Guide to Minnie Vans at Disney World: Review, Prices, Info & Tips
Minnie Vans are private vehicle service at Walt Disney World, operated by Lyft (and similarly to Uber), but operated by Cast Members in fun cars. This reviews our experiences using the paid transportation, pricing info & cost comparisons to alternatives, plus tips & info for best using it.
For those who are unfamiliar with Minnie Vans, the vehicle service can be requested at every Walt Disney World resort via the Lyft app. Disney has made a significant investment in the program, with a huge number of vans and SUVs added to the fleet. Walt Disney World considers it a ‘priority’ transportation option, with private point-to-point service that’s almost always more efficient than buses.
When the Minnie Vans were first announced, and their initial price was released, we didn’t have much interest. The service was–and is–significantly more expensive than Uber or Lyft, so I thought “what’s the point?” After using the Minnie Vans on a recent trip to Walt Disney World, I have a more favorable opinion of the service, albeit one that has been tempered significantly by price increases.
Speaking of which, let’s start with Minnie Van pricing, because that’s going to be the threshold issue for most families visiting Walt Disney World. Minnie Vans now have dynamic pricing. This means that the cost will be different by destination and time of day, with rates largely dictated by supply and demand.
As you can see from the screenshots below, Minnie Vans are often more than 3 times the price of a base Lyft vehicle for the exact same destination. They’re often double the price of Lyft XL, which is the more apples to apples comparison since both Minnie Vans and Lyft XL seat 6 people.
In some instances, this price gap is even larger. For the longest routes at Walt Disney World, we’ve found prices as high as $60 at times when Uber or Lyft were around $15 to $17. One example of that is in the screenshot below (left), which goes between Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness and Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
It’s a similar story with Magic Kingdom to AKL (right). These routes were chosen deliberately both for their duration and because, as discussed below, the Minnie Van service is fundamentally different (and thus a bit incomparable) due to drop-off locations.
On the pricing front, there are a couple of unique wrinkles with Minnie Vans vs. Lyft or Uber. First, Minnie Vans are often in higher demand than regular rideshare, which leads to both higher prices and longer wait times. There have been instances of near-immediate availability via regular Lyft vehicles (or Uber–but that’s a different app so it’s more difficult for the direct comparisons), whereas Minnie Vans had lengthy waits.
However, there is a flip side to that. Since Minnie Vans are almost always in high demand, the gap closes when regular Lyft vehicles are also in high demand. Meaning that when Lyft or Uber have surge pricing in the mornings or (especially) in the evenings after fireworks, Minnie Vans are still more expensive, but not triple the price of a regular Lyft or Uber.
Moreover, the Minnie Van service is not more expensive than all Lyft or Uber options. We’ve found that Minnie Van costs are typically slightly less expensive than the Lyft Lux Black XL, pretty consistently by about $10. (Even then we’ve found that the wait is usually longer for a Minnie Van, so if your vacation time has value–and it should–Minnie Vans usually lose on efficiency.)
When you consider that Walt Disney World resorts typically charge a luxury-caliber premium for their themed resorts, it’s easier (and perhaps more palatable?) to pay extra for the Minnie Van service. After all, you are getting a friendly Cast Member, a fun polka-dot vehicle, and in-car entertainment. (We aren’t suggesting it’s worth it or these services are comparable, just that the case could be made–and that this is consistent with the surcharge for Disney-branded resorts.)
For families, the biggest selling point for Minnie Vans, that might overshadow everything else about pricing, is that each Minnie Van vehicle comes equipped with two car seats and the Cast Member has been trained to properly install them. Unfortunately, this can otherwise be very hit or miss in the Orlando rideshare market. So if you need a car seat for your kid(s), the Minnie Van service might not just be your best choice–it could be your only option that isn’t a gamble.
Limited Minnie Van service to and from Orlando International Airport is now offered. Airport Minnie Van service is only available for guests staying Club Level, and is bookable by the resort concierge team (also known as Disney Signature Services).
Pricing is $199 plus tax for a one-way trip between any Club Level resort at Walt Disney World and MCO. Reservations for airport Minnie Van transfers can be made up to 60 days prior to your arrival date by contacting Disney Signature Services at (407) 939-7777 or via email.
The airport Minnie Van service is offered to guests with airline flight departures out of MCO between 9 a.m. and midnight and flight arrivals 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Airport Minnie Vans can accommodate up to 6 people per vehicle, including up to three car seats for guests. Availability is limited, but it’s unlikely you’ll need to book 60 days in advance.
As of 2024, Minnie Van service between Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport is not available for any other guests. Between this and the end of Disney’s Magical Express, guests now need to find their own ground transportation from the airport to their hotel. We cover the range of options in our Guide to Airport Transportation for Walt Disney World. There is no one-size-fits-all perfect solution–it depends on your party size, budget, and other factors.
