Walt Disney World Bus Involved In Crash With SUV

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

If you are unfamiliar with how to get around Walt Disney World Resort, then it can be very overwhelming. The entire Resort is over 39 square miles, and with all the Parks and hotels and people trying to get around, it can make for some uneasy driving. Add to that there are Walt Disney World Resort buses that need to get Resort hotel Guests where they need to go, paying attention while on the road is vitally important. Unfortunately, even though you are in the Most Magical Place on Earth, unmagical things can happen, including car accidents.

Late in the evening on August 5 — a Friday night — a Walt Disney World Resort bus was involved in an accident with a tourist driving an SUV. The accident occurred at the intersection of North World Drive and Seven Seas Drive, which is right near Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center, where Guests also park if they want to go to Magic Kingdom Park.

Reporters with That Park Place happened to be at the scene and sent out the following information:

Twitter user Justin Sharifipour (@jsharif9999) also shared some more information on the accident, including that the entire windshield of the bus was destroyed (which can be seen in the picture) and that caution tape was put around the bus.

According to reports, no one was seriously hurt in the accident, although the driver of the Walt Disney World Resort bus was taken to the hospital as a precaution since the bus windshield was shattered. All Guests traveling on the bus were evacuated and put on another Disney bus to return to their destination. Reports also indicate that the SUV involved in the crash was towed away from the accident.

Minnie Vans Return on June 29!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

Guests will once again be able to travel around Walt Disney World in style with Minnie Vans Connected by Lyft beginning June 29, available on demand right from their smartphone. With special drop-off locations that can only be accessed by Minnie Vans, Guests using this service can reach select Walt Disney World destinations quickly and with a bit of extra pixie dust that only our Disney Cast Members can provide.

Our specially trained Disney Cast Member drivers, many of whom are returning experts from the service’s previous run, are revving up to welcome Guests back onboard this private transportation with a personalized approach that makes traveling around Walt Disney World even more magical. Whether sharing tips for planning their day, installing car seats for little ones (two available per vehicle) or playing fan-favorite music throughout their journey, our Cast Members are ready to provide an exceptional experience tailored to your client’s family of up to six passengers.

Brightline Train Reaches New Milestone

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Looking for the best and easiest way to get to and from Central Florida? With theme park giants like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, traffic is always a pain… but how about taking a train?

I-4 not only recently opened new express lanes for a toll fee, but Walt Disney World has even announced it is expanding outside of its property bubble with a new Disney Store and digital display for all to enjoy while traveling I-4.

orlando international airport mco

Now, we’re shifting our focus to Orlando International Airport (MCO) where construction is under work to expand with a new Terminal C opening later this summer to keep up with MCO’s massive volume of travelers. MCO had a new visitor however as Brightline has set a new milestone in the Orlando area.

With planes and automobiles covered… Orlando is shifting its focus to TRAINS! On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the very first Brightline train arrived at the Orlando International Airport. The high-speed rail service has been the center of much buzz lately as it works to connect Orlando to Miami.

Check out the video below from FOX 35 Orlando:

What makes this even sweeter for Disney travelers? Well, Walt Disney World Resort (and Universal Orlando Resort) are currently in talks with Brightline and Orlando’s local commuter rail, SunRail, to provide train service to the theme parks. The initial proposal is to open a Disney train station in the Disney Springs area.

brightline-train-route

There is still much discussion and planning in the works for the Disney Springs station, but we are eager to experience a high-speed train as the perfect transportation to take Guests from the airport to Disney’s property easily. Of course, we’re still missing Disney’s Magical Express, but are happy to have other transportation possibilities in the works.

Disney Removes Offering From Costly Starcruiser Experience

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

For Star Wars fans, one of the most exciting new additions to Walt Disney World Resort has been Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After recreating iconic aspects like the Millennium Falcon and X-Wing, and bringing characters like Rey, Kylo Ren, Vi Moradi, Chewbacca, Storm Troopers, and more to life, Star Wars fans were affirmed that Disney knew how to bring the immensely popular George Lucas-built franchise to life.

