Requesting tables out of the way for service animals

[Stellapedia]

We've dined at Disney many times, and so far we've been pretty lucky with where we sit, but it's always been asking when we get there. We're local, so we go almost every weekend and dine there, somewhere, a few times a month. But we're spending a week on-site in Sept and making all dining reservations, I was wondering if I can specifically request a table against the wall, on the patio, otherwise out of the way, because of the dog. He sleeps under the table, of course, and he doesn't care where we sit. But I don't like being in the middle of the room with characters and kids running around. It's more important at buffets where people are up and about all the time. It's just easier for him, and for us, to be able to be tucked out of the way.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

Having it on the reservation will not work. However, when you check in at the podium is the time to put in the request; it is the people there who actually do the table assignments.

 

[Stellapedia]

Should I do it AT check in, or should I call morning of (or, if in the park, just stop by at some point)? It's not the biggest deal in the world, the dog is fine anywhere, it's just *my* preference not to have lots of feet swarming around him. Plus, he's fine with the characters but *I* want to save him from the characters. It has to warp his mind just a bit to have a 6 foot tall furry donkey standing 3 feet from him. I'd rather spare his patience and save it for Dumbo and Philharmagic (which, for some reason, freaks him out. We actually don't do it anymore because he can't handle it... don't know why. No other movie or attraction bothers him, but philharmagic is just pure torture for the guy).

 

[mechurchlady]

There is no way for a restaurant to know who is going to be in the restaurant at a given point in time. They can be have a herd of wild people show up at the last minute for example or they could have a very quiet group of guests when you are there.

As Cheshire said you need to tell them at the podium and the greeter will try hard to meet your needs. If you MUST have something special like booths only or table by the window for example then say so and expect to wait.

 

[SueM in MN]

People make requests all the time - from being close to the buffet if they want a short walk to being far away if they don't want the traffic around them. Many of the requests are personal preference, rather than to meet a need like your request, so don't be shy on asking.

It's not vital to let them know before you check in, but is very important to let them know when you are checking in. Depending on the restaurant, the person at the podium may even be able to show you a seating chart and let you choose several tables that would meet your needs. Expect that you may need to wait longer for a table that better fits your needs. If many tables would meet your needs, your wait may not be longer. If there are only a few tables, it may be. A lot depends on when the people sat down at the table and how long it takes them to be served and eat.

 

[DisAddict01]

I am not disbled, but I am going to try to help people here.
Anyway, I'm sure that where you're eating the staff will GLADLY give you the table or area that you wanted. Disney has really great staff! Hope I helped.

Dis​

 

[christymarie]

We've dined at Disney many times, and so far we've been pretty lucky with where we sit, but it's always been asking when we get there. We're local, so we go almost every weekend and dine there, somewhere, a few times a month. But we're spending a week on-site in Sept and making all dining reservations, I was wondering if I can specifically request a table against the wall, on the patio, otherwise out of the way, because of the dog. He sleeps under the table, of course, and he doesn't care where we sit. But I don't like being in the middle of the room with characters and kids running around. It's more important at buffets where people are up and about all the time. It's just easier for him, and for us, to be able to be tucked out of the way.

We just went to WDW in April with our service dog. We made the reservation for 4+1 and then indicated to the woman when we were checking in that we had a service animal. We find that tables for 4 just don't give her enough room (she is a large chocolate lab) so we always add the +1. They were very helpful!!

Have fun!

 

[dclfun]

My SD is a 70 lb lab- she is fine under the tables where she is normally not noticed. If we are seated by someone other than the server, often the server doesn't even know she's there and is shocked when we get ready to leave. I've never had a problem with the characters at those meals either. We were at Chef Mickey's last year in Sept. with a large party for breakfast. I saw the character handler letting the characters know there was a SD under our table ( I guess in case they couldn't see her) and they know better than to try and interact with SD's. I still don't think you'll have a problem being seated at a table that makes you comfortable, although it may require a wait until a table is available.---Kathy