Let’s turn to our review of Minnie Vans. As I’ve learned from reader comments to our Tips for Using Lyft & Uber at Walt Disney World post, there are many people who are distrustful of these ride-sharing services. There are a variety of reasons for this; some valid, others based on anecdotal fear-mongering (if you think taxis are safe, I have a documentary for you to watch). Regardless of the logic of the rationales, that’s how it is.
When it comes to Minnie Vans versus taxis, there is no comparison. Minnie Vans are (on average) cheaper, offer better service, are more reliable, and more comfortable. There are also accessible Minnie Vans, which is a huge selling point for those who might otherwise have challenges using other services, be it taxis or ride-sharing services.
With Uber or Lyft versus Minnie Vans, the scale tips in favor of the former–at least for us. On average, Minnie Vans are much more expensive. With the new per mile pricing, you’re looking at rates that are around triple the cost of Lyft or Uber. If price is your bottom line, it’s a no-brainer. You should stick with those ride-sharing services.
There are a few scenarios when Minnie Vans will arguably be better. For families, it’s also noteworthy that car seats do not incur an additional fee with Minnie Vans. The most notable of these is that Magic Kingdom drop-offs actually take you to Magic Kingdom instead of the Ticket & Transportation Center. In the past, we’ve recommend guests heading to Magic Kingdom be dropped off at the Contemporary and walk to Magic Kingdom. This obviates the need for such a ‘hack.’
There are other situations where the Minnie Van drop-off point offers a distinct advantage. If you’re going to Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue or Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness, you will be dropped off at Pioneer Hall (no internal bus system!). At Disney Springs, there are drop-off points beyond those for Uber and Lyft.
However, price is not what makes Minnie Vans a closer call as compared to Uber/Lyft. Instead, it’s the caliber of the service Cast Members offer. In the past, I’ve praised Uber and Lyft for offering better service than taxis. I think that’s definitely true, but those ride-sharing services can still be hit or miss.
Uber and Lyft drivers usually engage in polite conversation, and the vast majority of the time this is either interesting or enjoyable. About 10% of the time, I’d say it’s uncomfortable or mildly irritating. Some of our most “notable” experiences with Uber in Florida have been a driver explaining to us how awful California is after we told him that’s we live, the nitty-gritty lowdown on a driver’s child custody dispute, and almost any time a driver brings up politics. (Made-up Walt Disney World trivia is another common one that might bug some people, but I legitimately love hearing stuff like that. So much creativity out there!)
Again, this is a small minority of the time we use Uber or Lyft, with most rides being pleasant or uneventful. In deference to the drivers, they are not professional conversationalists (whatever that means) and not trained in the art of polite conversation. Many are driving as side gigs, and it wouldn’t surprise me if in the culture of their normal workplace, the topics they bring up are perfectly normal.
Every Minnie Van ride is like the very best Uber experience. If our encounters with drivers thus far are any indication, these are the creme de la creme of Cast Members, of a similar caliber to those you’d have on a VIP tour or when dealing with Guest Services. One of our drivers also worked in entertainment, which was unsurprising given her friendliness and affability.
I strongly suspect the drivers for the initial rollout of Minnie Vans were cherry-picked, and the result is like a mini-VIP tour during your ride (no joke!). The dynamic of this type of intimate interaction with a Cast Member is great, and is a reminder of just how much of the Walt Disney World experience is built upon the exemplary qualities of Cast Members. (I could honestly see Walt Disney World trying to use the Minnie Vans as a way to pique curiosity about private tours in the future.)
As the Minnie Van program continues to grow, one question we have is whether Walt Disney World can maintain this high degree of service as it’s scaled. Right now, the Minnie Van fleet is still small and has the feel of an upstart program. Cast Members are clearly proud to be a part of the program, and the guest experience is seriously good as a result.
I’m optimistic that this can remain the case. The price point is going to make it prohibitive for the majority of guests who will elect to either use the free bus (or other) transportation, or opt to save money with Uber or Lyft. Unless those ride-sharing apps are banned from Walt Disney World (unlikely given that they’ve partnered with Lyft on this, and banning only Uber would run afoul of the FTC Act), there’s only so big the Minnie Van program can get. Keeping it relatively small-scale will prevent the type of quality-erosion that would inevitably occur if the service becomes bloated.
Alright, now let’s cover some tips and info about the Minnie Vans. The vehicles used as Minnie Vans are brand-new Chevy Traverse mid-size SUVs. (Plus other Chevrolet vans for guests with wheelchairs or ECVs.) One nice perk worth mentioning is that these cars feature USB charging ports.
