BUENA PARK : Shuttle Seen as Way to Bolster Tourism

Just before 9 a.m., while most people are struggling with their morning commute, the tourists are already gathering in front of the Buena Park Quality Inn, armed with the essentials: cameras, suntan lotion, hats and comfortable shoes.

For a group of excited visitors who recently gathered in front of the Inn, the highlight of the day’s activities was obvious: “The first thing on their mind is Disneyland,” said tour guide Khong Kam Yih, who was leading a group of Malaysian visitors on an eight-day trek across the United States.

But what about Knott’s Berry Farm or Medieval Times, two of Buena Park’s biggest attractions? “If we have enough time,” Yih said.

Disneyland’s international fame has long made it challenging for Buena Park businesses to hold their own in the local tourism market.

But now a new shuttle service, funded jointly by several local companies and city redevelopment funds, hopes to use Disneyland’s popularity to line the pockets of Buena Park businesses as well.

“We don’t compete with Disneyland,” said Jerry La Pointe, managing director of the Buena Park Convention and Visitors office. “It is an asset to Buena Park.”

The service is one part of a Buena Park make-over that city officials and businesses hope will enhance the city’s reputation as a tourist attraction and bolster the city’s economy.

“What we are trying to do is get people to stay in Buena Park,” La Pointe said. When tourists choose to take a hotel room in the city, they’ll be more likely to spend money at major attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm. But local merchants may benefit as well, as visitors would likely shop at local stores and eat at local restaurants, he said.

The 47-passenger motor coach is intended to see that they do. It offers continuous service from three Buena Park hotels to Disneyland.

The one-hour loop takes in several area businesses, including stops at the Buena Park Mall, Medieval Times and Movieland Wax Museum. And the bus also makes two special night runs, picking up passengers staying in Anaheim hotels and taking them to Medieval Times for dinner.

For Buena Park, the service represents the latest in a string of efforts to develop its tourism industry.

In 1986, facing two different proposals for retail centers, the City Council temporarily halted new development on Beach Boulevard. Frustrated over the hodgepodge of development on Beach--the strip included everything from X-rated movie houses to family-style restaurants--the City Council wanted some uniformity for the main thoroughfare that is lined with the city’s major tourist attractions.

From the moratorium evolved a plan for building an entertainment corridor, which has been slowly developing during the past three years.

One of the most recent additions, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, is scheduled to open next month. Several other projects are in the works, including the construction of a western-style dinner theater. City officials are negotiating with developers to build a major hotel.

In another effort to make the Boulevard more attractive, the city recently unveiled its “image enhancement” program. Colorful banners, special furniture and landscaping will be added to public spaces during the next few years.

Local businesses have greeted the plans enthusiastically.

“We are very pleased that the city is developing programs to make Buena Park more attractive,” said Stuart Zanville, director of public relations for Knott’s Berry Farm.

Even in neighboring Anaheim, Buena Park’s campaign is winning favorable reviews. “We promote Buena Park as well as San Juan Capistrano or Laguna Beach,” said Elaine Cali, director of communications for the Anaheim Area Visitors and Convention Bureau.

“Opening new attractions in Buena Park just gives us more to offer,” Cali said. “It gives people another reason to stay one more day.”