News Round Up 2018

[rteetz]

News

New Annual Passholder support with V.I.Passholder program

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/annu...as-part-of-its-new-v.i.passholder-program.htm

 

[TheMaxRebo]

You can lyft/Uber for around $35.



This isn't surprising, but seems like it could easily cost MORE to many places on property. We took a Lyft from the Poly to AKV last week and it cost $9.50, and that's about as far cross property at you can get. Took 6 Lyft rides around property and cost me $60, which included $2-3 tips each time. Of course, I only had 4 people which makes it a little cheaper, but can't see a good reason to use a Minnie-Van. We need to head to Universal for a evening on our upcoming trip in October, and my Lyft App says $30 one-way. Decided instead of renting a car $35 and paying for parking $25 to pay the same amount and not have the hassle of having to return a rental car.

The Minnie vans have their benefits, but unsurprisingly price isn't one of them.

Yeah, obviously not for everyone but I think the Minnie Vans have their place:
- People who just want *everything* Disney on their vacation and don't mind spending more for it - knowing they are getting a CM driver, etc.
- Families with small kids - I know I would feel more comfortable with my kids in one of these and the car seats they come with, etc. vs regular Uber/Lyft

 

[JaxDad]

I've been hoping the Jaleo in Disney Springs would be open when we go to Orlando in October. I still haven't seen an opening date, but they are having a job fair 1-5 October...
https://www.jaleo.com/event/disney-springs-hiring-event/

 

[Roxyfire]

FYI those Haunted Mansion loungefly bags are now on the shop parks app!

 

[circus4u]

That’s just it....round trip. This (Minnie van) is $150 EACH way, which is just nuts. That’s almost half an annual pass right there!

I know this is "apples to oranges," but I just can't get it out of my head that a plane ticket from Phoenix to Orlando costs me $169 right now and if I were to take the Mini Van service, I would be paying almost the same amount to get from the airport to the parks.

 

[2Infinity&Beyond]

News

New PER MILE pricing to be introduced for Minnie Van service

https://wdwnt.com/2018/09/pricingmodelvan/

I wonder if they did this because not as many people were riding when they jumped the price from $15 to $25. Of course, depending on what the cost per mile actually is, then obviously they are looking to make even more money than before.

 

[rteetz]

News

"Adrian & Edith's Head to Toe" Shop Closing for Refurbishment at Disney's Hollywood Studios

 

[HarvardAce]

I hope it is still bouncy!

This brought a smile to my face. I've been bouncing on that thing for about 30 years now (ever since I was tall enough to ride).

 

[rteetz]

I wonder if they did this because not as many people were riding when they jumped the price from $15 to $25. Of course, depending on what the cost per mile actually is, then obviously they are looking to make even more money than before.

I don't believe it was ever $15. When the service started it was $20.

 

[jlundeen]

I wonder if they did this because not as many people were riding when they jumped the price from $15 to $25. Of course, depending on what the cost per mile actually is, then obviously they are looking to make even more money than before.

When we used it last fall, it was $20 each way, and the driver did not take tips. It was extremely convenient, and we were looking forward to using it again on our upcoming trips, even with the increase to $25... I guess, now, it will depend on what the per mile charge is... I wonder if they will give an estimate for trips, such as "Beach Club to Magic Kingdom estimated to be $xxx...."

Is Uber allowed as close to the park entrances as the Minnie Vans are for drop off and pickup?

 

[rteetz]

When we used it last fall, it was $20 each way, and the driver did not take tips. It was extremely convenient, and we were looking forward to using it again on our upcoming trips, even with the increase to $25... I guess, now, it will depend on what the per mile charge is... I wonder if they will give an estimate for trips, such as "Beach Club to Magic Kingdom estimated to be $xxx...."

Is Uber allowed as close to the park entrances as the Minnie Vans are for drop off and pickup?

No usually Uber/Lyft has to drop off in other areas. For example if going to MK they would drop you off at the TTC. That said if traveling to MK I would suggest them to drop you off at the Contemporary instead since that it much closer.

 

[jlundeen]

No usually Uber/Lyft has to drop off in other areas. For example if going to MK they would drop you off at the TTC. That said if traveling to MK I would suggest them to drop you off at the Contemporary instead since that it much closer.

