When planning your vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, transportation shouldn’t be a huge worry because Disney offers plenty of ways to get around property. You can hop from place to place using one of the many free transportation systems. Your options are either by bus, ferryboat, monorail or Disney Skyliner). For the majority of the time, that’s how we like to travel around the parks, hotels and to and from Disney Springs. But we frogs also like to treat ourselves every once in a while, and we’re so hoppy that private Minnie Vans are an option for those times we’d rather not wait for a delayed bus or transfer monorail lines. These colorful, polka-dotted, ride-share vehicles really add to that "only at Disney" experience. Here's how it works and what you can expect out of this luxurious, personal ride experience.
Overview of the Minnie Van Service
Disney initially introduced Minnie Vans in 2017 to provide a personal, on-demand car ride service as a way to move around Disney property. At first, they were only available at select Disney deluxe resorts, but since its expansion in 2018, anyone can now request a Minnie Van to go anywhere they want around Walt Disney World Resort. This includes the following:
- Any Walt Disney World Resort hotel
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Shades of Green
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Previously, you could even book a ride to and from the Orlando International Airport or Port Canaveral, but this service is no longer available. (For trips off-site, you’ll need another way to get there.)
Froggy parents, a huge plus is that Minnie Vans come equipped with complimentary car seats for your tadpoles. Lily still hasn’t quite outgrown the need for one, so we love this service’s perk! Disney has partnered with Lyft for this service, but unlike regular Lyft rides or similar rideshare apps such as Uber, the Minnie Van drivers are exclusively Disney cast members. That way, it eliminates any concerns about who’s behind the wheel. You’ll be able to spot a Minnie Van easily because of its cute design — a bright red car with white polka dots! They all look the same, but each has its own number displayed on the outside window so you can tell which one is yours.
What to Expect from a Minnie Van Ride
To make pick-up and drop-off easy, Minnie Vans will generally stop near or at the bus stations. There should be signs to point you in the right direction, but you could also ask a cast member if you need extra help. For example, when we picked up our Minnie Van at EPCOT, we had to go to the bus loop. We didn't have to wait very long and could track our driver's route through the app before she stopped behind the taxis. We double-checked that the identifying number was correct.
Our driver got out of the car to open the doors for us. She let Tad take the photos that he wanted while we got Lily strapped into her car seat without any problems in record time. And then, we were off! Our driver was very friendly, and we engaged in conversation for most of the ride. She mentioned that all drivers go through eight hours of car seat training and ADA training each. Furthermore, we learned that they need to know how to get around Disney World property without a GPS. The AC was turned up high, which allowed us to cool off before we visited Magic Kingdom.
Each Minnie Van is also equipped with multiple phone charging cables. This came in handy for my phone's low battery! Minnie Vans also have a special Disney-themed soundtrack related to your destination, and of course, Disney trivia courtesy of your Minnie Van driver. (Lily loved talking about her favorite princesses, and Tad asked a million questions about Galaxy's Edge as we passed the black spires of Batuu!) You can also ask for an Official Disney Transport Collector Card, which offers up even more fun facts (such as how many polka dots are on each Minnie Van). (Please note that these are an occasional offering. However, it's worth asking to see if your driver has any available!)
At the end of the ride, you have the option to tip your driver through the Lyft app. You could also give a cash tip, or none at all. It's up to your discretion, but it is not required or expected.
Using the Minnie Van Service Within Walt Disney World
The Minnie Van service within Disney World works with the Lyft rideshare app. For our first-time use, the Minnie Van option popped up immediately. But if it doesn't show up, you may need to activate the Minnie Van option. You can do this through the My Disney Experience app when you're on property. You can also do this at the front desk of your resort. When you need a ride, you simply open the app on your smartphone and select your Disney destination. Verify your pick-up location, and tap on the Select Minnie Van option (you may need to swipe through the vehicle options until it’s displayed). Once the ride has been confirmed, the app will show a map that tracks your Minnie Van en route. It also lets you know its identifying number.
