Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is easy until you bring in all the “lingo” and “jargon” that Disney uses to describe things. If we told you we were leaving the AKL heading to MK for the MNSSHP, would you know what we said? No worries if not!

After you read this article you will be well versed in how to talk Disney.

We’ve compiled a full list that will help you “Talk Disney like a PRO”

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MCO)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located in the heart of central Florida, with a name history that actually goes back to it’s life as an airport that was owned by the United States Air Force. Prior to 1974, the property was actually called “McCoy Air Force Base”, but it’s morphed into the name “Mickey’s Corporate Office”.

LET’S START OUT WITH DISNEY PARK ACRONYMS

DLR = Disneyland Resort
DLP = Disneyland Park
DCA = Disney California Adventure
DS = Disney Springs(WDW)
DTD = Downtown Disney (DLR)
WDW = Walt Disney World Resort
AK or DAK = Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DHS = Disney’s Hollywood Studios
EC = Epcot
MK = Magic Kingdom
BB = Blizzard Beach
TL = Typhoon Lagoon
DLRP or DLP = Disneyland Resort Paris
DCL = Disney Cruise Line
SHD = Shanghai Disneyland
TDL = Tokyo Disneyland
TDS = Tokyo Disney Sea
HKDL = Hong Kong Disneyland

DISNEY RESORT ACRONYMS

AKL /DAKL = Animal Kingdom Lodge
AOA = Art of Disney Animation Resort
AS = All Star Sports
ASM = All Star Movies
ASMu = All Star Music
BLT = Bay Lake Tower
Cont = Contemporary
CS = Coronado Springs
DLH = Disneyland Hotel
FW = Fort Wilderness Campground
FtW = Fort Wilderness
GC = Disney’s Grand Californian
GDT = Grand Destino Tower
GF = Grand Floridian
PFQ = Port Orleans French Quarter
Poly = Polynesian
POP = Pop Century
POR = Port Orleans Riverside
SS = Saratoga Springs
WL = Wilderness Lodge
Y&B = Yacht & Beach Club

DISNEY ATTRACTION ACRONYMS

BTM = Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
CoP = Carousel of Progress
EE = Expedition Everest
HM = Haunted Mansion
MNSSHP = Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
MVMCP = Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
PotC = Pirates of the Caribbean
RoR = Rise of the Resistance
RnRC = Rock’n Roller Coaster
SSE = Spaceship Earth
SM = Splash Mountain / Space Mountain
ST = Star Tours
ToT = Tower of Terror
TSM = Toy Story Mania
TTA = Tomorrowland Transit Authority

FUN DISNEY STUFF (TRIP PLANNING AND OTHERS)

AA = Audio Animatronics
ADR = Advanced Dining Reservations
AP = Annual Pass
CM = Cast Member
DVC = Disney Vacation Club
ECV = Electric Convenience Vehicle (motorized scooter)
HM = Hidden Mickey
TIW = Tables in Wonderland
TTC = Transportation and Ticket Center
WS = World Showcase

DISNEY EXPLANATIONS

• 101 = When an attraction is broken down or not operational for whatever reason
• Attraction = a theme park ride or show (ie Tower of Terror)
• Audio animatronics = realistic robotics that bring 3-D effect to an Attraction (ie Disco Yeti)
• Backstage = a park area not accessible to guests (signs are everywhere to let you know)
• Cast Member = a Disney theme park or resort employee
• Casting = official employment office (easier than the website)
• Costume = the uniform worn by a Cast Member (usually really un-flattering)
• Crew Member = Disney Cruise Line employee (great folks!)
• Dark Ride = a typically slow-moving attraction where you ride in a vehicle through show scenes. (Haunted Mansion, Peter Pans Flight)
• Disney Dining Plan = A meal plan that was in Walt Disney World. Various levels, with each level giving you a base number of points which turns into Quick Service or Table Service meals.
• Disney point = to point with index and middle finger together; in some cultures, it is rude to point with only one finger (Cast members learn it in Traditions)
• Disney Vacation Club (DVC) = Disney’s Vacation timeshare program, in which you buy points into a variety of properties, including Bay Lake Tower and The Polynesian Bungalows.
• Epcot = from EPCOT, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
• E-Ticket = the newest, best, most popular attraction; former system of ride coupons ranking rides A-E (A were least popular, E most popular)
• Fantasmic = lights, lasers, fireworks, and waterworks show at DHS
• Guest = visitor to Disney theme park or resort
• Imagineer = employee of Walt Disney Imagineering (formerly Walter Elias Disney, WED Enterprises); combination of imagine+engineer; scientists and artists who design the Attractions
• Innovention = innovation+invention (Disney term for how they do things)
• Mousekeeping = resort housekeeping/maid service (Be nice…tip well!)
• On stage = any area where a Cast Member might be seen by Guests (Literally…anywhere!)
• Philharmagic = philharmonic+magic 3-D film at MK (Best place to escape the torrential downpours of Florida)
• PhotoPass = barcoded card/web access to photos taken by Cast Member photographers (Connected to MyDisneyExperience)
• Plus-ing = constantly striving to improve a project even when it is considered complete
• Protein spill = term used by Cast Members to indicate someone has vomited
• Show = everything that encompasses an Attraction or park feature; all the effects & mood setters that combine to make it feel like you’re walking into that world
• Utilidors = utility+corridors The underground tunnels (or main floor) at the Magic Kingdom that provide access for maintenance, Cast Members, store-rooms, etc.
• VoluntEARS = The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Cast Members to contribute their time and expertise to charitable causes, like Make-a-Wish or Give Kids the World.
• Wienie = a visual Attraction or landmark that can be seen by Guests from far away; it is used to guide visitors through park, i.e. Cinderella Castle, Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth

Next time you want to impress your friends, drop some Disneyspeak. It’ll confirm what they’ve suspected all along: Yep, you’re a Disney addict!

Let’s be honest, though…your friends who can hang with you on speaking Disney…they’re good people!

These lists are hardly exhaustive, as they are changing all the time. We’ll add them as we stumble upon them!