Could not believe it, but there were dogs on our bus!

[BC]

We left Animal Kingdom last Monday and when we went to get in line for the bus, there was a couple a few people in front of us with each holding what looked like to be white Malteses or some type of small terriers. They had a pink doggie stroller folded up and tagged to take on the bus with them. I thought for sure when the driver got there he would not let them on, but he sure did. They walked right in and each of them held the dogs in their laps and rode all the way with us. We were staying at the Boardwalk, but the bus stops first at the Swan & Dolphin which is where they got off. I did not think dogs were allowed at Disney resorts and was shocked to see them on the bus. I know I have read complaints from folks that have allergies to dogs being the reason they do not support pet friendly hotels at Disney. I know there are kennels at the parks, but I did not know you could use the buses. Anybody know the rules for dogs on buses?

 

[CarolAnnB]

And why would they let dogs into Animal Kingdom? Unless they are somehow service animals. But I am not sure how a dog that needs a stroller could be of service to a human. Must be something I am not aware of.

 

[pjpoohbear]

Could this be the couple that tours WDW with dogs in the pink stroller. There is a couple quite well known by CMs and they expect the dogs to be treated like they are children.

Pj

 

[jlewisinsyr]

And why would they let dogs into Animal Kingdom? Unless they are somehow service animals. But I am not sure how a dog that needs a stroller could be of service to a human. Must be something I am not aware of.

Remember "service animal" is a broad term, emotional support can also be qualified. It is also possible the couple didn't go in AK, rather wanted to pick up something at Rainforest Cafe or needed to pick something up at lost and found, etc.

This is a good note for people though, many airlines and even resorts cannot completely prevent animals due to service animal requirements by ADA.

 

[mgilmer]

Remember "service animal" is a broad term, emotional support can also be qualified. It is also possible the couple didn't go in AK, rather wanted to pick up something at Rainforest Cafe or needed to pick something up at lost and found, etc.

This is a good note for people though, many airlines and even resorts cannot completely prevent animals due to service animal requirements by ADA.

FWIW, emotional support animals do not qualify for the animal requirements under the ADA.

 

[BC]

they were very small and both the husband and wife were holding one. Can't imagine that both of them need the same kind of dog for the same disability. Also, like previously mentioned, most service dogs don't need a stroller.

PJPoohBear....This must have been the dogs you are referring to. However, I expect everyone to treat my dog like a child also, but that doesn't mean I can take her into Disney and expect it to happen.

CarolAnnB.... I assumed there was a kennel at Animal Kingdom that they may have left them at while they toured the park. Anyone know if there is a kennel at each park?

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been told, on several occasions that animals are not allowed on the buses. If, and that's a big if, these were service animals, then fine....sort of. If someone has to have a service animal with them, then they had best have the appropriate documentation to show. And if it had been me getting on that bus, I would have questioned the driver about it..right then and there. Then, I would have written to Disney stating my displeasure about the situation.
While I completely understand the need for service animals, I truly feel that we are getting carried away with that whole thing. It sometimes seems that just about anyone can figure out a way to make their beloved pet into a 'service animal'..and pretty soon it's about 'their right's vs everyone else's. Heaven forbid my needs be considered when someone else's need for their dog to be there is considered. Perhaps there is a child with a morbid fear of dogs on that bus, perhaps there is someone with an allergy, whatever....if someone has to have that animal then perhaps they need to make alternative plans for transport.

 

[BC]

if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity about the rules. The reason I didn't was because the people that had the dogs on their lap were in the first 2 rows right behind the driver and I guess I didn't want them to know I was questioning it if indeed they had a valid reason. Looking back, I should have done it anyway.

 

[StregaNona]

As someone with allergies to cats and dogs, I would not have been happy about those two dogs on a bus with me.

 

[bavaria]

As someone with allergies to cats and dogs, I would not have been happy about those two dogs on a bus with me.

Would you have an issue with a service animal on a bus? And remember, cats and dogs (including non-service animals) are permitted on an airplane.

On an airplane if another passenger has an issue with the service animal, that passenger is usually allowed to deplane and take a later flight. The service animal takes priority.

Pets on an airplane are 'first come first served'; ie if one has a severe allergy one must advise the airline so that they can stop selling tickets to passengers with pets. If one fails to notify the airline at time of booking, then any pet booked after the person with the allergy has priority.

 

[stinkypeet]

We were at disney last april and were at the lion king show.. and low and behold this lady with a pink stroller shows up and gets a special seat right in front of us.. she was getting special treatment. Just thought maybe she had special needs or the baby in the stroller was handicapped... I kinda took a quick peek in the stroller .. just curious.. two dogs..kinda shocked.. i turned to my wife and kids and whispered to the that the kid in that strollerer was the ugliest kid ive ever seen... we all laughed pretty good... I was i little wierded out by these people.. we would love to find out what thier deal is.. does anybody know?

