Abbreviations, Acronyms and Initialisms for newbie Disney Dorks

 By Dawn Gosdin

WDW-Walt Disney World Resorts:

VALUE

ASM-All Star Music

ASMO-All Star Movies

AS SPORT-All Star Sports

PC-Pop Century

AOA-Art of Animation

MODERATE

CBR-Caribbean Beach Resort

CSR-Coronado Springs Resort

POR-Port Orleans Riverside

POFQ-Port Orleans French Quarter

FW- Fort Wilderness

DELUXE

AKL-Animal Kingdom Lodge

AKV-Animal Kingdom Villas

BC-Beach Club

BCV-Beach Club Villas

BWI-Boardwalk Inn

BWV-Boardwalk Villas

GF-Grand Floridian

GFV-Grand Floridian Villas

CR-Contemporary

YC-Yacht Club

POLY-Polynesian

WL-Wilderness Lodge

WLV-Wilderness Lodge Villas

OKW- Old Key West

SSR-Saratoga Springs Resort

SOG-Shades of Green (Military Resort onsite)

S&D-Swan & Dolphin Resort

Parks:

MK-Magic Kingdom

AK-Animal Kingdom

EC-EPCOT

DHS-Disney Hollywood Studios

BB-Blizzard Beach

TL-Typhoon Lagoon

DTD-Downtown Disney

WWOS-Wide World of Sports (Sports Complex)

Key Words:

WD-Walt Disney

CRO-Central Reservation Office

AP- Annual Passport

APR-Annual Pass Rate

PAP-Premium Annual Pass

CM-Cast Member

ADR-Advance Dining Reservation

TIW-Tables in Wonderland (previously DDE-Disney Dining Experience)

EMH-Extra Magic Hour

TTA-Transit & Ticket Authority (Transportation Main Hub)

TTC-Transportation & Ticket Center

DCL-Disney Cruise Line

FE-Fish Extender (DCL Family Mailbox Game)

DVC-Disney Vacation Club

DME-Disney Magical Express

MCO-Orlando International Airport

MNSSHP-Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (seasonal extra purchase)

MVMCP-Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (seasonal extra Purchase)

ECV-Electric Convenience Vehicle

DQ-Disney Quest

EWP-Electrical Water Pageant (Monorail Resort Hotels can watch from their Resort this Magical Lighted Water Parade) GF, POLY, CR, WL, FW & their Villas.

FP-Fastpass (Before Magic Bands)

MDE-My Disney Experience (Disney Website Personal Reservation System)

IG-International Gateway (Entrance to EPCOT from Boardwalk)

WS-World Showcase (Restaurant Row in back of EPCOT Park)

MYW-Magic Your Way (Park Ticket)

P&PD-Prayers & Pixie Dust

PM-Private Message

PS-Priority Seating

Dining (few):

CRT-Cinderella’s Royal Table

BOG-Be Our Guest

B&C-Beaches & Cream

WC-Whispering Canyon

CP-Crystal Palace

CG-California Grill

V&A-Victoria & Albert’s

LC-Le Cellier

R&C-Rose & Crown Pub

Ressie-Reservation

Pixie Dust-Magical Disney LOVE, Glittery Happy Thoughts.

CM’S-Chef Mickeys

Family:

DH-Disney Husband

DW-Disney Wife

DD-Disney Daughter

DS-Disney Son

FIL-Father in Law

MIL-Mother in Law

BIL-Brother in law

SIL-Sister in Law

DBF-Disney Boyfriend

DGF-Disney Girlfriend

DF-Disney Fiancé

Previously published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/.  

SEE YA REAL SOON!

http://dawnsdorkydiary.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aloha from the Polynesian Islands By Tamela Hansen

     Have you been swept away to the Polynesian islands lately?  If not, then make a reservation at Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show!  This is the perfect show for all ages.

     Make sure to make reservations 180 days in advance.  You have to arrive 1 hr early to this amazing dinner show.  The minute you exit your, monorail, boat, or bus you will be wisp away to the islands!  Everything from the tiki torches, the lush greenery, and the beautiful waterfall will make you feel as if you have arrived in umbrella drink paradise!  After the beautiful walk to dinner you will be greeted with a leis in the island way.  Make sure to take the opportunity to make a family memory with a beautiful photo.  Now have an island drink and take in the scenery.  There are so many areas to take a great photo or a selfie!

