Service Dog on buses and other WDW SD questions

[Emagine]

I am looking for tips, tricks, the in the know for boarding a bus with a Service Dog. Both my kids are Autistic. We normally wait it out so we get a seat and let ppl pass us by so we do not have to stand with them. One is almost 9, the other will be 6 in Dec. The 6 year old also has a mobility disorder that throws his balance off. Both are sensory and ADHD. I know our dog should be out of the way under the seat if the seats permit but I also know when we stayed in the spring (we did not have him yet them) and we were at Old Key West) we always ended up having avail seats that lined the edge of the bus instead of sideways. We also use the regular line.

Any thing I need to know, tips? Ideas? Just doing a little pre-education.

TIA!

 

[Stag]

I would love to know this, too, and I'm so glad you started this thread! By the time of my trip, my mobility dog will be full grown at about 160 pounds, so I'm REALLY concerned about fitting him in the buses but don't really want to pay several hundred dollars for a rental car.

 

[videogal1]

I would love to know this, too, and I'm so glad you started this thread! By the time of my trip, my mobility dog will be full grown at about 160 pounds, so I'm REALLY concerned about fitting him in the buses but don't really want to pay several hundred dollars for a rental car.

If you're not using a wheelchair or ECV in conjunction with your mobility dog and aren't going to be loading at the rear of the bus via the lift, load at the front and go as far back in the bus as possible to sit. You should be able to lay claim to a seat at the back near the wheelchair tie-down area where there is a little more floor space. Or, as the OP suggested, grab a center-facing seat. Expecting a large dog to cram itself under or in front of a bench seat is cruel and inhuman punishment. It is not a requirement for a Service Dog to contort itself for the convenience of those who are perfectly able to walk around it, as they would do for any non-living medical device. If all else fails, ask the driver for help in finding an appropriate seat.

 

[Stag]

If you're not using a wheelchair or ECV in conjunction with your mobility dog and aren't going to be loading at the rear of the bus via the lift, load at the front and go as far back in the bus as possible to sit. You should be able to lay claim to a seat at the back near the wheelchair tie-down area where there is a little more floor space. Or, as the OP suggested, grab a center-facing seat. Expecting a large dog to cram itself under or in front of a bench seat is cruel and inhuman punishment. It is not a requirement for a Service Dog to contort itself for the convenience of those who are perfectly able to walk around it, as they would do for any non-living medical device. If all else fails, ask the driver for help in finding an appropriate seat.

I may or may not have a manual chair; we'll see how I do with the heat. I'll have one WITH me but probably won't be using it because we're going in the fall, and I have learned to pace myself really well. I would NEVER expect him to crunch himself under or between seats, especially as huge as he is-- but thank you for the reassurance that that is okay, haha. I'm so paranoid about him being in the way or something because he IS so big.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

It does really kind of matter what your individual situation is AND the size of the dog. When I went with someone who used a SD, depending on the bus setup, sometimes we'd use the center facing seats and other times it was easier for him to use one of the 2 seater front facing seats with the dog on the inside (the dog was fine sitting the whole trip and actually seemed to prefer it).

What kind of dog do you have that will 160lbs? There may be some places that it'll be a tight squeeze...Spaceship Earth comes to mind. Both dogs that I've been to Disney with couldn't get into the vehicle and turn around, so they ended up sitting on the seat (both labs, one around 80lbs, one around 90)

 

[disney david]

Even if you don't have a wheel r Disney will still allow you to use the back lift on old buses and ramp on new buses if you think the dog won't be able to walk up the stairs. On the old buses the stairs are tight and steep so the do might have a hard time going up not saying every dog will but sone might. The new low flor bus have no steps to enter just not plush with the ground so their a little step up but the dog should have no problems getting on or off. By the way the 160 dog properly will he less after a couple laps around world show case. So don't worry about loading the bus the drivers are their to help so use them if you need them. have fun on your trips and I hope every thing goes great which I know it will it Disney after all.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are quite a few attractions where a 160 pound dog will have a problem fitting because the space is small. If that happens, you can do a rider switch, where one member of your party stays with the dog while the rest of you ride. When the riders are done, one of them will stay with the dog while the rest ride.
When the ADA guidelines were revised recently, some commanders [EDIT TO FIX SPELL CHECK : commenters] did recommend limiting the size of service dogs to around 70 pounds maximum. This was not included in the final guidelines because they recognized that some users may already have larger dogs and it would not be fair for them.
But, the fact still is that some spaces may be small for a 160 pound dog.

