Minnie Van Price Increase

[Dusinberre]

If you are tipping a Minnie Van driver don't use the app. They won't receive it. They are in a non tipped position and they are supposed to turn down tips but seeing how no one would really know when it's cash they don't always refuse. But like a CL CM, they are supposed to refuse tips

Oh no! That’s terrible news. I did not know that about the tips. I wonder what happened to the tips I paid via the app?

 

[wdwlver]

If you are tipping a Minnie Van driver don't use the app. They won't receive it. They are in a non tipped position and they are supposed to turn down tips but seeing how no one would really know when it's cash they don't always refuse. But like a CL CM, they are supposed to refuse tips

I know. I give cash.

 

[winnie77]

Used this service 6 times while in Disney in January. Loved every moment of it. I loved that they open the door for you. Liked that after a long day at the park I had a seat. I didn’t have to stand on a crowded bus with kids crying (I love kids just don’t enjoy the crying part) and possibly people coughing and sneezing on me. The cars were very clean and they drop you off right in front of your building. What Disney bus does that? Even at 25 dollars 1 way depending on where I am going and how pressed for time I am. I’m all for the Minnie Van service. They person I went with thought I was a little crazy to be prepared and have the Lyft app on my phone with the Minnie Van service but after 1 use, he was totally sold

 

[JimMIA]

Not surprised. The cost of $20, to include 2 car seats, was very close to the cost of an Uber with 1 car seat. In some cases, even cheaper if you got the equivalent sized vehicle.

It's natural to compare MVs to Uber if all you are comparing is price. But, you also have to consider how that price serves Uber and Disney.

Uber, at the prices they charge, is losing hundreds of millions of dollars per year -- probably Billions. Uber is losing that much money with zero cars in their fleet, and zero employees driving customers around. Uber consists of a smartphone app which connects riders with drivers, who provide both the vehicle and labor to get the rider from A to B. Lyft is identical to Uber in every way.

Disney's MinnieVans are Disney-owned vehicles -- with all of the acquisition costs, maintenance costs, and ordinary operating costs of a vehicle that probably gets 15-16 mpg the way they are being driven. The drivers are Disney employees -- drawing salaries and some level of benefits regardless of how much revenue they produce.

If Uber is losing money using someone else's cars and paying only mileage and time at very low rates -- and they are -- how much do you think Disney is losing on the MinnieVans?

Nobody should be surprised with this price increase -- and this is just the start.

If you want a comparative example, look up the historical prices for the Disney Dining Plan!

It's never been a cost savings for anyone who doesn't need car seats to use it. Those guests (me included) use it because it's a Minnie designed vehicle and it's fun. It's a splurge. Upping the price does make one give a 2nd thought to ride just because it's fun.

I've said since the start, THIS is the right reason to use MinnieVan. It's a fun thing you do for the experience...and the photo op.

 

[DVC Doc]

I knew what I was doing and did it because Minnie Van can go where Uber can't (MK bus stop)

You can use Uber/Lyft to get almost as close, just drop the pin at the crosswalk from Contemporary to MK. If the driver can’t stop there for some reason, there’s a spot they can pull off to just beyond the crosswalk. I do this every time I go to MK from my house (just behind MK).

 

[AngiTN]

You can use Uber/Lyft to get almost as close, just drop the pin at the crosswalk from Contemporary to MK. If the driver can’t stop there for some reason, there’s a spot they can pull off to just beyond the crosswalk. I do this every time I go to MK from my house (just behind MK).

Yes, I have done this many times too, before Minnie Vans started up. Still 15 min walk, at least, compared to bus stop 11
And after 12 miles in the park, more walking isn't always in the cards.

 

[twoolle]

Can you use a Lyft promo code with Minnie Vans? We are family of 6 requiring 2 car seats and would like to use it once going from MBYBBQ to epcot. We are staying ar WL so we will qualify.

 

[AngiTN]

Can you use a Lyft promo code with Minnie Vans? We are family of 6 requiring 2 car seats and would like to use it once going from MBYBBQ to epcot. We are staying ar WL so we will qualify.

Reports are yes, promo codes work with Minnie Vans

 

[Spencer Wright]

That makes Uber or Lyft an even better deal in comparison. Not very smart on Disney’s part.

Whoever is in charge of Minnie Van pricing needs to learn to come correct.

First the $150 one way to the airport ... and now this?? I was really looking forward to it, in order to get to ADR's in the evening. I like Lyft, but my mother prefers staying with Disney transport for safety reasons. Staying at AKL, this now makes Lyft easily cheaper to get anywhere on property (with perhaps the exception of things at MK).

Not a smart move!

 

[Flayre]

Whoever is in charge of Minnie Van pricing needs to learn to come correct.

First the $150 one way to the airport ... and now this?? I was really looking forward to it, in order to get to ADR's in the evening. I like Lyft, but my mother prefers staying with Disney transport for safety reasons. Staying at AKL, this now makes Lyft easily cheaper to get anywhere on property (with perhaps the exception of things at MK).

Not a smart move!

The airport charge is pretty high, but I assume it is because they might have to pay the driver to transport no one on one of the legs either to or from the airport. The other thought I had is if there are any fees that the airport charges for cabs to pick people up there that might come in to play. We just stick with DME though and plan around that.

 

[JimMIA]

The airport charge is pretty high, but I assume it is because they might have to pay the driver to transport no one on one of the legs either to or from the airport. The other thought I had is if there are any fees that the airport charges for cabs to pick people up there that might come in to play. We just stick with DME though and plan around that.

More likely, they just charge $150 because they think they can get it. You're right, though, that they will probably go one direction empty 90% of the time.

The airport fees are negligible, the same as they charge Uber/Lyft because MV runs through Lyft. I'm not sure what the fees are at MCO; here in South Florida, all the airports and cruise ports are $2.00 for pickups only, nothing for dropoffs. I think those charges are pretty average for Florida.

 

[AngiTN]

The airport charge is pretty high, but I assume it is because they might have to pay the driver to transport no one on one of the legs either to or from the airport. The other thought I had is if there are any fees that the airport charges for cabs to pick people up there that might come in to play. We just stick with DME though and plan around that.

More likely, they just charge $150 because they think they can get it. You're right, though, that they will probably go one direction empty 90% of the time.

The airport fees are negligible, the same as they charge Uber/Lyft because MV runs through Lyft. I'm not sure what the fees are at MCO; here in South Florida, all the airports and cruise ports are $2.00 for pickups only, nothing for dropoffs. I think those charges are pretty average for Florida.

Considering Minnie Van is only offering airport drop off service to CL guests I imagine they'll be returning to Disney empty every trip. There's no offer to pick up guests AT the airport at all.