Minnie Vans are personal car service at Walt Disney World, operated by Lyft (and equally to Uber), however operated by Cast Members in enjoyable vehicles. This opinions our experiences utilizing the paid transportation, pricing data & price comparisons to options, plus ideas & data for greatest utilizing it. (Updated October 28, 2022.)
For those that are unfamiliar with Minnie Vans, the car service might be requested at each Walt Disney World resort through the Lyft app. Disney has made a major funding in this system, with an enormous variety of vans and SUVs added to the fleet. Walt Disney World considers it a ‘priority’ transportation choice, with personal point-to-point service that’s nearly at all times extra environment friendly than buses.
When the Minnie Vans had been first introduced, and their preliminary worth was launched, we didn’t have a lot curiosity. The service was–and is–considerably dearer than Uber or Lyft, so I assumed “what’s the point?” After utilizing the Minnie Vans on a latest journey to Walt Disney World, I’ve a extra favorable opinion of the service, albeit one which has been tempered considerably by worth will increase.
October 28, 2022 Update: Rolling out in autos over the subsequent couple of weeks, the award-winning animated Mickey Mouse shorts are being added to the Minnie Van Service at Walt Disney World. Guests will have the ability to watch these cartoons on a number of screens throughout their experience, and might request Cast Members to show up the amount.
With larger costs than earlier than, in-car leisure is a technique that Walt Disney World will have the ability to distinguish the Minnie Van service from common Uber and Lyft autos. Those are considerably cheaper, however don’t provide the identical “Disneyfied” expertise, nor are they pushed by Cast Members, which implies that service might be much less constant.
Let’s begin with Minnie Van pricing, as a result of that’s going to be the edge concern for many households visiting Walt Disney World. As of Late 2022, Minnie Vans have dynamic pricing. This implies that the associated fee might be totally different by vacation spot and time of day, with charges largely dictated by provide and demand.
As you possibly can see from the screenshots above, Minnie Vans are sometimes triple worth of a base Lyft car for the very same vacation spot. They’re typically double the worth of Lyft XL, which is the extra apples to apples comparability since each Minnie Vans and Lyft XL seat 6 folks.
In some cases, this worth hole is even bigger. For the longest routes at Walt Disney World, we’ve discovered costs as excessive as $60 at occasions when Uber or Lyft had been round $15 to $17. One instance of that’s within the screenshot under (left), which works between Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness and Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s an analogous story with Magic Kingdom to AKL (proper). These routes had been chosen intentionally each for his or her period and since, as mentioned under, the Minnie Van service is basically totally different (and thus a bit incomparable) as a consequence of drop-off areas.
On the pricing entrance, there are a few distinctive wrinkles with Minnie Vans v. Lyft or Uber. First, Minnie Vans are sometimes in larger demand than common rideshare, which ends up in each larger costs and longer wait occasions. There have been cases of near-immediate availability through common Lyft autos (or Uber–however that’s a unique app so it’s harder for the direct comparisons), whereas Minnie Vans had prolonged waits.
However, there’s a flip facet to that. Since Minnie Vans are nearly at all times in excessive demand, the hole closes when common Lyft autos are additionally in excessive demand. Meaning that when Lyft or Uber have surge pricing within the mornings or (particularly) within the evenings after fireworks, Minnie Vans are nonetheless dearer, however not triple the worth of a daily Lyft or Uber.
Moreover, the Minnie Van service shouldn’t be dearer than all Lyft or Uber choices. We’ve discovered that Minnie Van prices are sometimes barely cheaper than the Lyft Lux Black XL, fairly persistently by about $10. (Even then we’ve discovered that the wait is often longer for a Minnie Van, so in case your trip time has worth–and it ought to–Minnie Vans often lose on effectivity.)
When you take into account that Walt Disney World resorts sometimes cost a luxury-caliber premium for his or her themed resorts, it’s simpler (and maybe extra palatable?) to pay additional for the Minnie Van service. After all, you might be getting a pleasant Cast Member, a enjoyable polka-dot car, and in-car leisure. (We aren’t suggesting it’s value it or these companies are comparable, simply that the case could possibly be made–and that that is in step with the surcharge for Disney-branded resorts.)
For households, the most important promoting level for Minnie Vans, which may overshadow every little thing else about pricing, is that every Minnie Van car comes geared up with two automotive seats and the Cast Member has been educated to correctly set up them. Unfortunately, this may in any other case be very hit and miss within the Orlando rideshare market. So if you happen to want a automotive seat to your child(s), the Minnie Van service won’t simply be your best option–it could possibly be your solely choice that isn’t a bet.
Previously, Minnie Van service was additionally out there to and from Orlando International Airport. The airport service is obtainable to company with airline flight departures out of MCO between 9 a.m. and midnight and flight arrivals 7 a.m. till 10 p.m.
