Disneyland with a Service Dog

[theladyjess]

My husband and I will be going to Disneyland in early September and will be bringing my service dog along.
Who has done this?
What did you do with your dog while you were on a ride?
How were you treated?
Did you have to wait in line with everyone else, or were you allowed to go to the front of the line?

My dog is small (a mini schnauzer) and I'm concerned about people stepping on him if we have to wait in line. I also have a difficult time standing for extended peroids of time. Depending on how my hips and knees are feeling I have a hard time walking. I'm debating wether or not I should rent a wheelchair. I don't really want to as I'm a very independant person, but I want to have a fun and as pain free time as I can.

Any info you could give me on taking my dog to Sea World and Universal Studios would also be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
I know there have been posters who went to WDW with their service animals, but I don't recall seeing a post about DL before.

There is a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for DL. I don't have a link for it on my work computer, but I can post one later on tonight if no one else does. I know the Guidebooks for the different parks in WDW do address service animals, so I believe the DL one probably says similar things. There are some rides/attractions where they are not allowed/recommended because the ride has things like explosions, loud noises or sensations that the dogs would find very distressing or painful. According to the guidebook, if you want to ride those, another member of your party would need to stay with the dog.

If a wheelchair would help you to tour with a minimum of pain, you will get a lot of "Go for it" from the posters here. No point in being in pain when you can avoid it. You might want to consider renting an scv (electric scooter), but if your dog is distrustful about them, it may not work out for you. In general, at WDW, people with disabilities do wait in the regular (Mainstream) line. DL has less Mainstream lines because it is an older, smaller park and harder to retrofit to make every line accessible.

 

[SueM in MN]

This should be a link to the DL Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr...sabilitiesListing?id=MobilityDisabilitiesPage

 

[theladyjess]

Thanks for the link, but I've already been there. It's not very helpful to me. I am looking for someone who has had first hand experience at Disney with their dog. I know I can't be the first person to take their dog with them.

 

[phillybeth]

I think you said on another thread that your service dog is still in training. I would ask the organization that is assisting you with training him, I am sure that they have had other people with service dogs go to WDW or DL.
I would not be concerned about anyone stepping on him, I would be more worried about all the attention he is going to get! Most kids are going to think "Cute doggie!", not realizing that he will be on the job. Does your group have info cards to hand out and a vest for the dog to wear? That will go a long way to keeping eager little hands away while he is working. I would also enquire about getting a GAC that would allow you to wait in another area, especially if you think that lines are going to be a problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

While we don't have a service dog (so have no actual experrience) we have seen people with service dogs at WDW. For the most part, they were waiting in the regular lines (or the fastpass lines if they had fastpasses). The posts from people who have been to WDW with service dogs specifically mentioned that you can sk any CM about the dsignated "bathroom" areas for your dog and said the dogs were treated well. I know they mentioned that getting water for the dogs was no problem and that the restaurant staff were quite nice about treats for the dogs. I know at least one regular reader/poster whose DH takes his service dog to WDW and hopefully she will see this and post.
DL might be a little different, since the park in general is less accessible than WDW because of its age and smaller size.

I don't know how big a mini schnauzer is (and if this is acceptable for a working dog), but you might be able to hold him on your lap for some lines if you are in a wheelchair. If the line is wheelchair accessible, there should be room for him to walk beside you where you can keep him away from other people a little more.

you might want to also post this on the DL Board because someone there who doesn't come on this board might have more info.

 

[theladyjess]

I am doing all of his training myself with the help of some basic dog obidence courses. He still has to take a class to learn to pick things up for me.

He does have a vest he wears, and unlike other people with service dogs, I allow people to pet him if they ask. It is very difficult for small children to not pet him since he is small (he weighs 24 pounds and is about knee hight on me). I am all about educating the public about service dogs and invisible disabilities. Before I go I will be printing cards to hand out to people who are courious about what he does.

I'm not too concerned about finding a place for him to potty. We take him out alot and always try to have him go off to the side where most people won't be. We also pick up any solid waste he might leave. I have a soft sided water bowl that folds up and stores in my purse so that's not a problem. He can also drink out of a glass.

