Ultimate Guide to Disney Vocabulary: Terms Every Disney World and Disneyland Fan Should Know
Disney Terms and Definitions
Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR):
This term refers to booking your dining spots in advance at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. All table service restaurants require reservations; walk-ins are not typically accepted, though a few locations may have waitlist options available.
Booking Window:
If you're planning to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland, mark your calendar! Your advanced dining reservation window opens 60 days before your trip, starting at 6 AM EST or Enchanted Extras are at 12 am. Your Lighting Lane booking window is 3 or 7 days prior to your vacation.
Attraction:
An attraction encompasses rides, shows, and any entertainment available at the theme parks.
Backstage:
These are the behind-the-scenes areas of the Disney Parks. If you participate in special tours, you might get a sneak peek backstage!
Cast Member:
This is the term for a Disney employee.
Character Dining:
This unique dining experience allows you to enjoy your meal in the company of beloved Disney characters. They’ll visit your table for photos, autographs, and plenty of fun!
Disney Dining Plan:
A prepaid dining package offering various plans to cater to your family's needs. You can only purchase a Disney Dining Plan when you buy a vacation package that includes both resort accommodations and park tickets.
Disney Genie:
This complimentary service in the My Disney Experience app helps you plan your day based on your favorite attractions and interests.
Disney Vacation Club:
Disney's version of a timeshare, where members purchase points for resort stays.
Enchanting Extras:
These are additional paid experiences available in the parks or resorts, such as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, haircuts at Harmony Barber Shop, lightsaber building, and fireworks dessert parties.
Extended Evening Houts:
A special perk for guests staying at Disney Deluxe resorts, allowing them extra time in the parks either before opening or after closing.
Genie+:
This was the old Lightning Lane system that operated from 2021-2024, now replaced by the Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Hidden Mickey:
These are Mickey Mouse designs cleverly hidden throughout the Disney parks and resorts.
Imagineer:
The creative geniuses behind Disney's magic, including the design and development of resorts, theme parks, attractions, and cruise ships.
Lightning Lane:
A special queue that allows you to bypass the standby line at attractions. You’ll need to purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to book this option.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass:
A paid service enabling you to skip the line at select attractions by reserving a Lightning Lane time through the My Disney Experience app.
Lightning Lane Single Pass:
An “a la carte” option allowing you to purchase a Lightning Lane for specific attractions.
Here are the blogs to our Lighting Lane Series
How to Use My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World
What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?
How to book Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass
How to Maximize Your Disney Day with Lightning Lane: Best Tips and Tricks
Lightning Lane Strategy for Magic Kingdom Park
Kid-Approved: The Ultimate Guide to Kid-Friendly Rides at Magic Kingdom
MagicBand/MagicBand+:
These RFID bracelets link to your My Disney Experience plans, letting you easily access the parks, Lightning Lane, your hotel room, and even charge expenses if you’ve set it up.
Memory Maker:
This photo package allows you to capture all your vacation memories through photos taken by Disney's photographers.
Minnie Van:
A ride service through Lyft, driven by Disney Cast Members at Walt Disney World Resort. Book through the My Disney Experience app; each Minnie Van accommodates up to six guests and can include two car seats.
Mobile Ordering:
This feature in the My Disney Experience app allows you to pre-order and pay for your food at select quick-service and table-service restaurants.
Monorail:
Disney’s unique transportation system consisting of a single rail. It connects Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and several resorts, making it a convenient way to travel.
Mousekeeping:
The housekeeping service at Disney's resort hotels.
My Disney Experience:
An all-in-one online portal and app packed with Disney World planning tools. You can manage resort and dining reservations, park tickets, Lightning Lane Multi Passes, park hours, attraction wait times, and character meet-and-greet locations.
Park Hopping:
This term means visiting multiple Disney theme parks in a single day. To enjoy this option, you’ll need to add a park hopper option to your theme park ticket.
PhotoPass:
This service allows Disney photographers to capture memorable moments of your family throughout the parks and resorts.
Pixie Dust:
Those magical, unexpected moments you might experience at Disney, like room upgrades or special character interactions. Getting “pixie dusted” can add a little extra magic to your trip!
Quick Service:
These are dining locations where reservations aren't needed. Meals are served quickly, and you’ll find seating on your own, with trash disposal at the end.
Rider Switch:
A handy service that allows everyone in your party to experience attractions, even if some can’t or don’t want to ride alone. The first group waits in the standby line while others explore the park, and then the second group can use the Lightning Lane for a quicker return.
Rope Drop:
This term refers to arriving at the park right at or before it opens.
Skyliner:
Disney's gondola transportation system. At Walt Disney World, it connects Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and several resorts.
Standby Line:
The regular queue for attractions at Disney parks.
Table Service:
These restaurants offer sit-down meals, including family-style dining, traditional table service, and buffets. All character dining falls into this category.
Transportation and Ticket Center:
The central hub for Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Here, you’ll find parking, Monorail and Ferry services to the park, and a ticket center for purchasing theme park tickets.
Virtual Queue:
This service allows you to join the queue for select attractions via the app, waiting for your “boarding group” to be called. Once called, you have one hour to return.
Disney Abbreviations
We can't forget the Disney abbreviations that make planning a trip even easier! Here’s a handy reference:
ADR: Advanced Dining Reservation
AH: After Hours
AK: Animal Kingdom
AKL: Animal Kingdom Lodge
AOA: Art of Animation
AP: Annual Pass
BB: Blizzard Beach
BBB: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
BC: Beach Club
BCV: Beach Club Villas
BG: Boarding Group
BLT: Bay Lake Tower
BOG: Be Our Guest
BRV: Boulder Ridge Villas
BTMR: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
BWI: Boardwalk Inn
BWV: Boardwalk Villas
CBR: Caribbean Beach Resort
CM: Cast Member
CR: Contemporary Resort
CRT: Cinderella’s Royal Table
CSR: Coronado Springs Resort
DAS: Disability Access Service
DCA: Disney California Adventure
DCL: Disney Cruise Line
DDP: Disney Dining Plan
DL: Disneyland
DLR: Disneyland Resort
DS: Disney Springs
DVC: Disney Vacation Club
EEH: Extended Evening Hours
EMH: Extra Magic Hours
FOP: Flight of Passage
EP: Epcot
EPCOT: Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
FW: Fort Wilderness
GF: Grand Floridian
GFV: Grand Floridian Villas
GoTG: Guardians of the Galaxy
HEA: Happily Ever After
HS: Hollywood Studios
LL: Lightning Lane
LLMP: Lightning Lane Multi Pass
LLSP: Lightning Lane Single Pass
MCO: Orlando International Airport
MDE: My Disney Experience
MK: Magic Kingdom
MMRR: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
MNSSHP: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
MVMCP: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
This glossary aims to make your Disney experience smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned park-goer, these terms will help you navigate the magic of Disney!
