What Do “DL”, “W/D (W/S)”, and “OC” Mean on Inflatable Listings?
If you’ve ever browsed inflatable catalogs, or product pages online and thought, “Why does everything look like abbreviations and codes?” — you’re not alone.
Rental owners and first-time buyers often Google questions like:
- “What’s the difference between DL and SL on a slide?”
- “Does W/D (or W/S) mean I can use it with water?”
- “What is OC in obstacle course inflatables?”
This quick guide breaks down the most common inflatable industry abbreviations in plain English — so you can pick the right unit faster and avoid ordering the wrong configuration.
Quick Cheat Sheet: The Most Common Inflatable Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | What it stands for | What it means (in real life) |
|---|---|---|
| W/D or W/S | Wet/Dry (Wet or Dry) | Can be used dry, or connected to a garden hose for water play |
| SL | Single Lane | One rider at a time (lower throughput, smaller footprint) |
| DL | Double Lane | Two riders at a time (race feature, higher throughput) |
| W/P | With Pool | Ends in an inflatable pool for a splash landing (water slides) |
| W/L or Stopper | With Landing / Landing Pad | Ends in a raised inflatable landing (often for dry slides) |
| OC | Obstacle Course | Long, race-style unit with tunnels, pop-ups, climbs & slides |
| Combo | Combination Unit | Bounce + slide (often with climb, basketball hoop, obstacles) |
| 15’ / 18’ | Feet (usually height for slides) | Often refers to slide height (not always the length) |
1) What does “W/D” or “W/S” mean — and is it really worth paying extra for?
W/D (Wet/Dry) or W/S (Wet or Dry) means the inflatable is designed to run in two modes:
- Dry Mode: Use it like a standard inflatable slide or combo.
- Wet Mode: Connect a garden hose to built-in spray features to turn it into a water unit (in summer).
Why rental companies care: Wet/Dry units usually rent well across more months of the year, which can improve your ROI.
Tip: If a listing says “Dry Only,” don’t assume you can “just add water.” That’s a common mistake that can lead to long-term issues (especially for heavy commercial use).
Want to browse commercial inventory ideas? Start here:
Commercial Inflatables (EastJump)
2) DL vs SL: Is “Double Lane” really a big deal?
Yes — because in rentals, capacity (kids per hour) = money.
- SL (Single Lane): One rider at a time. Great for smaller parties, tighter spaces, and lower budgets.
- DL (Double Lane): Two riders at a time. Creates a “race” feature that clients love, and reduces wait time at big events.
Best use cases for DL: school field days, church events, large birthday parties, community festivals, and corporate family days.
3) What does “W/P” mean — and how is it different from “W/L” or “Stopper”?
This one tells you how the ride ends:
- W/P (With Pool): The slide ends in an inflatable pool for a splash landing — most common for water slides.
- W/L (With Landing) / Stopper: The slide ends on a raised inflatable landing pad (no pool). Often used for dry slides, or when the customer wants a smaller footprint.
Buyer tip: If you’re planning to advertise it as a water slide, W/P is usually the stronger “summer rental” selling point.
4) What is “OC” in inflatables — and why do obstacle courses rent so well?
OC = Obstacle Course. These are long, linear inflatables designed for speed + competition.
They typically include combinations of:
- tunnels and pop-up obstacles
- climb elements
- slides at the end (sometimes dual lanes)
If you want an example of the OC style, here’s one of our obstacle-course listings:
38 ft American Rush Mania Inflatable Obstacle Course
5) What does “Combo” mean — and what’s “4-in-1” or “5-in-1”?
Combo means a combination unit — usually bounce area + slide.
When you see “4-in-1” / “5-in-1,” the number usually refers to how many activities are built into one unit, such as:
- Bounce
- Climb
- Slide
- Basketball hoop
- Pop-up obstacles
Why buyers love combos: They fit many party types and ages, and they’re often a top performer for weekend rentals.
6) Does “15’ / 18’” mean height or length?
Most of the time on slides, 15’ / 18’ refers to the height (feet). But some listings use feet to describe length on obstacle courses (e.g., “30’ OC”).
What to do: Always check the full dimensions (L × W × H) on the spec sheet before you order — especially if you’re planning truck loading, warehouse storage, or fitting into a specific yard/event space.
So… why do inflatable companies use so many abbreviations?
Because rental owners need to understand the unit quickly:
- Can it run wet? (W/D, W/S)
- How many riders per hour? (SL vs DL)
- What type of landing? (W/P vs W/L)
- Is it a race unit? (OC)
Once you know these abbreviations, shopping becomes a lot easier — and you’ll avoid buying a configuration that doesn’t match your market.
Still confused by a model name or abbreviation?
Send us the exact listing title (or a screenshot of the spec line), and we’ll translate it into a clear “what it is + who it’s for” recommendation.
Browse more buying tips here: EastJump Blog
Shop commercial units here: Commercial Inflatables