Another SD Question: Haunted Mansion

[weetot]

Thank you, Gap! I think I also found the specific answer to this question for myself, a second ago. It's talking about accommodating a wc, but would be the same for a service dog. If you're interested, please go here:
http://www.rollingwiththemagicblog.com/accessible-attractions-the-haunted-mansion/

Hopefully the link works!
Beth

Beth: Thanks for the link! I went there and found out all sorts of interesting facts. A good place to go for w/c users.

 

[Chainsaw]

I second that!! Beth, I can't tell you how helpful that site has been to me!! Probably the best resource for w/c users I've found!! And I've been looking for 2 1/2 years!! Oh, AND I was even in all four parks w/c dependent and didn't know half of the things that blogger shared!! Thank you ever so much-You're my pixie dust!!

 

[gismo1554]

How do you all persuade the CM's to let you bypass the stretching room? That's the accommodation I need, but every CM I've ever talked to has point-blank refused to allow it. One even insisted it was physically impossible to enter the ride any other way.

Oh, I always do tell them why. Then again, I always seem to have the bad luck to encounter the worst CM's at The Haunted Mansion. I'll have a white ID cane with me the next time I go, so maybe that will help. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Agreed! I used my ID cane last time and they still said you couldn't go through the exit even when I explained that I had previously. I asked to speak to someone else but after 30 mins waiting told the rest of the party to go on without me. Last time I went through the main route I used a torch and had some very obnoxious man complain about me pointing it at the floor! Had to point out I was disabled and if he had a problem I'd be happy to trample over his child instead. Its a shame too as I love the ride but unless you get a decent CM on the desk outside you just end up in a very uncomfortable position for everyone. I tend to just avoid the ride instead.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Sarah, I'm sorry for yours and others' negative experiences trying to do the HM! I hope you will be able to find some tips on here or elsewhere that will allow you to enjoy it again! It's one of my favorites, I know I would be bummed to miss out on it Good luck!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks! I may try again this year just wish that they would equip the cms with a manual or something to tell them how to deal with things like this! Other rides like the living seas always seem to have people who know what to do and last time the cm even took my arm to walk me through to the back entrance and make sure I was sat down comfortably (which the rest of my party thought was great as they got to go the normal way)

 

[DisneyOma]

Just to go back to service dogs for a second: I got to thinking today that there might be a way not to even need accommodations for myself with Harrison on HM, but I'm also wondering what people think. My other dog, Ella (the one in my profile pic!) has a red light up accessory on her collar that you can turn on and it glows red, or you can make the red light blink. If I put that on Harrison's collar, I'm wondering if that would be enough to alert people to his presence so that he doesn't get stepped on and we could actually walk through the entire ride queue safely? On HM, that's really the only reason I think I would need any kind of accommodation. Do you guys think this would be sufficient to keep him from getting stepped on (he's a standard goldendoodle, so fairly tall)? Also, would that be rude to have a blinking light on, about hip height in a dark ride? Or any other ride?

Thank you!

You certainly wouldn't be the only one with a flashing light - lots of kids were carrying them just for fun the last few times I've been in there.

A red blinking light would not be appropriate on Haunted Mansion. It would mess up the special effects for most of the attraction, as HM uses reflective light, mirrors, etc. No one should have lights on inside a dark ride.

OP, where are you thinking the dog will be in the ride vehicle? Remember that the floor of the ride vehicle has a hinge that moves when the safety bar comes into locking position. I'd worry that a part of the dog would get pinched/crushed. Would the dog fit on the seat?

 

[BethCPTSD]

Yes, Oma I was wondering about that myself. I've been on the ride a million times, but not with the new service dog. It is permissible to bring service dogs on the ride, so I'm thinking there is probably enough room, although picturing it in my head it does seem pretty small -- and yes, I realize that bar comes down at an angle. I wonder if anyone who has been with a full size dog might be able to share their experience? Thank you for your thoughts, Oma!

