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You are here: Home / Disney World / Glossary of Disney terms and lingo

Glossary of Disney terms and lingo

July 6, 2016 by Becky 16 Comments

Glossary of

You might not have realized it, but the world of Disney theme parks practically needs its own dictionary.Β  Talk to a Disney person and it’s almost like you’ve started talking another language.Β  I always try to be careful here on the blog not to use abbreviations too often, but I assume people know at least some of the basics.Β  When I work as a travel agent I also try to be mindful that people may not know what it all means so I try my best to explain everything.

However, a friend of mine recently came up with a “glossary” of Disney terms for another friend of ours who wasn’t as familiar with all of our lingo.Β  I thought it could be useful here for those just diving into the world of Disney theme parks!Β  If you’re in the beginning stages of planning a trip hopefully this will help you sort it all out.

Glossary of Disney terms - Disney in your Day

(Decoded: Walt Disney World, Shades of Green, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fastpass, Hoop-de-doo Revue).

Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) = When you book a table service meal ahead of time.Β  ADRs can be made 180 days before you travel and are recommended for many of the popular restaurants.

Cast Member(CM)= Disney employee

Counter Service (CS) =Β  Meals that you order at a counter, have handed to you, and then you find your own place to sit.

Dark ride = a usually slow moving attraction where you ride in a car and follow a track.Β  Most of the rooms are in the dark with various scenes lit up as you go along.

Disney Dining Plan (DDP) =Β a way to prepay for all meals at Disney. Β Includes 1 counterΒ service meal, 1 table service meal, and 1 snack per person per night.

Disney’s Magical Express (DME) = the bus that takes you to and from the Orlando airport for free if you’re staying at Disney resort hotel

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) =Β Disney’s timeshare

Extra Magic Hours (EMH) = extended hours when the parks are open beyond the “official” operating hours – can be in the morning or in the evening.Β  Only available to guests staying at an official Disney resort hotel.

FastPass (FP/FP+) = reserving a time on a ride so you don’t have to wait in the full line

MagicBand = the wristband that serves as your park ticket, hotel key, and credit card anywhere on property
Memory Maker =Β Β Purchasing memory maker gives you access to all of your photos taken by photopass photographers and on rides
Magic Shot = Β When a photopass photographer has you pose a certain way and then later a Disney character or something fun is edited into your photo with you.
My Disney Experience (MDE) =Β a website and app where you can plan the vacation, make fp’s and adr’sΒ The app also has realtime updates on wait times for each ride

On Property = anywhere in Disney World, including the hotels

Park hopping = visiting more than one of the 4 parks in one day

Photopass =Β Locations where Disney photographers will take your picture, usually outside of major “landmarks” or with characters.

Rope Drop = park opening. They used to have a physical rope across the path and at opening the cast members would drop it at the official time.

Single Rider Line =for rides that have people riding in pairs, they have a separate line for single riders who fill the “holes” when an odd-numbered party comes through.Β  Your party can all stand in the single rider line together, but you’ll be separated during the ride.Β  Usually (but not always) this is a MUCH quicker wait than standby.

Standby Line = the regular line for people who don’t have a FP for that ride

Table service (TS) =Β Β Like a regular restaurant where you’re seated and have a server.Β  Often requires an ADR.
Was this list helpful to you? Β Can you think of anything I forgot from my glossary of Disney terms?

Filed Under: Disney World, Trip Planning Tagged With: Disney terms, Disney World, glossary, hints and tips, trip planning

Comments

  1. Jenn @ Fairest Run of All says

    July 6, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Way to tease us with Shades of Green, Random Meme Lady!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 6, 2016 at 2:29 pm

      That was my first thought on seeing that too πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  2. Adriana Renee says

    July 6, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    I need to pass this around to my non-Disney loving friends because I use abbreviations so much lol

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 6, 2016 at 2:29 pm

      I know haha! It’s really hard for me to type out “Magic Kingdom” every time but I know not everyone will get it right away.

      Reply
  3. jessica--a monkey and his mama says

    July 6, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    I love this. i’m proud to say I knew all of these πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 6, 2016 at 2:29 pm

      Awesome! I’ve been playing around with the idea of creating a quiz of Disney abbreviations or terms to test how many people really know πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  4. Rachel Golden says

    July 6, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    I barely knew any of these! hahaha, I need to up my Disney term knowledge!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 6, 2016 at 2:28 pm

      Haha that’s okay, that’s why I’m here to help! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Laura says

    July 6, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    there is so much to know at Disney. SO much. It always amazes me when I’m staying On Property just how much there is to know that can benefit your stay!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 13, 2016 at 11:09 am

      There really is! I love staying on property so there are so many perks πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Shann Eva says

    July 6, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    Wow! I had no idea! It is like a different language. I’m pinning and saving this for when we eventually go, so I’ll be a pro!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 13, 2016 at 11:09 am

      I know! It can be so overwhelming for someone new to it.

      Reply
  7. Courtney Connolly says

    July 7, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    I loved this! I feel like i speak in a different language when I talk about Disney so this will be so helpful for my fiancΓ©!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 13, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Haha perfect – I know that feeling too πŸ˜‰ My husband has finally learned all the lingo I think!

      Reply
  8. Debbie Kolacki says

    July 9, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    Well, Daddy did say they speak a different language in Florida!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      July 13, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Yeah, but i don’t think this is what he had in mind!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I'm Becky!

I'm a huge Disney fan in my early 30's and always trying to find a way to put a little bit of Disney into everyday life. I live in Pennsylvania but travel to the theme parks several times a year - I'm an annual passholder at Disney World! In addition to Disney I love traveling, running, and theater.

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