Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
If you’re planning your first Walt Disney World trip, you might be wondering about all that Walt Disney World (WDW) jargon. Quick service, MDE, Genie+, Disney Vacation Club, ADR – what exactly does it all mean?
Even those of us who have been visiting the most magical place on Earth for decades occasionally have to brush up on our WDW lingo, because Disney is always introducing new technology and processes to make Guests’ experiences even better. Here are some key terms that you’ll want to know as you plan your Disney trip.
Cast Member
In “real life”, a cast member is, of course, a member of a theatre, tv, or movie production – a performer. At Walt Disney World, you should always feel like you’re at a top-notch performance, so all employees on the property are referred to as Cast Members (note the capitalization!) because they’re all part of one big, magical production.
The person who serves you lunch? Cast Member. Ride attendant on Tower of Terror? Cast Member. Janitor? Cast Member. Disney Princesses? Cast Members!
Backstage
At Walt Disney World, any area that is not open to Guests is a backstage area (again, note the use of the production analogy). How will you know? The backstage area will be well marked with signage – and Guests who ignore that signage and leave the show area, or on-stage area, will be asked to leave the property, so don’t be tempted!
You can purchase a ticket for a special backstage tour (Keys to the Kingdom, for example) that will grant you guided access to specific backstage areas if you’re itching to see these normally off-limit areas.
Hidden Mickey
Guests love looking for Hidden Mickeys throughout Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks, and even at your Disney Resort Hotel!
They’re exactly what they sound like: images of Mickey, hidden at the back of a fountain, or in the mosaic of a restaurant floor, or in a ride queue. They could be anywhere, any size, and made of any material! Let the search begin.
Genie+
Disney’s Genie+ replaces the former FastPass+ system at WDW. It allows Guests to pay a fee to skip the standby line at specific attractions, and you can purchase it in advance or the day of your visit.
There are some (very popular) attractions not covered under Genie+, so to access these without standing in line, Guests can buy an Individual Lightning Lane selection on a pay-per-ride basis.
The Mountains
Mountains, in Walt Disney World?? Well, yes – ride mountains! This term refers to Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park. (If you want, you can include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train too, because it runs through a mountain.)
Quick Service / Counter Service Restaurant
In Disney lingo, a quick service or counter service (the terms are used interchangeably) restaurant is one where a Guest lines up at a counter or kiosk or food stand, orders food, collects the food, and then finds a table to sit at.
You won’t be served your food or shown to a table, and you won’t need to make reservations. Quick service restaurants are a casual, fast, inexpensive way to enjoy a meal in a Park or at a Disney Resort Hotel.
Table Service Restaurant
Often contrasted with quick-service restaurants, a table service restaurant is one at which Guests will be seated and served by Cast Members, instead of ordering at a counter and finding their own seat. This includes buffets and family-style dining.
You’ll want to make advance dining reservations (see below) for any table service restaurants you want to eat at, so it’s a good idea to plan these well before your trip. Some table-service restaurants are casual, with no dress code required, like quick-service spots, but others are signature (fancy) dining experiences, so you’ll want to check the dress code for these restaurants.
ADR
ADR stands for an “advanced dining reservation”, something that’s recommended and even necessary if you want to eat at a table service restaurant anywhere in Walt Disney World.
Guests can make ADRs 60 days in advance, and booking as early as possible is a great idea, especially for popular restaurants, which fill up quickly.
DVC
DVC refers to Disney Vacation Club, which, in a nutshell, is Disney’s timeshare program. DVC members own a slice of Walt Disney World by purchasing points and using them whenever they stay on property.
There are specific DVC Resorts – Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – but even if you’re not a Disney Vacation Club member, you can still stay at these Resort Hotels, if there’s availability.
MagicBand
A MagicBand is your literal and figurative key to Walt Disney World! It’s a colorful – and customizable, with a dizzying array of options – a wristband that each Guest wears during their WDW vacation.
Your MagicBand opens the door to your Disney Resort Hotel, gives you access to each theme Park, and can even be used to make purchases. They’re waterproof, so no need to remove them if you’re spending some time in the pool.
MDE
MDE is short for My Disney Experience and refers to both the website and the app that Guests use when planning and enjoying a Walt Disney World trip.
MDE allows Guests to make advance dining reservations, access Disney PhotoPass photos (see below), preorder food at some quick-service locations, and even check out the wait times for your favorite rides.
PhotoPass
You’ll doubtless take plenty of your own photos on your Walt Disney World vacation. But sometimes, it’s nice to let a professional take over. Disney PhotoPass Service is available at locations throughout the parks to help you get the perfect shot.
There are PhotoPass cameras on many attractions to capture action shots, and Disney PhotoPass photographers are on hand at iconic locations like Cinderella Castle to snap the perfect shot of your family (that you can then access through the MDE website or app).
Bottom Line
Now that you know the vernacular, you’re all set to plan – and enjoy – an amazing vacation at Walt Disney World!
