Best Attractions to do with my service dog (shows?)

[Team Wendy and Nana]

So I'm a Magic Key Holder and my service dog and I are in the parks at least once a week. We've done this since the beginning of 2023 and have also spent long trips to WDW several times as well -- so we're familiar with doing parks together. Most of my life I've been local to Disneyland but I've always been less familiar with DCA for various reasons (also -- not the biggest Marvel fan -- sorry!) I was hoping to get a little list of the best attractions (esp shows) that my service dog and I can do together. I do rides, but for many, he has to be kenneled until I'm through, which is fine, but I want to know if I'm missing things we can do together. Especially a show or attraction where we can sit down together to do it. These suit my disabilities best. Even rides on trains/trolleys/etc -- anything that I might not have thought of/is kind of out of the box a little. One example we enjoy is the train. Anybody have anything? He is a 60 lb, tall, goldendoodle to give you an idea of the space he takes! Sorry if this is a weird question. Anyone else with a service dog have any ideas? Or places to relax together? We know some, but I'm always interested in more. Thank you so much!

 

[edhmom]

I have taken several service dogs in training to the parks. In DCA Turtle Talk is a great option. You and the dog can sit and watch the show. I usually sit in the front row with the dog tucked behind my legs to help protect him since it's dark in there. Because I'm in the front Crush sometimes asks questions for interaction so be prepared for that. No more than anywhere else in the parks with a dog

If you do Guardians, be aware that you go thru the entire queue before you kennel the dog. The looks you will get waiting to board the ride with a dog with you are amusing with all the people thinking you are taking the dog on the ride with you.

The path behind the rapids ride is usually cool, uncrowded and quiet. It's a nice place for a break if you or your dog need some quiet time.

For Disneyland the dogs can go on the horse drawn carriage and fire truck up and down Main Street.

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

I have taken several service dogs in training to the parks. In DCA Turtle Talk is a great option. You and the dog can sit and watch the show. I usually sit in the front row with the dog tucked behind my legs to help protect him since it's dark in there. Because I'm in the front Crush sometimes asks questions for interaction so be prepared for that. No more than anywhere else in the parks with a dog

If you do Guardians, be aware that you go thru the entire queue before you kennel the dog. The looks you will get waiting to board the ride with a dog with you are amusing with all the people thinking you are taking the dog on the ride with you.

The path behind the rapids ride is usually cool, uncrowded and quiet. It's a nice place for a break if you or your dog need some quiet time.

For Disneyland the dogs can go on the horse drawn carriage and fire truck up and down Main Street.

Thank you so much, edhmom! I've been looking online for things like this too and saw that DCA has Turtle Talk -- so I'm glad to hear your take on it and how you position your dog. I might look into the horse drawn carriage too. Funny though, I know it we could do it just fine, but my SD is obsessed with those horses! ha. Every time he sees one he is mesmerized and goes into a zone! lol. I appreciate your suggestions, thanks so much!

 

[LKing]

I know nothing about service dogs and what they can or can't do. Are they not able to go on rides that require seatbelts/bars such as Little Mermaid?
In addition to Turtle Talk, how about:

• Philarmagic
• Animation Academy
• Disney Junior Dance Party
• Redwood Creek Challenge (just re-opened)

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

I know nothing about service dogs and what they can or can't do. Are they not able to go on rides that require seatbelts/bars such as Little Mermaid?
In addition to Turtle Talk, how about:

• Philarmagic
• Animation Academy
• Disney Junior Dance Party
• Redwood Creek Challenge (just re-opened)

Thank you! They can ride any ride without a height requirement and someone told me the other day we would like Little Mermaid, since Small World is my SD's favorite ride. So yes, thank you -- we do do rides, just trying to see what else we can experience, since my disabilities sometimes make it hard to do very many of the rides in one day but I still like to enjoy being in the parks. I only recently discovered Philharmagic for us on a hot day and it was awesome, but I have not tried the others! Thank you so much for these suggestions!

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

I have taken several service dogs in training to the parks. In DCA Turtle Talk is a great option. You and the dog can sit and watch the show. I usually sit in the front row with the dog tucked behind my legs to help protect him since it's dark in there. Because I'm in the front Crush sometimes asks questions for interaction so be prepared for that. No more than anywhere else in the parks with a dog

If you do Guardians, be aware that you go thru the entire queue before you kennel the dog. The looks you will get waiting to board the ride with a dog with you are amusing with all the people thinking you are taking the dog on the ride with you.

The path behind the rapids ride is usually cool, uncrowded and quiet. It's a nice place for a break if you or your dog need some quiet time.

For Disneyland the dogs can go on the horse drawn carriage and fire truck up and down Main Street.

By the way -- what is the seating like in Turtle Talk? Is it like theater seating? Is the room big or small? I feel like I've seen a video of it and it was small with benches and a lot of people standing? That might have been WDW though. Trying to get a better idea so I'm prepared. Thanks!