 

[Alexander]

We were at disney last april and were at the lion king show.. and low and behold this lady with a pink stroller shows up and gets a special seat right in front of us.. she was getting special treatment. Just thought maybe she had special needs or the baby in the stroller was handicapped... I kinda took a quick peek in the stroller .. just curious.. two dogs..kinda shocked.. i turned to my wife and kids and whispered to the that the kid in that strollerer was the ugliest kid ive ever seen... we all laughed pretty good... I was i little wierded out by these people.. we would love to find out what thier deal is.. does anybody know?

Super big dollars to blow at WDW.

 

[robinb]

Hmmm ... Starwood hotels (Sheratons and Westins) are almost all dog-friendly. The Swolphin might allow pets and these people may have been bringing their dogs to stay at the kennel while they went into AKL instead of leaving them behind in the room.

 

[zulemara]

I've had dogs get on my boat before and I believe the rule is no non service animals are allowed on any disney transportation. However, these small dogs seem to make their way onto things without much fuss. I am going to clarify this with a manager the next time I work.

Also FYI, Yorkies have a different kind of hair that for most people, doesn't set off allergies. That doesn't mean a given person wouldn't be effected by them, but my mother in law is very allergic to dogs and has 2 yorkies and does fine

 

[hsmamato2]

WTH??? If these people can bring dogs into parks,hotels and buses,what's to stop the rest of us from doing this? I mean,other than a sense of propriety- sounds to me like these people just had the nerve to try it,and figured out that Disney employees won't enforce the rules- good for the rest of us,we can all save pet care fees and bring our dogs along next time.....sorry for the sarcasm,but really?
One time in Disney I saw a person carrying a tiny dog with a 'service animal' vest on it- I did go up and ask what type of service dog this could possibly have been( I asked politely) and was told it's for anxiety. Little did I know that I could have brought my own small dog along to calm my own travel anxieties and stresses. I don't like hearing things like this b/c what it really means is some folks feel entitled to do whatever they want while the rest of us conveniently follow the rules. Imagine if I brought my 90 pound untrained dog into AK the same day those folks brought their pampered darlings in a stroller.....say my 90 pound furbaby liked to chase down 8 pound dogs like they were squirrels...just imagine the fun we'd all have together. sorry so Ot and long...but really!

 

[chartle]

I was on the autotrain last year and at around 3:00 AM I was awakened by some strange jingling like a dog leash.

Well someone was walking their bichon frise down the isle and I'm thinking I must be dreaming. Well I don't think I was.

Now here the tough part, where does the animal do its business? The train has no scheduled stops that allow anyone to make a quick pit stop. There is just the stop in the middle of the night to switch crews in the middle of a train yard.

 

[BC]

I mean, don't get me wrong. Let me completely clarify I love dogs and absolutely agree with service animals being anywhere & everywhere they need to be. However, like I said before, I do not think these were service animals and now that others say they are familiar with these people, I feel sure they are pets. I would think most service animals do not need a baby stroller and pink bows in their hair, not that it's not possible, but not probable. That being said, if they are pets, it is not fair to the rest of us that worry so much about ours when we are gone or have even passed up a trip to stay home with them.

Zulemara- Please try to find out what the story is on these two. I think RobinB is right about them staying at the Dolphin which may be pet friendly, however, that still doesn't give them the OK to use Disney transportation which is not pet friendly.

 

[Donna3271]

This bothers me! My nephew has Duchenne Muscular Distrophy and has a service dog that has a CLEAR uniform that he wears when he is working. Because people are abusive bringing their animals, we often get questioned, and dirty looks about his dog. We understand that people are upset, allergic, etc... But please understand this child has no mobility. The dog is amazing. Picks up things for him, takes stuff out of his backpack (hooked on to the back of his motorized wheelchair) Disney has always been wonderful, but boy! We will never to to Universal again!!! Talk about insensitive!

Anyone who compares a dog to a child is not a parent. This animal that is in our family is incredible (cost of over $30,000), but people that bring animals around in strollers are just plain inconsiderate. Keep your dog in a kennel!!! We do.

Once again, I reiterate. Service animals have clear uniforms. These were pets.

 

[Donna3271]

FWIW, emotional support animals do not qualify for the animal requirements under the ADA.

ONE THOUSAND PERCENT CORRECT!!!!!! The service dog in our family has been through rigorous training, and is certified. He has a uniform that he wears when he is working. It states for people not to approach and pet him. CLEARLY IDENTIFIES him as a working animal.

