoting us as a vacation destination,� said Mark Maggiora, sales supervisor for Walt Disney Attractions.