For a flat price charge of $150 per journey, airport Minnie Vans can accommodate as much as 6 folks per car, together with as much as three automotive seats for company. Guests eager to request a Minnie Van to get to MCO are suggested to make use of their lodge’s Resort Airline Check-In for extra info. (We repeatedly use Uber/Lyft to get to MCO, and our price not often exceeds $40/journey.)
However, Minnie Van service between Walt Disney World and MCO remains to be “currently unavailable” as of Late 2022. Our expectation is that this doesn’t return till someday in 2023. As famous above, there’s a provide and demand imbalance for Minnie Vans, which is pushed partly by company wanting to make use of the themed rideshare service…and in addition a scarcity of drivers. Walt Disney World has been making an attempt to handle it’s staffing woes for the final yr, and has but to totally treatment the issue.
On a tangentially associated notice, the free shuttle service between MCO and Walt Disney World resorts, Disney’s Magical Express, has now ended. Guests now want to seek out their very own floor transportation from the airport to their lodge, and we cowl the vary of choices in our Guide to Airport Transportation for Walt Disney World.
We have used Uber and Lyft on numerous events in 2022 for getting between Walt Disney World and MCO. These companies are our suggestion for anybody who values their time and doesn’t wish to break the financial institution with a non-public switch. Alternatively, the Sunshine Flyer and Mears Connect are our prime suggestions for shared shuttle companies.
With Late 2022 pricing out of the way in which, let’s flip to our assessment of Minnie Vans. As I’ve realized from reader feedback to our Tips for Using Lyft & Uber at Walt Disney World publish, there are various people who find themselves distrustful of those ride-sharing companies. There are quite a lot of causes for this; some legitimate, others primarily based on anecdotal fear-mongering (if you happen to suppose taxis are secure, I’ve a documentary so that you can watch). Regardless of the logic of the rationales, that’s how it’s.
When it involves Minnie Vans versus taxis, there is no such thing as a comparability. Minnie Vans are (on common) cheaper, provide higher service, are extra dependable, and extra comfy. There are additionally accessible Minnie Vans, which is a big promoting level for individuals who would possibly in any other case have challenges utilizing different companies, be it taxis or ride-sharing companies.
With Uber or Lyft versus Minnie Vans, the size ideas in favor of the previous–a minimum of for us. On common, Minnie Vans are far more costly. With the brand new per mile pricing, you’re charges which are round triple the price of Lyft or Uber. If worth is your backside line, it’s a no brainer. You ought to persist with these ride-sharing companies.
There are a couple of situations when Minnie Vans will arguably be higher. For households, it’s additionally noteworthy that automotive seats don’t incur a further charge with Minnie Vans. The most notable of those is that Magic Kingdom drop-offs really take you to Magic Kingdom as an alternative of the Ticket & Transportation Center. In the previous, we’ve suggest company heading to Magic Kingdom be dropped off on the Contemporary and stroll to Magic Kingdom. This obviates the necessity for such a ‘hack.’
There are different conditions the place the Minnie Van drop-off level affords a definite benefit. If you’re going to Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue or Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness, you may be dropped off at Pioneer Hall (no inner bus system!). At Disney Springs, there are drop-off factors past these for Uber and Lyft.
However, worth is not what makes Minnie Vans a more in-depth name as in comparison with Uber/Lyft. Instead, it’s the caliber of the service Cast Members provide. In the previous, I’ve praised Uber and Lyft for providing higher service than taxis. I feel that’s undoubtedly true, however these ride-sharing companies can nonetheless be hit and miss.
Uber and Lyft drivers often have interaction in well mannered dialog, and the overwhelming majority of the time that is both fascinating or pleasant. About 10% of the time, I’d say it’s uncomfortable or mildly irritating. Some of our most “notable” experiences with Uber in Florida have been a driver explaining to us how terrible California is after we informed him that’s we reside, the nitty-gritty lowdown on a driver’s little one custody dispute, and nearly any time a driver brings up politics. (Made-up Walt Disney World trivia is one other frequent one which may bug some folks, however I legitimately love listening to stuff like that. So a lot creativity on the market!)
Again, it is a small minority of the time we use Uber or Lyft, with most rides being nice or uneventful. In deference to the drivers, they aren’t skilled conversationalists (no matter which means) and never educated within the artwork of well mannered dialog. Many are driving as facet gigs, and it wouldn’t shock me if within the tradition of their regular office, the matters they carry up are completely regular.
Every Minnie Van experience is like the perfect Uber expertise. If our encounters with drivers to this point are any indication, these are the creme de la creme of Cast Members, of an analogous caliber to these you’d have on a VIP tour or when coping with Guest Services. One of our drivers additionally labored in leisure, which was unsurprising given her friendliness and affability.