Prices vary based on the distance between your pick-up location and your destination. You will see the total cost before you confirm the ride. Like a regular Lyft ride, you pay through the app. Minnie Vans operate from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily, but operating hours are subject to change. Check the Lyft app for the most up-to-date availability. Regular Minnie Vans seat up to six people. Accessible Minnie Vans are also available to book through the app — tap "Select Access. Minnie Van" (short for accessible). They seat up to five people with space for two wheelchairs and one car seat.
Can You Take a Minnie Van Off Disney Property?
Whether you're about to explore the Disney cruises leaving Port Canaveral, want to grab a Butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or wish to keep the magic going on your return to MCO, you might be asking: "Can I take a Minnie Van off Disney property?"
While we mentioned earlier that service to and from the airport and Port Canaveral used to be available, it's a feature not currently available. (Not that it was ever possible to take a Minnie Van to Universal Orlando Resort anyway.)
If you wish to visit another theme park in the area or check out some other local spots in and around Orlando, you will need to download and request a ride through Lyft or Uber. If you plan on or already used a Minnie Van service on property, we recommend continuing to use Lyft since you're likely already familiar with how to use the app. The same applies if you're heading out on a cruise after your resort stay, though a rideshare will cost a lot more money.
If you're heading out on a cruise after your resort stay, one of your best options is to contact Disney Cruise Line. With them, you can easily arrange transportation. They can be reached at (800) 951-3532. If you plan on going off-property a lot during your stay, we offer great deals on car rentals.
When You Should Use a Minnie Van
Treat the Minnie Van service as any other Disney splurge. Generally, you won’t want (or need) to use a Minnie Van for every single trip during your vacation. After all, that would quickly add up, and you can always ride the bus, ferryboat and monorail for free! But there are definitely some great benefits in certain situations when you may want to consider requesting a Minnie Van:
- Going to Magic Kingdom: Minnie Vans can drop you off at the bus stop area right in front of the park’s entrance. Frog families who take a regular Lyft or Uber ride (and those who have their own car) will have to stop at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From there, you'll have to take a ferryboat or monorail ride to the entrance. Bypassing that extra stop will save you some time!
- Attending Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: This is another destination that allows a closer drop-off point than other transportation options. If you take a bus to Fort Wilderness, you'd have to hop on the resort's internal bus system. Instead, Minnie Van drivers can drop you off right at Pioneer Hall, cutting back on precious time.
- Staying at Fort Wilderness Resort: Unlike other rideshare services, the Minnie Van can come directly to your campsite or cabin to pick you up and drop you off. When it's raining, or you've got sleepy tadpoles at the end of the night, getting picked up or dropped off at your doorstep is a huge benefit.
- Traveling to another hotel for a restaurant reservation: Buses typically do not travel from resort to resort. As such, you'll have to transfer at one of the parks or Disney Springs. If you have a restaurant reservation or a character dining experience at a different hotel, it may be more convenient and faster to pick up a Minnie Van.
- Running late: Both Leap and I have found that Minnie Vans are great for those times we're running late. These can definitely make meeting your reservation or Lightning Lane less stressful!
Are Minnie Vans Only Available for Families?
Nope, not at all! It doesn't matter if you're an individual or part of a group. Anyone visiting Disney World can request a Minnie Van! Although, we'd especially recommend the service for the following guests:
- For groups of five or six: The normal Lyft or Uber ride only allows up to four guests. You'd need to upgrade to Lyft XL or Uber XL for additional passengers. Minnie Vans can already accommodate up to six riders and doesn't require a price upgrade.
- For families with tadpoles who need car seats: Minnie Vans come equipped with a car seat at no extra cost. This is unlike both Lyft and Uber which charge $10 more per ride if you need a car seat. You don't have to worry about compromising safety, paying extra or bringing your own.
- For those wary of ridesharing apps: We've had positive experiences with regular Lyft and Uber rides in the past. However, we always take safety precautions. We check the license plate and ask the driver for our name. I also don't really like to take one without Leap. With Minnie Vans, it's a relief knowing that the driver is employed by Disney! As such, we can expect the same magical Disney customer service.
We think the Minnie Van service rounds out Disney World's transportation options. Let us know in the comments if you have additional questions about riding in a Minnie Van.
Related: The Complete Guide to Disney World Transportation
Hoppy planning!
