Walt Disney World has a language all on its own. In order to make sure you are prepared for your Disney vacation, you will want to learn and be aware of the Disney lingo. These phrases and sayings are ones that you will hear throughout your Disney planning and Disney trip.
Let’s hop into the fun phrases of Walt Disney World that you absolutely will want to know.
On Property
The first phrase that you need to be aware of as begin planning your Walt Disney World vacation is on property. When you hear people refer to Resorts, restaurants, and experiences that can be found “on-property” this is referring to those that are within the Disney bubble.
On property is the 43 square miles of land that makes up Walt Disney World Resort Property. As you determine where you want to be during your Disney vacation, begin aware of where things are located is key.
Off-Property
If experiences aren’t on property, then they are found off property. As you can imagine, there are numerous experiences, Resorts, and restaurants located outside of the Disney bubble.
When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you can save some money by choosing things off property, Make sure you look into the location and reviews to make sure that you are getting something safe and secure.
Park Pass Reservations
Guests visiting Walt Disney World now need to have both a Disney Park ticket (admission) as well as a Park Pass Reservation.
In order to enter one of the four main Disney Parks (EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom), Guests need to go into their My Disney Experience account and choose a specific Disney Park for each day of their ticket.
Guests need to have both in order to enter a Disney Park.
Park Hopper
Another feature Guests can choose to add to their Park Ticket is the Park Hopper option
By paying for this feature, Guests are then given the ability to hop (move between) the four Disney Parks after 2 pm.
Having this option can be a great way to move between the Parks on the same day.
When referring to Disney Resorts there are three different categories to choose from. Value, Moderate, and Deluxe give Guests a variety of options for their Disney Resort.
Each level of Resort has both different price points as well as amenities. As you move up in categories you will have more amenities but the cost will be more as well.
Check out our post here to help break down these Disney Resort categories.
My Disney Experience
My Disney Experience is the app for Walt Disney World. This is extremely important for Guests to have downloaded and ready to go prior to their vacation.
Prior to leaving for Walt Disney World, Guests are going to want to make sure they have the app downloaded and that they are signed in.
Taking time to navigate the app can be extremely helpful as well. We have a lot of different posts on How to Disney to help with this process.
Make sure you know how to find wait times as well as navigate mobile ordering. These are just two of the features found in My Disney Experience.
Disney Genie
A new addition to My Disney Experience is Disney Genie. This is the free planning feature in the app.
Guests are able to select their preferences and then as they travel the Park Disney Genie will give them suggestions and tips.
This can be a great option for those that don’t want to plan out their trip ahead of time. Disney Genie can help Guest navigate the Parks as they enjoy the magic.
Genie+
An additional part of Disney Genie is Genie+ . This feature is an additional $15 per person per day. By adding Genie+, Guests have the opportunity throughout their Park day to skip the standby lines to a variety of attractions.
There is a lot that goes into Genie+ so make sure you take time to check out all our tips, tricks, and suggestions on How to Disney.
Individual Lightning Lanes/Individual Attraction Selections
In each Disney Park, there are a few rides that aren’t included in the purchase of Genie+. In order to skip the lines with these rides, Guests need to pay for Individual Lightning Lanes/Individual Attraction Selections.
These rides can be purchased al-a-carte each day. Currently, there is one ride in each of the four Parks included.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
- Rise of the Resistance (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
- Avatar: Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Lightning Lanes
When Guests book both Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, they use what Disney calls Liignting Lanes. These are the physical queues that Guests will use to access the attraction.
There are big signs that help Guests navigate where to enter. Look for Cast Members to help.
Boarding Group and Virtual Queue
One ride in Walt Disney World currently has the option of joining a virtual queue. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT is offering Guests the chance to grab a boarding group at both 7 am and 1 pm.
By getting a boarding group at one of these select times, Guests can then enjoy the rest of the Park as they are in the virtual queue.
Once it is their time to return, Guests will receive a push notification letting them know that they can head to enjoy the ride.
MagicBands
MagicBands are the watch-like band that Guests can choose to use throughout Walt Disney World. These bands connect to different touchpoints throughout the Walt Disney World Property.
Guests can choose to use them as a way to get into the Parks, Resort room, and Lightning Lanes if they want to. MagicBands are also a way to charge back to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel throughout your stay.
ADR
ADR stands for advance dining reservations. These are when Guests go onto the My Disney Experience app and make reservations for one of Disney’s restaurants.
Guests can start making ADRs 60 days prior to their Walt Disney World vacation start date.
Table Service
When making ADRs, Guests are doing those at Disney’s table service dining locations. These meals are ones where Guests are waited on by Disney Cast Members throughout their meal.
Quick Service
If Guests aren’t wanting to have a table service meal, they can choose to have a meal at one of Disney’s many quick-service locations.
At least locations, Guests place an order either through My Disney Experience or with a Cast Member and pick up the order on their own. These are great options for those that prefer to be on the move.
Mobile Order
Mobile order refers to how Guests can order food through the My Disney Experience app. Through the app, Guests can select a quick service location, pick an available time, and then let Cast Members know when they are ready to pick it up by selecting the “Prepare My Order” option.
Once their order is ready, Guests are given a push notification letting them know which window and area to head to in order to receive their food.
Mobile ordering is a fantastic way to avoid long lines when it comes to getting food in the Parks and around the Resorts.
Rope Drop
Back in the day, Cast Members would use an actual rope to hold back crowds prior to Park opening. Guests were then slowly walked down Main Street, U.S.A., and allowed to head to their first attractions.
This is where the term rope drop originated from. It refers to the official opening of the Park. For those that want to be at the Park prior to the crowds, you will want to be ahead of the rope drop time.
Early Entry
Early entry is now offered at all four Parks each morning. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort as well as other select Resorts are able to get into any of the four main Theme Parks thirty minutes prior to a posted opening.
This is a great bonus for Guests as they can really take advantage of getting into the Park with low crowds and get ahead of the regular Guests.
Extended Evening Hours
Guests staying at a deluxe Disney Resort, can take advantage of the extended evening hours. These are offered twice a week at EPCOT and then Magic Kingdom. The Park stays open a few hours past closing.
This is a wonderful way to see EPCOT and Magic Kingdom with low crowds, under the stars.
There is a lot that goes into planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Knowing these key phrases as you plan and head down will make your vacation even more magical. We hope it helps you out!
