Minnie Vans Service Expanded to Grand Floridian Resort Guests Starting Today

WDWNT on September 27, 2017

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts, Minnie Vans have since rolled out to Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodge hotels, and today are joined by the Grand Floridian due to popular demand.

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Starting today, guests at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (as well as the Villas there) can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the point-to-point transportation service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

Minnie Van Service Expands to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Starting Today

WDWNT on August 29, 2017

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts (and then expanded to Disny’s Wilderness Lodge last week), a few additional resort guests are now able to take advantage of Disney’s Minnie Van service due to popular demand.

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Starting today, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House) can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid point-to-point transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

Minnie Vans Service Expanded to Additional Resort Guests Starting Today

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts, a few additional resort guests are now able to take advantage of Disney’s Minnie Van service due to popular demand.

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AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES MINNIE VAN SERVICE COMING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD — An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service at Walt Disney World Resort, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish.

Starting today, guests at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins, and Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid point-to-point transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

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REVIEW: Minnie Vans Transportation Service Launches Through Lyft at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Today, Disney officially launched their Minnie Vans service that we told you about a few weeks back and was formally announced at the D23 Expo 2017:

Walt Disney World Resort roadways just got a little more fun, with the launch of a new transportation pilot called Minnie Van service. Announced earlier this month at D23 Expo 2017, this new transportation service is now available for guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Through a collaboration with the US’ fastest growing rideshare service, Lyft, guests at these resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then whisk you away to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort. This service accommodates up to six guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style!

Minnie Van service will be available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (subject to change). Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts can learn more by visiting their Bell Services desk.

So, during the test period, a lot of other sites wrote reviews of the service, which at the time was free, did not utilize the app, and could only be taken one-way in many cases. Well, that’s great and all, but I’m not sure how helpful these reviews would be to the general public. That’s why we withheld our review until we were able to actually book and use the service as a regular paying guest, just as all guests would on a typical day. Today was the day the service launched, so we enrolled as a guest staying at the Boardwalk and went to work.

Note that the service is still not available to everyone, but guests staying at Disney’s Yacht, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts can obtain access from the front desk. The Minnie Vans will not show up as an option in the Lyft app unless a cast member has activated them for you, which they will only do if you are staying at one of these three resorts. Once the service is determined to be a success, Disney will roll out more vehicles and expand access beyond this limited window. Guests who are granted access can utilize the service point-to-point anywhere on Walt Disney World property (not just from the three designated resorts).

Guests at the three resorts will find plenty of advertisements about the service.

Guests at the three resorts will find plenty of advertisements about the service.

Advertisements for the service are also being left in guest rooms and at the front desk.

Advertisements for the service are also being left in guest rooms and at the front desk.

Advertisements for the service are also being left in guest rooms and at the front desk.

Advertisements for the service are also being left in guest rooms and at the front desk.

In case you have never heard of it, Lyft is similar to Uber, but does have some differences in app presentation and such. It isn’t radically different, so if you have used Uber before, you will easily be able to figure this out. Lyft released a statement on the start of the program today as well:

Starting today, guests of select Walt Disney World® Resorts can open the Lyft app to get a fast and friendly ride with a new transportation pilot. With this new Minnie Van™ service, guests will be whisked away to wherever they want to be at Walt Disney World® Resort. This service accommodates up to six guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style.

Delivering a great experience is central to the Lyft brand. You might not know that our co-founder and President John Zimmer attended Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. His background in hospitality fuels our focus on delighting passengers and drivers alike while providing today’s most reliable transportation.

“Playing a part in a family’s experience at the most magical place on earth is a dream come true,” John shares.

Currently, the pilot program will be offered to guests of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. The Minnie Van™ service will be driven by Disney cast members on park property — stay tuned for updates.

Keep an eye out for this Minnie Van™ service this summer if you’re headed to a Walt Disney World® Resort!

Once activated for you by a cast member, you should see Minnie Vans as an option when opening the Lyft mobile application (only while on Disney property of course).

You can get rates for your trip after entering your pick-up point and destination. Despite stating $17-20, the Minnie Vans will always cost a flat rate of $20 from point-to-point, including any necessary stops around Walt Disney World you might need to make (i.e. dropping some of the group off at the hotel before the rest of the party goes on to a theme park, or say you need to stop at the Speedway gas station for drinks or some other sundries before returning to the hotel).

