Disappointed in retirement of Minnie vans.. other options?

[Disneyfan754321]

We really liked the minnie vans.
Sad they are no more.
Think we should just stay with uber/lyft?
Are they always around? Have you had to wait a long time?

 

[Griffin11]

I'm not traveling to Disney in the near future, but I am disappointed too. For a family that needs two car seats, not sure there is really an equivalent, but maybe something will fill the gap.

 

[LoveMugsNPins]

I am bummed too. It was twice (or more?) the price of regular uber/lyft but knowing there was a (relatively) clean car seat available made it worth it.

I think my kid is aged out of requiring a car seat in FL but it was still nice. She is small and still uses one a home.

If I remember correctly the "regular" lyft cars were plentiful around Disney. I imagine without having to compete with the Minnie Vans there will be even more Uber/Lyft drivers that hang in the area.

 

[lawrenceFletcher]

Interesting - I bet my wife would love me to purchase a used midsized SUV painted pinkish with polka-dots. I wonder if those will be for sale!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Interesting - I bet my wife would love me to purchase a used midsized SUV painted pinkish with polka-dots. I wonder if those will be for sale!

We were at costco in Kansas city one time and there was a red suv next to us....the kids starting yelling mom they have red and white minnie seats so I am guessing they get sent to auction and end up everywhere... minus the vinyl poka dots

 

[MonkAdrianMonk]

Retirement? The official website still says "temporarily unavailable".

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Retirement? The official website still says "temporarily unavailable".

And the article posted on the DIS reminds us that this is still just a rumor and not confirmed by Disney.

 

[Carol_]

I loved those Minnie Vans. Especially when trying to get Nana, her walker, my stroller, and a toddler to and from the Chip and Dale Singalong.
The CMs who drove were fantastic, too. Service above and beyond any other ride share.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

And the article posted on the DIS reminds us that this is still just a rumor and not confirmed by Disney.

That's true... I think it comes from this statement..
And the fact the service vehicles were returned to Chevy.
"In the wake of mass layoff announcements, it has been confirmed that all Minnie Van Cast Members were among those terminated at Walt Disney World."

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We were at costco in Kansas city one time and there was a red suv next to us....the kids starting yelling mom they have red and white minnie seats so I am guessing they get sent to auction and end up everywhere... minus the vinyl poka dots

But the seats in the Disney Minne Van were black

 

[Ross Kratter]

But the seats in the Disney Minne Van were black

Not in every car. Some had different colored interiors. My first Minnie Van ride was in one that had a caramel brown leather interior.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That's true... I think it comes from this statement..
And the fact the service vehicles were returned to Chevy.
"In the wake of mass layoff announcements, it has been confirmed that all Minnie Van Cast Members were among those terminated at Walt Disney World."

Two options
-Permanently closed
-Temporally closed

I have no idea which it is but I think temporarily is possible... The fleet was leased from GM. I was told by a Minnie Van driver they keep the cars no longer than two years. If Disney determined the earliest they’ll bring back MV is next summer or fall the best financial decision is to lay everyone off & work a deal with GM to take back/ liquidate the fleet while the cars are worth more. They have the backbone IT & knowledge base of “how to” so the program will be easy enough to leg into again & they would need fresh vehicles by then.

They also lost cruise & airport transfers. We were told by a driver they were adding more suburbans to the fleet as they worked out well & they could do WDW or transfer duty- so if that part of the program may be important. Gonna need cruises back & Disney hotel demand back for that part.

I hope so much this is a temporary closure. I can rideshare on solo trips but when I travel with my fam we have an ECV so bus will be our only option

 

[tseitel]

We used the Minnie Vans frequently. My mom uses a scooter and it was so easy and convenient to have this option that would accommodate a scooter. I hope they bring the vans back when things get more back to normal. If not, we will miss them terribly.

 

[lubob]

My wife and I used it on our anniversary trip we took. It was great the cars were very cute and the drivers was knowledgeable and very nice. It was a great alternative to the buses especially on special occasions. They will be missed

 

[Kimrlav]

Yes, the Minnie Vans were more expensive that other ride share services, but I really liked using the service on property. The cast members were professional and friendly. It was so convenient to travel from resort to resort for dining reservations. It became part of my vacation budget. I even used the service to return to the Orlando airport -- it was great to get some extra fun at the resort (rather wait at a Disney resort than MCO) and not leaving three hours early to wait at the airport for my flight and also being dropped of at the main level of MCO. Hopefully, the service will return when things are better. My best to the all the cast members that were terminated and to the cast members still working to make magic in these difficult times.

 

[JimMIA]

We really liked the minnie vans.
Sad they are no more.
Think we should just stay with uber/lyft?
Are they always around? Have you had to wait a long time?

To answer your actual questions, yes Uber and Lyft are easily available everywhere in the WDW area. You shouldn't have any wait times more than 10 minutes, and probably not that long.

If you need a car seat for a child, Uber has some vehicles (both X and XL) which have ONE car seat. Lyft does not have any car seat vehicles.

Also remember that both companies now require masks for both drivers and riders (regardless of any local regulations). Both companies also both prohibit riding in the front seat, so now the capacity is 3 for X and 5 for XL with both companies...although individual drivers may violate one or both of those new rules.