New WDW Service Dog webpage/Kennels at some attractions

[creedfan4lyflds]

Hi everyone! While standing in line for Mission:Space the other day, a family with a young child in a wheelchair and a service dog came in right ahead of us, and I overheard the two CMs speaking to each other after they moved into the line. I'm sure at some point or another this information has been shared before, but just in case, I felt it needed to be shared.

After the family moved along, the obviosly senior CM member told the obviously newer CM that they should only reveal that they have a kennel available for service dogs if the family asks if there is some way the party can ride together. Since this had been volunteered to the family, they of course took them up on it, and I was pleasantly suprised to see a CM sitting on a bench in the exit with the service dog. But if you didn't know, you might never ask, so, ask! I have no idea what other attractions might have this, but at least we know know about Mission:Space!

I've seen more service dogs at the parks in the last couple weeks than I ever have, especially the less "tradional" serivce dogs. With service dogs being trained for so much more than blindness now, I imagine that this number will get even higher and higher (yeay for opportunities for other breeds of dogs!!).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This is an absolute violation of Disney rules for Cast Members. I could have led to one (or both) of the CMs being fired. We are absolutely prohibited from caring for a Service Animal while the Guest is in/on an attraction.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I find this so concerning! I've seen many dogs in the parks and I always assumed they are handled at all times by their owners, who know their behavior and needs well. Not a CM who may or may not know anything about dogs at all. Think of the liability if a dog were to escape and/or hurt someone while out of its owner's care! Especially now with all the "nontraditional" service dogs who may or may not be as well behaved as they should be. WDW is a very stressful place for even the best-trained dogs.

 

[gilesmt]

He did not say the CM was caring for the dog he said the CM has a kennel for the dog. Disney according to a law suit last year are suppose to put kennels at the rides that the dogs can not go on. I have been waiting to hear when this would start. No idea if I will use it or not, but it seems like it is finally here. I assume. The opposite of what others, I picture the dog in the kennel and a CM on a bench near the kennel, not caring for the dog but making sure only the owner opens the kennel. In my mine I pictured the new bracelets would somehow be linked to the dog kennels. I wonder how this would all work, can't wait to find out.

I also find it very disturbing how many un service animals are everywhere. Now that Disney is finally up to par with ADA, maybe the unserviceable dogs will be told to leave when they sit in the kennel and bark and such. Although, Disney may find that the real service animals are probably the ones who will not use the kennels, I still can not see putting my eyes in a kennel, I want to ride as a family but if my eyes have to sit out I want her to be with family more than in a kennel.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I don't understand. If there was a kennel, why was the dog with the CM at the exit?

I couldn't see putting a service dog in a kennel for something like this. Service animals (typically) are so used to being with their owners to repeatedly separate them like this seems way too stressful to the dog. Its one thing to kennel them for a trip as a whole, but "Ok puppy here's a cage you've never seen and I'll come get you in ten minutes'' over and over

 

[gilesmt]

I agree lock, except for it is at least now an option. The only one I think I would even consider it on is space and splash, before dog days we always got a picture, we have not been able to get the whole family now and dgd is now. Going to be 8, it would be nice to at least get the picture, but I doubt I will, not until the kinks are worked out in a few years. I am glad they have a CM watch over the kennel, my dog Is $40,000 my first concern was who will make sure only I take him. But I have lots of other concerns, like who washs the kennels how often, at the big kennels they can make sure every dog is vaccinated, most of the un service dogs probably aren't and then may dog goes in after and gets sick, no thank you.i am glad that it is an option, but for me and my dog it will be several years before I think I will try it, if ever.

And for those who don't know why, blind sued in class action and won this, because it is very difficult for our families to always be separated, never mind the time consuming effects of those rides the dogs can't go on. Yes there is ride swap and such, but when you have a disability you just don't get right on a ride, we often wait our 90 minutes and then wait again at least 60 minutes as a family to go on some rides like soc or RSR, the park takes us way longer than a w/c person.

I wonder if this means they also have seating for blind in parades, and not put us with the w/c persons. Hope so.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi everyone! While standing in line for Mission:Space the other day, a family with a young child in a wheelchair and a service dog came in right ahead of us, and I overheard the two CMs speaking to each other after they moved into the line. I'm sure at some point or another this information has been shared before, but just in case, I felt it needed to be shared.

After the family moved along, the obviosly senior CM member told the obviously newer CM that they should only reveal that they have a kennel available for service dogs if the family asks if there is some way the party can ride together. Since this had been volunteered to the family, they of course took them up on it, and I was pleasantly suprised to see a CM sitting on a bench in the exit with the service dog. But if you didn't know, you might never ask, so, ask! I have no idea what other attractions might have this, but at least we know know about Mission:Space!