 

[LKing]

By the way -- what is the seating like in Turtle Talk? Is it like theater seating? Is the room big or small? I feel like I've seen a video of it and it was small with benches and a lot of people standing? That might have been WDW though. Trying to get a better idea so I'm prepared. Thanks!

Small room with benches for adults. Kids (and some adults) sit on the floor in the front.

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

Small room with benches for adults. Kids (and some adults) sit on the floor in the front.

thanks!

 

[LKing]

At Disneyland, have you been to the Pixar Pal's Playtime Party at the Fantasyland Theater? There is also a Pixar parade at DCA.

If you can go on rides like Little Mermaid, you might enjoy Monsters Inc. What about the Pixar Pal Around (ferris wheel)?

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

I think most days we probably don't get to the parks (during the summer) early enough for the Fantasyland Theater (isn't it only during the day?) We try to get to the parks no earlier than 430 to skip the hottest part of the day, because I have felt that the heat some days was too much for my SD. I really don't know any of the rides at DCA to be honest -- although I know Soarin' because they have it at WDW (same with the Little Mermaid, I think.) Without really knowing, it always seemed to me most were more like "thrill" rides. Is Monsters Inc like the joke show they have at WDW? That would definitely be a good option! Where isit/What is it close to location wise? The ferris wheel could be fun, but I'm not so sure about the sliding around buckets -- do they all do that? Thank you!

 

[LKing]

Some of the buckets slide and some are stationary. There are two lines depending on which type of bucket you want to be in.

The Monster's Inc ride is in Hollywood Land. It is similar in style to Winnie the Pooh.

 

[BrianL]

I think most days we probably don't get to the parks (during the summer) early enough for the Fantasyland Theater (isn't it only during the day?) We try to get to the parks no earlier than 430 to skip the hottest part of the day, because I have felt that the heat some days was too much for my SD. I really don't know any of the rides at DCA to be honest -- although I know Soarin' because they have it at WDW (same with the Little Mermaid, I think.) Without really knowing, it always seemed to me most were more like "thrill" rides. Is Monsters Inc like the joke show they have at WDW? That would definitely be a good option! Where isit/What is it close to location wise? The ferris wheel could be fun, but I'm not so sure about the sliding around buckets -- do they all do that? Thank you!

Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue is actaully the old and much reviled Superstar Limo ride. Many of the monsters in the CDA hazmat suits are actually the old celebrity charicature figures, which are scarier than any monster ever could be! The ride is tucked away in Hollywoodland - take a left after Award Weiners and it's further back in that little grotto/stage area near Philharmagic.

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue is actaully the old and much reviled Superstar Limo ride. Many of the monsters in the CDA hazmat suits are actually the old celebrity charicature figures, which are scarier than any monster ever could be! The ride is tucked away in Hollywoodland - take a left after Award Weiners and it's further back in that little grotto/stage area near Philharmagic.

Thank you so much for this info, BrianL! I will definitely check it out!

 

[Tinkaboo]

Your dog is beautiful..I hope someday I run across the two of you in the park!

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

Your dog is beautiful..I hope someday I run across the two of you in the park!

Thank you! Absolutely! Give us a wave or come say hi!

 

[ellindea]

Just one thing to keep in mind about Monsters Inc is it has really abrupt stops at the loading area. They were significantly more abrupt than I remember from several years ago. So if/when you do ride I'd just make sure your dog is in a safe position where he won't bonk his head or anything when it makes those stops. I'd definitely check out Little Mermaid as others have suggested. It's a fun and gentle ride. If your dog is okay with rides that have some quick spinning, you should also check out the Spiderman Web Slingers ride and Toy Story Midway Mania. All of these rides have wheelchair access vehicles by the way if that would make it easier to fit your dog on the ride. They may let you do that especially if there aren't any wheelchair users waiting. You may not want to do the wheelchair vehicle with Monsters Inc., though, because the wheelchair area is separate from the companion seat; it's in the front with a little wall separating where the companion sits in the back. With the other rides, though, he'd be sitting next to you.

As far as shows, I highly recommend World of Color if you haven't seen it yet!! It's the nighttime fountain/projection show. For daytime shows, there's a very short but really cool Spiderman stunt show throughout the day right outside the ride. A lot of people really enjoy the Wakanda show, too. I thought it was pretty cool but geared a bit towards kids. It was also really hot when I saw it, though, and the crowd was kind of insane so that may have colored my perception of it! After the warriors enter, they allow the crowd to surge forward to get closer, which I wasn't expecting, so it became difficult then to find a spot where I could see from my wheelchair. So if you have any issues with navigating in crowds that's just something to keep in mind. Since you're not a big Avengers fan anyway, you may want to skip that one, but I say the Spiderman show is worth a watch especially if you're already there for the ride. They do stop showing these around 4:00, though, if I remember from when we were there a couple weeks ago. There's an additional Avengers stunt show that plays in that area, but it wasn't playing when we were there, so I can't give any kind of review of it.

