New Disney pet poll!

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I honestly do not care but I have ruled out the pet friendly resorts. If I start seeing dogs who are clearly not service animals in restaurants, etc, I will have a different opinion. I cannot say what is and is not fair to the dogs, each pet is different. I know my brother's dog was so sad when they were gone away. She was miserable if she was boarded, so that was not an option, and she was miserable if I took her home with me. At home the poor thing refused to eat until they returned. I know she would have been happier being sad in a hotel room than she was being sad without them at all at home.

So many will tell you that you have no idea if a pet is actually a service animal.

But if I see one dog being fed from the table or on the table, I will have plenty to say.

 

[Nancyg56]

So many will tell you that you have no idea if a pet is actually a service animal.

But if I see one dog being fed from the table or on the table, I will have plenty to say.

My friend has a service dog. Yes, she gussies up his vest for special occasions, and there are times she allows him to "relax" and be petted when he is working, but there is no mistaking that dog is a working animal. As much as this dog is her partner in life, and has opened up doors for her that had been slammed shut prior to his presence, she will always ensure that when he is working, he knows, as well as any observers. that he is on duty.

I do not know anyone who has a working dog who would allow it or observers to be confused about the role. I will never accept that "we" cannot tell the difference between a pet and a working animal, despite what I am told by other.

 

[AceVac]

My wife and I checked into the Polynesian Villas this week in the Tokelau building. As soon as we entered there was a guest sitting on the couches with their dog. The dog was barking at guests and then started "marking" the funiture up. The owner of the dog barely looked up as the dog was tearing up the building lobby. Clearly it was not a service dog. (pics below) Had a good talk with the front desk, as well as DVC leadership who called after it was reported letting them know our overall dissapointment.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

My wife and I checked into the Polynesian Villas this week in the Tokelau building. As soon as we entered there was a guest sitting on the couches with their dog. The dog was barking at guests and then started "marking" the funiture up. The owner of the dog barely looked up as the dog was tearing up the building lobby. Clearly it was not a service dog. (pics below) Had a good talk with the front desk, as well as DVC leadership who called after it was reported letting them know our overall dissapointment.

And so it begins. You should send those pictures to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[AceVac]

And so it begins. You should send those pictures to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

They have the pics and video. After I spoke with the front desk I emailed Ken Potrock SVP of DVC everything. His office responded the same day, and called us. I have only had a chance to speak with his office briefly as we were still at parks and enjoying the resort on vacation. We have a call set up later on in the week.

 

[Gryhndmom]

My wife and I checked into the Polynesian Villas this week in the Tokelau building. As soon as we entered there was a guest sitting on the couches with their dog. The dog was barking at guests and then started "marking" the funiture up. The owner of the dog barely looked up as the dog was tearing up the building lobby. Clearly it was not a service dog. (pics below) Had a good talk with the front desk, as well as DVC leadership who called after it was reported letting them know our overall dissapointment.

Agree this should be sent as not following the policy/rules. CM's at poly know good and well they are not part of the trial. For the record. I am pro trial dog policy but do agree the rules need to be followed.

 

[MuppetFan418]

They have the pics and video. After I spoke with the front desk I emailed Ken Potrock SVP of DVC everything. His office responded the same day, and called us. I have only had a chance to speak with his office briefly as we were still at parks and enjoying the resort on vacation. We have a call set up later on in the week.

If you could share the details of that follow-up call (after it takes place), I'd really appreciate it. I am interested to hear about how they will treat situations like this going forward.

 

[Bronte]

Someone can correct me but I believe legally there are only two questions a business can ask about service animals. Is this a service animal and are they currently providing a service. If the answer is yes then that is it and the business can not deny them entry. I live in southern Florida and dogs are seen everywhere (stores, restaurants, hotels, public beaches where dogs are not suppose to be.) I want to blame the management but I know there is nothing they can do if people bring animals to these places and say they are service animals even if they really are not because no proof is ever required.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Service animal or not, they can ensure that the animal is not on the furniture.

