“I am going to park at the TTC for Rope Drop at MK and then watch fireworks from the Hub tonight.”
For Disney aficionados, this statement makes complete sense. But, for others who aren’t entirely sure how Walt Disney World operates, you may find yourself seriously confused.
There’s a lot to remember when visiting WDW, including specific terms. If you’re not an avid visitor to the most magical place on earth, then there are a few Disney acronyms, abbreviations, and other lingo you should know.
The following are just a sampling of the words and phrases you should add to your Disney vocabulary.
Alphabetical List of Disney Acronyms and Terms
Looking for an alphabetical list? Check out the table below!
General Terms
VQ (Virtual Queue) and BG (Boarding Groups)
New attractions, or attractions that are super popular, often (at least temporarily) utilize a Virtual Queue system. Once you’ve joined a Virtual Queue, you are assigned a Boarding Group with an estimated return time.
Currently, only Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind offers a Virtual Queue.
G+, LL, and ILL
Now that FastPasses are officially gone, there are some new terms to learn:
Genie+ (G+) is the new version of FastPass. But, unlike its predecessor, it costs extra.
Most attractions have at least 2 lines: Standby and Lightning Lane. Lightning Lane (LL) is the new name for the FastPass line. It is typically shorter than the Standby line.
Individual Lightning Lane Selections are pay-to-ride attractions that are not a part of the Genie+ system. They typically cost anywhere between $9-$15 per person, per ride.
TTC (Transportation & Ticket Center)
The TTC is the Transportation and Ticket Center at Walt Disney World and is essentially the transportation hub.
This is also where you park if you drive to Magic Kingdom, and it’s the only place you can board or transfer to the Epcot monorail line.
The TTC is also the official drop-off spot for anyone taking a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Magic Kingdom. Guests can even purchase tickets here and hop on the ferry to Magic Kingdom.
ADR (Advance Dining Reservation)
For most Table Service restaurants at WDW, you have to make an Advance Dining Reservation or ADR. Right now, reservations open up exactly 60 days in advance, instead of the previous 180 days.
Learn more about booking reservations, especially difficult ones, with our handy dining guide.
CM (Cast Member)
If you hear someone say, “Ask a CM,” they’re referring to a Cast Member. Cast Members are the employees who work at WDW. They can assist you with pretty much anything and are great at their jobs.
EP (Epcot)
Even though Epcot has the shortest name of any of the parks, it is still frequently abbreviated as “EP.”
DHS (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
This is simply the abbreviation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
DAK (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Like Hollywood Studios, if you ever hear some say “DAK,” they mean Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
MK (Magic Kingdom)
And, yes, “MK” stands for Magic Kingdom.
BB (Blizzard Beach)
One of Disney’s 2 Water parks, Blizzard Beach, is the one with all the (fake) snow.
TL (Typhoon Lagoon)
Typhoon Lagoon is the Disney water park that looks like a tropical paradise.
MDE or MDX (My Disney Experience)
The My Disney Experience (MDE) app is a huge part of the WDW vacation process. Before your trip, you must download the app.
It’s essentially your lifeline while exploring the parks. From checking attraction wait times, to Mobile Ordering, to browsing park hours, MDE is a necessity.
DAS (Disability Access Service)
Disability Access Service, or DAS, is a system put in place across WDW to help guests with disabilities access attraction queues.
Typically, the tool can be used along with FastPass+, which currently isn’t being offered at the theme parks. But, DAS is still available for guests who need it.
Check out our guide to DAS for information on how it works.
Rider Switch
Rider Switch is a great system for families. Essentially, Rider Switch allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides while the other person/people waits with the child.
Then, the switch happens, so the other individual(s) have a chance to ride, and the person who already rode will wait with the child.
Single Rider
Single Rider is pretty self-explanatory, but there are select attractions at WDW theme parks with a Single Rider line.
Rather than waiting in the standard queue, you can hop in the Single Rider Line, which can, depending, sometimes moves faster than the traditional line.
Rope Drop (RD)
First, Rope Drop is not when people are allowed inside the park, because more often than not, guests are granted access to the parks before official opening time.
However, Rope Drop means the time guests are allowed to board attractions. If you want to get on a popular attraction, like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and beat the crowds, you’ll want to Rope Drop said ride.
Park Hopper Option (PH)
The Park Hopper Option, also referred to as park hopping, is when WDW theme park visitors are allowed to hop from theme park to theme park. It’s nice to have the option of experience more than one park in a day.
But, keep in mind that park hopping has changed as of Jan. 1, 2021. You now have to make a park reservation via the Disney Park Pass System and enter that park before visiting another park. And, there are even Park Hopper Hours to follow.
Disney Park Pass System
As previously mentioned, this system is where guests make park reservations. You now need both valid theme park admission and a park reservation in order to enter a WDW theme park due to health and safety reasons.
Take note: The Disney Park Pass System has been extended through January 2022.
MagicBands
MagicBands are bands that you wear around your wrist and can be used to unlock your Disney Resort hotel room, scanned when entering theme parks, used to pay for food and retail items, and so much more.