The ADA makes absolutely no concessions for people that are emotionally attached to their animals.

Sorry folks for the tone of my post. This is very personal to us. When you see a sick child struggling and RELYING ON A DOG, and someone just carting a dog around a stroller in everyone's face and expect it to be treated like a child??!! OK, off my soapbox. I have to leave this forum. I'm too upset.

 

[goofy4tink]

Would you have an issue with a service animal on a bus? And remember, cats and dogs (including non-service animals) are permitted on an airplane.

On an airplane if another passenger has an issue with the service animal, that passenger is usually allowed to deplane and take a later flight. The service animal takes priority.

Pets on an airplane are 'first come first served'; ie if one has a severe allergy one must advise the airline so that they can stop selling tickets to passengers with pets. If one fails to notify the airline at time of booking, then any pet booked after the person with the allergy has priority.

Crap, all I'm going say is 'Oh crap'. Not that what you are saying is that, but that now I have to disagree with you...and that's something we seldom do...usually on the exact same page.
I get service animals. I'm planning on fostering NEADS puppies when my golden goes to the happy bone yard in the sky. But....there truly is a lot of abuse where service animals are concerned. I get that everyone should be able to go to a theme park/amusement park. But really.....are people taking their 'service Yorkies' on the rides with them??? Really?? I don't think an airplane is the same as a Disney bus...I've traveled with a cat in it's carrier on Delta before, and I was truly concerned about someone having an allergy. In fact, when I saw that the airline had put people all around me, the day before we were to fly, I got to the gate and asked to be put in a row without anyone near me...just in case. Ended up in the next to last row of the plane..still with someone in front of me, but I did doublecheck just to be sure they had no 'cat issues'.
But....there are just too many truly needy people, who benefit from service animals to have others try to 'get away' with something. I find it hard to believe that someone is able to routinely take their dogs into theme parks and onto buses. Perhaps they should find alternative methods of getting around? I understand that there are those who truly need these animals...and they should never, ever suffer any recriminations or dirty looks. But...someone with their matching dogs, in a nice pink stroller, well....I'm sorry. Something just doesn't seem right.
I think that sometimes we get carried away with being politically correct. Now, because someone gets 'upset' or 'anxious' without their little doggie, I have to put up with a dog on the bus, or in the parks, or walking around the airport or in the ladies room??? Yep, all those things have been seen. Loved the Maltese that came up to me in the ladies room at MCO, out of it's carrier, and barked at me, and growled at me as I tried to dry my hands..evidently I got to close to the dog and it wasn't happy with me...ah, no, not good. Now, my right to live my life has been impacted by someone else's 'right' to travel by air, with their dog??? No...I'm not buying it. What would happen if that wonderful little dog (she says most sarcastically) snarled at some little girl?? Or snapped at a child?

This bothers me! My nephew has Duchenne Muscular Distrophy and has a service dog that has a CLEAR uniform that he wears when he is working. Because people are abusive bringing their animals, we often get questioned, and dirty looks about his dog. We understand that people are upset, allergic, etc... But please understand this child has no mobility. The dog is amazing. Picks up things for him, takes stuff out of his backpack (hooked on to the back of his motorized wheelchair) Disney has always been wonderful, but boy! We will never to to Universal again!!! Talk about insensitive!

Anyone who compares a dog to a child is not a parent. This animal that is in our family is incredible (cost of over $30,000), but people that bring animals around in strollers are just plain inconsiderate. Keep your dog in a kennel!!! We do.

Once again, I reiterate. Service animals have clear uniforms. These were pets.

I'm truly sorry that there are so many uninformed people out there...that either question your son about his dog or that give dirty looks. That is horrifying to me. These animals are incredible..they provide a service that is without equal.
I have to agree about those who treat their animals as little people or as children. I just spent the day yesterday with my dh's family. One brother has two wire-haired fox terriers....and they are treated as children....jumping up on laps, paws up on the counters, while sitting on laps, being held at the dinner table, carried around because they get 'nervous'...give me a break. I almost dumped an entire glass of wine on myself when one of the terriers decided she was scared and flew, 3' into the air, and landed on my lap, at the breakfast counter!!! I'm sorry, it's a dog...treat it like a dog. In fact, we left our golden at home...simply because it's so stressful to have him around the other three dogs (2 wire haired terriers, and a soft coated wheaton) who snarl, growl, don't have any training.....our dog gets confused and abused.

I would be very interested in hearing what transportation CMs, at WDW, have to say about this issue. Any of you have any thoughts?????