What is a GAC? I've seen it mentioned in other posts, but have no idea what it is.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by theladyjess
He does have a vest he wears, and unlike other people with service dogs, I allow people to pet him if they ask.

IMHO, You might want to think about that a little more. I know people who have service dogs and one confusing thing for the dogs (especially when they are first learning) is knowing when they are "on duty". The usual thing is that when they have their vest on, they know they are working and that people will not be petting them. When the vest is off, they are like any other dog. Also, if your working dog is OK to pet, it makes people think other working dogs are OK to pet, which can be distracting for the working dog. So, even though you are educating people about service dogs, you might inadvertently be teaching them something you don't mean to. Maybe some other people with service dogs will respond with other opinions, but that's what I've been told.

I'm not too concerned about finding a place for him to potty. We take him out alot and always try to have him go off to the side where most people won't be. We also pick up any solid waste he might leave.

I'm sure that you will be careful and considerate, but I know they do have designated places backstage at WDW where they want service animals to go and I'm pretty sure they also do at DL. You can ask at Guest Services.

I have a soft sided water bowl that folds up and stores in my purse so that's not a problem. He can also drink out of a glass.

That's a good idea. People have mentioned that finding a bowl at the park would not be that easy.

What is a GAC? I've seen it mentioned in other posts, but have no idea what it is.

GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card and it is a way to let CMs know about what sort of accomidations people need if they have invisible disabilities. It used to be called a Special Assistance Card at DL. Whatever the name, you can request one at Guest Services. You explain your needs to the CM and they decide what accomidations are needed. Someone who is traveling with a wheelchair or scooter is able to use the accessible entrances without having a GAC and generally won't need a GAC unless there are other needs that are not visible (which might, for example be, a place to wait out of the sun, to be seated at the front of shows for vision problems or lipreading/sign language). I noticed the DL Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities says people with service animals should just follow the instructions in the book for wheelchair access, so any lines at DL that are accessible to wheelchairs must also be accessible to service dogs.

 

[theladyjess]

I did not post my question to recieve criticism from others, but to get information that will help me while on vacation. I recieve enough criticism from the general public.

Sue, what you failed to realize is that I said that I allow people to pet him IF THEY ASK. I understand that others with service dogs don't allow this.

I also said in my post that I am trying to educate the public about service dogs and their use with people with invisible disablilites. When someone asks to pet my dog, it opens up a discussion of how children and adults should approach a service dog, and that they just can't walk up and start petting it because the dog is working.

On my dog's vest is a patch that says, "Please ask to pet me". I bought his vest and patches on a web site that specializes in vests for service dogs. He knows he's working when he has his vest and gentle leader on. Part of what he does for me is he gives me something to concentrate on when I'm having a difficult time. He is there so that I can stroke him and focus on calming myself down. Because I am petting him when he is working, I allow others to do so. I want him to be tollerant of others touching him so that he can be used as a therapy dog.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry if what I posted offended you. It was not meant as criticism, just food for thought.
There are 2 organizations in this area that train dogs as service dog and both of them recommned that people not let others pet the dog while he/she is working. That's my frame of reference. The director of one group brought one of their dogs to a demonstration/inservice at the hospital where I work. Even though this particular dog was retired (she has arthritis and could not longer work full time), the woman asked us not to pet her until she had taken the dog's cape off. Her reason was that the dog knows when it has the cape on, it is working and will have its total attention on the person it is working with. She also told a story of a woman who was disciplining her dog for not following a command, when someone came up and gave it a lot of attention by asking to pet it. When the woman with the dog said, "no" the woman who wanted to pet it replied "other people let me" and gave the dog more attention. She said, from the dog's viewpoint, it ended up getting attention for bad behavior. Things like that, plus many people in their experience getting interrupted by people asking to pet the dog is why she told us they recommemd people not allow petting a working dog.
A young woman in my DD's wheelchair dance class just got a helper dog and one of the things she made clear before bringing it to class was that no one could pet him while he has his "working clothes" on. She was told that in her orientation before she got the dog from another agancy.
Again, this was not meant as criticism and it's not meant as debate. I just felt I needed to give a little "where I'm coming from" information. Your further information in the post I am replying to made it clear what you are doing and that you do tell people that some people do not want their dog noticed/petted. I was not sure what your process was when I read "unlike other people, I allow others to pet my dog." I am sorry if my post bothered you and I guess I would ask that no one else turn this into a debate.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Well, I never been to Disneyland, but I went to DisneyWorld with my best friend, so I'll share what I know! My friend uses a power wheelchair (she has Ataxia) and has a service dog. We also went with a third friend, who is my friend's nurse, so we had three adults and one black lab in our group.

