Using Lyft in Orlando
Everyone likes Disney transport, and it works well for situations where you need to get to the parks or don’t have any specific time constraints, but in some situations, you’ll need another transport option. We use Lyft for our trips.
What is Lyft?
Lyft is a ‘ride-share’ app, much like Uber; it allows drivers to offer themselves to drive people from one location to another, much like a taxi. The app-based service allows for convenient booking, up-front pricing and cashless charging.
Lyft offers ‘ride types’:
- Standard - An average car for up to 4 people
- Comfort - A newer car with an experienced driver that has more space
- XL - A larger vehicle for up to 6 riders and more luggage space.
- Black - Premium vehicle for up to 4 riders.
- Black SUV - Premium SUV for six riders.
- Access - vehicles providing service for riders with accessibility requirements.
All Lyft drivers use their own vehicles, so you may have a variance in the make and model. However, the driver must maintain a certain vehicle level for the higher levels (Comfort, XL, Black) to be accepted. The ‘higher’ level drivers can also take jobs at the Standard level, so you may have an XL or Black level driver accept your standard request.
In addition, in partnership with Disney and within the Walt Disney World property area exists two extra types of service:
- Minnie Van
- Accessible Minnie Van
Minnie Vans can seat up to six riders, and the accessible Minnie Van can seat five and two mobility devices. A knowledgeable Disney cast member will drive the van, which can drop you off at locations not usually accessible by normal Lyft drivers.
Lyft as an alternative to Disney Transport?
The prices and convenience of Lyft may entice you to think it can be a complete replacement for Disney’s transport services, but it is hard to beat the price of ‘free’. Lyft comes into its own when you need to travel outside any route provided by Disney Transport or when the route is inconvenient.
Our primary use of Lyft while on property involves hopping between resorts; the only Disney Transport method of travelling between resorts is to take a bus via Disney Springs or one of the parks (outside the Monorail and Skyliner). Travelling to Riviera Resort for your Topolino’s breakfast is quick and straightforward without having to take multiple buses.
One other use is to skip the morning bus lines while rope-dropping a park. Those lines can get quite long, and if you want to ensure you get there for the park opening, it might be quicker to take a Lyft to the park. While Lyft drivers can’t get you as close to the park as a bus, they can cut a long wait in a line and save you time.
Travelling outside the Disney bubble
Lyft is useful when travelling to a place not covered by Disney transport. While some bus services exist from various resorts, parks, and Disney Springs, ordering a Lyft to take you to your destination can be more straightforward. We use Lyft to take us to the Vineland Premium Outlets and some off-site restaurants we enjoy (such as Bull & Bear). If you’re not travelling with luggage or large bags, then a Lyft Standard will be good enough to get you from A to B.
The cost of these trips will vary depending on your pickup location and destination and the current availability of drivers in the area. A journey to Vineland from Saratoga Springs costs $9 plus tip, while the LYNX 350 Bus from Disney Springs will get you there for $2 per person. It takes 15 minutes and leaves you with a 10-minute walk to the outlets.
Using Lyft for airport transfers from Orlando International
Using Lyft for airport transfers can save you money and reduce the time to get to your hotel. While Mears Connect is replacement for Disney’s Magical Express, the price of $13-16/per person each way can quickly make a trip in Lyft cheaper than Mears. For our past four visits from the airport to our Disney hotel, the price has been around $50 plus tip for a Lyft XL, which has more than enough space for all our luggage and four adults, and it only took 30 minutes, even during rush hour traffic on the I-4!
Return service from your hotel to the airport is cheaper at $40 plus tip for the same Lyft XL service. As this is a ride-share service, you are at the whim of the drivers’ availability. Still, we’ve not experienced any issues during regular hours and only 20 minutes early in the morning. If you’re heading to the airport, you’ll be leaving yourself plenty of time already.
Our September 2024 trip transfers cost $105.82 (including tip) from Orlando International to Saratoga Springs Resort and back, or $53 per person. Mears Connect would have cost us $32 each, which would have taken more than 30 minutes in the Lyft.
Is a Minnie Van worth it?
Minnie Vans are a premium Lyft service offered in partnership with Disney within in the bounds of Walt Disney World. Drivers are knowledgable cast members hired by Disney, and the vehicles are SUVs which are decorated with Minnie spots. With this, you can expect to pay a premium for this service, and in our experience a ride starts at $30. So why would you consider a Minnie Van over one of the existing types of ride?
First of all, a Minnie Van can take you to places that usual Lyft rides can’t. Standard Lyft services can’t take you to the same drop off points as Disney Transport services, for example, when dropping off at Magic Kingdom a standard Lyft will only be able to drop you at the Ticket and Transportation Center, where as a Minnie Van can drop you at the Magic Kingdom bus station. Minnie Vans can also take you to some closed-off resorts, avoiding using the resort buses. For example, if you have a booking for Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a Minnie Van can take you to the building within Fort Wilderness rather than the front gate and the internal bus stop.
Minnie Vans also allows visitors with mobility needs to skip Disney Transport’s frustrations with their accessible level of service. The accessible Minnie Vans provide space for up to two disability devices, their users, and five other passengers. We’ve seen people being turned away from buses due to insufficient space for their wheelchairs or ECVs; using a Minnie Van provides an option to skip the inconvenience and waiting associated.
Getting Started
To start using Lyft, you need to create an account and download the app to your Android or iOS phone. Once you’re set-up, you can order rides using the app.
As part of using Lyft previously, we can offer a referral special offer of saving 50% off 2 rides (max $10/ride) in Orlando for the first 14 days. All you need to do is use our link and fill in your mobile phone number to create your account, and the offer will be available to use.
Lyft offers other features, such as family and business accounts, credit balances that can be topped up in advance, and a VIP level (Lyft Pink) that gives you discounts and free priority pickup upgrades.
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