CONFIRMED: Minnie Van Service Retired at Walt Disney World; Cast Members Included in Mass Layoffs

Jessica Figueroa

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Minnie Van

CONFIRMED: Minnie Van Service Retired at Walt Disney World; Cast Members Included in Mass Layoffs

In the wake of mass layoff announcements, it has been confirmed that all Minnie Van Cast Members were among those terminated at Walt Disney World. Despite early talks of the service’s demise ultimately brought on by the pandemic, Disney initially squashed rumors by including Minnie Vans in a resort transportation update that mentioned guests should “stay tuned” for return dates. There were no plans at that time to bring the service back though, as evidenced by this decision.

One of the Many Minnie Van Vehicles used at Walt Disney World
One of the many Minnie Van vehicles used at Walt Disney World.

It has been a tumultuous existence for the Minnie Van service at Walt Disney World, a point-to-point transportation option owned and operated by Disney that launched back in 2017. A pet-project of now-CEO Bob Chapek, Minnie Vans were Disney’s response to many of their guests choosing not to use the provided, complimentary (and honestly, often unreliable) transportation options Disney provides their guests and instead booking a Uber, Lyft, or similar transportation method to get around The Vacation Kingdom of the World. Minnie Vans were deemed overpriced by most guests, and they were also hard to get when you actually wanted them, like around park opening and closing times. After years of hemorrhaging money, Cast Members already believed the service was soon being brought to an end.

We first broke this news in a rumor back in July where, according to Cast Members, after having been furloughed since March, leadership informed the drivers that they “should update their resumes”.

The Minnie Van fleet was leased through an agreement with Disney corporate partner Chevrolet, but it is said they will be returned.

Author

  • Jessica Figueroa

    Jessica lives in South Florida with her 15-pound cat Gordo and a small army of Tsum Tsums. You can contact her, ideally with photos of your cats, at jessica@wdwnt.com.

13 thoughts on “CONFIRMED: Minnie Van Service Retired at Walt Disney World; Cast Members Included in Mass Layoffs”

  1. This is so devastating to me! We loved the minnie van service and used it often. We will miss it! Not sure if I will miss Minnie Vans or that back stage park to park express bus they had for a short while- we loved that too!

  2. I used them back in 2018 around the Holidays. Money well spent & the drivers gave you great knowledge throughout the trip. The “Magical” Disney experience is completely gone with all the layoffs & crazy restrictions now. Highly doubt I will ever go back. Especially since they got rid of most of the show personnel that made Epcot amazing. They won’t keep employees for money purposes but cater to the anti-American NBA.

  3. At the price they charge it’s not surprising, particularly now with people being more budget-conscious.

  4. I used Minnie Vans extensively over the past two years. We’re they expensive, yes, but they dropped you off closer at MK And other parks and the drivers were much better adept at directions, courtesy and knowledge.

    my question now is can we buy used Minnie Vans from Disney? I for one would love to.

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