I've seen more service dogs at the parks in the last couple weeks than I ever have, especially the less "tradional" serivce dogs. With service dogs being trained for so much more than blindness now, I imagine that this number will get even higher and higher (yeay for opportunities for other breeds of dogs!!).

The original poster was not completely clear whether this men's the CM was sitting next to a kennel that had the dog in it or was sitting on a bench, holding the dog's leash.

I agree lock, except for it is at least now an option. The only one I think I would even consider it on is space and splash, before dog days we always got a picture, we have not been able to get the whole family now and dgd is now. Going to be 8, it would be nice to at least get the picture, but I doubt I will, not until the kinks are worked out in a few years. I am glad they have a CM watch over the kennel, my dog Is $40,000 my first concern was who will make sure only I take him. But I have lots of other concerns, like who washs the kennels how often, at the big kennels they can make sure every dog is vaccinated, most of the un service dogs probably aren't and then may dog goes in after and gets sick, no thank you.i am glad that it is an option, but for me and my dog it will be several years before I think I will try it, if ever.

And for those who don't know why, blind sued in class action and won this, because it is very difficult for our families to always be separated, never mind the time consuming effects of those rides the dogs can't go on. Yes there is ride swap and such, but when you have a disability you just don't get right on a ride, we often wait our 90 minutes and then wait again at least 60 minutes as a family to go on some rides like soc or RSR, the park takes us way longer than a w/c person.

I wonder if this means they also have seating for blind in parades, and not put us with the w/c persons. Hope so.

My understanding of the settlement was that they were going to let people with vision disabilities use the current handicapped areas for parades - which would not be the best situation for either group.

 

[gilesmt]

The original poster was not completely clear whether this men's the CM was sitting next to a kennel that had the dog in it or was sitting on a bench, holding the dog's leash.


My understanding of the settlement was that they were going to let people with vision disabilities use the current handicapped areas for parades - which would not be the best situation for either group.

Really, I have always been able to sit with the w/c persons, at fantasmic and parades, it does not work, the w/CS have to go up front since they can not have persons standing in front of them, obviously, meaning I get pushed back further and further. But my real problem is that w/c persons do not think about my dog, so honestly it was never a solution that is why I refuse to go to parades for 8 years or more now. I thought we were getting our own space. I like the hand held devices for the shows like fantasmic and illuminations, you have to stand a a place to have it work, I always wondered why they could not do that for parades.

 

[Schmeck]

The fundamental basis of the ADA is not to segregate people by disability and have separate areas for them; it is to create an inclusive environment for equal access. I've found Disney to go above and beyond the basic outline of the ADA, so I'm not sure how it could be declared that it was at some point subpar? Sometimes Disney goes too far, actually, and violates a part of the ADA that declares it illegal to offer a service to one population and not another.

I'm concerned about the cleanliness of the kennels too, and what would happen if there was an issue with fleas, mites, etc. It seems the weight of responsibility is shifting from the individual to the corporation.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a brand new page I just found.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/service-animals/

It includes a lot of information and links to more specifics. If you go toward the bottom, there is also a map with service dog relief areas. If you click on the name of the one you are interested in, it will show on the map where it is.
I'm guessing that you can probably also do a similar search for thm on the My Disney Experience app.

 

[gilesmt]

The fundamental basis of the ADA is not to segregate people by disability and have separate areas for them; it is to create an inclusive environment for equal access. I've found Disney to go above and beyond the basic outline of the ADA, so I'm not sure how it could be declared that it was at some point subpar? Sometimes Disney goes too far, actually, and violates a part of the ADA that declares it illegal to offer a service to one population and not another.

I'm concerned about the cleanliness of the kennels too, and what would happen if there was an issue with fleas, mites, etc. It seems the weight of responsibility is shifting from the individual to the corporation.

Agreed, but by not doing something for ADA Disney has segregated people out. I do believe Disney goes above and beyond with some ADA and some disabilities. Especially autism and w/c's. but I find Disney has fallen short on other disabilities. Disney in 20 years of going has never offered me the experience of a parade and for most if not all has never offered me the experience of being able to go along, and has never offered me the ability to ride with my family. I don't see how Disney has gone beyond ADA by offering these things. Now wether I will use them is a different story, I fear for my dog and may not use a kennel, but that is my choice, to now spend 2 hours to go on soaring, when I could do it in 45 minutes, or to seperate my family when I can keep us all together. Before Disney offered me no choice, now I have the choice. Just like those with a GAC card, they do not have to use it but they have the choice to use it.

