Light Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Prior to departure on [Runway] 36L at MCO; I was given an initial departure clearance of: Climb via the SID to 7;000 via the EPCOT 1 Departure. After takeoff; Tower handed me off to Departure and I was given different instructions: Climb via the SID EXCEPT climb and maintain one six thousand (16;000). I understood the clearance to mean 'climb to 16;000' because of the word EXCEPT inserted into the clearance. ATC advised that I had flown through 7;000 (by approx 600 feet) and advised me to descend to 7;000 feet. I called the Tower the following day to discuss the matter. The supervisor advised me that this was an ongoing issue and that there seemed to be a 'terminology' issue with issuance of this particular SID. I agreed with his assessment and informed that the term EXCEPT changed the meaning of the clearance to indicate a change in instruction. The term THEN would have been a more standard choice. He informed me they were holding a Quality Assurance meeting to solve the issue.
Corporate pilot reported an altitude deviation during departure from MCO airport.  Reporter stated the terminology 'Climb via the SID EXCEPT' is confusing and was told it has been an ongoing issue.