Disney World Glossary
24 essential Disney World terms, abbreviations, and planning concepts explained in plain language.
A
- ADR (Advance Dining Reservation)
- Disney's reservation system for Table Service and Character Dining restaurants. ADRs open 60 days before your check-in date at 6:00 AM Eastern.
- AK (Animal Kingdom)
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Home to Pandora - The World of Avatar, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest.
B
- Base Ticket
- Standard park admission that grants entry to one park per day. Does not include Park Hopper or Water Park access.
C
- Character Dining
- A meal experience where Disney characters visit your table for photos and interaction. Costs $55-75/adult before tip, depending on the meal time.
D
- DDP (Disney Dining Plan)
- A pre-paid meal program sold per person per night. The Standard plan includes 1 Quick Service meal, 1 Table Service meal, and 1 snack per person per night. In 2026, the Kids Eat Free promotion covers children at no cost.
- DHS (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
- Home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, Tower of Terror, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
- Disney Springs
- Disney's free-admission shopping, dining, and entertainment district. No park ticket required. Features over 100 shops and restaurants.
E
- Early Entry
- A benefit for Disney resort guests allowing entry to the parks 30 minutes before general public. Available every day at every park.
- EPCOT
- Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Features Future World (rides and attractions) and World Showcase (international food and culture pavilions).
- Extended Evening Hours
- Additional after-hours park time available exclusively to Deluxe resort and certain other resort guests on select nights.
G
- Genie+ / Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- A paid skip-the-line service ($26-36/person/day depending on date) that lets you reserve return times for select attractions. Replaced the free FastPass+ system.
I
- ILL / Lightning Lane Single Pass
- A separate paid reservation ($15-25/person) for individual high-demand attractions like Rise of the Resistance or Tron Lightcycle Run. Purchased per ride, not bundled with Multi Pass.
M
- MagicBand+
- A wearable wristband that serves as your park ticket, hotel room key, PhotoPass ID, and payment method. Links to your My Disney Experience account.
- Memory Maker / PhotoPass
- Disney's photo service. PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout the parks. Memory Maker ($169) gives unlimited digital downloads of all your PhotoPass photos including ride photos and Magic Shots.
- MK (Magic Kingdom)
- The most iconic Disney park featuring Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- My Disney Experience (MDE)
- Disney's official app and website for managing reservations, park tickets, Lightning Lane, mobile food ordering, and wait times.
O
- Off-Peak
- Dates outside of Disney's peak pricing windows. Lower resort rates, ticket prices, and Lightning Lane costs. In 2026, most of the year is off-peak.
P
- Park Hopper
- A ticket add-on ($85/person flat fee) that allows you to visit more than one park per day. Access to the second park begins at 2:00 PM.
- Peak
- Dates during Disney's peak pricing windows: Spring Break (Mar 20 - Apr 10), Thanksgiving (Nov 22-29), and Holidays (Dec 20 - Jan 2). Higher resort rates, ticket prices, and Lightning Lane costs.
Q
- Quick Service
- Counter-service dining where you order at a window or via mobile order. No table service, no tip required. Costs $15-25/adult per meal.
R
- Rope Drop
- Arriving at a park before it officially opens to be first in line for popular attractions. One of the most effective strategies for avoiding long waits.
T
- Table Service
- Sit-down restaurant dining with a server. Casual Table Service runs $40-60/adult per meal. High-End Table Service (signature dining) runs $90+/adult. 20% gratuity is customary.
V
- Value / Moderate / Deluxe (Resort Tiers)
- Disney's three on-site resort categories. Value ($215/night off-peak): budget-friendly, bus transportation. Moderate ($345/night): larger rooms, better pools. Deluxe ($650/night): premium theming, walkable to parks.
W
- Water Park Add-On
- A ticket add-on ($70/person flat fee) granting access to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks.