Are the Minnie Vans at every resort?

[markman04]

Do you know if they'll be available at Fort Wilderness anytime soon? We're going in February and would love to use this service

 

[Ciandella915]

We used a Minnie Van last night to go from AKL back home to Pop Century at around 9:30 after dinner at Boma. The parks were closed (except MK for MNSSHP) and we were in a hurry to go pack, so we didn't feel like schlepping to Disney Springs or MK and transferring again. I went to the concierge and learned a few things:

1. They won't call one for you unless you have a reason, like some sort of disablity. You have to download the Lyft app. She was able to send me a link to load it, but it didn't work for me and I just went to the App Store and downloaded it myself and the Minnie Vans showed up. I don't think they send you anything special; it's just a courtesy.

2. You CAN apply a discount, so be sure to google those. There's a lot of first-timer discounts. I used one for $5 off.

3. It is a flat rate of $20 anywhere on Disney property. They do not leave Disney property.

4. There's only about 25 of these vans, according to the AKL concierge, so sometimes there is a shortage. There wasn't last night though... I saw several around on the app.

So while it's a "Deluxe" service, they'll take you anywhere on property. I'd be willing to bet you could try to call one from your resort and they'd pick you up, especially if they're dropping someone off like us last night. It seemed like there was plenty of availability after hours, which would be one of the times where I'd be willing to pay for a service like that.

As a comparison, UberX quoted about $9 for the same trip. But that would be just in some random person's car, not Uber Black. So there's something to be said for not comparing apples and oranges with this. The Minnie Van was really nice, and does have car seats available, plus it's driven by a cast member, if that means something to you.

 

[AngiTN]

Do you know if they'll be available at Fort Wilderness anytime soon? We're going in February and would love to use this service

There are no current plans to expand at this time. They are at Max capacity for the vehicles they have

 

[AngiTN]

ok so we are resort hopping the first morning, and a few days later I would like a Minnie van for my bday to make sure we get to Ohana on time. Can I set the Minnie van up on lyft while I am resort hopping then?

No you can't request or schedule them. You request one when you are ready to use it

From what I've read here, yes, you should be able to take your phone to bell services at a participating resort and have them activate it. Perhaps someone who has done this can confirm this can be done? I would have a backup form of transportation to the Poly in place. There have been several reports of shortages of Minnie Vans. People try to request them, and they discover there is a very long wait or nothing available at all. So perhaps a regular Lyft would work as a backup plan if needed.

Results are mixed on getting it added when you are not a guest. People have been successful but they have also been turned down. For just the problem you state, availability. If every guest could request them they'd be even harder to get. That is why they only offer them automatically at certain resorts for now.

 

[kmdrago1783]

No you can't request or schedule them. You request one when you are ready to use it


Results are mixed on getting it added when you are not a guest. People have been successful but they have also been turned down. For just the problem you state, availability. If every guest could request them they'd be even harder to get. That is why they only offer them automatically at certain resorts for now.

Are they available at the Contemporary? I can't find anything to confirm this.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Are they available at the Contemporary? I can't find anything to confirm this.

Yes, guests of all the deluxe resorts are able to use Minnie Vans.

 

[RCID]

Lyft and Uber, in my experience, are consistently in the $8-$12 range (plus tip) anywhere around Disney World. The Minnie Vans are $20 (drivers cannot accept tips). We use Lyft/Uber at least once or twice every trip and find it really useful since we don't rent a car. I've never experienced a long wait for Uber/Lyft. Cars are, in my experience, always driving around and can pick up. Some people have reported a shortage of Minnie Vans - they try to select one in the app, and there's nothing available. So while it's great in theory, it sounds like a rather unreliable form of transportation to me.

Tipping comes up as normal in the Lyft app, and every Minnie Van driver I had accepted cash tips without any hesitation. Their service was above average, their park knowledge was far superior to any standard rideshare driver. They earn their tips.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Tipping comes up as normal in the Lyft app, and every Minnie Van driver I had accepted cash tips without any hesitation. Their service was above average, their park knowledge was far superior to any standard rideshare driver. They earn their tips.