 

[Stag]

It does really kind of matter what your individual situation is AND the size of the dog. When I went with someone who used a SD, depending on the bus setup, sometimes we'd use the center facing seats and other times it was easier for him to use one of the 2 seater front facing seats with the dog on the inside (the dog was fine sitting the whole trip and actually seemed to prefer it).

What kind of dog do you have that will 160lbs? There may be some places that it'll be a tight squeeze...Spaceship Earth comes to mind. Both dogs that I've been to Disney with couldn't get into the vehicle and turn around, so they ended up sitting on the seat (both labs, one around 80lbs, one around 90)

There are quite a few attractions where a 160 pound dog will have a problem fitting because the space is small. If that happens, you can do a rider switch, where one member of your party stays with the dog while the rest of you ride. When the riders are done, one of them will stay with the dog while the rest ride.
When the ADA guidelines were revised recently, some commanders did recommend limiting the size of service dogs to around 70 pounds maximum. This was not included in the final guidelines because they recognized that some users may already have larger dogs and it would not be fair for them.
But, the fact still is that some spaces may be small for a 160 pound dog.

He's a Newfoundland-- and yeah, I'm fully prepared to have to do rider swap with him on a lot of things. Hopefully by the time we go, we'll have three people, which would make things much easier for swapping.

And limiting the size of SDs to 70 pounds max wouldn't just be unfair to people who already have larger dogs, but to those of us who need mobility dogs that aren't chair users or depending on other mobility aids. A dog should never be used as a living cane, but many of us use our dogs to steady ourselves when changing positions, standing, etc. Personally if I was limited to a dog 70 pounds or less, I couldn't have one that did everything I need, and while a Newf is overkill in the size department, they're my heart breed.

... But I digress, haha. Like I said, I'm already prepared to rider swap on a lot of things.

 

[SueM in MN]

He's a Newfoundland-- and yeah, I'm fully prepared to have to do rider swap with him on a lot of things. Hopefully by the time we go, we'll have three people, which would make things much easier for swapping.

And limiting the size of SDs to 70 pounds max wouldn't just be unfair to people who already have larger dogs, but to those of us who need mobility dogs that aren't chair users or depending on other mobility aids. A dog should never be used as a living cane, but many of us use our dogs to steady ourselves when changing positions, standing, etc. Personally if I was limited to a dog 70 pounds or less, I couldn't have one that did everything I need, and while a Newf is overkill in the size department, they're my heart breed.

... But I digress, haha. Like I said, I'm already prepared to rider swap on a lot of things.

Agree.
Our lab is 71 pounds, so he would have been 'iffy' in size.
And, he is a British Lab dog, which are smaller than American Labs - those males typically run 90-105 pounds.
Since many people use Labs, Golden Retrievers and Poodles, a lot of people would have had too big dogs.

 

[videogal1]

Agree.
Our lab is 71 pounds, so he would have been 'iffy' in size.
And, he is a British Lab dog, which are smaller than American Labs - those males typically run 90-105 pounds.
Since many people use Labs, Golden Retrievers and Poodles, a lot of people would have had too big dogs.

At the time we were traveling to WDW a lot I was surprised to read Southwest Airline's rules on Service Dogs: "As most service dogs are small" it is required that they be placed under the passenger's seat... Cash, my mobility dog weighed between 100 and 125 pounds during that time...squish, squish.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I thought the English style labs were bigger..at least that was true with our dogs. The first was slimmer, didn't have the barrel chest and has the more streamlined head which is the one that was 80ish lbs, and the second was the big square headed, barrel chested style and he was 90ish lbs.

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought the English style labs were bigger..at least that was true with our dogs. The first was slimmer, didn't have the barrel chest and has the more streamlined head which is the one that was 80ish lbs, and the second was the big square headed, barrel chested style and he was 90ish lbs.

No, they are about 10 to 20 pounds lighter than a typical American Lab.
Our male is actually fairly big. His dad is his size, but some of the British males at the breeder were quite a bit smaller.
His mom is only about 45 pounds. Ours is pedigreed and his grandparents were British champions.
I actually would have liked a smaller dog, but the breeder pointed out that DD would not be able to reach some of the smaller dogs from her wheelchair.

 

[Emagine]

Ok so to answer my question since it kinda derailed lol. Standing in the main line would I board via stairs or floor, and go to rear if avail or just ask the driver if possible. I do know not all drivers are as nice as others. Ours is only about 60 thus far (guessing) he is a Golden going on 2 years by the time we get him. Just trying to get my ducks in a row for managing him and the kids.

The other night I was awake, insomnia, and I was actually trying to see myself shoppping with the boys and the dog. Yeah I know strange but it has been a long time coming because we order everything online!

