1. Speaking in code
Walt Disney World operates 365 days per year. It's inevitable then, that its high-tech attractions will sometimes experience periods of downtime. It's not acceptable, though, for Cast Members to refer to an attraction as "down" or "broken" in front of guests. Instead, when a ride is non-operational, it's referred to as "101" (pronounced "one-oh-one") in discussions between Cast Members in person or over a radio. "102" indicates that it's back up-and-running.
Other codewords include "code V", used to indicate that a guest has vomited somewhere in the park ("protein spill" has also been used for the same purpose). Along the same lines, "Code H" refers to the droppings left by the horses that pull vehicles up and down Main Street USA, and codes "U" and "P" refer to urinating incidents. If you'd like to learn more about Cast Members' roles and experiences at Walt Disney World, sign up now to be notified when Creating the Magic: Life as a Disney Cast Member is released.
Comments
When I was a cast member at Typhoon Lagoon, one of the lifeguards borrowed my 2 way radio, because the batteries in hers had died. She contacted operations to let them know that she had just removed an AFR, so they needed to "shock the water". When I got back to my work location, I asked my manager if she knew what an AFR was. She laughed and said, "It stands for Accidental Fecal Release. It means that someone pooped in the pool." The rest of the day, I giggled to myself anytime someone ordered the chocolate soft serve.
One other code we use frequently - "alpha unit", meaning ambulance.
Thanks! Sounds like you are calling in a SWAT team ;-)
I don't know where the article got the information for the radio call signs for a vehicular accident and a fire but they are not correct, at least not at WDW. And as a former safari driver, we have never been permitted to go off the ride path on the savannah.
A vehicular accident is referred to as a Signal 5 and the code for a fire is a Signal 25. We use signals because we do not ever want to panic a guest.