     Then off to dinner and start with a fresh salad with seasonal veggies, honey lime vinaigrette, and delicious pineapple coconut bread!  Mmmm!  The little ones and kids at heart will be invited up to learn how to hula dance before the show.  Then the show will begin. Auntie Wini will invite you to join her in a fun filled luau to welcome a local girl who has been living on the mainland. 

     While you enjoy authentic dishes such as island pulled pork, BBQ ribs, roasted chicken and polynesian rice the island dances will capture the attention of all ages!  The dances are so beautiful and unique to each Polynesian island. The show stopping fire knife performer will keep you enthralled!  Then on to dessert!  You will enjoy warm pineapple bread pudding with caramel sauce.  Also, sodas, lemonade, coffee and tea are included.  For those 21 and older you can enjoy wine or beer included with your dinner.  They also offer several cocktails and a tropical rum punch in a hand carved coconut keepsake that is extra yummy!

   

     So if you are ready to show your Disneyside in the islands, why not make a reservation for Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show!  Just remember to Always Show your DisneySide!!!

Dining For Less at Walt Disney World

 Dining for Less Cha-Ching at WDW

For breakfast I suggest eating a granola bar or pastry in your hotel room, bring them from home or stop off at a local Target- 3200 Rolling Oaks Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747, (321) 677-3971) or Wal-Mart Supercenter- Kissimmee 3250 Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746,407-397-1125 for breakfast items, drinks, snacks and Disney souvenirs at a huge discount.

Magic Kingdom- I would grab some yummies at Main Street Bakery, for starters a Starbucks, Venti White Chocolate Mocha & a breakfast sandwich or a delicious house-made Disney sweet, you’re spending somewhere between $10 to 15 bucks. At DHS- Starring Rolls Café is my choice; my family might grab a croissant or apple turnover for under $7.00, any grab & go type of food. Over at EPCOT- Fountain View in Future World has Starbucks espresso and specialty beverages or just fill up on warm and tasty treats like Artisan breakfast sandwiches and house-made Disney sweets. While at the Animal Kingdom- try Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery.

*I would definitely save my largest meal for lunch, it’s usually less expensive during lunch hours and you could experience upscale dining without spending all your cha-ching, maybe try “Be our Guest” a quick service dining facility at Magic Kingdom with fine dining appeal, based off the popular tale Beauty & the Beast. Here you have a choice of three enchanted rooms & meals under 15.00 pp. Try the Speedy Salads and Sandwiches, Quick Quiche or the Chefs fave 8-hour-braised pork & for the little beasts, they’ll love Mickey meatloaf or whole-grain macaroni. Lunch time at DHS- 50’s Prime Time Café, it’s a stick to your ribs kind of lunch with a 50’s theme & fun lovin’ family humor. EPCOT-is a great place for Sushi, Sunshine Seasons- has an inexpensive selection, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and wood-fired entrées. Animal Kingdom-Tusker House hosts “Donald’s Dining Safari Character Buffet” 11am-2:45pm, with the price being a bit steep at $30 to 59.99 pp, but it’s a character buffet with African influences and it will definitely fill up the hungry hubby’s out there.

*Dinner at Magic Kingdom, I would grab a combo-style meal at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn in Frontierland, they have a terrific “toppings bar” so you can make the simplest item on the menu go a lot further. I like the 1/3 Angus Cheeseburger-$10.79 served with fries or apple slices or the Taco Salad-$8.79 & add some hot cheese, caramelized onions or Pico de Gallo, yummy to my tummy. I particularly like to dip my fries in the hot cheese, always a late night family fave! At DHS- the Hollywood Brown Derby $15 to $29.99 per adult from 3:30-9:30pm. Enjoy a nice signature dinner with herb-roasted rack of lamb over buttermilk blue cheese-corn pudding, desserts & more. EPCOT- Rose & Crown Pub, fish & chips with a beer, simple & tasty! Animal Kingdom-Flame Tree Barbecue for none other than yummy barbeque.

 These are just a few suggestions for daily meals at WDW. By no means are they the cheapest for dining, but they offer a nice value for your money. Happy Eating*O*

Previously published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/.

15 Tips to know before your first Walt Disney World Vacation

 

You’ve made your reservation, the magical trip is booked, congratulation’s the hard part is over- BREATH! I’ve compiled a list of fifteen tips; I think are important components when visiting the most magical place on earth. Here we gooooooooo…….

1. Have a strategic plan before your trip; Disney is not the place to wing it. Research the attractions, layout & meet & greets ahead of time. I promise the proactive approach is the only way to see WDW efficiently & will cause less headaches & aggravation. Trust me….
2. Do not park hop on your first trip, try to concentrate on one park a day. Disney World is too large & getting to & fro is more time consuming than you might think.
3. Make your advance dining reservations (ADR’S) before you leave home. Especially if you attend during peak season. Dining Reservations-(407) 939-1947, 0800 16 90 748 (UK)
4. Walt Disney World restaurants, resort hotels, shops & theme parks are smoke-free environments, except for designated smoking areas.
5. Nursing mothers or parents of small children; WDW has baby care centers available at all four theme parks. Open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary to use. Also a comfortable setting for a child who’s misplaced his parents, lost children will be looked after until a parent arrives.
6. Theme park parking-Depends on your vehicle, but each theme park lot charges the same rate per day. Automobile, taxi, limo or motorcycle: $17, Camper, trailer or RV: $18, Bus or tractor trailer: $21. Once you pay for the day, you may park at any of the theme parks. If you are a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you receive complimentary parking at Disney theme parks for the length of your Resort stay. 
7. You can have a wake-up call from a character- If you’re staying on-site, you can request a wake-up call and most the time- it will be a character. 
8. Adults can ride big rides even if the kids can’t- Disney has a system called “Rider Switch” that will allow the older members of your family to ride while the younger riders wait. You simply tell the Cast Member at any ride that has a height requirement that you’d like to do a Rider Switch. They’ll give you a Rider Switch pass (which works like a FastPass) so that after you ride, you can hand it to the other half of your party and they can ride without waiting in line. 
9. Free Disney world maps are available in advance of your trip. WDW provides interactive online maps or if you prefer, they can mail you customized maps (U.S. only.)
10. Walt Disney World Transportation makes it convenient to visit; Magical Express (Courtesy airport transportation to & from Orlando International, if staying at a WDW Resort Hotel) to the plethora of buses, boats & monorail that can take you between the Disney Resort hotels, theme parks, water parks and shopping venues. 
11. You are allowed to bring food items; such as light snacks or foods that do not require heating into Disney theme parks. Don’t go crazy peeps no giant watermelon, or three meals worth of entrée’s- or they will rule it out entirely. The Security Cast Member at the initial bag check will allow or disallow your food items when you enter the park. I’m sure they’ve seen it all, lol.
12. Restricted items from the theme parks: Wagons, Skateboards, Inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, strollers larger than 36" x 52" (92 x 132 cm), coolers or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" (61 cm) long x 15" (38 cm) wide x 18" (46 cm) high. Coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations. Alcoholic beverages, weapons of any kind, Folding chairs, Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles),Pets (unless they are service animals) Balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park for the safety of our animals. Tripod stands or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack (per the WDW website)
13. Walt Disney World provides Guests with disabilities -the Disability Access Service Card. It helps the guest and a number of people from his or her party—to schedule a return time at a specific attraction. For more information-guests should visit the Guest Relations Lobby located at the entrance of each theme park.  
14. Use your Fastpass + whenever possible. You can book in advance by linking your park tickets to your resort reservation by using “My Disney Experience.” You can book up to 30 days in advance. Bonus- If you’re a WDW resort guest you can book up to 60 days in advance.
15. Plan your park day appropriately- according to least busiest day of the week, calendar of special events, coincide with Extra Magic Hours (view online or at your resort) & even the direction in which you manage (walk) each theme park. All of the factors will aid in an overall magical experience.

 

I hope these hints were helpful and will encourage you to plan ahead without being overly structured. Have fun and enjoy “The Most Magical place on Earth!” This article was previously published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/ Check out my blog http://dawnsdorkydiary.com/