My experience was the same. Tipped with cash both times we used it a few weeks ago. We were also incredibly impressed with our driver's professionalism, level of service, and park/Disney knowledge. Obviously tipping is a highly personal choice but we felt our experiences were well deserving of it.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Tipping comes up as normal in the Lyft app, and every Minnie Van driver I had accepted cash tips without any hesitation. Their service was above average, their park knowledge was far superior to any standard rideshare driver. They earn their tips.

Thanks for the information! When we stayed at BW in July right when Minnie Vans were being introduced, we were told by a (possibly misinformed?) CM that the CMs driving the Minnie Vans could not accept tips. We didn't get to try one out then due to lack of availability, but we're hoping to at Thanksgiving so I'm very grateful for this information. I always tip Lyft/Uber drivers.

 

[RCID]

I really wish they had a larger fleet with more spacious cars. They almost need Suburbans or Sprinter Vans. We saw one van in Minnie livery that appeared to be a Transit or MV-1?

The service was so good that our 4 year old DS, repeated all the driver names! We'd pass a Minnie Van and he'd ask, "Hey! I wonder if that is Doug?" So the experience alone makes it worth it. It's not frugal or affordable transportation, but it is a little piece of memorable Disney Magic. Wish they had the fleet size where they could roll it out at all resorts without sacrificing availability and service.

Access to the MK is great, but wish they had a way to provide a better drop off at EC or International Gateway for World Showcase.

 

[AngiTN]

I really wish they had a larger fleet with more spacious cars. They almost need Suburbans or Sprinter Vans. We saw one van in Minnie livery that appeared to be a Transit or MV-1?

The service was so good that our 4 year old DS, repeated all the driver names! We'd pass a Minnie Van and he'd ask, "Hey! I wonder if that is Doug?" So the experience alone makes it worth it. It's not frugal or affordable transportation, but it is a little piece of memorable Disney Magic. Wish they had the fleet size where they could roll it out at all resorts without sacrificing availability and service.

Access to the MK is great, but wish they had a way to provide a better drop off at EC or International Gateway for World Showcase.

They are trying to increase the fleet size. There's only so many cars they can get at once. It will grow to more vehicles. And more resorts.
And yes, they do have 2 Transit style vans for handicapped use.

 

[Bree]

Can these vans hold a portable ECV? Staying at AKL with my 79yo MIL in December. We are going to MVMCP on the 21st. I had planned on valet parking at the Contemporary around 2pm then making our way around the monorail resorts to look at the xmas decorations before heading over to MK around 4pm. My only worry is that valet might be full. Now that I know the Minnie Vans drop off by the resort busses instead of the TTC that may be an option. We could take a Minnie Van to the Contemporary then take one back after the xmas party from the resort bus location.

 

[Bmath]

Just got back from YC and took a bunch of Minnie Vans:

1. The Lyft app automatically activated Minnie Vans for me when it saw I was in YC. You could try heading to a Deluxe with the lyft app just to get it turned on.
2. Once Minnie Vans are turned on, you can request to/from anywhere on property. Drivers told me they had a number of guests who used them at a deluxe then had another trip in a value but still used Minnie Vans because they were activated.
3. All but 2 Minnie vans are Chevy Traverse, 2 of them are for wheelchairs, not sure how they are requested.
4. Every one has 2 convertible car seats which can be Front, Rear or Booster mode. The CM's go through 8 hours of car seat training and are trained by CM's who went to a 1 week car seat program. (Train the trainer)
5. I asked about tips, the MV driver said they eventually get the tips from the app but it takes a few weeks for Disney to figure out who was driving which MV when. The CM did tell me disney compensates them enough that we shouldn't feel tips to be mandatory.
6. MVs play music from the park/hotel you are heading to. It's a nice little touch.

That's about all I have for now.

 

[Mrs Geek]

Just got back from YC and took a bunch of Minnie Vans:

1. The Lyft app automatically activated Minnie Vans for me when it saw I was in YC. You could try heading to a Deluxe with the lyft app just to get it turned on.
2. Once Minnie Vans are turned on, you can request to/from anywhere on property. Drivers told me they had a number of guests who used them at a deluxe then had another trip in a value but still used Minnie Vans because they were activated.