My choice for the parade is to have the device, so at least I would know Cinderella is coming or Mickey Mouse. At this point my option is very limited if null. Go to a parade and see nothing, and not know what is going on and not have enough space for dog and myself. Or don't go to the parade. The experience is suppose to be equal. Not giving me a seperate place but a device would make me equal, although I realize they come hand in hand, the device will only work at a certain place so they will be giving me the space. Just giving me a space with w/c persons does not give me the experience of a parade, it only gives me the frightening experience of being placed in the middle of a mob with a dog and no way out.

I do not know what your disability is, but I will agree to disagree with Disney goes above and beyond, because as a blind individual that has not been my experience. As a matter of fact, just the opposite, Disney for years (in the past) refused me a GAC and told me that was what my family was for, dlr stopped doing that years ago, but if I am correct that is what part of the law suit was about, wdw was still telling blind individuals that their family was to guide them. I am an adult, Disney could make all queue lines straight and I would not need help, they could make traffic all go in the same direction, they could take out all stairs and then I even blind could navigate. Don't laugh, most of America went out and redid every side walk for w/c persons, remember the old days. Disney does not tell w/c people that their family can carry them through the part, no it goes above and beyond and offered w/c's to anyone who has the money.

My real big big fear of the kennels is like the w/c's, since they offer them on site everyone has a family member that needs one, sorry I don't mean those who really do, I know many do, but we all have seen the ones who don't seem to need one and have them, making the park harder to get though, the lines longer at w/c enterences and such. Anyway, when persons with un service dogs see that they now have kennels, my fear is everyone in America will have a service dog to bring to Disney. When my dd was little and in a w/c from cp, we went to Disney and we saw no more than one or two other w/c's in line for a ride, then Disney started to become known to having w/c's and then renting out motorized ones and now you can not go to any ride and not find at least 20 w/c's in the back enterance (talking mostly dlr). My fear is by putting kennels at the exits, we will see more and more unserviceable dogs in the park. Yes, Disney can ask if it is a service dog, but Disney's staff I am sure can not determine the other question they are allowed to ask, what service does he do, I have hear it all from the un service dog persons, like he is my companion (no does not qualify), he helps me with night time seizures ( no does not qualify, at least at 10 am on a sunny day), he brings me my news paper (no does not qualify), and I think my all time favorite was a little thing on a EVC who's owner said, he barks and keeps everyone off the EVC when I get off it (no does not qualify). To me it is redundant that Disney (or anyone can ask), since you can say anything and that is always as far as it goes because Disney is not allowed to ask what your disability is, so how do they know if your dog is going to do a task for your disability, and how does a lay person know if that task is even needed for that disability. My fear is in the next year you will see more and more pet un service dogs in the park, and those of us who really need it will be less and less able to bring ours, for fear of getting hurt. I can not imagine my dog having to do Disney with meeting 20 chaweenie s, 10 pit bulls and a bunch of other dogs, on top of all the other distractions. And yes, pit bulls are service dogs (supposedly), I am on a task force in my town on how to deal with the pit bulls who are service dogs and over 100 registered just last year. Our town did something that was special, all dogs need licenses except for service dogs. So now all owners of pit bulls are claiming they have a service dog that is a pit bull, no license and does not have to follow some rules, like in the parks here, a dog can be off leash if training as a service dog or if doing a service. Anyway, it has become a huge huge problem, and that is what I fear Disney has coming up. I have a service dog, who is for my blindness, in 8 years I have only seen my friends with service dogs for blindness. I work exclusively with the disabled community and have never seen a service dog for anything but blindness. My case load is 375 children with autism, and our agency services over 2000 children with autism, yet I have never seen a dog for autism do service. I have seen the unserviceable dogs come to our office, I am the ones who ask the questions and then ask then to leave the dog at home if not requiring them to do a service when in our office.i have never been sued over it. Every time we have gone to Disney we have seen the little dog that sits on the scooter, or the lab that tried really hard to climb over the wall and jump into the river at grizzly run, or the dog what was run over by the scooter, or the dog that chased my dog at dumbo. I know there is not that many service dogs out there, although I know it is growing. I just hope that service animals don't grow as fast as w/c's grew in Disney. Sorry if anyone takes this personally, I know and understand that there are service dogs that may not look like it, my ex has one for PTSD, and I know I am niave at times because even I have a hard time understanding what service he does, although I will admit that my ex is a different person ever since he has had the dog. But neither of us will take our dog for a full Disney trip. I am very concerned with the people who will take a pet even a well behaved pet and go to Disney. I don't mean to hurt or judge those with a service animal that is truly doing a service and I know they are out there.