Minnie Vans are Chevy Traverse vehicles that can seat up to 6. The Minnie Vans fleet also includes different vehicles for guests with special needs, such as those in wheelchairs or ECVs.

The "regular" version of the Minnie Vans, a Chevy Traverse

The “regular” version of the Minnie Vans, a Chevy Traverse

The wheelchair accessible version of the Minnie Vans, a Ford vehicle

The wheelchair accessible version of the Minnie Vans, a Ford vehicle

Once you select the Minnie Van™ service, the app will show you specifically where the Disney vehicles are (with a pretty cute graphic to boot) and the ETA if you were to call them to your current pickup location. Since we started at the Boardwalk, there were plenty nearby, but when we tried a return trip later, it was a 10-minute wait to get a vehicle at Disney Springs to go back to The Boardwalk. This would hopefully change if and when more Minnie Van vehicles are introduced.

Once the trip was set, the app even told me what the ETA would be from Boardwalk to Disney Springs via the Minnie Van.

Using Apple Pay was super easy, I just put my thumb down for authorization. Note that the $6.70 was just an authorization – the trip would charge a total of $20 once the ride was completed.

The app then optimizes a route and calls for your vehicle.

The app will then tell you where your driver is and when to expect their arrival. Luckily for us, the car was already sitting outside. A nice feature is that the app shows you the car number, which avoids any confusion as to which vehicle is yours in the case that there are multiple at your location. As you can see above, our car number 23 was clearly indicated.

The driver will then call guests at this point to confirm the trip and to let them know their vehicle is waiting outside. This is when you would indicate if you needed a special vehicle for a wheelchair or ECV so they could call upon the alternate van.

While the ride is in progress, you can see how long you trip will take. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

We told the driver that we were going to D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs, which allowed him to choose a stop closer to our destination. Apparently, Minnie Van™ drivers can drop guests off at several locations at Disney Springs, not just the designated pick-up and drop-off locations that Uber and Lyft use. This is also the case for many other destinations around Walt Disney World. While Boardwalk to Disney Springs may not be an ideal route in terms of value, this would have been hugely important if we were running late for a dining reservation on a Saturday night.

While tipping is completely unnecessary as the Disney Minnie Van cast members are paid hourly, the app does allow the option after the ride is completed.

You can also rate the driver at this time.

The vehicles themselves are perfect for the service: spacious, comfortable, and with a lot of nice features such as individual climate control for the back seats and a few USB charging ports. The vehicles also come with two child car seats if need be, and all of the drivers have been rigorously trained to install the seats quickly and correctly, whether the children are under or over 2 years old. Note that car seats are free with the Minnie Van™ service. If you are using Uber, car seats add a $10 surcharge to your total.

Car seats on demand in the trunk of the vehicle.

Car seats on demand in the trunk of the vehicle.

Climate control and USB charging ports in the back seats.

Climate control and USB charging ports in the back seats.

The spacious interior seats up to 6 guests along with the driver.

The spacious interior seats up to 6 guests along with the driver.

The Minnie Van™ Service won’t always make sense to use for everybody or in every case, but they do serve niche purposes. There is the convenience of arriving at the front of the Magic Kingdom and avoiding the Transportation and Ticket Center, or similarly, skipping the extra bus ride to Pioneer Hall if you had parked or taken a bus to Fort Wilderness, or after a long day at the parks, getting dropped off close to your room at a larger Disney Resort hotel (Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Art of Animation, etc.). The service is also great for larger families of 4-6, those in need of children’s car seats, and those who need a vehicle for special needs such as a wheelchair or ECV (via the special Minnie Vans available by request). But clearly, in many cases getting a Minnie Van™ will probably not be a great value. Uber and Lyft have some great rates, so you can save quite a bit of money by just using Uber or the regular-old Lyft options. (And you should never use Mears taxi transportation because it is a massive rip-off!) Again, there are special circumstances where the Minnie Van™ just make more sense, even from a value standpoint, and most certainly from a customer service standpoint. If you’re reading this site, you know the Disney difference is in the cast members, and the service we have received on our few Minnie Van™ rides so far has been second to none. The cast members were beyond helpful and courteous. The CMs chosen to drive are very knowledgeable and are able to answer all different types of questions, so much so that they might even save you a trip to Guest Relations once at the park.

Minnie Vans aren’t going to become the preeminent transportation method at Walt Disney World, but they will become invaluable to many depending on their needs… and I’m never taking a bus to Pioneer Hall and the Settlement at Fort Wilderness ever again.