Okay so by this, do you mean that you downloaded the Lyft app and then just by physically being there, the app showed you the Minnie Van option? Or did you have to enter a code from bell services / MDE like I've been hearing from other people?

 

[erionm]

3. All but 2 Minnie vans are Chevy Traverse, 2 of them are for wheelchairs, not sure how they are requested.

You can to call to request an accessible Minnie Van. Bell Services should have the phone number.

 

[Bmath]

Okay so by this, do you mean that you downloaded the Lyft app and then just by physically being there, the app showed you the Minnie Van option? Or did you have to enter a code from bell services / MDE like I've been hearing from other people?

I did not have to go to bell services. I can't remember exactly what it said to me but I got an alert on my iPhone saying minnie vans were available. I don't know if it was related to my email being the same with Lyft and MDE or if it was because of my geolocation. It just happened when I was walking down the hall on my first day.

 

[AngiTN]

Okay so by this, do you mean that you downloaded the Lyft app and then just by physically being there, the app showed you the Minnie Van option? Or did you have to enter a code from bell services / MDE like I've been hearing from other people?

I did not have to go to bell services. I can't remember exactly what it said to me but I got an alert on my iPhone saying minnie vans were available. I don't know if it was related to my email being the same with Lyft and MDE or if it was because of my geolocation. It just happened when I was walking down the hall on my first day.

You were staying at YC, right? It's triggered by the resort stay, not being at the resort.
If you are a guest of a resort with the service officially added, any of the Deluxe *but not the Villa only resorts, it will be automatic. Or should be, provided there isn't a glitch.
Once it's activated, you can indeed use it anytime you return to Disney. It will automatically see you are back and include Minnie Van as a vehicle choice, no matter where you are staying.

I've posted pics of our notice via MDE when we first got the Minnie Van service back during the summer, during our Boardwalk stay. So you can see what it looks like.

If you aren't a guest, or if it doesn't open automatically if you are a guest, you can ask at Bell Services for them to add it manually. Some have said no to those not a guest and some haven't. Anyone who is a guest will get it added, if they want it. I think most who aren't guests do too but they can't give it to every guest on property so sometimes they do say no

 

[AngiTN]

Here's the snip from the Minnie Van notice via MDE. I got ours on check in day, first time I opened the ap
We already used Lyft so it just added it to my app. If you haven't downloaded the app yet, it prompts you to download and then adds the vehicle
When the app recognizes that we are not at Disney, the Minnie Van is not a vehicle choice. For instance, when we moved over to Universal, it's no longer listed.

 

[Bmath]

You were staying at YC, right? It's triggered by the resort stay, not being at the resort.
If you are a guest of a resort with the service officially added, any of the Deluxe *but not the Villa only resorts, it will be automatic. Or should be, provided there isn't a glitch.
Once it's activated, you can indeed use it anytime you return to Disney. It will automatically see you are back and include Minnie Van as a vehicle choice, no matter where you are staying.

I've posted pics of our notice via MDE when we first got the Minnie Van service back during the summer, during our Boardwalk stay. So you can see what it looks like.

If you aren't a guest, or if it doesn't open automatically if you are a guest, you can ask at Bell Services for them to add it manually. Some have said no to those not a guest and some haven't. Anyone who is a guest will get it added, if they want it. I think most who aren't guests do too but they can't give it to every guest on property so sometimes they do say no

I wish I took a screenshot. You might be right, from a technical standpoint both are possible but I would guess that the MDE app notified me and then used a link to the Lyft app which activated minnie vans. I did it so quickly that I didn't really notice.

 

[AngiTN]

I wish I took a screenshot. You might be right, from a technical standpoint both are possible but I would guess that the MDE app notified me and then used a link to the Lyft app which activated minnie vans. I did it so quickly that I didn't really notice.

My MDE notified me about the service (link shown above) before we even arrived
And we also tested it with DH. He doesn't have MDE, so no notice on his device. He could NOT use the Minnie Van service in his Lyft app. We could have manually had it added but wasn't necessary since we were together the entire trip.
So it isn't just a matter of being AT a participating resort, you have to have a stay booked at one and then MDE will prompt