Minnie Vans Gone For Good?

[castlecake2.0]

I mean, the drivers were paid only a couple dollars more than most hourly roles. But the vehicles are fully-loaded. Some 60+ vehicles that cost anywhere from $55k-$78k plus the cost of the custom wrap for each…that adds up. Sure, they were leased, but every 2 years, they were gonna be traded out. Plus, each vehicle was probably refueled 3-4 times a day, and then each vehicle also got an oil change roughly every month. Not to mention other tune ups and repairs that were needed given the amount those vehicles were driven in such a short amount of time. Then paying lyft whatever their cut was. I’m sure there’s other expenses I’m not thinking of, but I was always told that the Minnie Vans had a very small profit margin.
At the same time, I have no idea what Disney considers a “small” profit margin. We might have two totally different definitions. I don’t have any actual numbers.

For sure those costs add up, though WDW already has a huge fleet of vehicles they already take care of which should help spread costs. Curious what the “small” profit margin is in Disney numbers lol

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Probably because the department costs a FORTUNE to run.

What made it so costly? Im assuming labor?

I bet it cost more than they want…the other thing is that since they used the Lyft app…Disney had no control over the tips/real wages of the drivers

they have been fighting wages for 30 years. A “dirty” little secret

 

[TrojanUSC]

I mean, the drivers were paid only a couple dollars more than most hourly roles. But the vehicles are fully-loaded. Some 60+ vehicles that cost anywhere from $55k-$78k plus the cost of the custom wrap for each…that adds up. Sure, they were leased, but every 2 years, they were gonna be traded out. Plus, each vehicle was probably refueled 3-4 times a day, and then each vehicle also got an oil change roughly every month. Not to mention other tune ups and repairs that were needed given the amount those vehicles were driven in such a short amount of time. Then paying lyft whatever their cut was. I’m sure there’s other expenses I’m not thinking of, but I was always told that the Minnie Vans had a very small profit margin.
At the same time, I have no idea what Disney considers a “small” profit margin. We might have two totally different definitions. I don’t have any actual numbers.

Regular Uber Black and Lyft Lux drivers can make a profit with no problem. Disney was often charging 2-2.5X what it cost to get an Uber Black or Lyft Lux and they were always full.

 

[TrojanUSC]

I bet it cost more than they want…the other thing is that since they used the Lyft app…Disney had no control over the tips/real wages of the drivers

they have been fighting wages for 30 years. A “dirty” little secret

The tips they didn't have control over, but that's no different than a restaurant check. The hourly wages were all handled by Disney, as 100% of the fare price went to them.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Minnie vans are probably gone for good as the Skyliner is the solution to everything in Disney’s eyes. I would not be surprised so see an expansion of the Skyliner in the long term well after the pandemic is gone and we are back to PRE PANDEMIC FULL MOBS again..

 

[Bullseye1967]

Minnie vans are probably gone for good as the Skyliner is the solution to everything in Disney’s eyes. I would not be surprised so see an expansion of the Skyliner in the long term well after the pandemic is gone and we are back to PRE PANDEMIC FULL MOBS again..

If they were gone for good, I don't think they would have extended the leases on over half of them just to have them sitting around.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

For sure those costs add up, though WDW already has a huge fleet of vehicles they already take care of which should help spread costs. Curious what the “small” profit margin is in Disney numbers lol

Disney did not service these cars on property. The dealer is about 20-30mn way from property.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The tips they didn't have control over, but that's no different than a restaurant check. The hourly wages were all handled by Disney, as 100% of the fare price went to them.

A book could be written on how Disney has gone to great lengths to control tips over the last 30 years. There are ways to do it

 

[JoeCamel]

Disney did not service these cars on property. The dealer is about 20-30mn way from property.

Maybe.
I would think it is much easier to outsource the service work to the dealer who is equipped to address all aspects that may be needed but unless Disney has a service professional overseeing the process the dealer has a habit of doing more work than is necessary to maintain the vehicle/warranty and increasing the amount per ticket charged.
Or maybe they are just getting a recall addressed which has to be done by the dealer for it to be done under warranty. They all do.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Maybe.
I would think it is much easier to outsource the service work to the dealer who is equipped to address all aspects that may be needed but unless Disney has a service professional overseeing the process the dealer has a habit of doing more work than is necessary to maintain the vehicle and the warranty and increasing the amount per ticket charged.
Or maybe they are just getting a recall addressed which has to be done by the dealer for it to be done under warranty. They all do.

They are leased so I would think just about everything would be covered.

 

[mkt]

What does it mean???

With the current shortage of vehicles globally and the increased values on all used cars - including insane levels of equity on lease returns - I'm surprised that Disney hasn't just turned these in for resale.

 

[JoeCamel]

They are leased so I would think just about everything would be covered.

I would think so but some leases say you must do x work to maintain the buyback value but don't say where. All depends on what the lawyers worked out but I would have liked to had the commission on setting it up.

 

[zulemara]

If they were gone for good, I don't think they would have extended the leases on over half of them just to have them sitting around.

Bartops in Motion were being replaced as they announced the closure of pleasure island. The right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing. Didn’t in 2008 and still don’t

 

[lewisc]

With the current shortage of vehicles globally and the increased values on all used cars - including insane levels of equity on lease returns - I'm surprised that Disney hasn't just turned these in for resale.

Or buy out the lease and sell them as is. How much do you think Disney could get for a Minnie themed vehicle?

 

[mitchk]

I must say I did enjoy the mini van service because they would drop you off right at the very front of whatever park you were visiting but they were overpriced I can get a lyft from almost anywhere on property to any park for an average of about nine dollars… that’s what I do every trip ..plus I can get them to stop at the gas station so I can get drinks and anything else I might need..

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Or buy out the lease and sell them as is. How much do you think Disney could get for a Minnie themed vehicle?

Hopefully $0…because how ridiculous would it be to drive that around??

but seriously…they’d have to take the skins off before they’d sell them anyway. Some fool would immediately use it for some business and do copyright infringement

 

[TikibirdLand]

Hopefully $0…because how ridiculous would it be to drive that around??

but seriously…they’d have to take the skins off before they’d sell them anyway. Some fool would immediately use it for some business and do copyright infringement

There's a Chevy Suburban in my neighborhood with that same polka-dot wrap on it. I don't think it's being used commercially. But, we always notice it when the kids get out of school. I'm betting any kid that belongs to that family is totally embarrassed being picked up in that thing!

 

[mkt]

Or buy out the lease and sell them as is. How much do you think Disney could get for a Minnie themed vehicle?

They're wraps, and Disney has the internal resources to return them to factory condition.

They'd easily be able to sell them for new MSRP to local dealers.

 

[TikibirdLand]

They're wraps, and Disney has the internal resources to return them to factory condition.

They'd easily be able to sell them for new MSRP to local dealers.

Used vehicle prices are RIDICULOUS! And, that's if you can find one. I'm guessing these are 2019 models and well-maintained, since they're under lease. You're right; they may well bring 2019 MSRP or better in this market!

 

[Disstevefan1]

If they were gone for good, I don't think they would have extended the leases on over half of them just to have them sitting around.

WDW needs vehicles for all types of things. They just remove the wrap and use the vehicle elsewhere.
If they come back great! Folks will pay.
I wonder how much of price increase we will see if/when they relaunch?