 

[Piper]

I have a service dog that is a small dog. She alerts me when my sugar starts to rise or drop. If I catch it when it first starts to happen, I can avoid a much bigger problem. I will not be using kennels because I cannot even ride the rides that would offer them. No mountains at all for me. No jerky rides. Nothing that has warnings. Can't manage them anymore. I remember how much fun they used to be, but I wasn't able to go on them the last 4 times I was there.

Another reason I won't be using them is that I am no longer even able to go to WDW because of my health.

Be happy that you at least get to enjoy the rides even if it is without your whole family.

Fair--if you have any type of disability, life just isn't really fair. There are many things you miss. But having a positive attitude and enjoying the things you can is what makes life worth living!

 

[disney david]

I have a service dog that is a small dog. She alerts me when my sugar starts to rise or drop. If I catch it when it first starts to happen, I can avoid a much bigger problem. I will not be using kennels because I cannot even ride the rides that would offer them. No mountains at all for me. No jerky rides. Nothing that has warnings. Can't manage them anymore. I remember how much fun they used to be, but I wasn't able to go on them the last 4 times I was there.

Another reason I won't be using them is that I am no longer even able to go to WDW because of my health.

Be happy that you at least get to enjoy the rides even if it is without your whole family.

Fair--if you have any type of disability, life just isn't really fair. There are many things you miss. But having a positive attitude and enjoying the things you can is what makes life worth living!

This is not to stop dogs from riding with you they will only be at rides that can't have a dog on it like everst or other thrill rides that it might not be safe for the dog the not putting kennels at every single ride.

 

[gilesmt]

Any idea why the trainer, or person ( I assume trainer) is holding what looks like a GAC card and what words are on it?

Also, this is new, but it says nothing about the kennels that we heard talked about recently, any thoughts?

 

[disney david]

Any idea why the trainer, or person ( I assume trainer) is holding what looks like a GAC card and what words are on it?

Also, this is new, but it says nothing about the kennels that we heard talked about recently, any thoughts?

May be their add a new stamp so the cm will know automatically to send you towards the kennel. This also could be a way to prevent non service animals in because if you have a service animal and get a gac it be a better way to regulate it. Not that you need proof but if guest with service animals know they need to get a gac then they be better helped and could find people who bring in their regular pets. Or may be it just a tip sheet for dog owners that give them location a and other info that the same size as a gac. Dose the gac have info on the back that tells you what to do with an attraction that has an alternate entrance. Or may be they just used it in the picture for no reason other then Turin it to disabilities.

 

[disney david]

It could be since the dog looks like being a seeing eye dog the person would need a gac any way to get front row for shows and other things so that why hey used a gac for picture.


I mean Ko offense by this post and do not want to offend anyone so sorry if I did ahead of time.

 

[utterrandomness]

I can't connect to the linked page. It's saying 404 not found...

 

[LisaBi]

As far as the un-service dogs.....I always thought a service dog had to have an official vest or such, and certified papers? Is that not the case? Couldn't a business ask for proof that the dog is a registered service dog? I would hate to see people claiming their pets as service dogs to start making life even harder for those who have a need a true service dog.

I don't have a service dog, but did have one that started life as a service dog. As soon as she became our pet, she had no privileges....she was JUST a pet...and rightfully so.

 

[disney david]

As far as the un-service dogs.....I always thought a service dog had to have an official vest or such, and certified papers? Is that not the case? Couldn't a business ask for proof that the dog is a registered service dog? I would hate to see people claiming their pets as service dogs to start making life even harder for those who have a need a true service dog.

I don't have a service dog, but did have one that started life as a service dog. As soon as she became our pet, she had no privileges....she was JUST a pet...and rightfully so.

Not to encourage it but their a website (amazon) you can buy a vest and patches on so you could buy it and put it on any dog then you look like you have a service dog. I don't support that just saying it to why just going by vest won't work. While true service dogs wear them and are doing a true benefit to their person they work with so it sad how any one would try to pass off their house hold pet as a service dog just be able to bring them to Disney or to bring them into a store. Most states it against health codes to bring the dog into the store that why they only allow service dogs.

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't connect to the linked page. It's saying 404 not found...

It may have been temporarily unavailable. I was just able to use the link from a computer that had not been or before and I also accessed it with my iPhone. Both loaded the whole page very quickly.