 

[BigAlsGal]

My wife and I checked into the Polynesian Villas this week in the Tokelau building. As soon as we entered there was a guest sitting on the couches with their dog. The dog was barking at guests and then started "marking" the funiture up. The owner of the dog barely looked up as the dog was tearing up the building lobby. Clearly it was not a service dog. (pics below) Had a good talk with the front desk, as well as DVC leadership who called after it was reported letting them know our overall dissapointment.

Really I get why you're upset but there is NOTHING you can do about it. NOTHING. You can cry to Disney. You can waste your time and energy emailing and reporting to every entity you can think up. But all this person has to do is say "It's a seizure dog! How is this little dog going to alert me to a seizure if it's on the floor?!" CASE CLOSED! Nothing will be done. No one will be booted. No one will be evicted. No one will pay the piper. Your effort and energy wasted.

 

[Disneylover99]

Really I get why you're upset but there is NOTHING you can do about it. NOTHING. You can cry to Disney. You can waste your time and energy emailing and reporting to every entity you can think up. But all this person has to do is say "It's a seizure dog! How is this little dog going to alert me to a seizure if it's on the floor?!" CASE CLOSED! Nothing will be done. No one will be booted. No one will be evicted. No one will pay the piper. Your effort and energy wasted.

I strongly disagree. Everyone has a voice. If people oppose this policy they should speak up. In the end, it doesn't matter what the outcome is. What matters is having the tenacity to fight for something you believe in, when others are telling you to give up.

 

[mom2rtk]

Service animal or not, they can ensure that the animal is not on the furniture.

And I'm guessing there's might be some clause about not marking furniture.

 

[Nancyg56]

I strongly disagree. Everyone has a voice. If people oppose this policy they should speak up. In the end, it doesn't matter what the outcome is. What matters is having the tenacity to fight for something you believe in, when others are telling you to give up.

I absolutely agree with you. I have been told that there is nothing I can do with regards to a variety of concerns both inside of WDW, but more often outside of that lovely destination. Let me tell you, there is plenty a determined person can accomplish, despite the fallacy that we are all impotent in matters that are either determined by business, or within local government.

If there is an outcry that is loud and clear, Disney will not be able to ignore it. Just look at the "trial" that took place with autographs being stopped at character meals......just one little example.

 

[LSUmiss]

I absolutely agree with you. I have been told that there is nothing I can do with regards to a variety of concerns both inside of WDW, but more often outside of that lovely destination. Let me tell you, there is plenty a determined person can accomplish, despite the fallacy that we are all impotent in matters that are either determined by business, or within local government.

If there is an outcry that is loud and clear, Disney will not be able to ignore it. Just look at the "trial" that took place with autographs being stopped at character meals......just one little example.

I think the point the pp was making is there is NOTHING anyone can do about that supposed violation at Poly for the reasons the poster stated. Poly is NOT a dog-friendly hotel so the violation has nothing to do with the new policy. You can protest the policy & perhaps get WDW to rescind or revise it (IMO still doubtful if it’s profitable to them), but no one can stop these types of violations. She’s already not where she is supposed to be so one more lie to say that it’s service animal & WDW will do nothing but maybe warn her of the rules.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think the point the pp was making is there is NOTHING anyone can do about that supposed violation at Poly for the reasons the poster stated. Poly is NOT a dog-friendly hotel so the violation has nothing to do with the new policy. You can protest the policy & perhaps get WDW to rescind or revise it (IMO still doubtful if it’s profitable to them), but no one can stop these types of violations. She’s already not where she is supposed to be so one more lie to say that it’s service animal & WDW will do nothing but maybe warn her of the rules.

