Minnie Vans-Current response time

[wendy1974]

I'm curious for anyone that has used the Lyft-Minnie Van option in the past couple of months what the average wait times are running from resorts to parks and vice versa? I know they have a limited fleet of vehicles but trying to determine a few EEMH mornings if we can wait until the 6:30am start time to try and reserve one to get to a park for 7:00am. Also, thinking end of night after MNNSHP at MK it might be nice.

 

[Searc]

I'm curious for anyone that has used the Lyft-Minnie Van option in the past couple of months what the average wait times are running from resorts to parks and vice versa? I know they have a limited fleet of vehicles but trying to determine a few EEMH mornings if we can wait until the 6:30am start time to try and reserve one to get to a park for 7:00am. Also, thinking end of night after MNNSHP at MK it might be nice.

I don't know what time they start running in the mornings (I would assume 6:30 - 7) but there is no reserving them. You order one when you want it. Wait times vary wildly, depending on time of day (park close you probably wouldn't find one) and what else is going on around Disney.

 

[wendy1974]

Right, perhaps "reserve" was the wrong word to use. My question was that knowing they don't start running until 6:30am and you can't order one until that time will I be able to get one fairly soon? I was asking anyone with experience doing this what their experience has been.

 

[JimMIA]

Right, perhaps "reserve" was the wrong word to use. My question was that knowing they don't start running until 6:30am and you can't order one until that time will I be able to get one fairly soon? I was asking anyone with experience doing this what their experience has been.

I doubt if there is actually any accurate, helpful answer to your question. Someone's experience from two months ago on a Tuesday at 3 PM is not going to have a thing to do with your actual experience at 6:30 AM.

Your pickup time will depend on where you are, where the MV is when the driver gets your request, and traffic. It will also be dependent on demand; at 6:30 AM, it's quite possible that there will be no MVs available. Just too many variables for there to be an accurate answer to your question.

That said, you will see the approximate pickup time on the app when you are about to place the ride request. You will also be able to see the MV coming to you on the app.

Once the request is placed, it is possible that the pickup time could be quicker. That might occur if another MV came into service closer to you than the one which received your original request. The pickup time should not be later unless there is an accident or some other disruption.

If you find no MV is available, or if the response time is too long, you can always order a regular Uber or Lyft and do a MV ride another time.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We’re pretty frequent Minnie Van users, ranging from rope drop to park close. We were there last week and probably used a Minnie Van 8 times in various circumstances.

Generally (key word) speaking, I find Minnie Van availability and arrival times to be pretty good/manageable lately - often 5-15 mins in many circumstances. BUT, there are times where it can be longer (much longer) or it may fail to connect to a driver altogether. With such a dynamic service, it’s really hard to predict with any specificity what conditions may be like at any moment you pull up the app and search.

One note, they updated the programming at some point several months ago to where it will now connect you to a nearby driver that is “finishing their current route”. Prior to this, it would just search for anyone actually available/finished with a job. This change, plus fleet additions, have - in my opinion - led to better Minnie Van availability/response times during my more recent trips.

The good thing with the app/service is that you can very quickly check availability no matter where you are and make a judgement call on your transportation needs at that moment.

One note about wanting one after MNSSHP. Minnie Van service ends at 12:30 and there are fewer around as you get that late at night. With the rush of folks leaving the park and generally fewer around, you may encounter supply/demand dynamics that don’t work in your favor.

Just my opinion/experience, but hope it helps!

 

[wendy1974]

We’re pretty frequent Minnie Van users, ranging from rope drop to park close. We were there last week and probably used a Minnie Van 8 times in various circumstances.

Generally (key word) speaking, I find Minnie Van availability and arrival times to be pretty good/manageable lately - often 5-15 mins in many circumstances. BUT, there are times where it can be longer (much longer) or it may fail to connect to a driver altogether. With such a dynamic service, it’s really hard to predict with any specificity what conditions may be like at any moment you pull up the app and search.

One note, they updated the programming at some point several months ago to where it will now connect you to a nearby driver that is “finishing their current route”. Prior to this, it would just search for anyone actually available/finished with a job. This change, plus fleet additions, have - in my opinion - led to better Minnie Van availability/response times during my more recent trips.

