It’s no surprise Walt Disney World has its very own vocabulary, even when it comes to dining.

If you’ve never been to Disney World, let’s go over Disney World dining vocabulary you need to know prior to visiting.

In this article

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Disney World Dining Vocabulary

Advance Dining Reservation (ADR)

An Advance Dining Reservation, aka an ADR, is a dining reservation that is made at a Table Service sit-down restaurant prior to your visit.

Disney World Resort hotel guests can make dining reservations for the entire length of their stay 60 days prior to their arrival day. 

Guests who don’t have a Disney World Resort hotel reservation can also book dining 60 days in advance — BUT, they will only be able to make those reservations one day at a time, exactly 60 days out from each day they want to book dining.

Table Service

Table Service is a meal you have at a sit-down restaurant, in which you are waited on by a server. Reservations are typically accepted here.

Counter Service/Quick Service

Counter Service/Quick Service is a quick and easy way to grab a meal. You’ll order and pick up your food at a window or counter.

Signature Dining

Signature Dining is fine dining at Disney World. These restaurants are more expensive and known for high-end food and service.

Disney Dining Plan (DDP)

The Disney Dining Plan is an optional package you can add onto your trip that allows you to essentially pre-pay for your meals and snacks.

You are given an allotted number of credits to use for your food. There are two plans available for purchase: the Disney Dining Plan and a Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.

Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit Symbol

A Disney Dining Plan snack credit symbol is the purple and white icon on a Disney World menu that let’s you know if an item counts as a snack credit.

Character Dining

Character Dining is a dining experience that includes a meal (either sit-down or a buffet) and the chance to meet a group of characters.

Mobile Order

Mobile Order at Disney World allows you to order food and drinks directly in Disney World’s mobile app, My Disney Experience, without waiting in line.

Mobile Order is mainly available at select Quick Service locations.

Table Service To-Go

Table Service To-Go is Mobile Order for select Table Service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Resort Refillable Mugs

Resort-refillable mugs at Disney World are mugs you can refill during your trip.

You pay one price for the 16 oz. insulated mug and then get unlimited refills on fountain drinks, coffee, tea (iced and hot), and hot chocolate for the duration of your stay (up to 14 days).

Walk-Up List

If you want to dine at a Table Service restaurant and you don’t have a reservation, you can try joining the walk-up list directly in the My Disney Experience app.

This feature saves you time from having to go directly to the restaurant to see if you can get a table. You can also go to the host stand and ask to be put on the wait list.

Dining Package

A dining package allows you to book a meal at select Table Service restaurants (sometimes there are Quick Service options) and reserved viewing/seating for an event, like nighttime spectaculars or shows during EPCOT festivals.

Dessert Party

Dessert parties give you the chance to purchase a special package, in which you can enjoy dessert and also get reserved viewing/seating for nighttime spectaculars, like the Seats & Sweets Fireworks Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom.

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If you have further questions about Disney World dining terms, drop them in the comments.