A couple more show options -- there's a shortish jazz show we enjoy called Five and Dime in Carthay Circle. The singer and instrumentalists are great. Then if you're a drum corps fan, towards the other side of the park, there's a fun drum show with the "Green Army Patrol," the Green Army Men from Toy Story.

Hope this helps! Let us know what you think if you end up trying any of these!

 

[ellindea]

Oh I forgot to mention -- you may know this already, but there's also a trolley ride in Disney California Adventure.

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

Just one thing to keep in mind about Monsters Inc is it has really abrupt stops at the loading area. They were significantly more abrupt than I remember from several years ago. So if/when you do ride I'd just make sure your dog is in a safe position where he won't bonk his head or anything when it makes those stops. I'd definitely check out Little Mermaid as others have suggested. It's a fun and gentle ride. If your dog is okay with rides that have some quick spinning, you should also check out the Spiderman Web Slingers ride and Toy Story Midway Mania. All of these rides have wheelchair access vehicles by the way if that would make it easier to fit your dog on the ride. They may let you do that especially if there aren't any wheelchair users waiting. You may not want to do the wheelchair vehicle with Monsters Inc., though, because the wheelchair area is separate from the companion seat; it's in the front with a little wall separating where the companion sits in the back. With the other rides, though, he'd be sitting next to you.

As far as shows, I highly recommend World of Color if you haven't seen it yet!! It's the nighttime fountain/projection show. For daytime shows, there's a very short but really cool Spiderman stunt show throughout the day right outside the ride. A lot of people really enjoy the Wakanda show, too. I thought it was pretty cool but geared a bit towards kids. It was also really hot when I saw it, though, and the crowd was kind of insane so that may have colored my perception of it! After the warriors enter, they allow the crowd to surge forward to get closer, which I wasn't expecting, so it became difficult then to find a spot where I could see from my wheelchair. So if you have any issues with navigating in crowds that's just something to keep in mind. Since you're not a big Avengers fan anyway, you may want to skip that one, but I say the Spiderman show is worth a watch especially if you're already there for the ride. They do stop showing these around 4:00, though, if I remember from when we were there a couple weeks ago. There's an additional Avengers stunt show that plays in that area, but it wasn't playing when we were there, so I can't give any kind of review of it.

A couple more show options -- there's a shortish jazz show we enjoy called Five and Dime in Carthay Circle. The singer and instrumentalists are great. Then if you're a drum corps fan, towards the other side of the park, there's a fun drum show with the "Green Army Patrol," the Green Army Men from Toy Story.

Hope this helps! Let us know what you think if you end up trying any of these!

Wow! Thank you so much for all the tips! I think I will try some of the rides for sure, thanks for letting me know the pros and cons, it does help. I will try to report back once I try a few things! <3

 

[edhmom]

To clarify, the seating inside Turtle Talk is movie theater style individual seats with open areas in the front for kids to sit. The seating in the waiting area is a few benches along the wall.

One thing to be aware of for Little Mermaid is it's moving walkway. Some dogs do well with those, some don't. If your dog isn't used to them you are fully within your rights to ask them to slow or stop the ride to make it easier to get on.

Jungle Cruise is another fun one if you haven't done that. There is a section where they shoot a gun (just sound effects). When I took my second dog on the ride they picked up the gun and said "bang, bang" but didn't actually shoot. I don't know if it's because there was a problem with the gun or because of the dog. We didn't know how she would react to the loud startling sound so were prepared to reward her with a treat but it wasn't needed.

 

[Team Wendy and Nana]

To clarify, the seating inside Turtle Talk is movie theater style individual seats with open areas in the front for kids to sit. The seating in the waiting area is a few benches along the wall.

One thing to be aware of for Little Mermaid is it's moving walkway. Some dogs do well with those, some don't. If your dog isn't used to them you are fully within your rights to ask them to slow or stop the ride to make it easier to get on.

Jungle Cruise is another fun one if you haven't done that. There is a section where they shoot a gun (just sound effects). When I took my second dog on the ride they picked up the gun and said "bang, bang" but didn't actually shoot. I don't know if it's because there was a problem with the gun or because of the dog. We didn't know how she would react to the loud startling sound so were prepared to reward her with a treat but it wasn't needed.

Thank you, edhmom! I appreciate the clarification on Turtle Talk! Like I said, my service dog has been with me to the parks countless times over the past (almost 9) years, so we've experienced many moving walkways. However, with that said, I prefer to ask them to slow or stop it because I once had my SD almost get squished in a doom buggy trying to get in and pull down the safety bar quickly enough when I didn't ask them to slow it. I take a lot of precautions now days! Jungle Cruise is a good one. He doesn't mind the cap gun too much; not much actually phases him since he's worked with me for so long! Thank you so much for your comment!