Whether it’s your first time or 40th time to Disney’s Fort Wilderness, you’re bound to have a more successful trip if you know the native language. Some of these are well-known by Fort old-timers, and other are just beginning to emerge into the daily Bay Lake dialogue. Next month, we’ll add another 10 useful and useless words to the list. 

Abby

A term for a lost dog at Fort Wilderness, named after the dog Abby, who roamed for more than two months before she was captured as a result of the diligence of a saintly dog whisperer. It looks like we have a black lab Abby near Loop 1300.

Campicurean

Someone who cooks much better on a camping trip than they do at home. You can tell Earle is a campicurean as his Breakfast Skillet and Tonga Toast Muffins are such a far cry from the Toaster Strudels that he burns at home.

Chipwreck

A partially eaten chip that is lingering in the dip, and seems abnormally common on Fort camping trips, going back to at least the 1980s. Can we have just one Fort Wilderness lunch without a chipwreck?

CM

Short name for Cast Member, or what Disney calls all employees. After one week of pointing with two fingers, Jada wondered if she should have stayed in law school instead of becoming a CM.

Code 101

Cast member lingo that means a ride or attraction is not functioning.  We’ve got a Code 101 on the boat to Wilderness Lodge.

Crowbar

A useful tool to keep in your RV. Also, a scenic outdoor bar where crows, other birds, and people go to drink alcohol. Now that the trail is closed, I guess we’ll have to take the boat over to the Geyser Point crowbar.

Gullywhumper

A potent cocktail served at Crockett’s Tavern made of Ole Smoky White Lightnin’, peach schnapps, pineapple and cranberry juice. I’ve had four Gullywhumpers, and I can’t find my campsite.

Looping

Popular activity of Fort Wilderness guests. The act of driving a golf cart around various loops to see campsite decorations, covet larger RVs, and scope out a site for your next visit. We decided to ditch Animal Kingdom and go looping tonight. 

Rando

A word officially recognized in 2018. A random, unwelcome person that keeps appearing at odd times.  We may need to move campsites to get away from the Rando next door.

Wandering Fire Pit 

Covered fire pits that meet Fort Wilderness standards that are formally arranged to be left for other guests though various Facebook groups. Honey, I found a wandering firepit on that nice, new Facebook group, so you don’t have to buy one.