New Onstage MK Service Dog Relief Areas

[Cheshire Figment]

The following is an internal announcement.

Signage for our new onstage service animal break areas is now in place in Frontierland and Liberty Square. Installation of the signage is still pending for the Adventureland and Tomorrowland locations; however Cast Members should still direct Guests to use the new areas for their service animals.

The locations are as follows:
-Behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe (Liberty Square)

- Across from Ring Carver (Adventureland)

- Near Big Thunder Mountain exit (Frontierland)

- In between Carousel of Progress and Space Mountain restrooms (Tomorrowland)

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Cheshire Figment.

 

[hobie]

We just returned from a 2 week trip with WDW with my DD's service dog. We have been many times and were disappointed with the relief area accomodations. While in MK we tried going to the "usual" relief areas and were informed they had been relocated. One CM walked us over to the new area in Frontier Land next to BTM. As soon as we got close enough to see the sign we were overwhelmed with cigarette smoke. Yup, the service animal relief area is located in the center of the smoking area. We left immediately to try and find another relief area. The next closest was in front of the bathrooms to the right of the POC. The space was very small (maybe 2 1/2' x 5'), right next to the walkway, at an angle and on rocks the size of my hand. A very PUBLIC area (near restaurants outside seating) and not an inviting material on the ground to stand on while doing their business. Needless to say, my DD's service dog can "hold it" for a very longtime and she waited until we left MK.

I stopped at guest relations on the way out and they said that yes they have moved all relief areas "ON STAGE" and they would be updating their maps soon. And yes, all the WDW parks were making these types of changes.

I guess no one considered the comfort of the service animals or their handlers when they decided to move the relief areas "ONSTAGE".

I hope they will reconsider this change and give the animals and their handlers some "privacy" and comfort to do their business.

I have a picture of the area next to POC but not sure how to post it.

 

[SueM in MN]

We just returned from a 2 week trip with WDW with my DD's service dog. We have been many times and were disappointed with the relief area accomodations. While in MK we tried going to the "usual" relief areas and were informed they had been relocated. One CM walked us over to the new area in Frontier Land next to BTM. As soon as we got close enough to see the sign we were overwhelmed with cigarette smoke. Yup, the service animal relief area is located in the center of the smoking area. We left immediately to try and find another relief area. The next closest was in front of the bathrooms to the right of the POC. The space was very small (maybe 2 1/2' x 5'), right next to the walkway, at an angle and on rocks the size of my hand. A very PUBLIC area (near restaurants outside seating) and not an inviting material on the ground to stand on while doing their business. Needless to say, my DD's service dog can "hold it" for a very longtime and she waited until we left MK.

I stopped at guest relations on the way out and they said that yes they have moved all relief areas "ON STAGE" and they would be updating their maps soon. And yes, all the WDW parks were making these types of changes.

I guess no one considered the comfort of the service animals or their handlers when they decided to move the relief areas "ONSTAGE".

I hope they will reconsider this change and give the animals and their handlers some "privacy" and comfort to do their business.

I have a picture of the area next to POC but not sure how to post it.

The changes to onstage were made as part of a lawsuit settlement where people had complained that all the spots were off-stage and required a CM escort to use.
So, they had no choice nd had to one up with some onstage locations.

I hope SD users who find the spots inadequate do the same as you and make a specific complaint detailing why the spot is not working for them.
If you feel comortble emailing your picture to me, I can post it for you.
suem@wdwinfo.com

 

[Schmeck]

Do they supply the material to clean up after the animals, or do owners have to bring that themselves? Where do you dispose of the waste, in the regular trash cans, or do they have a better receptacle?

 

[hobie]

I hope you can understand our frustration at trying to be discrete as well as having a safe and healthy place for our SD to relieve herself and not having to expose ourselves to others second hand smoke. I'm sure there is another solution to having to ask CM's to go backstage. Maybe other, out of the way areas, without smokers, can be found as a solution.