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser has been described as a unique, immersive experience that Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek had promised will leave Guests “blown away.” The Halcyon has already made multiple trips to a galaxy far, far away, and when bookings opened, the $6,000.00 experience (prices may vary) began to sell out! Everyone wanted to secure their spot on the ship, but then, things took a turn.

Disney released more promotional material, including new video footage of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which quickly garnered negative press. The material was then deleted by Disney, but not in time to stop some Guests from canceling their reservations. It seems that some Guests were ok with losing their deposit instead of paying full price for the experience that some deemed to appear as lackluster.

Previously, we reported that at Disney Springs, the bus signage had been updated to include spot 18, which is for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Guests only. A special shuttle has been built to take Guests to Batuu for one of their excursions, which makes sense for the storyline as the ship will land there, but it was a little more jarring on how the ship would arrive at Disney Springs.

starcruiser gaya star wars

Now, we have seen that the signage for the bus service is no longer in view at Disney Springs. Perhaps Disney is changing their method in terms of this transportation to and from the Halcyon, however, with the bus service removed, it seems likely that Guests were not utilizing the service enough during their stay to keep it in use.

If you want an even deeper look into the ship, you can check out what Good Morning America had to say, here. You can see a first look of an R2 Astromech droid unit — similar to the legendary R2-D2 — in the Atrium of the Corellian starliner, and more!

Disney Confirms the Return of Minnie Vans

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

After more than a year of being unavailable, the popular Minnie Van service will be returning to Walt Disney World Resort! The Minnie Vans are an easy way to get anywhere you want to go on Disney property without needing to wait for a bus. The Minnie Vans, in partnership with Lyft, can be ordered simply by opening your app anywhere around the Resort. Minnie Vans can even be ordered to whisk you away on your magical Disney vacation from Orlando International Airport.

Disney Parks shared the news of the exciting return on its official TikTok.

It really works! Minnie Vans connected by @Lyft are rolling back in this #Summer at #DisneyWorld 🚗 #Disney #DisneyParks #MinnieMouse #ToyCars #MinnieVan #CarTok #Water #Lyft

@disneyparks

It really works! Minnie Vans connected by @Lyft are rolling back in this #Summer at #DisneyWorld 🚗 #Disney #DisneyParks #MinnieMouse #ToyCars #MinnieVan #CarTok #Water #Lyft

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

Unfamiliar with Disney’s Minnie Van service? Here’s more information on how it works:

Get around in a jiffy with this new, whimsical personal ride service―just use your smartphone to request a ride.

Need to get to a restaurant reservation at another Disney Resort hotel? How about a relaxing way to get back to your room after a busy day at one of the Walt Disney World theme parks or the Disney Springs area? Minnie Van Service is a great way to get around Walt Disney World Resort quickly and in comfort—all while in a Disney-owned, Disney-operated vehicle.

How It Works
Our Minnie Van service works with the Lyft app. Simply open the Lyft app from anywhere within Walt Disney World Resort to access Minnie Van service, request a ride and pay for it through the app—or call (407) 828-3500 to request an accessible vehicle. Cars are usually minutes away.

To request a ride through the Lyft app:

  • Open the app and select your Walt Disney World destination
  • Confirm your pick-up location and tap “Select Minnie Van”; if Minnie Van service is not the default vehicle type displayed, you will need to swipe through your vehicle options until Minnie Van service is displayed
  • The app will display a map tracking the vehicle en route—along with an identifying vehicle number to help you spot your car

Need an Accessible Vehicle?
Please call a Minnie Van Service Specialist at (407) 828-3500 to request an accessible vehicle. Requests can be made 45 to 60 minutes prior to needing the vehicle. Minnie Van vehicles can accommodate Guests with standard wheelchairs, motorized vehicles and electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs); however, an additional wait time may occur.

Minnie Van

Pricing for Disney’s Minnie Van service while on property will vary depending on where you are and where you want to go. However, if you wish to book the Minnie Van to take you between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney Resort, the cost as listed on the Disney website is $155 each way. Gratuity is not included in that price.