EDIT: I doubt he'd fit on the seat

 

[BethCPTSD]

Here's my guy. This is Harrison, my new service dog. He's still around 5 months, but getting pretty big. I won't meet him until the fall probably, as he's being trained in a different state. Anyway, this is who I've been talking about! Thanks for letting me share!

 

[ttintagel]

I totally agree that flashing lights aren't appropriate for a dark ride. But that doesn't change the fact that many people bring them in anyway.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Yes, Oma I was wondering about that myself. I've been on the ride a million times, but not with the new service dog. It is permissible to bring service dogs on the ride, so I'm thinking there is probably enough room, although picturing it in my head it does seem pretty small -- and yes, I realize that bar comes down at an angle. I wonder if anyone who has been with a full size dog might be able to share their experience? Thank you for your thoughts, Oma!

EDIT: I doubt he'd fit on the seat

I haven't had any problems with this ride vehicle or any others. Obviously, it is not appropriate for the dog to be on the seat even if they did fit. Just as with all other rides, the dog lays on the floor of the ride vehicle at or behind the handler's feet (however the team finds works for them, which may differ depending on the ride vehicle). I haven't heard of any problems anyone else has had, either.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Here's my guy. This is Harrison, my new service dog. He's still around 5 months, but getting pretty big. I won't meet him until the fall probably, as he's being trained in a different state. Anyway, this is who I've been talking about! Thanks for letting me share!

He's adorable!

 

[BethCPTSD]

Thanks, Ms. Butterfly! Grateful for your comments and experience!

 

[BethCPTSD]

Hi guys...I didn't want to annoy anyone by starting another new thread regarding service dogs, so I dug this one up for a moment! This isn't about HM...I was actually wondering if anyone knows why SD's are not allowed on The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios? I've never been on it, but I've seen it on video, and it's unclear to me why it would be a problem. Thanks for your input!

 

[gap2368]

My guess and only my guess ( because I did not even know SD were not allowed on it ) is there is a gunn fight and loud noises

 

[wilkeliza]

Hi guys...I didn't want to annoy anyone by starting another new thread regarding service dogs, so I dug this one up for a moment! This isn't about HM...I was actually wondering if anyone knows why SD's are not allowed on The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios? I've never been on it, but I've seen it on video, and it's unclear to me why it would be a problem. Thanks for your input!

based on the current listing service dogs are allowed on GMR.

Edit to clarify the are allowed "with caution". So it is up to the handler to determine if the ride is okay or not. You will be in the wheelchair section most likely. The ride does not have a ton of leg room either.

 

[BethCPTSD]

That's so strange. I had just come from the Disney Parks page, where it listed it as not being permitted. Could I have been on an old Disney page? I'll look it up again. Weird!

 

[BethCPTSD]

Ok. I re-checked it! You are totally right, Wilkeliza! And that's funny, because I've looked it up in the past and didn't remember it being something they were restricted from. I guess that's why! Also, I got mixed up and was actually on Allears,com anyway -- not Disney's official page. All sorts of misreadings tonight! Well, I thank you Gap and Wilkeliza, both for your input and for setting me straight! I'm really glad, because that was going to be a bummer!

BethCPTSD

 

[SueM in MN]

Great Movie Ride is not listed as Service Dogs not allowed; it's listed as caution. So, you would need to check with a CM. Because there is a wheelchair space, they may board you so the dog has that area. But, that would not be the total reason since other attractions with similar amount of floor space that have a wheelchair spot don't board like that (Small World, for example).

My guess is these scenes might be problematic for some dogs because the dog could perceive the person was in danger. Since you have watched the videos, this will include spoilers.

1) the 1930s Gangster scene might include gunshots.

2) the Western scene will include some gunshots, but might include additional gunshots, an explosion and fire (depends on which version of the ride you get)

3) the scenes from Alien include loud alert noises, flashing lights and an alien popping out with noise and smoke

4) the Egyptian jewel segment includes sudden fire and smoke

5) during the Wizard of Oz portion, the witch appears and disappears in a loud plume of smoke

 

[BethCPTSD]

Thanks for the specifics, Sue!