I will never forget the very first time I went to Disney World I excitedly ordered a "Meatball Sub and Chips" off the menu - it sounded like a safe yet very "American" meal. What I wasn't expecting was a bag of ready salted CRISPS on my plate! I was so confused I couldn't even bring myself to ask if they made a mistake. So to save you from any uncomfortable or confusing moments, we've complied a list of some of the general differences you'll run into at Disney World. We had some help from our lovely followers on Facebook with this list, too.
(Keep scrolling down for the table)
English Words
American Words
Autumn
Fall
Car Park
Parking lot
Driving license
Driver's license
Crisps
Chips
Chips
(French) Fries
Candy floss
Cotton candy
Pop/Coke etc
Soda
Bum Bag
Fanny pack
Holiday
Vacation
Toilets
Restroom
Bill
Cheque (but spelled check)
Pavement
Sidewalk
Motorway
Highway
Car boot
Trunk
Car bonnet
Hood
Hire a car
Rent a car
Motorway
Interstate
Toll-Free Roads
Freeway
Tolled Roads
Highway
Toll Gate
Turnpike
Indicators
Blinkers
Trousers
Pants
Jumpers
Sweaters
Rubbish
Trash
Bin
Trash Can
Panda eyes
Raccoon eyes
Queue
Line
Gherkins
Pickles
Savoury Scone
Biscuit
Single cream
Half and half
Jelly
Jello
Jam
Jelly
Sweets
Candy
Post a letter
Mail a letter
Lifts
Elevators
Taxi
Cabs
Shopping centre
Mall
Ground floor
First floor
Mobile phone
Cell phone
Other Differences
They don't tend to use words such as "fortnight". They say every 2 weeks (effort, right?).
Some Americans don't understand if you say the time is "Half 8". They would say "8:30".
Toilets don't seem to flush, they just suck all the water out (like a vortex), it's very bizarre.
Toilet cubicles aren't from floor to ceiling like here in the UK, you can see over and under them easily (for some reason).
There is no ground floor! It will go level 1, 2, 3 etc.
Americans drive on the other (wrong) side of the road. Take's some getting used.
There isn't a lot of roundabouts in America, just a lot of traffic light junctions.
You can turn on a red light (by giving way, oncoming traffic have priority) unless there are signs saying you can't.
If you ask for a pint of beer (other than at the Rose and Crown in Epcot) you'll get a 16oz size drink, not a 20oz pint.
Holiday's are called vacation (they call days like Christmas Holidays). So if they ask how your vacation is, they mean holiday.
Disney call their staff members - Cast members.
There's a few words spelt the same or similar but pronounced differently - such as Caribbean and aluminium but when you hear it you'll work out what they mean and vice versa!
The currency is Dollars! The notes are easy enough to use but the coins take a bit of getting used to. All the cast members are used to it so don't be afraid to ask for help if you need some.
They add the sales tax (around 6%) at the till not on the price tag, so when you get to the till expect to pay a little more than the price sticker shows.