That said, although the plain colored MagicBands used to be free for resort guests, even the most basic ones cost $5 now.
And, coming soon, MagicBand+ will hit the shelves and provide guests with even more ways to interact with the parks and nighttime shows.
You can still reuse an existing MagicBand or purchase one at retail locations and on shopDisney.com. If you choose not to use a MagicBand, the Front Desk can give you a Key to the World card.
PhotoPass
PhotoPass is the photo service available at WDW. There are Disney photographers stationed around the park that will take your photo in front of park icons and more.
PhotoPass is free and extremely easy to use, but you must purchase digital downloads or prints if you want to keep your photos.
Learn more about PhotoPass and purchasing prints.
The Hub
The Hub can be found inside Magic Kingdom. It is the main area in front of Cinderella Castle.
There are different areas to relax and enjoy the castle views, especially the grassy hub areas that are perfect for taking a break, eating a snack, or sipping on some Joffrey’s or Starbucks.
AP (Annual Pass or Annual Passholder)
AP simply means Annual Pass or Annual Passholder.
This acronym pops up a lot when people discuss discounts, as in “I got a great deal at the Poly with my AP discount.”.
TS (Table Service Restaurant) & QS or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant)
Restaurants at Walt Disney World are typically divided into 2 categories: Quick Service and Table Service.
Quick Service restaurants are ones where you typically order at a window or kiosk, pick up your own food, and seat yourself.
Table Service restaurants are ones where you are seated at a table and a waiter or waitress serves you.
WDW (Walt Disney World), DLR (Disneyland Resort), DCL (Disney Cruise Line) & ABD (Adventures By Disney)
WDW and DLR are pretty self-explanatory, but if you find yourself around the Disney spaces very much, you’ll also likely see people talking about ABD and DCL, too.
ABD is the acronym for “Adventures by Disney,” which is Disney’s guided group vacation company, and DCL stands for Disney Cruise Line.
ETPE (Early Theme Park Entry) & EEH or EETPH (Extended Evening Hours)
Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) has replaced morning Extra Magic Hours (EMH) for all onsite guests. It allows anybody staying onsite to enter ANY of the theme parks 30 minutes before official park opening.
Extended Evening Hours (EEH), on the other hand, are only a couple of days a week, and are ONLY for guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts.
Resorts, Restaurants, & Attractions
Resorts
We have always found the resort acronyms and abbreviations to be some of the easiest to learn:
- AKL – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- AKV – Animal Kingdom Villas
- AoA – Art of Animation
- ASMo – All-Star Movies
- ASMu – All-Star Music
- ASSp – All-Star Sports
- BC – Beach Club
- BCV – Beach Club Villas
- BLT – Bay Lake Tower
- BW or BWI – Boardwalk Inn
- BWV – Boardwalk Villas
- CBR – Caribbean Beach Resort
- CSR – Coronado Springs Resort
- CR – Contemporary Resort
- FW – Fort Wilderness
- GF – Grand Floridian
- GFV – Grand Floridian Villas
- OKW – Old Key West
- POFQ – Port Orleans – French Quarter
- POLY – Polynesian Village Resort
- POP – Pop Century
- POR – Port Orleans – Riverside
- PVB – Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- RR – Riviera Resort
- SSR – Saratoga Springs Resort
- WL – Wilderness Lodge
- YC – Yacht Club
Now that you’ve mastered all of those, hold on to your hat because the truth is that nearly every attraction and many restaurants are also commonly known by acronyms and abbreviations in the Disney community.
Restaurants
Not a complete list, but here are some of the most common restaurants represented by acronyms:
- B&C – Beaches and Cream
- BOG – Be Our Guest
- CG – California Grill
- CM – Chef Mickey’s
- CRT – Cinderella’s Royal Table
- LTT – Liberty Tree Tavern
- V&A – Victoria & Alberts
Attractions
Again, not a complete list, but here are some of the most frequent abbreviations and acronyms you’re likely to see:
- 7DMT or SDMT – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- BTM or BTMR or BTMRR – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- CBJ – Country Bear Jamboree
- CoP – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- EE – Expedition Everest
- FEA – Frozen Ever After
- FoP – Avatar Flight of Passage
- GotG or GotGCR – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- HM – The Haunted Mansion
- HoP – The Hall of Presidents
- IASW – “it’s a small world”
- JC – Jungle Cruise
- MMRR – Mickey 7 Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- PotC or PoC – Pirates of the Caribbean
- RnR or RnRC – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- RotR – Rise of the Resistance
- SDD – Slinky Dog Dash
- SM – Splash Mountain or Space Mountain
- SSE or SE – Spaceship Earth
- ToT – “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror”
- TSM or TSMM– Toy Story Mania
- TT – Test Track
- TTA – Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
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Again, these are only just a few of the Disney acronyms and lingo to keep in mind. If you need more help when it comes to planning a WDW vacation, be sure to check out our trip planner and our Crowd Calendar, which can assist you with park hours and tips on the best times to visit.
And if you need any help when it comes to booking a WDW trip, Small World Vacations is a great resource.