Have you heard? Minnie Vans are back in Disney World!
If you don’t know, Minnie Vans are a transportation option available within Disney World. They are a partnership between Disney and Lyft, and you book them through the Lyft app. The difference however is, instead of getting a Lyft driver in their car, guests will get a specially trained Disney Cast Member in a car made to look like Minnie Mouse! As a consequence, however, the service is more expensive than a standard Lyft or Uber, with the price varying depending on the distance traveled. We wanted to know if Disney guests thought that Minnie Vans were worth it, so we headed over to our Facebook page and asked! Here’s what our readers had to say.
We asked our readers: “Are Minnie Vans worth the cost in Disney World?” Here’s what they said.
Yes, But…
Many said that Minnie Vans were worth the cost, but lots of readers added a caveat, as well. One useful thing about Minnie Vans is that they come with car seats if you need them. This can be convenient if you’re traveling with young kids because not all Ubers or Lyfts will have one, so some of our readers said they were worth the money, but only if you were using the car seats. Guests also like being able to chat and interact with a Disney Cast Member, with one reader saying “I know the Uber and regular Lyft have some as well but the extra pixie dust of a Cast Member is why we use it.”
Another reader conceding that they weren’t really worth the money all the time, “but at the end of a very long hot busy day in the parks, yes” they were. Readers also said that they were convenient if you were trying to get to Magic Kingdom, because other rideshare services like Uber and Lyft drop you at the Transportation and Ticket Center, but Minnie Vans go right to the front of the park.
Many readers also said they were good for when the bus stops were getting backed up and if lines were long to board a bus, like at the end of the night. One reader felt very passionate about this and said: “At the end of the night when you’re looking at a long bus wait? WORTH EVERY PENNY!” In situations like these, however, it’s important to remember that, just like any other rideshare service, Minnie Vans are subject to surge pricing, and may cost more during busier times.
Another thing Minnie Vans are good for is resort hopping. Say you’re staying at Coronado Springs, but want to grab dinner and some beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter. You’re not able to take a bus there, and unless you have a dining reservation, you won’t be allowed to park there. Minnie Vans are a good way to see the areas of Disney World property that are more difficult to get to with the free Disney transportation.
No, They’re Not Worth It
Some of our readers said that despite the convenience of getting around Disney World property, Minnie Vans still weren’t worth the price. One reader said “They’re cute and drive you to the front of MK, but otherwise a regular Lyft/Uber is the way to go if Disney transportation isn’t high on your list.”Â
A couple of our readers said that they were cool to do once, but they wouldn’t be using them again: “It was a cool experience once, but not one that we would spend the extra money on very often.” Many said that since they don’t have kids and don’t need to carseat, it’s just not worth it to pay the extra money and that if they want to skip the Disney buses, they just take a normal Uber or Lyft.
If you’re trying to get around Disney World, you have lots of transportation options available to you. Disney provides free buses from the Disney World hotels to all four theme parks, the water parks, and Disney Springs, as well as bus service between the theme parks and Disney Springs.
Some Disney World hotels have other modes of transportation, like the Monorail, Skyliner, or boats, and you can even walk to some of the Disney World parks from certain hotels, as well.
If you’re staying in a hotel outside of Disney World property or need to get to a place free Disney transportation can’t take you (or even if you just don’t wan to wait in a long bus line), Minnie Vans (or Uber of Lyft) can be good options to get you where you need to be. Make sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney World news.
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Have you ever used a Minnie Van in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Pre-COVID we were staying (party of 9) at Boardwalk and had a breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare at GF. We got two Minnie Vans (with car seats) which took us there using a back way we had never seen before. So we got there in plenty time and we’re able to see some new things! Both CM drivers were exceptional.
Took Minnie Van’s twice this trip. Each time waited well over 40 mins each. Between the app searching for 15 mins then canceling and making us start all over to just 30+ mins far out is beyond ridiculous. Especially at the asking price. Should’ve took the resort bus back. Would’ve gotten back in half the time and $60 cheaper each time.
The Minnie Vans are worth the money, especially if you need a car seat. They can save a lot of time traveling resort to resort. My only concern is since the pause in service, there are not enough drivers/vans available when you need them and it can take time to get a van to pick you up. The transportation is great just need more drivers available at dinner time and other busy times.