I am not in agreement. If I came across a "pet violation" I would not be passive. I understand the policy in regards to service animals, and know that the guest may insist that her dog is in that class of working animal. While that may be a guest's assertion, I feel strongly that the new pet policy will exacerbate an already growing problem so continuing to pressure Disney whenever there are folks who are making exceptions will encourage Disney to make a change.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

The dog is also not on a leash. Doesn't matter if the dog is a pet or service dog, Orange County has a leash law. Disney's service dog policy states the dog must be harnessed or leashed.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I think the point the pp was making is there is NOTHING anyone can do about that supposed violation at Poly for the reasons the poster stated. Poly is NOT a dog-friendly hotel so the violation has nothing to do with the new policy. You can protest the policy & perhaps get WDW to rescind or revise it (IMO still doubtful if it’s profitable to them), but no one can stop these types of violations. She’s already not where she is supposed to be so one more lie to say that it’s service animal & WDW will do nothing but maybe warn her of the rules.

The rules for service dogs at Disney state that owners must be in control of the service animal at all times. The experience at the Poly, with the dog barking at guests that pass and marking the furniture is an example of the owner not being in control of the animal. Disney has brought this extra scrutiny upon themselves with the implementation of the pet policy. Those that have concerns are going to be more critical of issues with dogs, especially when it appears that Disney has little to no action plan in terms of enforcement.

Service animals at Disney resort hotels are still subject to a waiver that stipulates rules for their admission to Disney properties. That includes clauses related to potential damage caused by the service animal.

 

[LSUmiss]

I am not in agreement. If I came across a "pet violation" I would not be passive. I understand the policy in regards to service animals, and know that the guest may insist that her dog is in that class of working animal. While that may be a guest's assertion, I feel strongly that the new pet policy will exacerbate an already growing problem so continuing to pressure Disney whenever there are folks who are making exceptions will encourage Disney to make a change.

I guess I should clarify. You can complain but likely NOTHING will be done. I disagree that the pet policy will make it worse b/c ppl like this aren’t going to pay the pet fee, they’ll continue to lie. If the policy brings more dogs to WDW, it will actually make it easier to spot violators. She can’t pay the pet fee as a pet when she checks in & then claim it’s a service dog if caught outside of the designated areas. If she wants to lie, she has to say it’s a service dog from the beginning. And, ppl like will continue to do this either way. I would argue your energy to affect change would be better on your legislative members to change current ADA laws to protect from abuse. Otherwise, IMO continuing to complain to WDW will be a waste of energy especially while on vacation.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I guess I should clarify. You can complain but likely NOTHING will be done. I disagree that the pet policy will make it worse b/c ppl like this aren’t going to pay the pet fee, they’ll continue to lie. If the policy brings more dogs to WDW, it will actually make it easier to spot violators. She can’t pay the pet fee as a pet when she checks in & then claim it’s a service dog if caught outside of the designated areas. If she wants to lie, she has to say it’s a service dog from the beginning. And, ppl like will continue to do this either way. I would argue your energy to affect change would be better on your legislative members to change current ADA laws to protect from abuse. Otherwise, IMO continuing to complain to WDW will be a waste of energy especially while on vacation.

Actually, she absolutely can pay the $50 or $75 per night fee and then say her dog is a service animal elsewhere in order to have the dog granted admission to restaurants and parks. What is stopping her? If she is staying at the YC and then walks her dog over to the international gateway...security asks if it is a service dog, she says “yes” and enters the park. How do they know that she is actually paying to keep her pet at her resort.

 

[LSUmiss]

The rules for service dogs at Disney state that owners must be in control of the service animal at all times. The experience at the Poly, with the dog barking at guests that pass and marking the furniture is an example of the owner not being in control of the animal. Disney has brought this extra scrutiny upon themselves with the implementation of the pet policy. Those that have concerns are going to be more critical of issues with dogs, especially when it appears that Disney has little to no action plan in terms of enforcement.

Service animals at Disney resort hotels are still subject to a waiver that stipulates rules for their admission to Disney properties. That includes clauses related to potential damage caused by the service animal.

I agree guests will be more vigilant now. My point was agreeing with the pp it probably doesn’t matter. You’re just wasting your on vacation time b/c likely nothing will be done. Even if she was in violation of the service dog policy & she claimed it was a service dog, WDW is likely not going to evict her or the dog. They will warn her. My guess would be even if she admitted that it wasn’t a service dog, WDW would allow her to pay & stay at one of the pet friendly hotels & warn her against being in areas she doesn’t belong.