We found Disney to be very accomodating to the dog, and very willing to help. At DisneyWorld, one great thing is that they let the dog on some rides!! As it turned out, I would usually sit with the dog, as my friend would sit with her nurse, since my friend needed help with balance. So I went on Buzz Lightyear with the dog (he scored about 500 points! ..... only kidding!), Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney Railroad, Snow White's Adventure, Haunted Mansion, and Small World! The dog hid his head under the seat on Pirates of the Caribbean - I guess it was a tad scary to him!

On rides where the dog could not ride, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, we had to take turns, which was great that we had three people. Me or my friend's nurse would ride with my friend, and the other would wait with the dog. The employees are very nice about letting you wait at the loading areas with the dog. We usually entered each ride in the wheelchair entrance, so we usually weren't in the main line very long.

One problem we had was heat!! We went in May, so we had to use the kennels a couple of times, as the parks were just too hot for the dog. The kennels were very helpful and friendly, and the dog was happy to escape the heat for awhile. Bad side was that we had to walk and feed him every couple of hours at the kennel, so we couldn't stray far or get into long lines.

As for the petting issue, we had many people come up to pet the dog at the parks, but sometimes there is not much we can do about it. But we expected it, as kids are kids. Our dog wore his Canine Companion for Independence vest, but kids still loved to come up to him. But there are times when the dog could be petted, usually at my friend's house. My friend would say "release" and take off the vest, and then the dog would understand it was OK to "be off-duty".

At DisneyWorld, the CMs told us where in certain areas to let the dog "do his business". One place I remember was the grassy area in Frontierland, where the parade enters and exits. We also had a fabric collaspable bowl for giving him drinks.

Well, Hope this helps a little bit! We found Disney to be great place with the dog. Hope you can take your dog to Disney and have as successful trip as we did!!!

<img src="http://home.att.net/~disneysue/hugsmall3.gif">

 

[theladyjess]

Thank you Hugs. This was the type of info I was looking for. I'm hoping to hook up with a friend who will be in CA at the same time as us so that she can go to Disney with us. Hopefully if we do meet up either she or my husband can wiat with Hans (the dog) so I won't have to go on the rides alone. Hans is very tolerant so I hope he won't freak out on the rides he can go on.

I hope to keep him cool by allowing him to drink often and keeping him wet. By the time we go to Disney we will have been in CA for a month and Hans will have gone to the San Deigo Zoo and Sea World. My concern about putting him in a kennel is diseases that he could get from other dogs. He is current on all of his vaccines, but I still worry about kennel cough and the like. He also has allergies, although we don't know what he's allergic to yet. This is anther reason why I'd rather not put him in a kennel where I can't monitor what he's exposed to.

 

[smilingmouse]

I've never been to DL before, but I know that all of the parks at WDW have ares set aside for service animals to "take breaks" when they need to. You might want to stop by Guest Relations when you get to the park, and they can give you this information. If you look at a DL guide/trip planning book, you may be able to find a number for guest relations or guests with disabilities that you could call.

Best of luck and have fun

SmilingMouse

 

[videogal1]

I have been to Disneyland a dozen times, DW several times, and will be visiting DW twice again next year. Something I found to be common at both parks was the ocean of concrete and asphalt that gets burning hot on the mildest of sunny days. I have invested in some leather and cordura nylon booties for Cash to protect his feet when we go for walks. He is not pleased to wear them, but I know he feels the burning if he does not. I got his boots at RCI and will be sure to have them at DW.