 

[MaxsDad]

And limiting the size of SDs to 70 pounds max wouldn't just be unfair to people who already have larger dogs, but to those of us who need mobility dogs that aren't chair users or depending on other mobility aids. A dog should never be used as a living cane, but many of us use our dogs to steady ourselves when changing positions, standing, etc. Personally if I was limited to a dog 70 pounds or less, I couldn't have one that did everything I need, and while a Newf is overkill in the size department, they're my heart breed.

I am really glad I clicked on this thread, I have never heard of mobility dogs but I am very interested in these as my mother in law has severe parkinsons and has serious balance issues. I tried doing a google search but wasn't able to find a whole lot, do you have a website where I can get some more information?

Feel free to PM me any information if you like.

Thanks.

*apologies to op for continuing the derailment

 

[SueM in MN]

For the question about mobility service dogs, this website gives a good overview.
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/507

You may not find much specific googling "mobility dog". They are basically service dogs that have been trained in tasks that will help someone who needs assistance with mobility. That could include acting as a steadying force or bracing in a specific way to help a person get up from a chair or the floor. Exactly what tasks are trained would depend on what the person
needs.

For the OP, we have not taken DD's SD to WDW, but we are at OKW frequently because it is our DVC home resort. Most of the time, the buses leaving OKW are not full, so boarding would not be a problem. All the stops have a wheelchair box painted on the pavement at the front of the bus stop, close to where the rear door would be.
You could stand in that box ( that is the direction for guests traveling with wheelchairs or ECVs).
Most of the buses are the lowered floor buses and you would be fine going in the front door on those. The OKW bus stops have curbs and it sometimes takes the driver a bit to line up so that the ramp can be lowered in the curb cut area. For that reason, you may find it easier to just use the front door or to use the back door without the driver putting the ramp down.
The older buses have a steep set of stairs ( if I remember right, it's about 3 steps) whether getting on at the front or the back. I don't think our dog would have a problem with those steps because he is used to going up and down steps every day at our house.
I'm kind of wary about the lifts because I have gotten my foot scraped by the back of the lift while loading with my DD in her wheelchair. There are quite a few moving parts on the lifts, so I personally would either have the dog go up and down the steps or wait for another bus.

Leaving the parks with a wheelchair to go back to OKW, we don't usually run into overfilled buses. We usually try not to leave at peak times. After parades, at park closing or whatever, we usually just take our time leaving the park. That allows us to walk out with a small number of people, rather than in a large crowd. It also means that by the time we get to the bus stop, the first bus load(s) of people have left and we are often the first people at the stop.

Some of the park bus stops have a closed line, where guests enter the line and the only 'exit' is when the line gets to the front door of the bus. Epcot bus stops are like that. In those type of stops, you can tell the driver if you need to use the lift/ramp once you get to the front door.
If you get to the front door and see there will not be room to load your dog, you can step to the side and let others pass you so that you will be first to load on the next bus.
At other stops (and even at Epcot), you can wait about where the back door would be when the bus drives up so that the driver can see you.

 

[Emagine]

TY Sue,

Would I do that even with out a wheelchair for sake of the dog? I know some busses has steep stairs and others are not as bad. I know this because the younger son has issues on some of those stairs.

Oh the planning lol.... some stress about the perfect dinning I just want to get from place to place lol.

 

[SueM in MN]

TY Sue,

Would I do that even with out a wheelchair for sake of the dog? I know some busses has steep stairs and others are not as bad. I know this because the younger son has issues on some of those stairs.

Oh the planning lol.... some stress about the perfect dinning I just want to get from place to place lol.

Yes. That's what I meant.

 

[Emagine]

TY Kindly we do plan on staying at OKW so this helps. Your a gem!

 

[Emagine]

I was hit with another could be issue that I am hoping Disney is wonderful at solving

Normally I am not aware to all that goes on with Service Dogs at WDW but I tried hard in the Spring to watch if I waw one. I did see a couple. I found out last night the company doing ours would not train for moving sidewalks because they are a danger to dogs. Something about the end of them can catch their paws and injure them or even break their foot. I certainly do not want that.

So Oliver will not be exposed to moving sidewalks prior to us going to Disney which kinda worries me. And next, how the heck do I dodge them? They told me WDW will turn them off for the dogs that they all I have to do is ask. Ok.... I want to kinda talk to the experts on this one. Last thing I need is issues, and 2 kids with melts ready to ride the ppl mover or buzz and a dog looking at me like what the heck do I do now lady?!

 

[peemagg]

Will you have time before going to Disney to acclimate the dog to moving sidewalks yourself? If the dog is trained for escalators, I don't know why moving sidewalks would be much of an issue, unless they aren't trained for escalators too.