Need to Know Disneyland Terms for Your Next Trip

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Disneyland has a very unique system by which it functions. And along with said system comes a lot of Disney specific terminology! Have you ever heard someone mention CMs or DCA and had no idea what they're talking about? Or how about a sentence such as, "let's rope drop Rise then park hop and use our Lightning Lane Single Pass for Racers." You got that, right? No? Don't worry. We speak fluent Disney and are hoppy to help. Let's take a look at all the abbreviation and acronyms used, as well as the most common Disneyland terms and what they mean.

Hop To

• • • Acronyms
    • Park Terms
    • General Tool Terms
    • Dining Terms
    • Special Event Terms
    • Employee Terms
    • Additional Terms

Park-Specific Disneyland Terms

Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Disney California Adventure is one of two parks at the Disneyland Resort. Here, you'll find Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, Cars Land and more.

Disneyland Park (DL)

Disneyland Park is the other of two parks, and the original theme park at the Disneyland Resort. Here, you'll find Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Main Street U.S.A., Toon Town, New Orleans Square, Bayou Country and Galaxy's Edge.

Disneyland Resort (DLR)

Disneyland Resort encompasses all of the Disneyland property. This includes Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, all three hotels and the Downtown Disney District.

Downtown Disney (DTD)

The Downtown Disney District is the area in between the gates of both theme parks and the hotels. You'll find restaurants and shops to explore in Downtown Disney. The area is open to the public, but it does cost money to park on property.

Esplanade 

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure sit right across from each other. The area in between the two parks is known as the esplanade. This is where you will find ticket booths, bathrooms, lockers and the entrance to both parks and the Downtown Disney District.

Backstage 

This term is used for the areas of the parks that only employees can access. Disneyland is made to be a completely immersive experience and a break from the outside world. Cast members (Disney Parks employees) treat the parks as a stage. The areas with guests are called on-stage and the restricted areas are called backstage.

Batuu 

The planet which Star Wars Galaxy's Edge inhabits is called Batuu. This can be a little confusing when you hear both Galaxy's Edge and Batuu. But don't worry. They both describe the same Star Wars themed land.

Dark Ride 

Rather than a coaster, a dark ride is a slow moving indoor ride which takes guests through a story or vignettes. Great examples of dark rides include Haunted Mansion, the Little Mermaid and Peter Pan.

Rise (RotR)

If you hear someone talk about "Rise" they are referring to the very popular Rise of the Resistance ride in Galaxy's Edge. This is a highly technological dark ride which uses a trackless ride system. The ride from start to finish is about 15 minutes and is one of the most immersive experiences of any Disney park.

Racers (RSR)

Radiator Springs Racers is the main ride in Cars Land. Don't be surprised if you hear this beloved ride called "Racers."

Guardians (GotG)

The Guardians of the Galaxy ride in Avengers Campus is called "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!"and is just as much fun as it is a mouthful. You might hear it referred to as Mission Breakout here and there, but the locals and cast members always call this high thrill ride simply "Guardians."

Disneyland Park Day Tools Terms

Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass (LLMP / LLSP)

Lightning Lane replaced the old FastPass (FP) system. Guests use this entrance with either a Single Pass or Multi Pass reservation. These passes allow guests to bypass the standby line and access popular rides at the park with little wait. The added cost of each pass varies on the time of year and demand. You can read all about the use of this service in our complete guide to Lightning Lanes!

Rider Switch 

Rider Switch is a system offered at Disneyland that allows guests with small children or children who do not meet the height requirement for an attraction to take turns riding the attraction without having to wait in line twice.

Single Rider

Single Rider is a system offered at select attractions at Disneyland that allows guests to enter a separate queue line and fill in empty seats on the attraction alongside another rider. So if a party of two had been seated into a row of three, leaving one empty seat, a Single Rider could then be used to fill the seat. This helps maximize the ride capacity and reduce wait times.

Multiple Experience Pass 

Sometimes a ride stops running. This can be for a list of reasons, but always seems to be at an inconvenient time. If you have waited in line for a really long time, if you used a Lightning Lane for said ride, or if you have a Lightning Lane schedule for a ride that has gone down, a cast member might provide you with a Multiple Experience Pass. This pass can be used just like a Lightning Lane at any of the qualifying rides at any time.

Rope Drop

The term "Rope Drop" refers to the official opening time of the park. This is when the rope is dropped to allow guests to enter the park and start exploring. While it's true that sometimes guests are allowed into the parks before the official opening time, the term Rope Drop still refers to the official opening time.

Getting to the park early for Rope Drop is a popular strategy for beating the crowds and getting a head start on popular attractions such as Rise of the Resistance or Radiator Springs Racers. You might hear it used as a verb as well. "Let's rope drop Haunted Mansion."

Park Hopping or Park Hopper

The Park Hopper Option allows guests to visit more than one theme park per day at Disneyland. After 11 a.m., your park hopper ticket allows entry to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure back and forth as many times as you'd like during the park hours.

