NEWS: Disney Announces Return Date for Minnie Van Service at Walt Disney World

Disney World has all sorts of transportation options including buses, boats, the Monorail, the Skyliner, and walking paths. While all of these options are extremely useful and free to guests, Disney was seeing an influx in Uber and taxi use among their guests. Disney responded to this trend by partnering with Lyft (an on-demand transportation company) to launch the Minnie Van Service. While the service has been on hold since the parks closed in 2020, we now have a return date for the paid service. See the announcement below.

Here are all the details from Disney:

Disney and Lyft are bringing back the wildly popular Minnie Van Service at Walt Disney World Resort. The beloved and adorable Minnie Van Service, connected by Lyft, returns this summer to make Disney World vacations more memorable and getting around the parks easier.

Starting June 29, guests can book the Minnie Van Service directly in the Lyft app to get to nearly any destination within Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a great way to get around quickly and in style—all while in a Disney-owned and operated vehicle, driven by a Cast Member. Service will be available for use throughout the property including to the Disney Resort Collection hotels.

The Minnie Van Service is one of the most convenient and personalized transportation options to choose from – with quick, point-to-point drop-offs and pickups around Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can book just by opening the Lyft App and selecting a Minnie Van vehicle to pick them up. Guests can also use the app to request an Accessible Minnie Van, as needed, and each Minnie Van comes equipped with two, complimentary child car seats for the littlest travelers.

Guests can easily book a Minnie Van from the Lyft app at Walt Disney World Resort by confirming their pickup location and swiping through vehicle type options to select “Minnie Van.” After booking, guests will spot their car, hop in, and enjoy the ride. Those that want to utilize the Minnie Van Service for transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort can review step-by-step directions on DisneyWorld.com or learn more by visiting disneyworld.disney.go.com/minnie-van.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Reasons to Use Disney World Transportation

by Matt and Kim

Whether bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner – Walt Disney World transportation is worth using! Sit back, relax, and unwind, as Disney Cast Members will take the wheel for you. Here are eight reasons why we recommend taking advantage of these magical modes of transportation.

1 – Spend More Time in the Parks

Who doesn’t love spending more time in the parks? Our favorite part about taking advantage of WDW Transportation is that it saves us time! While waiting for the bus, monorail or boat may seem like it takes a long time, trust that driving to the park is typically going to take you even more time. When driving, you have to wait to enter through the entrance booths and walk or take a tram from what seems like the furthest parking spot from humanity. Save those legs for park walking – not parking lot walking.

2 – Save Money

Several people ask us if they should rent a car while at Disney. Here’s the thing – unless you are going off Disney property, can you count on Disney transportation to take you anywhere your heart desires on property. Let’s say you drive to your resort, keep in mind parking at the theme parks is free for Resort guests. However, you can still count on using gas money if you were to decide to drive to and from the parks throughout your trip. This also goes back to number one – using Disney transportation saves you time which in our opinion – time is worth money. Also, there is now an overnight parking fee at Disney resorts for guests. This added parking fee expense is another reason to skip the rental car.

3 – No Directions Needed

As beautiful as Disney maps out their parks and surrounding roads with big, bright signs – it’s inevitable that if it’s a new place for you, you are likely to make a wrong turn. We must admit, we’ve personally done this several times! You have arrived at your resort, the last thing you need to worry about is when to make a left or a right. You’re on vacation – so we suggest you put down the map, iPhone, or turn off the Garmin and let a Cast Member guide you to your destination. We promise they won’t have to stop and ask for directions.

4 – Obstacles

Driving around Disney can also be tricky with all the construction currently taking place. Construction around the resort is particularly tricky, and traffic tends to get backed up in certain areas. The second obstacle besides construction to worry about are all the special events taking place at Disney. One particular, reoccurring event that comes to mind is the runDisney events. These events are incredible, and we absolutely love participating in them – but navigating through them is a beast of its own. Roads may even be blocked off on occasion, but thankfully Disney buses know the best ways around both construction and special events!

5 – For The Kiddos

If your kids are like ours, taking Disney transportation is like another Disney ride in itself! The buses are great, the boats are amazing, and well, our kids would just ride around in circles over and over again on the monorail if we let them. And kids of all ages will love the Disney Skyliner! Our kids also love the music being played on the bus when you enter the park grounds and the resort. Important messages are shared over the intercom that includes park hours of operation and other helpful information. It’s just something about the noise, the seats, the lights, and Cast Members that make a trip on Disney transportation the highlight of many little ones’ experiences.

6 – For The Adults

Visiting Epcot? Maybe for the Wine and Food Festival? How about Hollywood Studios and their Star Wars specialty drinks? We won’t even mention the variety of adult beverage options at Disney Springs! Whether you are visiting a theme park, Disney Springs, or a resort – drinks for adults are just about everywhere and are typically rather tasty. If you plan to have a few drinks, be smart about it. Take Disney transportation. Leave the car keys in the resort and keep yourself and others safe.

7 – Community

On all our trips to Disney with family and friends, we’ve always had at least one stand-out moment on a form of Disney transportation. We’ve all sat in the back of a bus with complete strangers and sang “Hakuna Matata” because the kids were singing – the adults joined in. We’ve relaxed on the monorail and chatted with fellow Disney Vacation Club Members about what they plan on doing for their next big trip. And we’ve held our little ones as they dose off to sleep on a calming boat ride. Whether you are one to sit back and keep to yourself or enjoy sharing a conversation to pass the time, the sense of community at Disney even comes through on their transportation options.

8 – Variety

Last but not least, where else in the world can you ride the Disney Skyliner, Ferry Boat, Friendship Boat, Highway in the Sky (Monorail), and a bus with a little more pixie dust than your standard urban transport? Disney offers so much to do and see, so take advantage of the great variety at your feet. Check out all the sights and have a fantastic time doing so!

These are our top reasons to catch a ride with Disney Transportation based on our experiences. Whether you decide to use Disney transportation or take your own, keep in mind those around you, so your magical trip (and theirs) stays a safe one.