Disney Speak

Rope Drop

Disney-speak for arriving at a theme park before it officially opens so you're ready to head to popular attractions as soon as guests are allowed in. One of the best ways to experience more attractions with shorter waits.

Early Theme Park Entry

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can enter the theme parks 30 minutes before the official opening time each day. It can be especially valuable for knocking out a popular attraction early.

Park Hopper

A ticket add-on that allows you to visit more than one theme park on the same day. Without Park Hopper, your ticket is generally for one theme park per day.

Lightning Lane

Disney's paid system for accessing shorter queues at participating attractions. There are multiple Lightning Lane options, and which one makes sense depends on your park day, priorities and budget.

Standby Queue

The regular line for an attraction. If you aren't entering through Lightning Lane or another special queue, this is usually where you'll go.

Quick Service

Disney's version of fast-casual dining. Order at a counter or through the My Disney Experience app, pick up your food and find a table. No traditional dining reservation required at most locations.

Table Service

A traditional sit-down restaurant with a server. Reservations are strongly recommended for many popular restaurants and can currently be made beginning 60 days in advance.

Character Dining

A sit-down or buffet-style meal where Disney characters visit guests while they eat. It's a great way to meet several characters without waiting in separate park lines.

Mobile Order

Order and pay for food from participating Quick-Service restaurants through the My Disney Experience app, then pick it up during your selected arrival window.

My Disney Experience (MDE)

The Disney World app you'll use throughout your vacation for park maps, wait times, dining reservations, mobile ordering, Lightning Lane, hotel information and your daily plans.

MagicBand

A wearable Disney accessory that can be linked to your account and used for things like entering the parks, tapping into Lightning Lane entrances and opening your Disney Resort hotel room. They're convenient, but you don't need one to visit Disney World.

Magic Kingdom / MK

The park with Cinderella Castle. When someone says they're "going to Disney World" and pictures the castle, this is probably what they're thinking of.

EPCOT

One of Disney World's four theme parks, known for World Showcase, festivals, food and attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.

Hollywood Studios / DHS

Home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, Tower of Terror and other movie-inspired attractions.

Animal Kingdom / DAK

Disney's animal- and nature-themed park, home to Pandora, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest.

Disney Springs

A large shopping, dining and entertainment district at Walt Disney World. No park ticket is required.

ADR (Advance Dining Reservation)

Disney-fan shorthand for a restaurant reservation. You'll see this acronym frequently online, although Disney now generally just calls them dining reservations.

Enchanting Extras

Optional experiences you can book in addition to your regular park plans, such as certain tours, makeovers and special activities.

Memory Maker

A Disney PhotoPass product that gives you digital downloads of eligible photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers and participating attraction cameras during your vacation.

Park Day

Simply a day you're planning to visit one of the four theme parks.

Resort Day / Rest Day

A day with no theme park planned. Sleep in, enjoy your hotel pool, visit Disney Springs or explore other resorts. For longer trips, I'm a big fan of building one in.