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BREAKING: Disney World’s Uber-Like Service To Be Called “Minnie Vans”, First Details Emerge

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Information has started being shared with cast members at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts about the long-rumored “Uber-Style” service Disney World will be launching, and no it is NOT called Duber, rather it will be called Minnie Vans.

Guests at these resorts and the Boardwalk will be a part of the initial test for this service, rolling out slowly over the next few weeks. A team of Chevrolet Traverse vehicles will be utilized, which makes sense considering the corporate sponsor for Test Track is Chevrolet and they have an overall deal with WDW. Given the name Minnie Vans, we expect the truck to be polka-dotted in some way, a play on Minnie Mouse’s classic look, but that’s just a guess.

Guests can expect a flat rate to anywhere on property when utilizing the Minnie Vans service once it launches. While we don’t have an exact number, we expect the rate to be between $15 and $20 a ride. Additional information on the proprietary app or how guests will be able to use the service are scarce right now.

We expect a formal announcement either from the Disney Parks Blog or at the D23 Expo this weekend.

CONFIRMED: Gondolas, Minnie Vans, New DVC Resort Coming to Walt Disney World – D23 Expo 2017 News

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Bob Chapek has confirmed at D23 Expo 2017 several stories that we broke over the past months.

First, the gondolas, now called “Disney Skyliner,” were announced. “A brand new transportation system is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort to add even more magic to your future vacation experiences.” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts said that the Disney Skyliner will soon give guests a bird’s-eye view as they travel between Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach resorts and the newly-announced DVC resort, to be named “Disney’s Riviera Resort,” connecting with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. The gondolas of Disney Skyliner will feature favorite Disney characters as shown in the concept art.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES DISNEY SKYLINER COMING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT — A whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort.

 

 

The map shown at the presentation looks strikingly familiar to the map we showed when we broke the gondola story back in February 2017.

More information on the gondolas can be found in a number of our articles published since then.

Second up is the Minnie Vans announcement made today that confirms the story we ran two days ago.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES MINNIE VAN SERVICE COMING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD — An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service at Walt Disney World Resort, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish.

“Since we’re all about exceeding guest expectations and making every aspect of your vacation uniquely Disney, we’re creating a new point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do,” Chapek said.

The Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort, and you’ll ride in Minnie’s classic style.

No further details were given on the cost of the service.

And finally, in news we first brought to you all the way back in June of 2016, the 15th DVC resort was announced as “Disney Riviera Resort” and will be located adjacent to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

“We’re thrilled to announce plans for a new Disney Vacation Club property called Disney Riviera Resort coming to Walt Disney World Resort,” Chapek said. “Our Vacation Club Members are among our most loyal fans, and we think that they will love what we have planned, especially the rooftop restaurant that will offer unbelievable views of nighttime spectaculars at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.”

Estimated to open in fall 2019, this new resort experience is slated to have approximately 300 units spread across a variety of accommodation types.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES PROPOSED 15TH DISNEY VACATION CLUB RESORT — The next planned development for Disney Vacation Club will be an entirely new resort called Disney Riviera Resort. Estimated to open in fall 2019, this new resort experience is slated to be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property with approximately 300 units spread across a variety of accommodation types. A new skyway transportation system will connect the new resort to other areas on Walt Disney World property.

 

Massive Lineup of New Rides, Hotels, and More Announced for Disney Parks Around the World at D23 Expo 2017

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek Announces Extraordinary Line-up of Experiences Coming to Disney Parks around the Globe 

Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and a seventh cruise ship among the experiences coming for guests  

Today at D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced an extraordinary line-up of brand new attractions and experiences coming to its parks and resorts around the world as it continues to revolutionize the guest experience, starting from before guests even arrive for a Disney vacation to the many memories that last a lifetime.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek welcomed nearly 7,000 fans as he unveiled more than a dozen new experiences coming to Disney parks and resorts and gave a sneak peek at much-anticipated projects in development. Several Imagineers joined the presentation by providing details of the creativity, imagination and innovation in development around the world. Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter also shared his enthusiasm for plans to include a larger Pixar presence at Disneyland Resort.

In addition to the announcement that Fantasmic! will return to Disneyland Park tonight, two nights early in honor of the Expo, fans were treated to a glimpse of the new “Beauty and the Beast” musical production coming to the Disney Dream on Disney Cruise Line, currently in production in Toronto, and a special one-night-only medley of nostalgic entertainment numbers showcasing the heritage of Disney Parks.

