Category: Transportation

Disney World Buses Get a New Design and USB Charging Ports
Today, Disney announced that Disney Transportation buses at Disney World are beginning a major make over including a new design and some with USB charging ports.

The next time you are at a Walt Disney World Resort bus loop, be on the lookout for Mickey and his friends!

This month, Walt Disney World buses are taking on a new look, adorned with the sensational six: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. From the red and yellow colors of Mickey’s attire, to the iconic Minnie polka dots and the pastel hues of Daisy, you will now arrive at your favorite destinations in full Disney style, riding along with these beloved Disney characters. Take an up close look at some of the new designs below:
And as if boarding a colorful bus worthy of a selfie isn’t enough, you will also enjoy refreshed interiors that include brand new blue seats and laminate floors.

Some Walt Disney World buses will also have USB charging ports conveniently located between seats throughout, so you can stay in touch with family and friends and keep your cameras ready to capture every minute of your dream vacation.

The new buses sure do bring a fun look to the complimentary Walt Disney World transportation that resort guests can enjoy throughout their vacations!
July 5, 2019
Lyft Becomes the Official Rideshare Partner of Disney World and Disneyland

Since the Minnie Van service was introduced in 2017, Disney has partnered with the rideshare company Lyft and yesterday, Disney announced that Lyft will now be the official rideshare company for both Disneyland and Disney World.

With this new relationship, Lyft and Disney Parks and Resorts will collaborate in a number of exciting new ways including an enhanced presence at Disney Resorts and an improved Minnie Van user experience through the Lyft app.

“This year, Lyft will continue to celebrate the magic of Disney by expanding Lyft’s presence at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort” said David Baga, Lyft Chief Business Officer. “We’ve always been inspired by the extraordinary experiences that Disney provides for guests and we share a similar commitment to customer service. Working together will allow us to enhance the way guests experience the resorts.”

Lyft’s new alliance with Disney Parks and Resorts will enhance the rideshare experience for Guests by expanding Lyft’s presence throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. With dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas and way-finding signage, Lyft and Disney are focused on improving mobility around the Resorts through reduced wait times.

This fall, they will be enhancing the Lyft app experience at Walt Disney World Resort, making it easier to request a Minnie Van ride, find the most convenient pickup location, and even select a wheelchair accessible vehicle. “We are thrilled to have this relationship with Lyft, connecting our guests with our Minnie Van service and playing an important role in our innovative, world-class transportation services for years to come” said Alison Armor, Vice President of Transportation Operations at the Walt Disney World Resort.

June 19, 2019
VIDEO: Disney Reveals Inside Look at New Skyliner Cabins at Disney World

Magic is definitely in the air as testing of Disney Skyliner cabins and other elements is well underway, and today Disney shared new details about this innovative transportation system including an inside look at the cabins.

Disney Skyliner will offer guests sweeping views while whisking them between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and four Disney resort hotels. Each cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests, including those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices. And with the system constantly in motion, guests will arrive at their selected destinations in minutes while enjoying the comfort of cabins specifically tailored for the Florida climate.

Check out the video below for a peek inside a Disney Skyliner cabin and to hear Walt Disney World Resort Senior Vice President Thomas Mazloum and Walt Disney Imagineering Principal Architect Dean Huspen tell you more about this unique transportation system.

The nearly 300 guest cabin system is an all-new transportation experience set to debut this fall at Walt Disney World Resort.

April 18, 2019
First Look: Disney Skyliner Gondola Revealed at Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week, we shared the exciting update that Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system will begin operating at the Walt Disney World Resort in fall of 2019. Today, we finally get a first look at one of the actual finished gondolas up close!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled the gondola to Disney fans during D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouseevent.

Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resortas well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can take a look at the reveal below.

As you can see, Disney Skyliner will be fun and offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World Resort with amazing views only available from the sky.

Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

November 17, 2018
Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

Earlier this week, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, announced that Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning fall of 2019!

This new state-of-the-art gondola system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

And next fall, Disney Skyliner will not only efficiently move you to your location, it’ll also offer a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky – with great photo opportunities! For example, guests arriving at the International Gateway station will travel through the trees and be welcomed into Epcot with remarkable, never before-seen views across World Showcase.

The innovative transportation system is quickly coming to life! Workers just installed the last support tower at the Resort and are beginning to thread the series of reinforced cables to carry guests in stylish themed gondolas.

November 16, 2018
Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

The Minnie van service which transports guests to locations on Disney property is expanding yet again and will soon be offering guests transportation from Disney World to Port Canaveral.

It was recently announced that Disney had expanded it’s Minnie Van service to Orlando International Airport and now they are looking expand it even further by giving guests who like to combine a cruise with their Disney trip an alternate and convenient way to get to Port Canaveral.

Adding Minnie van service to the port has been rumored for months, but we now know Disney will begin transporting guests to the port starting September 1st. The service is only one way and will not offer return transportation.

Through a collaboration with the rideshare service, Lyft, guests at select resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then pick you up and take you to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando International Airport and now soon Port Canaveral.

Currently point-to-point trips on Walt Disney World property cost $25, but Disney hasn’t released any info on price points for the trips to Port Canaveral.

