We started taking our children to Disney when my daughter was 2.5 years old, and my son was six. Since then, we’ve gone regularly, and they both have several trips under their belts. On our first trip, I was a bit shell-shocked by the price of the trip and vowed I was not using transportation other than the free options provided for us at the Disney resorts to the parks.

Since Disney was new to me, I didn’t realize just how much time we’d spend on buses to get to a resort for a dining reservation (needing to get to a park, then transfer to another vehicle for your destination), or how long we may have to wait for a bus if we just missed one at a non-peak time. The old saying “time is money” definitely began to ring true, and since then, we have explored various transportation options that cost money.

On our second trip to Disney, I decided to budget to use Minnie Vans for some experiences, and since then, I have always set aside some money for additional transportation. Lyft and Uber are both paid options that you can use to get from one place to the next, often for a lesser price point than what you’d pay for a Minnie Van. With that said, there are definitely circumstances where you just can’t beat a Minnie Van, and the higher price point is worth the experience.

#1: You have young kids who need car seats

Hands down, if you have younger children who need car seats/boosters, Minnie Vans is the way to go. When my daughter was three and my son was seven, I was thrilled to have a car that had new, clean, safe car seats and boosters for them. Not only that, the Minnie Van drivers are trained on how to install them, and you can see their expertise as they set the seats up for you (way faster than I do it, that’s for sure!) I have heard that you can request an Uber or Lyft with a car seat, but that would take time and is limited to their availability. A Minnie Van comes equipped with these seats, which brings a lot of comfort to me as a parent.

#2: You are going to the Magic Kingdom

In 2021 we had a pre-park opening breakfast reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table. I was nervous that if we didn’t catch a bus on time, we’d miss it, so I booked an Uber (at the time, Minnie Vans weren’t back yet). I was surprised when I quickly learned that you are brought to the Ticket and Transportation Center instead of the bus drop-off location in front of the Magic Kingdom. This was not something I had put much thought into, but it added time to the experience and slowed us down a bit. When you take a Minnie Van, the vans can park where the resort buses go, saving you time and getting you closer to your destination.

#3: You want that high-quality Disney service

Disney’s Minnie Vans are staffed by cast members, and each time we have used them, we have had an incredible experience. We always learn new information and are impressed with the facts and stories our driver shares with us. Since they are cast members, you get that same high-quality customer service experience you are accustomed to at Disney, further enhancing your trip.

#4: You need transportation that can accommodate a wheelchair

Disney Minnie Vans come in a variety of sizes for various sized parties and needs, including a van with a wheelchair ramp. This feature sets Minnie Vans apart from a standard car share service and helps make Disney accessible for all guests.

There are many reasons beyond this top four list to use a Minnie Van, but if you find yourself considering one, know you won’t be disappointed by the experience.