News Round Up 2017

[jlundeen]

I'm surprised this topic is still going...but since it is, here's my opinion.

If I were traveling with a larger group or family, I'd definitely use the Minnie Van. Since I usually just go with my Bestest Disney Buddy, I think $20 per trip would be a luxury. Then again, if I could jump into a Minnie Van and avoid a 45 minute wait for the bus after fireworks at MK, I think I'd be happy to pay it!

I've never used a private car, or a taxi for that matter, to get to the parks or Downtown. But I very seldom if ever use a taxi at home either. (We live in the sticks, and drive ourselves wherever we need to go.)

So, I can see a use for them, but as a rule, we will depend on the bus/boat/monorail to make our way around the "World". But sometimes, we might just decide that paying the $20 is far better on our tired old bodies than more standing and waiting for that overcrowded bus, especially midway to late into the vacation.....after all...it will get us back to our resort room in time to sooth our aching feet with large amounts of wine before tucking in for the night.

I wonder what the wait time will be at park closing? If there are huge lines for these, then, it kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[Indybill]

If this was already discussed, I apologize in advance. With the new Minnie Van service, are they still going to offer the park-to-park special bus service you pay for that allows you to avoid going through security again?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If this was already discussed, I apologize in advance. With the new Minnie Van service, are they still going to offer the park-to-park special bus service you pay for that allows you to avoid going through security again?

I don't think it was explicitly addressed but as far as I can tell the MinnieVan is completely separate and will have no bearing on that park-to-park bussing

 

[MommaBerd]

I would think the drivers of these MinnieVans would also be better prepared to answer questions about the parks (times of parades, etc) - so just more of that Disney service level

I think I remember seeing that the CM drivers have to have at least 3 years of service with the company. Disney could be fairly certain the CM is trustworthy (for lack of a better word) and has knowledge of the parks and Resorts.

 

[FoxC63]

No idea. I hope it's available online.

All these cool posters, I wish they would make them in post card format and sell them online.

 

[Ambehnke]

Update!

Minnie vans have room for 6 people and the option for 2 car seats.

http://blogmickey.com/2017/07/photos-minnie-vans-spotted-disney-property/

Wheelchairs are accommodated but not ECVs. They run from 6:30AM to 12:30AM.

This would be PERFECT for our upcoming trip where we just need it to get to our PPO breakfast at Epcot from the Contemporary with two carseata.. but it's in August so I may have to rent a car for $275-350 instead if it's not open to all resorts by then.

 

[sachilles]

I'm only 1 data point. $20 per ride, on a disney vacation doesn't phase me.
One of the things I love about WDW is the lack of needing rental car. I rent cars all the time for work. It's annoying. I'd rather not deal with it.
It might be 40 bucks a day to rent, but there is no guarantee you'll want or need your car every day. So $20 for a spot ride when it's convenient is a good fit for my family.
I see it being used more for early morning Bfast appointments, and late night returns from the park. Mom and dad can enjoy an adult beverage without guilt. We sure as heck don't have to navigate the wonderful disney resort roads after dark.
I'm sure what you'll see are packages. Character bfast at the Grand Floridian including MinnieWan service, insuring you won't be late for your wonderful experience.

 

[Harry Wallace]

VIDEO
Tour of new Copper Creek Villas Rooms incl. 3 Bedroom Grand Villa

 

[FoxC63]

So now that Disney Visa is no longer sponsoring F&W will they still have the Character Meet & Greet? Anyone?

 

[luisov]

News

Fantasmic is officially back tonight for everyone at DL.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/fantasmic-is-back-at-disneyland-park/

That was actually really good. Really enjoyed it. I'm glad that it feels so classic yet fresh and technologically up to date. So happy they kept the iconic theme song as well. Good job in my humble opinión.

 

[disneymath]

It is per vehicle, per trip. And each vehicle holds 8 passengers.

I'm guessing that the front seat is a bench seat that holds 2 plus the driver then? Most standard vehicles aren't built for 8 passengers ... if these Traverses really can take 8 passengers, for $20 I can see my family using them to get to/from the waterparks.

ETA: Should have read to end of thread before posting ... capacity of 6 means no Minnie vans for us.

 

[Irish_Mike]

Edit: Ignore me. I found the post

 

[rteetz]

News

25 years of Splash Mountain at WDW

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...s-25th-anniversary-with-our-latest-wallpaper/

 

[TwoMisfits]

Anyone who feels the minnie vans are a good deal, then yay for you. My point wasn't that no one would use them, it was that I don't think enough people will use them to keep it in business.

True Story, leaving Mk one evening the lines were so long that we ran an experiment. We split the group into 3 pairs. I walked to the Contemporary and called an Uber to take me to the transportation center. I arrived 25 minutes before the group who took the monorail and 35 minutes before the group who took the ferry. It shouldn't take over an hour just to get to your car after a 12 hour day at the parks. Minnie Vans don't solve that.

This is, by far, the truest thing I've ever read. Since I was a wee one, I have wished they'd get rid of the ferry/monorail and just fill in the lake and put parking there and get me to my car like the other 3 parks do...worst experience at MK is arrival and departure (and don't get me started on the night my preschool kid only wanted to ride the monorail home and the wait was SO long they were pushing people to the ferry, so we brilliantly stumbled on calling it the "water monorail" and it was dark and he was 3 and we made it happen...meltdown averted, but worst way to end a day)...

 

[rteetz]

This is, by far, the truest thing I've ever read. Since I was a wee one, I have wished they'd get rid of the ferry/monorail and just fill in the lake and put parking there and get me to my car like the other 3 parks do...worst experience at MK is arrival and departure (and don't get me started on the night my preschool kid only wanted to ride the monorail home and the wait was SO long they were pushing people to the ferry, so we brilliantly stumbled on calling it the "water monorail" and it was dark and he was 3 and we made it happen...meltdown averted, but worst way to end a day)...

That would get rid of the entire aspect of theme. That was large part that Walt wanted. He didn't like how you'd walk out of Disneyland and see a sea of cars. The lagoon extends that theme and is an incredible aspect. Filling in the lagoon for parking is IMO one the most ridiculous things they could ever do.

 

[umichigan10]

That would get rid of the entire aspect of theme. That was large part that Walt wanted. He didn't like how you'd walk out of Disneyland and see a sea of cars. The lagoon extends that theme and is an incredible aspect. Filling in the lagoon for parking is IMO one the most ridiculous things they could ever do.

Also I don't think those poly bungalows would be so appealing with "asphalt view"

 

[rteetz]

Also I don't think those poly bungalows would be so appealing with "asphalt view"

People definitely wouldn't spend $2,000 a night on them.

 

[umichigan10]

People definitely wouldn't spend $2,000 a night on them.

Getting rid of the lake would just destroy the ambiance/money they make on lake views. It's all just conjecture anyways, they'd never cover the lake due to straight up cost to begin with

 

[rteetz]

Getting rid of the lake would just destroy the ambiance/money they make on lake views. It's all just conjecture anyways, they'd never cover the lake due to straight up cost to begin with

No doubt.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Also I don't think those poly bungalows would be so appealing with "asphalt view"

Well, like the song says "the paved paradise and put up a parking lot"