I have emailed you the picture of the relief area that is located next POC. What the picture does not reflect well is the angel of the area. There is a slope towards the walkway that would make the area uncomfortable for the animal not to mention the size of the area and the rocks.

 

[hobie]

No bags or disposal are provided. SD owners clean up after their SD better then most pet dog owners. We leave no sign that our dogs have been there.

I'm sure those passing by would prefer not having to witness the act, or the cleanup, while in the "Happiest Place on Earth".

 

[Schmeck]

No bags or disposal are provided. SD owners clean up after their SD better then most pet dog owners. We leave no sign that our dogs have been there.

I'm sure those passing by would prefer not having to witness the act, or the cleanup, while in the "Happiest Place on Earth".

I can prove that generalized statement to be false (having witnessed a very messy service dog in our hometown) but if no bags or special receptacle are provided, where's the poo going to go? I think WDW should at least have a specialized bin in the area, and a bag dispenser. What happens if the owner forgets/uses the bags?

What if the owner is unable to reach down to clean up the mess? I can see why it was kept backstage, even though it is inconvenient. At least the CM who had to take you backstage could assist in clean-up, or it was out of sight of the other guests if it couldn't be cleaned up right away.

And what's going to happen when someone shows up with a miniature service horse? Do they still keep a backstage area available?

 

[hobie]

It would be nice if they provided a source for disposal, but they don't. As for mini horses, can they train them to go on demand? I have only seen service dogs at WDW although I have seen some in pocketbooks.

I still think backstage is a more appropriate area. We do not have mobility issues, so clean-up isn't an issue for us.

 

[djblu883]

It would be nice if they provided a source for disposal, but they don't. As for mini horses, can they train them to go on demand? I have only seen service dogs at WDW although I have seen some in pocketbooks.

I still think backstage is a more appropriate area. We do not have mobility issues, so clean-up isn't an issue for us.

FYI service dogs come in all sizes! my BFF has a 5 pound dog who does indeed reside in a bag mauch of the time he is on duty. He is well behaved and well needed to alert her to a heart condition. and how much neater to clean up after...he requires just a kleenex!!!....toy horse ? doubtful!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

There's no way to please all the people all the time. If folks didn't sue because they didn't like being backstage, it wouldn't have moved onstage. My dogs like to go on grass but can go on concrete if there's no choice.

I throw my dogs' waste bags into the nearest garbage can, I've never seen special receptacles.

 

[jovigirlnj]

We are bringing my sons SD to Disney in November - So since the relief areas are now "onstage" we no longer need to tell a CM - right? We just bring them right over there?

 

[Piper]

It would be nice if they provided a source for disposal, but they don't. As for mini horses, can they train them to go on demand? I have only seen service dogs at WDW although I have seen some in pocketbooks.

I still think backstage is a more appropriate area. We do not have mobility issues, so clean-up isn't an issue for us.

My service dog is also small--9 pounds soaking wet. She is a diabetic alert dog and will even wake me up in the middle of the night if my sugar drops. Whe also lets me know when it gets high. She is literally a lifesaver. She often rides in my ECV basket.

Not all service dogs are big!

 

[Disneykidsdad]

As a father with a daughter in a wheelchair with a service dog, I am glad they have moved the relief areas "onstage". When we were in EPCOT last summer, it took two CM's and almost a half hour to find the "backstage" relief area. It was our third trip with the service dog. I hope someone posts pictures of them. It sounds like they are not all that great yet. But with the proper feedback Disney will make them better.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

I just read this on another site. I wonder if the Kennel part also applies to sighted people with service dogs.

The Service Animal Class settlement provides for at least three service animal relief areas in the public areas at each of the domestic Disney parks and add that information to the relevant websites and information sheets. Disney will also provide temporary kennels or cages at attractions which the service animals cannot ride. It will also post a policy that guests can also do a rider swap with another member of their party who would watch the animal until the visually impaired guest returned from their ride.

Disney will also update its operating guidelines for all characters in the parks to ensure that their interaction with guests with service animals take place as if the guests do not have service animals.