Disney Lingo, The Language of Disney: A Glossary of Common Words, Phrases and Definitions

4-D

A 3-D show with the added dimension of touch, smell effects. Typically, they are surprise embellishments designed to enhance the experience.

Advance Dining Reservations (ADR)

Table service dining reservation, which can be made up to 180 days before the start of a visit.

Attraction

Disney’s term for any ride, show, or other park entertainment.

Backstage

The area behind the scenes in any Disney park.

Cast Member

Disney employees are called Cast Members.

Character Dining

The term means any restaurant where Disney characters are present during your meal. They may walk from table-to-table to greet guests or may be located in an area where guests go to meet them. They are happy to sign autographs and take photos.

Child Swap

Also called “Rider Switch.” This service allows a person to go on a ride while another person stays to supervise a non-rider (typically a child). Then the person who waited gets to ride while the other person supervises, without having to wait in line again. This service is not available at all attractions. Ask a cast-member to see if Rider Switch is offered.

Dark ride

Refers to any ride that takes place indoors where guests ride a vehicle, typically through a series of scenes in various rooms. It does not specifically mean the ride is dark or scary.

Dining Plan (also called Disney Dining Plan or DDP)

Disney offers a dining plan which allows guests to prepay for a certain number of meals during their stay. There are several different plans offered.

Disney Vacation Club  (DVC)

Disney’s time-share program. Many deluxe Disney World resorts have DVC sections and designated units.

Extra Magic Hours (EMH)

Extended operating hours exclusively for Disney resort guests. On most days, one theme park will open early or stay open later than usual. Extra Magic Hours is a free perk for staying at a Disney hotel.

Guest

Disney visitors are always referred to as Guests.

Imagineer

Imagineers are the designers of everything in the theme parks. Imagineering is the arm of the Disney Company responsible for the design and construction of their theme parks.

Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lanes are the express lines which are available at certain rides and attractions. Access Lightning Lanes is a paid upgrade .

Magic Bands

Magic Bands are a wearable device about the size of an Apple Watch.

If you are a Disney resort guest, your hotel reservation is linked to your Magic Band as well as your tickets.

Your Magic Band is also your room key and is linked to your account so you can charge goods and services to your hotel account. If you’re on the Dining Plan, you also use your Magic Band to check out anytime to purchase food.

Magical Day

Every day should be magical in the “Happiest Place on Earth”. The common greeting throughout Disney is “Have a magical day!”

Magical Enhancement

Typically refers to work being performed behind the scenes to make improvements.

Memory Maker (MM)

Memory Maker gives you unlimited downloads of your photo pass photos.

Monorail

The monorail is Disney’s original transportation system that connects the Magic Kingdom resort to the Contemporary Hotel, the Polynesian Hotel in the Grand Floridian Hotel. You can also transfer to a different monorail to go to Epcot.

My Disney Experience (MDE or MDX)

My Disney Experience is a portal where you can organize all the details of your Disney vacation. You will be able to view all your vacation plans in one place including your hotel and dining reservations, as well as view park hours and attraction wait times.

My Disney Experience is available as a website and as an app (for Android and Apple OS).

Dining and other reservations are made using your My Disney Experience account.

This is a free account that all guests should sign up for it.

On-Property

On-property, or on-site, is anything within the 47 square miles of property owned by Disney.

Off-Property

Off-property, or off-site, means everything outside the boundaries of Disney owned property.

Park Hopper (PH)

A Park Hopper is a type of ticket that allows you to visit more than one park on the same day.

Park Hopper Plus (PHP)

The park hopper plus is the same as a park hopper but it also allows you to go to Water Parks and play miniature golf.

Pixie Dust

A special moment or unexpected extra.

PhotoPass (PP)

Disney photographers are available throughout the parks to take pictures of you and your family. Some photos may include magical enhancements—unexpected or surprise images and effects. You can view your photos in your My Disney Experience account.

Queue

The waiting line for an attraction.  Some queues feature interactive elements to entertain guests while they wait in line.

Quick Service Meal (QS)

A quick service meal is a type of dining where you place your order at a register, then take your food to your table to enjoy.

Rope Drop

Rope drop means to arrive at a park early and be there when they drop the rope to let guests into the park.

Standby line

The standard queue for guests without Lightning Lane access.

Skyliner

The Skyliner is Disney’s newest transportation system. It is a gondola car that goes to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from select resort locations. Each car holds a maximum of 10 guests.

Table Service Meal (TS)

A table service meal refers to a full-service, sit-down restaurant where you are served by a waiter or waitress. Buffets are included in tables service meals.

Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC)

The central transportation hub for Disney World as well as the parking lot location for the Magic Kingdom Park. It includes Uber/Lyft and bus pick up/drop off as well as a monorail stop.