“On the heels of the many new and incredibly popular experiences that just debuted this year, the best is yet to come. We have ambitious plans for our parks and resorts around the world,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  “We’re investing in the guest experience like never before, and we’re doing it all in way that is only possible at Disney!”

From new lodging and transportation options that make getting around more fun, to original storytelling and immersive experiences based on guests’ favorites, Disney continues to provide unparalleled vacation destinations for guests across the globe in even more exciting ways than ever before.

Immersive Theme Park Experiences and Attractions

An Unprecedented First Look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Fans were elated to hear their Star Wars stories will come to life in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly announced name for the Star Wars-themed lands. Chapek shared exciting new details and a glimpse inside the two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance where guests will feel like they are inside a hangar bay on a Star Destroyer. Guests will also have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, where each guest is critical to the mission’s success. Chapek also revealed many characters that guests will meet, including BB-8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Representing the largest single-themed land expansion at 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, with the first land debuting at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

Timeless Transformation of Epcot Revealed

Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, there are grand plans to complete the transformation that started with the debut of New Fantasyland in 2014. Chapek announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before.

Patterned after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES

Epcot will also see the addition of a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy, the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at Walt Disney World Resort.

In Future World, a new Green Mission at Mission: SPACE will take guests on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars even more spectacular.

Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.

More Thrills than Ever Planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom

Disney remains at the cutting edge of deeply immersive, creative storytelling that draws guests into new worlds, and it is a legacy that lives on in every new Disney Parks experience.

The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.

Chapek also announced that the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A thrilling, TRON-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

Additionally, a new live entertainment theater coming to Main Street, U.S.A., based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City, will bring world-class entertainment to the world’s most popular park.

Pixar Fun at the Happiest Place on Earth

In addition to announcing the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Chapek was joined by Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter to unveil plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where the pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Chapek also announced there is more Pixar in store during Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort. Starting in 2018, this limited-time offering will include a new fireworks spectacular as well as special characters and entertainment moments.

As part of the celebration, the Pixar Play Parade will return to Disneyland Resort – this time at Disneyland Park – and the fan favorite Paint the Night Parade will move to Disney California Adventure, one of Disney’s longest parade routes.

Disney Cruise Line to Nearly Double the Size of its Fleet by 2023

Chapek surprised the crowd by announcing that Disney Cruise Line will add one more ship in its expansion to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level, giving the line a total of seven (yeah, seven!) ships. Joining the other two new ships that were announced just last year, all three new ships will be powered by one of the cleanest-burning fuels available, liquefied natural gas. When all three ships are completed by 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have nearly doubled the size of the fleet.

Immersive Hotel Concepts

Among the announcements were projects that infuse even more exciting experiences for resort hotel guests in ways that are only possible at Disney.

To the delight of fans, Chapek confirmed ambitious plans to create the most experiential concept ever in an immersive Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. Dedicated entirely to the galaxy of Star Wars, it will be a one-of-a-kind experience where a luxury resort meets a multi-day adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

Adding to the immersive resort hotel slate, Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel at Disneyland Paris will transport guests to the action-packed world of Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man and more. Guests will be able to explore the Marvel Universe through its comic art, films, Super Hero costumes and more, displayed in the style of a contemporary art gallery.

Leading up to the July 17 opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Chapek also announced the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort, coming to Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot.

Seamless Transportation Options

Completing the immersion so guests never have to leave the story while on a Disney vacation, Chapek announced plans that will make getting around Walt Disney World Resort even more fun.

An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish.

Additionally, a whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. This brand new system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts, as well as the proposed new Disney Riviera Resort, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. 

Honoring the Heritage of Disney Parks

In a memorable tribute to the legacy of beloved attractions, entertainment and characters, fans enjoyed a special one-time-only performance of entertainment numbers from Disney Parks through the years. Following the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade, Chapek hinted there are even more fan favorites in store from Disney Parks’ storied past.

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VIDEO: In-Depth Review and Analysis of Every Disney Parks Announcement Made at the D23 Expo 2017

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Last night, Tom Corless, Jason Diffendal, Ron D’Anna, Scott Smith, and Patrick Hackett sat down to discuss, in depth, all of the amazing announcements made at the D23 Expo 2017. From TRON Lightcycle Power Run, to the overhaul of Epcot, and from the new Riviera Resort to the Skyliner system, last night’s live program covered every bombshell announcement mad by Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek on Saturday. In case you missed it, you can catch the entire show here:

This show will also be available on audio form on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast.