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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A "Hidden Gem" at Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Magic of Disney Animation by Cheryl Giardi

And I thought I had seen it all!  Last year at the Silva annual Christmas party while I was heading for my sister in laws nine layer nacho dip, I stumbled upon some new art work in her living room!  There were  four framed drawings of Pluto.  I asked her where she made them.  To my astonishment she said "Hollywood Studios - I thought you were the Disney expert"?   How had I missed this attraction after 20 plus visits?  The Disney guidebooks, the brochures, all the web searches and I had never been a part of this?  I started to tremble, I broke out in a sweat and did what any mousejunkie would immediately do, I began my quest to research to find our more about this attraction!  
A "hidden gem" it is!

First of all  - location? The Magic of Disney Animation  is located in the area by The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and next to Disney Junior - Live on Stage!  It is an attraction/art class that will teach you how animators draw the Disney characters.  I'll take you through it! 

When you walk into the area there will probably be a wait.  Don't worry have one person wait in line and go explore the art work that is around.  Also when we were there, both times there were several character meet and greets in the same building - so we hung out with the Incredibles!  During the pre-show you will watch a small screen of characters being drawn and the audience is usually trying to guess!  Hopefully you will get the cast members that we had that hosted sing along time with our favorite Disney songs!  In the pre-show area there will be  about 40 future animators waiting for their big break.  Then the doors will open.  GASP!  You will enter an art studio:

Okay it's not really that dark I forgot about the flash!  You will scoot down a row and get yourself ready for art class!  Each desk area has a piece of paper and a set of pencils without erasers!  

Now you're almost ready.

Next  you will meet your Disney animator/host who will dazzle you with their talents!  They will pick a Disney character and guide you through the process of drawing it. Animators do not use erasers that is someone else's job to "clean up" their drawings.  The class is about 20 minutes and moves rather quickly.  There were a few small child meltdowns including my own!

Our chosen character was OLAF!  Obviously someone saw me coming and chose one of my favorites.  Or they saw my boys coming in and quickly made the change from princess to snowman!
Here are our masterpieces!

 Here's mine!  Next time I am sneaking in an eraser!

 

The class was awesome and on our way out we headed to the gift shop (what else would you do after a Disney attraction?) and we purchased one of the drawing books to use at home!  We did go back again and participated and this time we drew Minnie - what luck another one of my favorites and I told my son just to draw whatever he wanted rather than getting frustrated trying to follow the quick directions!

  Seriously, how cute is that?

Next year we will host the Christmas party at our house.  I'll make the nine layer dip. And when someone comments on our art work on the wall I will be sure to tell them all about this hidden gem at Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Art of Animation!

Doesn't it make you "wanna build a snowman"?

 Beyond Rides at WDW

 

With your Walt Disney World ticket purchase, you receive access to more than just rides. Enjoy all of Walt Disney World has to offer, possibly giving you the chance to explore sites & sounds that you otherwise would not have. Disney offers Broadway style shows, Arcades, Themed Lands, etc. Dining is also a favorite activity amongst my family, from fine dining to yummy snacks like Mickey Bars, Dole Whips, Lefou’s Brew or try a caveman treat, the infamous Jumbo Turkey Leg (just not in front of me, yuck). Go for it, guilt free-because you’re at Disney World of course!

Let’s not forget my fave thing while at Disney- SHOPPING at all the Disney themed stores or take it all in & relax on a bench while taking pictures of your family & surroundings. Another perfect thing to do while enjoying your time- find Hidden Mickey’s, make it a contest with your family (My family is very competitive, kids unfortunately win with Hidden Mickey’s.) If at Magic Kingdom, Roam Magic Kingdom Park in search of clues for “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” or EPCOT’s Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure, it’s a lot of fun for the entire family.

• If you have a blog or enjoy writing- find a nice little corner or hidden spot to write about your experiences. If you’re pregnant maybe this would be great info to add to the baby book or in general about your family’s experiences. Maybe tweet, FB, Instagram & all forms of Social Media about your vacation, make peeps jelly that you’re at WDW, that’s always fun (muhaha).
• Character Meet & Greets for the kids, just you or with family & add these to the vacay scrapbook.
• If you have great chops, try out for American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, blow them away-great bragging rights too!
• Maybe enjoy Food & Wine or The Flower & Garden Festival during your dates of travel- the special events are a terrific way to enjoy Disney differently. They run throughout the year and you can pop over to; https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-events, for current dates for special events, maybe even the Concert Series depending on your dates.

 

• The Individual entertainment that Disney provides such as; Magicians, Citizens of Main Street at Magic Kingdom, The Dapper Dan’s or JAMMitors at EPCOT.

• Don’t forget about the fabulous parades at all four theme parks, my faves are at the Magic Kingdom and also remember the fireworks at both MK & EPCOT.

• The list goes on & on. Let me know what you like to do outside of rides at a Disney Theme Park, I’d love to hear. Wait, I thought of one more bonus you gain from NOT experiencing the rides- plenty of time-because you didn’t have to wait in the queue lines. WOOT!

Previously published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/ and you can find me on  http://dawnsdorkydiary.com/.

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/

The Power of the PONCHO - making the most out of your rainy Walt Disney World vacation!

So I just finished my first blogging series ever - Gearing up to "Meet the Mouse".  No where in my series of articles did I mention bringing a poncho for rainy weather but I am sure glad that we did!  We usually visit WDW in July so we are well aware that late afternoon we will be greeted by a  rain or thunderstorm for a quick cool off!  Sometimes we would step out of an attraction only to see the grounds wet and lingering poncho wearers, only to realize we missed a quick hit.  Well this past vacation it was a different story!

We have just returned from a 9 day visit.  While I feel that I have almost mastered the new fast pass system I know I have mastered the POWER OF THE PONCHO!

It rained and rained and rained.  Not your quick "cool off" storm but I'm talking hours upon hours of rain for several of the days and nights that we were there! 

I interrupt this blog for an important announcement: BRING CROCS!  Yes I know sneakers are more sensible but read on!

Did the rain ruin our Disney vacation - no way!  I had saved for two years straight and worked to hard in the planning process to let this minor (ha ha) weather issue ruin our trip.  Here are some things that we did in each park that helped to keep us dry aside from the ponchos!

Hollywood Studios ranked very low on the SOAK-O-METER as most of the attractions are indoors!  We were able to use all our fast passes and view many other attractions without getting soaked.  This park is also very easy to navigate as it is smaller than the others!  We spent some good quality indoor time at the Animation Studio which I can't wait to blog about later!  

Animal Kingdom ranked moderate on the SOAK-O-METER.  We were able to stay dry on DINOSAUR and the Lion King show.  We also were able to not only stay dry but to see many animals on our trip on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride.  Most of the animals were out during the rain!  It takes a while to get from place to place at Animal Kingdom and there appeared to be a lot of construction.  Take a detour to Kali River Rapids!  Hey you are already wet - why not take the plunge!  You will get soaked but by the time you get there, you already will be!  

Yup - that's us!!! On a dry day!

Epcot ranks SOAKED on the SOAK-O-METER!  Although most of the attractions are indoors, Epcot requires a lot of walking!  We were able to stay dry taking in all the attractions around Future World and the gift shops were a great stopping point as well!  Test Track closes in the rain but all else remained open.  When we explored the World Showcase we quickly became soaked - some of the walkways to get to the World Showcase (leading to  England and Mexico) had 6 - 8 inches of water!  Drainage issues?  The kids loved it and my hubby who wore sneakers did not (see CROC note).  Note: Great huge umbrellas that hold 2-3 people are sold right across from China in a small shop!

Lastly on our rainy park tour was the Magic Kingdom which is still magical in the rain but in my opinion it ranked SOAKED on the SOAK-O-METER!  But.. a happy soaking!  Many rides close making your wait times even higher for the others!  Some of the attractions that we were able to walk right onto were:  Hall of Presidents (a favorite), Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress, and MIckey's Philharmagic!  These attractions are great and if you are one of the lucky ones you will exit the show and see sunny skies!  

Here is what happened when we exited Small World:

my favorite

It was actually a double rainbow!  Double the magic!

Rain or shine - Disney is such a magical place you will be sure to make the most of it.  But.. if you go during rainy season... don't forget the "power of the poncho".