Also, when Cash is working...dressed in his handle harness or vest I am often asked if people can pet him...AS THEY ARE PETTING HIM ! When I point out the patches that clearly state "Do not pet, I am working", I am treated as if I have committed some kind of social sin. Those who encourage the public to look upon Service Dogs as some sort of priviledged pets by allowing the public to get familiar with them make it difficult for those of us who need our dogs to concentrate on their jobs, not schmoosing with the public, and keep us safe. People who pet first and ask after are in the majority. Please do not encourage them. Say no, then educate by explaining why not.

 

[theladyjess]

videogal1:
If you would have read my post more clearly, you would have seen that Hans has a patch that says, Ask To Pet Me. If someone pets him before asking I tell them that they need to ask first, as he is working and needs me to tell him that it is ok to approach the person who is petting him.

Let me let everyone know right now, I posted for INFORMATION NOT CRITICISIM! I get enough criticism and hassles from the public, I thought people here would be more undedrstanding. Maybe I was wrong.

 

[Talking Hands]

LadyJess You seem very defensive. People are trying to be helpful and you are rebuffing them. Calm down and don't read things into the posts that aren't meant

 

[theladyjess]

I'm not meaning to be defensive, I'm just tired of explaining myself and my decision to allow people to pet my dog. I have said several times that I allow them to if they ask, and that it opens conversation about service animals. I'm tired of others getting on my case about it. I realize most don't allow it, but I'm different and my disability is different. You can do what you like with your service dog, but please don't tell me what to do with mine.

 

[ducklite]

I have visited WDW with a friend who uses a service dog. We were treated wonderfully. At every restuarant my freind was asked if the dog needed water (you must supply the bowl), and they also offered treats (meat scraps, dry cooked pasta, etc.)

At guest servies they will provide you with info on which rides and attractions the dog can and can't go.

No go's are Body Wars, Star Tours, ToT, Mission Space, Alien Encounter, Peter Pan, Astro Orbitor, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, etc.

The CM's will not hold the dog while you ride, you will need to have someone else in your aprty stay behind to do so. The only place they offered was at Alien Encounter.

They definitely tell you where the dog can take a potty break, they do NOT want them relieving themselves in any guest areas. There are designated backstage areas for this, you are expected to clean up solids.

The dog must wear it's vest and be identified as a working dog to accompany you.

Let me know if there's anything else you need to know.

Anne

 

[theladyjess]

Thanks Ducklite, you've been very helpful.

My friend won't be able to meet us at DL. My husband and I are planning on taking Hans with us and doing shows and rides that allow him the first day, and then putting him in the kennel (as much as I don't want to) for the second day.

After going to the SD zoo and animal park I've decieded that I will rent an ECV. It was very helpful as I could get around with little pain, although most people are very inconsiderate of those who are confined to a wheelchair or scooter. I found it difficult to get close enough to see various animals as people where standing in the way and were unwilling to move.

I did find that many people were more excited to see Hans than the other animals at the zoo. All I could think was "you're here at a zoo looking at wild and endangerd animals and all you can coment on is my dog, get a life!"

 

[Talking Hands]

You just need to learn to let it roll off your back. I remember a few years ago when a group of my friends and I went to the mall. Two of us in wheelchairs(1 deaf), 1 limping along (CP), 1 deaf-blind with her guide dog and 1 able bodied sign language interpreter. All of us signing of course. A security guard walks up and starts screaming that we can't have a dog in the mall. Before we can even respond he grabs my deaf blind friend to show her out. My friend who is the interpreter and I yell wait. That is a guide dog for the blind and you can't throw her out. We finally got it straightened out but boy was that security guard ignorant. Then we went on our merry shopping way and forgot about the idiot.
First this guy started with an attitude and assumed because we were all signing that no one could speak. Second he had a bad attitude and third he had no idea about ADA. He learned very fast. Many people have no clue.
I have travelled with my friend to meetings and we frequently get told the dog isn't welcome until we point out she is a guide dog and can go anywhere the owner goes. And she does. We head to Wendy's and the dog goes with us. We go to conferences and the dog goes with us. We go to WDW and the dog goes with us.