Minnie Vans?

[FCDub]

Do the Minnie vans just hang out at particating resorts while they are waiting for ride requests? Or do they also hang out at the parks between rides? Thinking about trying them out to get from Animal Kingdom Park to Disney Springs.

The fleet is still limited and people have reported having trouble getting them. I'm not sure there's much hanging out they do.

 

[AngiTN]

Do the Minnie vans just hang out at particating resorts while they are waiting for ride requests? Or do they also hang out at the parks between rides? Thinking about trying them out to get from Animal Kingdom Park to Disney Springs.

Neither. If they are not on a dispatch they have a staging location

 

[CouponGirl]

So it sounds like this not something you can preschedule? But at the same time if you wait until you need it you may not be able to get a ride? And if that's the case how do you determine if it's better just to wait for a bus?

Sorry if these seem like silly questions. I have no experience with lyft or uber - only taxis and they were always there waiting at the places I've needed them.

 

[AngiTN]

So it sounds like this not something you can preschedule? But at the same time if you wait until you need it you may not be able to get a ride? And if that's the case how do you determine if it's better just to wait for a bus?

Sorry if these seem like silly questions. I have no experience with lyft or uber - only taxis and they were always there waiting at the places I've needed them.

You do not schedule regular Uber/Lyft vehicles. They are "on demand" ride services. You open an app and request a vehicle when you need one. There are so many you have no risk whatsoever of not having a vehicle available.
Minnie Vans are slightly different as they are a class of service available at Disney only bookable through Lyft. You still request them on demand, when you need it. There are a finite number of these specific vehicles and yes, they can run out. However, they are continually dropping off guests and I've found that usually, if the first request times out, ask for another and you'll probably get one. They have significantly increased the fleet since it began and it's getting easier and easier to get one

As to if it's better to wait for a bus, check the estimated wait times for a bus and check the app for an estimate on how long a wait on a car is and see what is longer to wait on.

 

[CouponGirl]

You do not schedule regular Uber/Lyft vehicles. They are "on demand" ride services. You open an app and request a vehicle when you need one. There are so many you have no risk whatsoever of not having a vehicle available.
Minnie Vans are slightly different as they are a class of service available at Disney only bookable through Lyft. You still request them on demand, when you need it. There are a finite number of these specific vehicles and yes, they can run out. However, they are continually dropping off guests and I've found that usually, if the first request times out, ask for another and you'll probably get one. They have significantly increased the fleet since it began and it's getting easier and easier to get one

As to if it's better to wait for a bus, check the estimated wait times for a bus and check the app for an estimate on how long a wait on a car is and see what is longer to wait on.

Thanks!

 

[Wdw1015]

We are staying at Pop and have an 8:00 reservation for Be Our Guest. What time should I start requesting a Minnie Van? I’m concerned that there won’t be one available and then we’ll be too late to get the bus and make it on time.

 

[AngiTN]

What time do the parks open that day? Most at 9:00? If so, you probably won't have that much competition yet. If you have several opening at 8:00 then you'll have more to worry about. If it's mostly 9:00's then I'd go with 7:15, aiming to get one by about 7:30.

 

[Wdw1015]

What time do the parks open that day? Most at 9:00? If so, you probably won't have that much competition yet. If you have several opening at 8:00 then you'll have more to worry about. If it's mostly 9:00's then I'd go with 7:15, aiming to get one by about 7:30.

MK and HS open at 9 while AK and Epcot open at 8. I’m thinking 7:00 to be on the safe side? Or do you think even earlier? Thanks for your help!

 

[AngiTN]

MK and HS open at 9 while AK and Epcot open at 8. I’m thinking 7:00 to be on the safe side? Or do you think even earlier? Thanks for your help!

I think you'll be fine. The good thing about Epcot being an early park, you have so many who will walk and who will take the Monorail. It helps reduce those that will opt to use Minnie Vans. Go with 7:00 if you feel more comfortable. It never hurts to be early.

 

[chrissy92972]

Can I put a giftcard in my Lyft account and use it for a minnie van?

 

[AngiTN]

Can I put a giftcard in my Lyft account and use it for a minnie van?

That should work.
In my experience using Minnie Vans is just another Lyft class of service, it just happens to only be available at Disney. If I have a 10% off code, it works on Minnie Vans, Lyft, Lyft Plus, etc. So there isn't any reason why a gift card wouldn't work as payment type.

 

[chrissy92972]

That should work.
In my experience using Minnie Vans is just another Lyft class of service, it just happens to only be available at Disney. If I have a 10% off code, it works on Minnie Vans, Lyft, Lyft Plus, etc. So there isn't any reason why a gift card wouldn't work as payment type.

Thank you!