Just to clarify, the original pilot hotels started at $20 but the price is now $25 for a Minnie Van with seating for 6 with 2 child seats available.
The Minnie Vans work with the Lyft app due to a partnership with Lyft. The drivers of the Minnie Vans are Disney cast members and they can receive individual tips directly via the Lyft app.
Note: Minnie Van vehicles can accommodate Guests with standard wheelchairs, motorized vehicles and electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs); however, an additional wait time may occur do to less vehicles with this capability.
Dave
To be clear, for those that would need this vehicle, there are only 2 (for now) that can accommodate
ECV or wheelchairs and you must call for them via phone, not on the app. The app can only request the Travese Vehicle. The Bell Services CM can give you a business card to use to call for the ECV van.
You definitely can still use Uber and Lyft. We rely on rideshare for resort to resort transportation (we tried the Minnie Van once, though!). Minnie Van is just another transportation option that has been added. It is appealing to families who need car seats. Also it can go places other taxis/Uber/Lyft cannot, such as right to Magic Kingdom (bus stop 11). You can even take Minnie Van directly to MCO, although the $150 price seems steep to me.
In addition to MK directly, they can go to CSR buildings and to Pioneer Hall at FW. I think that's about the only places Uber/Lyft can't go that Minnie Vans can. If you need to go to those locations, Minnie Vans are for sure a better choice.
Also, if you are a group that needs a car seat, I've done price comparisons and in most cases, Minnie Vans are within $2, $3 of Uber with Car Seat, and in some cases even less. Lyft is not an option at all if you need a car seat.
But yeah, that price to MCO is crazy. I can't fathom who would pay $150 to MCO. It's almost triple the price of regular Uber or Lyft, and even needing a car seat with Uber wouldn't come close to $150.
Would the Minnie vans fit 4 adults with 4 suitcases and carry ons?
Tough one. Due to the car seats. The Minnie Vans are Chevy Traverse with bucket seats in both front and middle positions. and 2 car seats stored in the back. The car seats will mean there is no room for the suitcases in the back. So the luggage will have to go in the 3rd row, as would 1 adult. I'm not sure that would work.