Intimidated or just unaccustomed?

[aacvacation]

You will learn the abbreviations, but I do know what you mean about the site feeling cliquey. I learn a lot on here and every once in a while I have a really great interaction with someone that keeps me coming back...but, I work at Disney and I am still intimidated by this site. When I first joined I made the mistake of sharing my opinion on something: I don't do that much anymore! LOL. I was also in a conversation in a thread and put a wrong date on accident and got some serious berating... Basically, people online can be harsh. You either stomach it or leave. I just choose threads carefully, answer simple questions and lurk on others. Welcome!

 

[3NerdyPrincesses]

A while back I spent 3 year planning a wedding and lived on message boards (first of my circle to plan a big wedding, so I needed some outside guidance). The DH, DW, DF, GTB (Groom to Be), MOB, BM, MOH, thing was overwhelming....but I got the hang of it. This board is also quite overwhelming, but as someone who has come from another realm of fora where abbreviations are super common, I can attest it is usually not to be clique-y.

For the most part, the "D" thing is to help with anonymity. So rather than saying "my husband" or feeling the need to reveal his first name for brevity, you had a quick set of keystrokes that conveyed the message.

As for the industry specific stuff, its all just to avoid having to type out things like Port Orleans French Quarter and the like a million times when trying to type on the tiny keys of a hand-held (where I think most day time forum responding is conducted).

 

[NobleAlyssum]

I just joined up and even after lurking for some time, I'm still lost on over half of the abbreviations. I can get the smaller, obvious ones (DH, CM, POTC) but when people bring up restaurants and shows, I am usually lost. But I find myself adapting quickly the more I read, so I know eventually I will read through most posts and understand the specifics that are trying to be communicated.

I try to stay away from the abbreviations, mostly because they are still a mystery to me, and for another, I majored in an area of study that required working knowledge of formal and research writing, so abbreviating these words feel almost "wrong." Haha!

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't remember feeling like the abbreviations were off-putting when I first joined the forum. There may still be some that I don't know, but I think I understand all that I need to understand. Sure it might be confusing if you don't spend much time here, but I think anyone who's interested enough to participate often will catch on quickly. I don't think it's a cliquish thing...there's just a lot of stuff to abbreviate! For instance, my favorite resort is POFQ, my favorite park is AK, and my favorite ride is EE. Did you understand any of that?

It wasn't for me either and I knew just about NOTHING about the Disney Parks when I joined. Did it take a bit of experience to learn all of the little things? Yea. But it was worth it. Any board someone joins is going to have it's own abbreviations and "rules" that the community takes part in. It's nothing different or new when it comes to the DIS. And, when you join a new board, there will always been a learning curve. I always suggest that a new person takes time to read, learn the rules, and learn the community before they post... and to never post something about how the board should change within their first handful of posts as it can be very off putting.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Or will I get used to it and starting saying things like "BTW, my DS5 loves the CS @ CS, and one CM at CM's (ADR) at CR was really nice."

"By the way, my five year old son loves the counter service at Coronado Springs, and one cast member at Chef Mickey's (by advance dining reservations) at Contemporary Resort was really nice."

See? You've already got it down.

 

[ChuckOp]

Love it! Made me LOL (pun intended).

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I know what the acronyms mean, but I still spell everything out. I type it out the same way I speak it.
In time you will get used to it.

 

[DekrRini]

Acronyms are in all forums no matter what the topic. Because I've participated in numerous forums, I don't find the acronyms used here any more off putting or clique-ish than on the other ones. DM=Darling Mother is universal as are the other family relationships. The other acronyms pertaining to Disney used on this forum just take time to learn. And compared to some other forums I participate on, DIS is downright sedate.

 

[aprilnmay]

There is definitely a learning curve with the acronyms. Even though I am pretty familiar with the parks, google has become my new best friend.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I love using the acronyms with my husband and teens. It drives them insane though. On our last family vacation to Disney one of my texts to them was "You need 2 get in DHS by 11am for our TSMM FP and then you go to RnRC for 12pm FP, I'll b in VOTLM. Meet up at ToT at 1pm."

Confused them totally. LOL