It's a Minnie what?

Let's face it, at some point in time you have been at Walt Disney World and ​got that Chef Mickey's or Ohana's reservation that your child desperately wanted, but there was the fun issue of not staying at that resort.  How much fun is it waking up before the sun comes up to make sure you were on time after you played the Disney transportation transfer game!  Oh, let's not forget that if you choose the monorail from Magic Kingdom, you might hit the "We are holding for traffic" jackpot!  Really what options do you have?  If your child is in a car or booster seat, then using a cab or rideshare is not the option.  You could have really planned ahead and rented a car, but then you have to add on parking fees, navigate Disney construction, and bring your car seats with you from home.  So after all of this, maybe we all are really stuck on the transportation merry go round however, we haven't brought up this wonderful piece of transportation called the Minnie Van!  

You are probably thinking to yourself, what is a Minnie Van?  Is it a tricked out Chevy Astro better yet maybe a Ford Aerostar!  The tricked out part is correct, as it will either be a SUV or Van that is decorated in a familiar color and pattern.  You guessed it, they are modeled after the one and only Minnie Mouse!  They are 6 passenger vehicles that are owned and operated by Disney and they include 2 car seats that are installed by drivers who have been trained on proper installation.  

The next big question is how does this work?  Does my Travel Professional have to make fastpass reservations for this in advance?  Luckily for us, Disney has made this process very easy.  If you have ever used Lyft or even Uber, you are going to be a pro.  If you have not don't worry, I bet we can walk you through it.  Disney uses the Lyft platform for Minnie Vans.  For the rideshare pros, you call up your Lyft app and put your information in for pick up and drop off.  You then move to the scroll to the right where you pick your vehicle and at the end you will see the option for the Minnie Van.  Those that do not consider themselves pros, the picture below is what you will see in the app.  Once your ride is confirmed, it will display the Minnie Van number that will be on the actual Minnie Van's back windows on each side.  The driver will confirm your information and off you go!

It really is that simple to have Disney pick you up and provide door to door service.  Also, don't forget, these are cast members and the conversation is always fun that may include fun tidbits along the way!  One other big plus is they will pick you up from the parks and now they have dedicated pick up points at some of the bus areas.  Maybe everyone has crashed and burned  at Magic Kingdom and you really just want the quickest ride back to the resort.  Taxi's, Lyft, and Uber will have to pick you up at the Transportation and Ticket Center so that means a trip there on a boat or monorail  however, the Minnie Van can pick you up at the same Bus Loading area as the resort buses!

In closing, we have utilized the Minnie Van for various reasons throughout our stays.  The cost is more than a normal rideshare, but again you get to forego renting a car, lugging carseats, and not doing the transportation hop.  Let's not also forget you are in the hands of trained, knowledgeable, and fun Disney cast members!  One last word of advice, make sure you ask for the special Disney Transport card!  If you have taken a Minnie Van, we would love to hear your comments!

• About

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Travis Seaton
​Co-Owner at Road to Relaxation Travel, LLC
Travis is co-owner of Road to Relaxation Travel, LLC along with his wife Crystal.  Their family are avid travelers and spends time at all Disney Destinations, Universal, Cruises, and all-inclusive destinations.  When he is not traveling with his family, he loves spending time at the beach and surfing with his son.