Yeah, I thought I remembered that... so AK, where the Minnie Van could drop pretty close to the entrance, it would probably be almost as far to walk as the bus stops... just the wait and seat-lotto would be minimized. Minnie Vans still might be worth it if it were comparable to what we paid before...just for the convenience. Not saying for everyone, but for us, we really like it and didn't mind the cost.

It would be cool if they could build the estimate for the trip into the app.... maybe they do, and I just don't remember. Then you could look at the MV, and decide from there.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, I thought I remembered that... so AK, where the Minnie Van could drop pretty close to the entrance, it would probably be almost as far to walk as the bus stops... just the wait and seat-lotto would be minimized. Minnie Vans still might be worth it if it were comparable to what we paid before...just for the convenience. Not saying for everyone, but for us, we really like it and didn't mind the cost.

It would be cool if they could build the estimate for the trip into the app.... maybe they do, and I just don't remember. Then you could look at the MV, and decide from there.

Yeah I hope they put an estimated price in there as well.

 

[The Pho]

Yeah, I thought I remembered that... so AK, where the Minnie Van could drop pretty close to the entrance, it would probably be almost as far to walk as the bus stops... just the wait and seat-lotto would be minimized. Minnie Vans still might be worth it if it were comparable to what we paid before...just for the convenience. Not saying for everyone, but for us, we really like it and didn't mind the cost.

It would be cool if they could build the estimate for the trip into the app.... maybe they do, and I just don't remember. Then you could look at the MV, and decide from there.

Lyft already gives you the price beforehand so it shouldn't be difficult for the Minnie Vans to show the price. Hopefully this means some trips will cost less than $25.

 

[rteetz]

News

New Pop-Up Greeting Card Shop Coming Soon to Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs

 

[Roxyfire]

Lyft already gives you the price beforehand so it shouldn't be difficult for the Minnie Vans to show the price. Hopefully this means some trips will cost less than $25.

That's what I'm thinking. Most people see the price and probably wouldn't take it from say Contemporary to Epcot but they might take it to AK. It broadens the audience a bit, but still probably more ideal for families that need car seats moreso than adults or families with teens.

 

[Firebird060]

Hmm heres a novel Idea for Disney, give a AP discount to Minnie Van users, most locals who have a AP drive a car so they would be unlikely to use the Discounts but some of us Distance AP holders, might fork out more money for the Minnie Van service if we got a discount, It wouldnt be a big hit to Disney because, a large portion of there AP holders wouldnt have a reason to use it, and the portion that can is also the portion that tends to go multiple times a year and fork out large amounts of money. Disney would make up what they lose by increase in usage by those targeted audiences.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Hmm heres a novel Idea for Disney, give a AP discount to Minnie Van users, most locals who have a AP drive a car so they would be unlikely to use the Discounts but some of us Distance AP holders, might fork out more money for the Minnie Van service if we got a discount, It wouldnt be a big hit to Disney because, a large portion of there AP holders wouldnt have a reason to use it, and the portion that can is also the portion that tends to go multiple times a year and fork out large amounts of money. Disney would make up what they lose by increase in usage by those targeted audiences.

I definitely wonder if they could try to link the Minnie Vans to something else so that it isn't just a separate service but something to further motivate people to choose that. So I like your AP idea or maybe for DVC members as well

Other thing I think would be interesting as offering it as an add-on to a Dessert party or as part of a "premium upgrade" to a dessert party. If, in addition to having a reserved viewing area you also knew you had a ride waiting for you at the front of MK vs having to be part of the mob to the Monorail or Buses I could see that being viewed as valuable to a lot of people

 

[skier_pete]

NEWS

Cast members approve new contract which includes the increase minimum wage of $15 by 2021:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ove-walt-disney-world-minimum-wage-increases/

Union leaders boast that out of 13,700 votes, only 116 voted against the new contract.

That is a big win for the union. Management wants the contract to pass by exactly 1 vote and if it doesn't it means they gave too much.

 

[skier_pete]

No usually Uber/Lyft has to drop off in other areas. For example if going to MK they would drop you off at the TTC. That said if traveling to MK I would suggest them to drop you off at the Contemporary instead since that it much closer.

MK is really the only place this is an issue. We dropped off at resorts and both water parks and Lyft dropped right up front for those. And I have to say, there are a ton of lyft/uber drivers around. We never waited more than about 4 minutes for a driver from when we requested them.