Walt Disney World Cheat Sheet – A Guide to Lingo and Basic Info

When traveling to a foreign country, it is not unusual for travelers to buy some type of translation dictionary, whether a book or an App. Beginners who are traveling to Disney World for the first time are confronted with a number of words and acronyms that, at times, may seem like a foreign language. Here is a list of words and basic info explained so you’ll sound like a Disney World veteran.

Admission, Pass, Ticket

• All theme and water parks require you to purchase an admission medium of some sort.

Attraction

• Any individual ride, show or exhibit.

Baby Care Centers

• Baby Care Centers provide a convenient place to feed, change, and nurse young ones and are located within all 4 theme parks.

Cast Member

• A Disney employee. They wear white name tags with their names, no matter what their position.

Counter Service or Quick Service Meals

• Counter service, or Quick-Service meals, are meals where you line up and order from the counter. Think fast-food restaurant.

Disability Access Service

• This service allows guests with disabilities, as well as a certain number of people for his or her party, to schedule a return time to a specific attraction that is comparable to the wait time when they first arrive at the attraction. Guests may then skip the normal line and use the exit ramp or special entrance for those with disabilities. If this is needed by someone in your party, you’ll need to register before your trip. Click here to learn more.

Disney Genie

• Disney Genie is a digital planning service that is available to guests within the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. Disney Genie is complimentary and is designed to give guests more “flexibility” and give guests tools to “help you make the most of your visit.” Tools include giving guests customized itineraries and suggestions based on interests and top picks. Other features include forecasted wait times, an experience tip board, and a dining tip board, and guests can ask the app questions to get information.

ECV

• Electric Convenience Vehicle that helps guests with mobility challenges. You’ll see an increasing number of these vehicles at Disney World. Available to rent.

First Aid

• If you are feeling ill or require medical assistance, all four theme parks and both water parks have First Aid centers. Offsite Urgent Care centers are also an option.

Guest Relations

• At Guest Relations locations, located in all four theme parks and Disney Springs, you’ll find theme park information, be able to make reservations and get help with anything Disney-related.

Guide Maps

• Free maps of the parks are available at every park. They also make great souvenirs. Grab extras to save each trip so you can look back and see how the parks have changed over the years.

Land

• An area of a park that is organized around a certain theme.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass

• The biggest benefit of Lightning Lane Multi Pass is access to Lightning Lane on select attractions, allowing guests to save time by skipping the standby line. Please note that not all attractions are available for this service. Other benefits of Lightning Lane Multi Pass include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

Lightning Lane Single Pass

• The second option to skip the line is to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for individual attractions. These are a select group of top attractions at each park that are NOT included with your Multi Pass purchase. They must be purchased separately, and pricing ranges from $7-$25 per attraction, per person.

Locker Rentals

• Lockers throughout Disney World are available to rent so you can store your personal items.

Lost & Found

• Disney has a pretty sophisticated Lost & Found recovery system. Locating an item depends on where you lost it. Contact Guest Relations to receive the appropriate assistance.

Magic Bands

• Very stylish and colorful wristbands are available for purchase. The bands are used as your hotel key and for all room charges (for Disney Resort guests), park tickets, and Lightning Lane return times. Please note that using a Magic Band is a convenience and is not required for any of these services. A traditional plastic ticket may also be used.

Memory Maker

• Disney photographers are everywhere, snapping pictures of guests in front of attractions, at attractions, at Character meeting spots, etc. With a Memory Maker purchase, you’ll get unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the pictures taken during your stay. Advanced purchase of this package will give you a discount.

Monorail

• Type of Disney transportation with three separate lines. Travel from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to Epcot and TTC to Magic Kingdom, and travel between most resorts in the Magic Kingdom park area.

My Disney Experience

• A free online Disney service that allows you to make reservations (lodging, dining, and Disney Genie), plans, and view helpful information.

My Disney Experience Mobile App

• A very useful (and absolutely necessary) App for smartphones that allows you to have access to your My Disney Experience account. View your itinerary, make reservations, and find all sorts of useful information on the go.

Off-Property Resort

• A hotel or resort not on Disney property.

On-Property Resort

• A Disney resort on their property. You’ll receive extra benefits for being a Disney Resort Guest.

PhotoPass Service

• Disney provides plenty of photographers to capture all the magic during your vacation. The service is free and there is no obligation to purchase any pictures. See also Memory Maker.

Park

• Disney’s recreational destinations are called parks (theme or water), and all require admission. True story–when my children were young, we had to tell them we were going to a playground because if we said we were going to the park, they thought that meant going to Disney World!

Parking

• A parking fee is charged at all theme parks. Resort guests and annual pass holders do not have to pay for parking at the theme parks. Parking at water parks, Disney Springs parking, and golf courses are also free of charge. Disney Resorts no longer charges a parking fee for overnight guests.

Reservations or ADRs

• Advance dining reservations are highly recommended for table-service dining locations. Tours and special programs also require advanced reservations.

Queue

• A waiting area or line for an attraction or character greeting.

Re-Entry

• Re-entry is allowed into the park. Be sure to save your admission ticket or Magic Band.

Security

• Disney takes security very seriously for the safety of all guests. All bags will be scanned, and some will be searched before entering parks. Disney utilizes their own security force as well as the Orange County Police Department.

Service Animals

• Trained service animals are welcome in most locations through Disney World. Guests who use service animals must retain control of their animals at all times. Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride.

Service Animal Relief Areas

• While animals can use any open area, specific Relief Areas are available for service animals in all four parks as well as Disney Resorts.

Smoking

• Smoking is permitted only in clearly marked areas throughout Disney World. A fee of up to $500 will be charged to guests smoking in certain non-smoking areas.

Strollers & Wheelchairs

• Strollers (single and double) and wheelchairs are available to rent throughout the theme parks and Disney Springs.

Table Service

• Table Service meals are meals at a sit-down restaurant. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

Tax

• Sales tax around Disney World is 6.5%. However, part of the park is located in Osceola County, which has a 7% sales tax. Locations in Osceola County are the All-Stars Resorts, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Animal Kingdom Park, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. So, if you are purchasing at one of these resorts, you will pay a 7% sales tax. Lodging taxes are 12.5%.

TTC – Transportation and Ticket Center

• The parking location for the Magic Kingdom Park. You may also purchase park tickets at this location.