The good thing with the app/service is that you can very quickly check availability no matter where you are and make a judgement call on your transportation needs at that moment.

One note about wanting one after MNSSHP. Minnie Van service ends at 12:30 and there are fewer around as you get that late at night. With the rush of folks leaving the park and generally fewer around, you may encounter supply/demand dynamics that don’t work in your favor.

Just my opinion/experience, but hope it helps!

Thank you! Your feedback helps a lot!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The good thing with the app/service is that you can very quickly check availability no matter where you are and make a judgement call on your transportation needs at that moment.

OP could even test from home a few days, at 6:30 AM. Open the Lyft app, enter two WDW addresses, and scroll over to the Minnie Van page.

Now, that's now. Availability could be very different once the parks open at 7.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We’re pretty frequent Minnie Van users, ranging from rope drop to park close. We were there last week and probably used a Minnie Van 8 times in various circumstances.

Generally (key word) speaking, I find Minnie Van availability and arrival times to be pretty good/manageable lately - often 5-15 mins in many circumstances. BUT, there are times where it can be longer (much longer) or it may fail to connect to a driver altogether. With such a dynamic service, it’s really hard to predict with any specificity what conditions may be like at any moment you pull up the app and search.

One note, they updated the programming at some point several months ago to where it will now connect you to a nearby driver that is “finishing their current route”. Prior to this, it would just search for anyone actually available/finished with a job. This change, plus fleet additions, have - in my opinion - led to better Minnie Van availability/response times during my more recent trips.

The good thing with the app/service is that you can very quickly check availability no matter where you are and make a judgement call on your transportation needs at that moment.

One note about wanting one after MNSSHP. Minnie Van service ends at 12:30 and there are fewer around as you get that late at night. With the rush of folks leaving the park and generally fewer around, you may encounter supply/demand dynamics that don’t work in your favor.

Just my opinion/experience, but hope it helps!

This is great information! During our June trip, we used the Minnie Van service x10. I had 10 trip 25% coupon from Lyft. It was wonderful!

We found the our wait times to range from 5-10 min from our hotel. From 10-15min from a park.

We were not able to connect at MK when it was raining at park close. They were just too busy. We ended up walking to the Contemporary and catching one from there, after a nice drink at the Wave.

We were easily able to get one to TL and back with minimal wait during the AM and afternoon.

 

[NightStar]

Just came back a couple of weeks ago and we used the Minnie Van 2x a day for our entire trip. Whether they were picking us up from the resort or the parks, we never waited more than 10 minutes for the Minnie. I never requested one that early in the morning, so the wait times could differ. On another trip in March we used the Minnie a lot for evening magic hours, and late night travel. If I remember correctly the longest we waited was 15 minutes.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for this - we used the Minnie Van fairly often at its outset but the past few trips have had trouble with availability.

Our next trip is in a couple weeks and we are planning on an H20 glow night at TL,. I have been reading reports that return bus service is via DS so we will probably splurge for a MV if available! IIRC the even ends at 11 so we should be all set

We’re pretty frequent Minnie Van users, ranging from rope drop to park close. We were there last week and probably used a Minnie Van 8 times in various circumstances.

Generally (key word) speaking, I find Minnie Van availability and arrival times to be pretty good/manageable lately - often 5-15 mins in many circumstances. BUT, there are times where it can be longer (much longer) or it may fail to connect to a driver altogether. With such a dynamic service, it’s really hard to predict with any specificity what conditions may be like at any moment you pull up the app and search.

One note, they updated the programming at some point several months ago to where it will now connect you to a nearby driver that is “finishing their current route”. Prior to this, it would just search for anyone actually available/finished with a job. This change, plus fleet additions, have - in my opinion - led to better Minnie Van availability/response times during my more recent trips.

The good thing with the app/service is that you can very quickly check availability no matter where you are and make a judgement call on your transportation needs at that moment.

One note about wanting one after MNSSHP. Minnie Van service ends at 12:30 and there are fewer around as you get that late at night. With the rush of folks leaving the park and generally fewer around, you may encounter supply/demand dynamics that don’t work in your favor.

Just my opinion/experience, but hope it helps!