Virtual Queues

Some rides and shows at Disneyland require a virtual queue to access the experience. Virtual queues are not commonly used at Disneyland, but when they are in use, it's usually to help maintain demand for new or popular rides and experiences.

Early Entry

For guests staying at any of the on-site hotels in Disneyland, Early Entry lets guests enter the specifically noted park 30 minutes before the official opening time. Early entry switches off between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure every day, so make sure you check which one is available.

Magic Key 

The annual pass at Disneyland is called Magic Key. There are four tiers of Magic Keys with different blockout days, discounts and reservation allowances per the price. You can read all about passes in our Magic Key guide.

Disability Access Service (DAS)

The Disability Access Service (DAS) is a system available at Disneyland to assist guests with disabilities in accessing attraction queues. This service is designed to provide a more accommodating experience for guests who are unable to wait in a traditional queue environment due to their disability. You can read more about the service and who it is available to in our DAS guide.

Disneyland App

The Disneyland app is pretty essential for your day at a Disney park. Here, you can access your park ticket to scan into the parks, make reservations for your park day and dining, check wait times, use Lightning Lanes, mobile order food and join virtual queues. You can also use the app to check-in to your Disney hotel and unlock your door.

Disney PhotoPass

PhotoPass is a photography service provided by Disneyland that allows guests to have professional photos taken by Disney photographers. These photographers are located throughout the parks and can take photos of you in front of iconic locations or with Disney characters.

While the PhotoPass service itself is free, guests must purchase the digital downloads or prints if they wish to keep the photos. Guests can view their photos on the My Disney Experience app or website. Purchase photos individually or as part of a package.

MagicBand / MagicBand+

MagicBands are wristbands that utilize RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology and are used for various functions across the Disneyland Resort. These functions include unlocking your Disney hotel room and linking your Disney PhotoPass photos to your account. MagicBand+ are similar wristbands with additional interactive features throughout the parks.

Disneyland Dining Terms

Advance Dining Reservations

Dining Reservations allow guests to book a table at a restaurant in Disneyland up to 60 days in advance. This is especially important for popular restaurants, which can book up quickly.

Quick Service (QS)

These are typically counter-service restaurants where guests order at a counter or register, pick up their food at a designated area and then seat themselves. These restaurants are more casual and offer a variety of quick and easy meal options. Check out our posts on the best quick-service in Disney California Adventure and the best quick-service in Disneyland.

Table-Service Restaurant (TSR)

Table-service dining at Disneyland refers to restaurants where guests are seated at a table and a server takes their order, brings their food and provides table service throughout the meal. These restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from casual to fine dining. They are located within the theme parks, resort hotels and Downtown Disney. Make an advance reservations to ensure availability and minimize wait times. The Blue Bayou and Lamplight Lounge are two of our favorite table service restaurants.

Character Dining 

Some restaurants offer character dining experiences where guests can meet and interact with beloved Disney characters while they eat.

Disney Check

Disney Check meals are healthy meals for kids that Disney notes on menus.

Disneyland Special Event Terms

Disneyland After Dark

Separately ticketed after hours events are held at Disneyland throughout the year. Star Wars Nite, Pride Nite and Sweethearts Nite are some of the most popular Disneyland After Dark events that return each year. Other one off events such as Disney Channel Nite and 90s Nite also take place.

Oogie Boogie Bash (OBB)

The ever popular Halloween after hours event at Disneyland is called Oogie Boogie Bash and takes place in Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland Employee Terms

Cast Member (CM)

Cast members are the employees of Disneyland. They can be found throughout the parks, hotels and other areas of the resort.

Character Attendant 

When you see a character walking around the parks or posing for pictures, you'll always notice another cast Member alongside them. The character attendant is there to help the character, but is also a great resource for guests. Character attendants know which characters will be popping up where and when.

Face Characters

Some characters are fuzzy and fully covered, while others show their faces, such as princesses. These characters are called face characters and can freely chat with guests.

Plaids 

While strolling through the parks, you might notice cast members dressed specifically in a red plaid vest and navy blue bottoms. These cast members are guest experience experts. Nicknamed the "plaids," these cast members are the people to seek out for any help you need during your day with tickets, reservations, DAS, any compliments or complaints and anything else you might need.

Other Disneyland Terms

DVC: Disney Vacation Club

The Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare program that allows members to stay at Disney-owned properties worldwide.

Hidden Mickey 

All over Disney parks are little Mickey heads hidden in details. Finding the "Hidden Mickeys" during your day at Disneyland is really fun. In fact, there is an entire book about Hidden Mickeys for sale in the Magic Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.

Knowing some Disneyland terms and acronyms can make your trip to the parks more enjoyable and stress-free. Understanding the lingo can help you navigate the parks like a true professional for your next trip to Disneyland! Did we leave off any Disney acronyms? Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments! We are hoppy to help! 

Related: Our Complete Guide to Lightning Lanes at Disneyland

Related: A Complete Guide to the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland

Hoppy planning!