July 23, 2018
Japan Airlines Launches New Disney-Themed Boeing 767

Japan Airlines Co. on Friday commenced flights of a passenger jet featuring Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo Disney Resort.

Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck also feature on the exterior of the 252-seat Boeing 767-300ER, with beverages served to passengers in Disney paper cups.

The special aircraft will only fly on domestic routes. The first flight bound for Fukuoka took off from Tokyo’s Haneda airport shortly after noon. It is the first time since 2015 that JAL has operated a Disney-themed plane.

Yuji Akasaka, JAL president, said he was satisfied with the way the plane looks and wants to further celebrate the 35th anniversary of the amusement park.

Kyoichiro Uenishi, head of Oriental Land Co., which operates Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, said he was happy that the design on the aircraft was “highly colorful.”

JAL has been an official sponsor of Tokyo Disney Resort since its opening in 1983. In 2015, the airline introduced four passenger planes featuring Duffy the Disney Bear.

June 24, 2018
Bus Times at Disney World Now Available In Redesigned My Disney Experience App

If you’ve ever wondered when the next bus is going to arrive at your Disney Resort hotel, the answer will now be right at your fingertips. Thanks to another addition to the My Disney Experience App, guests can now use the app to see when the next Walt Disney World Resort bus will be arriving in real-time.

Monday, Disney rolled out a brand new bus time feature in the My Disney Experience mobile app that enables guests to spend less time waiting at the bus stop and more time getting ready for a fun-filled day in the parks. With this feature, guests can quickly discover up-to-the-minute estimates for when the next buses will depart from their Disney Resort hotel and when they will complete their journey to their destination.

The app regularly updates in real-time to provide the most current estimates for buses heading to all four theme parks, two water parks and the Disney Springs area. Guests can access the feature throughout their stay by tapping “See Bus Times” when viewing an active Disney Resort hotel reservation associated with their account.

The new My Disney Experience update also brings a new and improved design to the app, making it easier than ever to navigate and find what you’re looking for – from the new bus time feature and mobile food ordering service to adding tickets, booking FastPass+ selections and discovering key park offerings.

This is just the most recent example of how Disney is using digital technology to make the guest experience even more convenient. During the past year alone, Disney has added app features that allow guests to view room charges, keep track of Disney dining plan usage, check in online to start their vacation even faster, use their mobile devices as a digital key (now available at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and coming soon to additional Disney Resort hotels) and more.

Guests can explore all that’s new in My Disney Experience by updating to the current version of the app, now available in the Apple Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.

Disney is constantly exploring and innovating new enhancements to My Disney Experience as it continues to grow and evolve, so be sure to stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates.

June 20, 2018
Minnie Van Service Now Open to all Visiting Walt Disney World Resort
Last summer Walt Disney World Resort started it’s new Minnie Van transportation service, but it was only available to select resorts. Throughout the year it has opened up to more resorts and today Disney has officially announced that the service is now available for everyone at Walt Disney World Resort, through the Lyft app.

The service offers a comfy and convenient way for guests to travel to and from our theme parks, to dining reservations at our resort hotels, family gatherings, shopping sprees at Disney Springs and much more in a jiffy.

The private vans are roomy, comfortable and usually only minutes away. Each driver is a friendly Disney Cast Member trained to take you where you need to be—safely and with a smile.

How does it work? Just download the Lyft app on your mobile device, open it from anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort and select the Minnie Van service option. Then, follow the steps below:
- Confirm your current pickup location.
- Enter your Walt Disney World Resort destination and tap “Request.”
- The app will display a map tracking the vehicle en route and give you an identifying vehicle number to help you spot your car.
With Lyft, you can request your ride from your smartphone and pay right through the app. The new Minnie Van service is an easy and friendly way to whisk your family off to the magic!

The service is available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (Hours subject to change.)
June 1, 2018
First Ever Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land Themed Plane Takes Flight

Over the weekend, a ‘Toy Story’ themed aircraft launched in Shanghai, as a joined venture between China Eastern Airlines and the Shanghai Disney Resort. The new airplane features a large, flying Buzz Lightyear painted on one side of the exterior, and Woody on the other.

The first Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land themed plane took flight from Shanghai over the weekend, featuring in-flight entertainment and colorful décor that illustrates the new attractions now open at Shanghai Disney Resort. Even the ceiling is decorated for this special flight experience!

Travelers at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will spot favorite Toy Story characters in the departure terminal before take-off and receive a commemorative boarding pass as part of the new flight experience.

Starting at check-in, the entire experience is fused with the popular Disney franchise. The check-in machines are Toy Story themed, and the desks feature images of the characters. Within the aircraft itself, the top of the cabin features artwork of Woody and Lotso, among others. The luggage compartments above the seats are sky blue, with cartoon clouds and a variety of other characters drawn on. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are, of course, on display. The seats and trays again feature colorful depictions of the characters, and the headphones and other accessories are all themed to further enhance the experience. The menus also revolve around Toy Story characters, with themed cutlery and food and drink options.

The plane will fly between Beijing and Shanghai, with service to and from other Chinese cities in the future.

April 30, 2018