// I may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. //

When it comes to any of the Disney parks, you’ll very quickly learn that Disney has it’s own language!

Die hard Disney fans could probably come up with a massive list of hundreds of Disney terms and phrases to know. This list is not for them.

This is a simplified list of the most commonly used terms and phrases by Disney park visitors.

Disney Terms and Phrases to Know

Disability Access Service (DAS)

A service allowing people with neurodivergent or related developmental disabilities impacting their ability to stand in the standard stand-by line to wait in the shorter Lightning Lane lines.

Disneyland (DL)

The OG park. Sleeping Beauty castle is here as are Tomorrowland, Main Street, ToonTown, Frontierland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Galaxy’s Edge, and Fantasyland. 

Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Directly across from Disneyland. The iconic Mickey Ferris wheel is here as are Carsland, Avengers Campus, Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, Hollywood Land, and San Fransokyo Square.

Downtown Disney

Located between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, this is pretty much an outdoor mall filled with places to shop and eat. It’s completely free to visit at any time (no need for a park admission ticket).

Cast Members (CM)

The term used for every employee at a Disney park. Walt Disney himself chose this phrase because he considered all of Disney to be a theatrical environment and every employee a performer.

Lost Parent

At Disney, no child is ever lost – they are always where they are meant to be. Therefore, if a parent is separated from their child, Disney refers to the situation as a “Lost Parent” and has a quick and efficient response system in place.

Annual Pass Holder (APs)

Someone who has one of Disneyland’s tiered yearly passes. APs get special discounts, exclusive deals, and opportunities unavailable to standard ticket holders. APs also have to use the park reservation system.

Hidden Mickeys

These traditional Mickey Mouse silhouettes are hidden all over the park. There are hundreds of them at both parks and finding them is a fun way to pass the time in line or during a meal.

Advanced Dinner Reservations (ADRs)

Exactly what they sound like – breakfast, lunch, or dinner reservations that you can make up to 60 days in advance of your trip via the app, website, or phone.

Character Dining

This is an opportunity to meet specific characters while dining. These often require advance reservations and can be a little loud or chaotic but are really fun.

Quick Service

This is different from the meals that you eat at sit down restaurants. These meals operate much like fast food establishments – you order at a window, pick up at a window, and find your own seating where you can.

Mobile Ordering

This process allows you to order your entire meal, snack, or beverage through the app (and skip waiting in line to order) and then pick up at the appointed time. Keep in mind that not every place has mobile ordering available, sometimes you won’t be offered the entire menu to order from, and making changes/substitutions for allergies is sometimes limited.

Rider Switch (Child Swap)

A program that allows an adult to ride an attraction while another adult supervises a younger/too short child. When the ride is over, the adults switch so both can enjoy the ride. This is available for every attraction at both parks.

MagicBand+

Kind of like a smartwatch but for use while on Disney property. You can connect all your tickets and DAS passes to them (plus, you can charge items to the credit card attached to your room if you’re staying onsite at a Disney resort).

So there you go! A list of the most common Disney terms and phrases to know before your vacation!