Minnie Vans can seat up to 6 guests, versus the 4 people that can be seated in the lowest tier of Uber or Lyft vehicles. Definitely a selling point for guests with larger parties, and factor to consider if ‘doing the math’ comparing the services.
As of right now, Minnie Vans have been rolled out to all Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. We also were able to request a Minnie Van at Coronado Springs, so you might have luck with a pickup beyond the “official” resorts.
To use the service, you need to have the Lyft app on your smartphone (Minnie Vans are “powered by Lyft”). Once activated, you can use the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van pick-up. It works the same way as the standard Lyft or Uber experience, with available vehicles being shown on the map, and time/price estimates being given. (You can get free ride credits on Lyft via this link.)
In the screenshots throughout this post, you should be able to see how we had the option to select a Minnie Van (the top option) as well as any other Lyft vehicle while traveling on-site around Walt Disney World. In terms of logistics, Minnie Vans are nearly identical to Uber and Lyft.
You are picked up and dropped off at designated locations identified in the app(s), albeit with some differences between Minnie Vans and the “traditional” ride-sharing companies. There are other quirks to the pick-up and drop-off locations, but those are the significant ones (to our knowledge) on Walt Disney World property.
Beyond that, there is one restriction with Minnie Vans: drivers can only take you to on-property locations, and the service only operates between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. That means you’ll need to stick with Uber or Lyft when visiting Universal or the Waffle House on Vineland at 2 a.m.
Overall, the Minnie Vans score very high marks from us. To be frank, we used them for the sake of writing a review, and but for that, we would have never considered Minnie Vans for personal use. We are more “bottom line price” type of people, so Minnie Vans did not seem targeted at us.
After using Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World, we were really impressed. They offer an air of light-luxury in a themed vehicle with a friendly Cast Member that could potentially justify them over one of the higher tiers of Uber or Lyft for those who want a luxury-adjacent private vehicle service that’s efficient and comfortable. This is especially true on longer routes (like the aforementioned one to Fort Wilderness), or at the end of a long day when we don’t feel like rolling the dice on a potentially uncomfortable conversation and just want high-quality Disney Cast Member service.
Due to the cost, we will never use Minnie Vans as an exclusive form of transportation. In fact, it’s unlikely that we’ll use Minnie Vans for personal use much, as they are simply so much more expensive than other ride-sharing services. Instead, we will continue to use Uber and Lyft as a supplement to Walt Disney World’s buses, monorails, and other Disney transportation, using whatever the situation might warrant.
However, that doesn’t mean Minnie Vans are a poor choice, especially for those with large budgets or families wanting a more “Disney” experience than Lyft. Likewise, those doing an early-morning ADR, transferring resorts, or in other point-to-point situations, might find Minnie Vans to be a worthwhile option.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
If you’ve used a Minnie Van, do you agree or disagree with our review? What do you think of the pricing–too high, or fair for what’s offered? Any questions about Minnie Vans we can help you answer? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment of the Minnie Van service and how it compares to Lyft or Uber? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Tom,
Really like your site. We are staying in a cabin at Ft Wilderness. Will Minnie vans pick us up at our cabin?
Thanks,
Dan
Tom,
Reqally like your site. We are staying in a cabin at Ft Wilderness. Will Minnie vans pick us up at our cabin?
Thanks,
Dan
I used it once on my last trip – but I can’t imagine that I would do it again with this new pricing structure. At $25 it was a struggle for me to use it 🙂
The only reason that I did was because I was going from my hotel, to GF, then to MK.
I use a scooter at MK and I couldn’t see going taking an uber to GF, then back to Pop, then the bus to MK – that was a little too much time to add in when I was going to the Halloween party.
Minnie van has a lift – and they were absolutely great – no question that it was fabulous service, I just can’t see spending the money if it is going to be $30-$40 now.
Do the Minnie vans have car seats or booster seats in them?
Unpopular opinion, but I am fine with the price, and honestly hope it makes more people choose to NOT use the Minnie Vans to free them up a little more! We plan on using them at least 5 times over a 9-day trip to get to early breakfasts at other resorts or just for convenience after a long day when we don’t want to wait for buses. Even at say $40 each, that’s still cheaper than renting a car for over a week plus parking fees, and you cannot beat the convenience. I have 2 kids that still need car seats, and while I know i can use Uber Family, I don’t feel comfortable putting my kids into a stranger’s car as I do putting them into a Minnie Van (I know that driver is also a “stranger”). I’m toying with the idea of taking the MV to MCO on our last day to get some extra time in the parks.
I agree 100%, opinion is take it or leave it! The Minnie Van is literally door to door service whereas a Lyft can only drop off and pick up at the WDW transportation center. We traveled with our granddaughters and to not to have to wait 45 minutes for the bus then another 20 minute bus ride to the hotel with two sleeping kids at the end of a long day at the Magic Kingdom was worth it. We used the Minnie Van four times.
Do the accessible vans have a lift? How many people can fit in the accessible vans? We are a family of 6 with our son in a motorized wheelchair?
Thanks!
Yes the accessible Vans have a lift and they are fabulous! There is even one that takes two scooters!
I just want to make sure I read the article correctly, the minnie van service from MCO is $150 to a Disney Resort? Is that correct? I see where the articke says it is a $25 fee. Is it just $25 per trip from within the Disney property? I’m traveling there soon and I just want to go ahead and get my plan in order.
Thanks!
Yes, $25 point to point in WDW, $150 from MCO to WDW. The local towncar services like Tiffany are much cheaper from MCO for something pre-arranged, and a regular Uber/Lyft is even cheaper than that. The $25 in WDW is still a mark-up, but the MCO markup is really silly.
Im flying into orlando late in the evening however have a tour booked at the magic kingdom for 8.00am the following morning. Im staying at The Animal Kingdom Lodge and REALLY DO want to book the minnie van far more in advance than the night we arrive. Plus i’ll be so tired after a 9 hr flight. Im not confident in how to use lyft plus ive seen a mention that you can only book the vans ONCE you arrive at your wdw resort. Any suggestions what i can do. I also want to book this as a suprise for my mum.ANY HELP WOULD BE SOOOO APPRECIATED!!!
Your question is a bit confusing. If you want a Minnie van to bring you to AKL from the airport, then you need to call Disney and reserve that in advance. If you want the Minnie van to bring you to MK from your hotel in the morning, then you order that through the Lyft app. You will not be able to schedule that morning ride until you’ve checked into your hotel, but don’t worry about it – there is no need to reserve the van further in advance than that.
Also, check ahead to make sure if you are an international guest (ie. You do not have a US phone number) that the Lyft/Minnie Van app will even work for you. Or maybe double check your mobile service is set on the right setting (you might have to have roaming on). We had wanted to use the Minnie Van on two separate instances in Oct 2017 and May 2018 to get from Wilderness Lodge to Boma at AKL for breakfast and because we have an international number we had to take a taxi. This is after concierge at WL spend a half hour with my phone trying to help me. I will say the taxi driver was the grumpiest we ever have had at WDW making the outcome even more disappointing. Clearly the driver was not trying to compete with Minnie Van level service! Also, I would like to add that now the pricing has changed there is no way a Minnie Van from WL to AKL for Boma is a reasonable rate.
Are there minnie vans that can accomodate 8 people? We are traveling with a larger group and would love to try this service!
No, you will need two cars. I would say six is the most they can hold and it’s a tight squeeze at that.
Do Minnie vans go to Shades of Green from MCO airport?
Nope, only the Disney-owned hotels.
My son’s family is staying at AKL and we are at Port Orleans , we want to share a ride to the MCO airport when leaving using the Minnie Van service. Will it stop at both places to pick us up, total of 6 people? Extra charge?
We used the Minnie Van last night. It took over 35 minutes to get a car. The app kept timing out on me as well as others waiting at the designated pick up slot outside the Magic Kingdom. When the app finally came back to life and our car FINALLY arrived, I mentioned it to the driver. She suggested submitting your request at the turnstiles . Word is out and lots of people are opting for this service. On busy nights you may be better off waiting for the bus.
Does anyone know if we can fit 6 people plus a folded up double stroller in a Minnie van? Thanks!
Hi, can you tell me what you suggest for transportation for getting from Universal Orlando to Disney? Is Lyft the better choice?
Can I use my disney gift cards to pay for this service?
We’re staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in August. Since this is not a Disney resort, will be be able to utilize the Minnie Van service to get to the parks each morning, and back to our resort each night?
Matt I would like to know what your transportation options you find and end up using while staying at WBC. Pretty sure Minnie Vans are not servicing this property but uber & lyft do. I am considering staying at WBC but the transportation issue to and from parks has me stumped.
Do the Minnie vans also pick you up at the parks? I have a date night planned on an up coming trip and we are planning to go to Hollywood studios for the evening then head to Disney Springs for dining reservations. I’d like to just get a Minnie van instead of taking a couple extra buses.
DINT DO IT! We waited over 45 minutes. No one came but they charged us. We called and they said they said send someone. 20 minutes later someone callled and they were 10 minutes later. What a joke.
I talked with a vacation planning specialist this week and asked about the Minnie Vans as we’re staying at the Port Orleans Riverside and they indicated that they are now available at every single resort on property
Hello. I think you need to update your post. Minnie Van is offered at all three All Star resorts. If you go on the Disney website they have it listed as a participating resort. Thx!
Thanks–they must have *just* made that change!