Minnie Vans to return June 29th

[SueM in MN]

IIRC, the OG accessible minnie vans were Ford Transit Connects that had Rear Entry Braun Lifts similar to this:

View attachment 675174

Another thing I noticed is in the announcement there was a screenshot of you being able to order an accessible van through the app. Can anyone confirm?View attachment 675175

I had pictures of the Minnie vans with the back lift. Of course, I can’t find them, but they were like the picture you posted. There were also reportedly minivan versions of the Minnie Vans which had a back ramp instead of lift.

I also saw the screenshots of ordering, but I also saw stories that said people needing accessible vans would need to call - that’s how they operated before.

 

[Prissyms]

Nice! Glad to see them back! We used them before and loved them. We will be definitely using them again for our September trip!!!

 

[gap2368]

Saw a few yesterday when I was in Orlando at a repair shop. Looks like they are getting them looked at before the return

 

[Lewisc]

This announcement blurb shows screenshots indicating $37, but I'm not sure if that's accurate. When the service first started I believe it was a flat rate anywhere on-property but I'm pretty sure that changed before covid and each ride was priced by destination and also timing (Lyft surge pricing).

Is $37 the price to go from POLY to GF?

MV pricing was significantly more e pensive then Lyft XL

 

[lanejudy]

Is $37 the price to go from POLY to GF?

MV pricing was significantly more e pensive then Lyft XL

I don't know... $37 is what was shown in the announcement, supposedly as screenshots from the app. It may be a "base" price that then has per-mile and also surge pricing added on top.

 

[Burgermom]

Would an accessible Minnie van be able to fit a ecv and a foldable stroller (and 4 people)?

 

[SueM in MN]

Would an accessible Minnie van be able to fit a ecv and a foldable stroller (and 4 people)?

Yes, assuming they are using the same or similar Minnie vans.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I don't know... $37 is what was shown in the announcement, supposedly as screenshots from the app. It may be a "base" price that then has per-mile and also surge pricing added on top.

Yesterday, a trip from AK to DS , priced out : Minnie van- $52.. Lyft-- $22.00

 

[Lewisc]

Yesterday, a trip from AK to DS , priced out : Minnie van- $52.. Lyft-- $22.00

What Lyft vehicle? Blog Mickey said MV pricing is between Lyft Lux Black and Lux Black XL. Disney isn't competing, nor should it be competing, with casual drivers using personal vehicles.

 

[mamabunny]

What Lyft vehicle? Blog Mickey said MV pricing is between Lyft Lux Black and Lux Black XL. Disney isn't competing, nor should it be competing, with casual drivers using personal vehicles.

Originally, the Minnie Van program was a weird "hybrid" between Lyft and Disney - it appeared that Lyft was providing the back-end software services, and Disney bought the vans, and then promoted Cast Members from within to drive them (it was one of the most difficult jobs to get recommended or hired for at WDW, prior to the pandemic)

This does not necessarily mean that the 2022 version of the Minnie Van system will resemble the previous version in any way, shape, form or fashion.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally, the Minnie Van program was a weird "hybrid" between Lyft and Disney - it appeared that Lyft was providing the back-end software services, and Disney bought the vans, and then promoted Cast Members from within to drive them (it was one of the most difficult jobs to get recommended or hired for at WDW, prior to the pandemic)

This does not necessarily mean that the 2022 version of the Minnie Van system will resemble the previous version in any way, shape, form or fashion.

It means just that. Guests are already able to book a ride using the Lyft app. CMs are driving.

Some posters seem surprised MV is a premium product price similar to rides in Lyft Lux vehicles

 

[DavidF]

It means just that. Guests are already able to book a ride using the Lyft app. CMs are driving.

Some posters seem surprised MV is a premium product price similar to rides in Lyft Lux vehicles

Our Minnie Van driver said that, before the 29th launch, about 50% of Lyft users would be able to book Minnie Vans. They just show up as an additional class of Lyft vehicle and they also have specific Minnie Van pickup/dropoff points at the parks vs standard Lyft.

 

[lanejudy]

they also have specific Minnie Van pickup/dropoff points at the parks vs standard Lyft.

That is correct -- Minnie Vans will drop-off/pick-up near the WDW buses at the parks while Lyft uses the regular passenger drop-off/pick-up points. For MK in particular, the Minnie Van is a much closer option because Lyft can only go to the TTC. Whether that proximity is worth the premium charge is an individual decision.

 

[MsHershey]

Where is the Minnie Van drop off/pick up for Epcot? Hopefully not the TTC.

 

[DavidF]

Where is the Minnie Van drop off/pick up for Epcot? Hopefully not the TTC.

I believe I saw them parking in marked parking spaces at the corner of the bus area closest to the park. You can see the location on the Lyft app. At Hollywood Studios they had a bus lane.

Paste these coordinates into google maps, bing, etc.

28.376940, -81.551054

 

[mamabunny]

Where is the Minnie Van drop off/pick up for Epcot? Hopefully not the TTC.

Generally speaking, it was at the first bus loop that served the Deluxes and a couple of Moderates; if it was a busy night, we would see several of them parked out in the middle, waiting for their Guests.

 

[SueM in MN]

Where is the Minnie Van drop off/pick up for Epcot? Hopefully not the TTC.

Ticket & Transportation Center is a general drop off point for MK only - not EPCOT. It is not used for the Minnie Van drop off for MK. Those get to use the WDW bus area at MK, which is close to the actual park entrance.

 

[flowergleam1211]

Just to share my experience: I requested a Minnie Van from the front of Boardwalk Inn yesterday at at around 6:34 AM with Magic Kingdom as the destination for our group of five people. It arrived at 6:41 AM and a cheerful cast member installed two car seats for my kids. We arrived at the bus drop off area at 7 AM, and it cost $36. It was a fantastic experience!

 

[jo-jo]

Just to share my experience: I requested a Minnie Van from the front of Boardwalk Inn yesterday at at around 6:34 AM with Magic Kingdom as the destination for our group of five people. It arrived at 6:41 AM and a cheerful cast member installed two car seats for my kids. We arrived at the bus drop off area at 7 AM, and it cost $36. It was a fantastic experience!

Was that plus tip?

I have to decide how cheap I am to use it again.

 

[flowergleam1211]

Was that plus tip?

I have to decide how cheap I am to use it again.

That did not include tip. It's definitely a splurge but it made rope drop so smooth and easy!