I strongly suspect the drivers for the preliminary rollout of Minnie Vans had been cherry-picked, and the end result is sort of a mini-VIP tour throughout your experience (no joke!). The dynamic of any such intimate interplay with a Cast Member is nice, and is a reminder of simply how a lot of the Walt Disney World expertise is constructed upon the exemplary qualities of Cast Members. (I might actually see Walt Disney World making an attempt to make use of the Minnie Vans as a technique to pique curiosity about personal excursions sooner or later.)
As the Minnie Van program continues to develop, one query we’ve is whether or not Walt Disney World can preserve this excessive diploma of service because it’s scaled. Right now, the Minnie Van fleet remains to be small and has the texture of an upstart program. Cast Members are clearly proud to be part of this system, and the visitor expertise is significantly good because of this.
I’m optimistic that this can stay the case. The worth level goes to make it prohibitive for almost all of company who will elect to both use the free bus (or different) transportation, or choose to save cash with Uber or Lyft. Unless these ride-sharing apps are banned from Walt Disney World (unlikely on condition that they’ve partnered with Lyft on this, and banning solely Uber would run afoul of the FTC Act), there’s solely so large the Minnie Van program can get. Keeping it comparatively small-scale will forestall the kind of quality-erosion that will inevitably happen if the service turns into bloated.
Alright, now let’s cowl some ideas and data concerning the Minnie Vans. The autos used as Minnie Vans are brand-new Chevy Traverse mid-size SUVs. (Plus different Chevrolet vans for company with wheelchairs or ECVs.) One good perk value mentioning is that these vehicles characteristic USB charging ports.
Minnie Vans can seat as much as 6 company, versus the 4 folks that may be seated within the lowest tier of Uber or Lyft autos. Definitely a promoting level for company with bigger events, and issue to think about if ‘doing the math’ evaluating the companies.
As of proper now, Minnie Vans have been rolled out to all Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. We additionally had been capable of request a Minnie Van at Coronado Springs, so that you might need luck with a pickup past the “official” resorts.
To use the service, it’s good to have the Lyft app in your smartphone (Minnie Vans are “powered by Lyft”). Once activated, you should utilize the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van pick-up. It works the identical means as the usual Lyft or Uber expertise, with out there autos being proven on the map, and time/worth estimates being given. (You can get free experience credit on Lyft through this hyperlink.)
In the screenshots all through this publish, it’s best to have the ability to see how we had the choice to pick a Minnie Van (the highest choice) in addition to another Lyft car whereas touring on-site round Walt Disney World. In phrases of logistics, Minnie Vans are almost an identical to Uber and Lyft.
You are picked up and dropped off at designated areas recognized within the app(s), albeit with some variations between Minnie Vans and the “traditional” ride-sharing corporations. There are different quirks to the pick-up and drop-off areas, however these are the numerous ones (to our information) on Walt Disney World property.
Beyond that, there’s one restriction with Minnie Vans: drivers can solely take you to on-property areas, and the service solely operates between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. That means you’ll want to stay with Uber or Lyft when visiting Universal or the Waffle House on Vineland at 2 a.m.
Overall, the Minnie Vans rating very excessive marks from us. To be frank, we used them for the sake of writing a assessment, and however for that, we’d have by no means thought of Minnie Vans for private use. We are extra “bottom line price” kind of individuals, so Minnie Vans didn’t appear focused at us.
After utilizing Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World, we had been actually impressed. They provide an air of light-luxury in a themed car with a pleasant Cast Member that would probably justify them over one of many larger tiers of Uber or Lyft for individuals who need a luxury-adjacent personal car service that’s environment friendly and cozy. This is particularly true on longer routes (just like the aforementioned one to Fort Wilderness), or on the finish of a protracted day after we don’t really feel like rolling the cube on a probably uncomfortable dialog and simply need high-quality Disney Cast Member service.
Due to the associated fee, we’ll by no means use Minnie Vans as an unique type of transportation. In reality, it’s unlikely that we’ll use Minnie Vans for private use a lot, as they’re merely a lot dearer than different ride-sharing companies. Instead, we’ll proceed to make use of Uber and Lyft as a complement to Walt Disney World’s buses, monorails, and different Disney transportation, utilizing regardless of the state of affairs would possibly warrant.
However, that doesn’t imply Minnie Vans are a poor alternative, particularly for these with giant budgets or households wanting a extra “Disney” expertise than Lyft. Likewise, these doing an early-morning ADR, transferring resorts, or in different point-to-point conditions, would possibly discover Minnie Vans to be a worthwhile choice.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every little thing it’s good to know!
Your Thoughts
If you’ve used a Minnie Van, do you agree or disagree with our assessment? What do you consider the pricing–too excessive, or honest for what’s supplied? Any questions on Minnie Vans we may also help you reply? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of the Minnie Van service and the way it compares to Lyft or Uber? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!