Home > Help > Glossary We try to present this site in "plain English" as much as possible, but there's bound to be a bit of "Disneyspeak" here and there. Disney parks have their own vocabulary, based largely on theatrical terms, to reinforce the mindset and mission that they're not just running a park, they're putting on the world's largest shows. Everyone--from the balloon vendor to the stage performer, is part of that show. Other times, codes and other terms are used for communicate succinctly, or to hide the machinations of the show from the park's guests. All terms are listed in alphabetical order. If you run across a term that you don't understand, and don't find explained here, please email the Webmaster. B • C • D • E • K • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • W 101 The attraction is "down" or not admitting guests. This most often results from mechanical or other technical failures, but may also be called for serious guest illness or injury. The attraction may be completely shut down (and subsequently evacuated), or it may continue to run until all guests who are currently on board, may exit normally. 102 The attraction is operating normally. - B - Backstage Any non-guest area. See also "On-Stage". Bad Show Anything that compromised the guest experience or "show" that is the Disney park and resort experience. It could be something a simple as litter on the ground, or a major technical failure. Bezel A frame surrounding a light, video screen, etc. Bump When a Cast Member is relieved from their position, and assumes the next position (or break) in their rotation (see "Rotation"). - C - Cast Member or CM A Disney employee. Every employee is considered to be a "Cast Member" in the "show" that is a Disney park or resort. Central The now apparently defunct central computer facility for EPCOT. At one time, all attraction and show audio and much of the control of attractions and shows was accomplished through Central. It was located in Communicore East (roughly where Guest Relations now resides). - D - Dead Man switch Monorails, trains, and some ride systems (such as the Submarines) feature a "Dead Man" switch, which is used to shut down the train or ride in the event that the driver becomes incapacitated. The "Dead Man" switch must be depressed to keep the vehicle in motion. The idea is that if the driver were to be rendered unconscious (or worse) they would lose their grip on the switch, and the vehicle would comes safely to a halt. Dump Admittedly not the most attractive term, but whenever a large number of guests exit an attraction at one time (especially in a theater attraction such as Energy), it is known as a "Dump". Specific variations on this term include "IllumiDump", which refers to the mass exodus of guests at the end of Illuminations. - E - ECV Electric Convenience Vehicle. The three-wheeled, motorized scooters that are used by mobility-impaired guests in the park. Evac Evacuation. Guests are exited from an attraction in a manner other than a "normal" exit. This need not imply an "emergency" of any sort--it may just mean that for technical reasons, the ride cannot be operated. Evacs used to be common at the Universe of Energy, but the ride system has reportedly been upgraded, dramatically reducing the technical failures that resulted in evacs. - K - Kilowatt A common measurement of electric power, one kilowatt is 1000 watts. (To put this into perspective, the average incadescent light bulb consumes 100 wats, or 1/10th of a kilowatt). - M - MAPO A division of the Walt Disney Company which builds custom machinery and electronics for use in Disney parks. The company is named for MAry POppins, as proceeds from the film were used to found the division. MAPO-built equipment typically bears a small silhoutte image of Mary Poppins holding up an umbrella. A "moving block" collision-avoidance system used by the Walt Disney World Monorail fleet. It uses transceivers to detect the proximity of other trains. When a train approaches a specified margin (or "block") surrounding another train, the train is slowed or stopped to keep a safe distance. - N - NRG An abbreviation for The Universe of Energy (say the letters together very fast, and it will make sense). This is the more accepted (among Cast Members) abbreviation, over "UoE" which is often seen on the Internet. - O - On-Stage In keeping with the idea that the parks and resorts are one big "show", all guest areas are considered "on stage". Being "on stage" requires a Cast Member to be "in character" at all times. Ops "Operations". Refers to the department (or alternatively, the employees) responsible for park operations, including attractions. - P - Photovoltaics Silicon-based solar cells which, when exposed to light, produce electricity. Prompt A visual or auditory cue from a computer, indicating that it requires further information or action. Universe of Energy's Ride Operator Console uses both visual and auditory prompts to request clearance from the rideo operator before proceeding with a critical ride motion. Pyro Pyrotechnics (fireworks). - Q - Queue A system of ropes, railings, or chains defining an often maze-like space for containing a line of guests waiting to enter an attraction. - R - Rack-Mount A standard mounting for electronic equipment, consisting of a cabinet or bare rails to which a chassis may be mounted. Rotation Previously, attraction Cast Members worked on a "rotation" system, where they spent varying amounts of time at each of several different positions, and subsequently received a break. This was designed to reduce boredom and increase alertness among the operations cast. This system has since been replaced by one in which a computer assigns positions and tasks. - S - Show The sum total of the experience presented to guests at a Disney park or resort. - T - THC Theoretical Hourly Capacity. The maximum number of guests who, under ideal conditions, can be cycled through a given attraction in an hour. Travelling Theater The ride system used by Universe of Energy. It consists of 12 immense vehicles (6 per group), each capable of accommodating approximately 96 guests. When positioned together in "6-pack" formation (6 vehicles clustered together in a format of three wide and two deep), they form a theater seating arrangement. They are self-propelled, allowing them to travel throughout the ride, either as a group or single-file. - U - Utilidors The proper name for the network of "tunnels" beneath the Magic Kingdom. The word is apparently a contraction of "Utility" and "Corridors". It's more cumbersome to say than "tunnels", which is what they're more often called. The Utilidors or "tunnels" are not actually underground as the term would imply--they're actually at ground level, and the Magic Kingdom is built on top of them, essentially becoming a "second floor." - W - World Key Information Service A system of touch-screen information terminals once found in kiosks throughout EPCOT. Through interactive, multimedia displays, guests could preview attractions, view restaurant menus, and more. They also allowed guests to "video conference" with a live Guest Relations Host or Hostess, who could answer questions, make restaurant reservations, and more.