Service Dog Pass?

[coachyo]

Was wondering what this is as I haven't seen any reference to this.

I heard that if you have a SD you need to get a pass for them separate from a DAS if you need one.

Also, they have a holding kennel at each ride?

Anyone have any recent experience with having a SD at Disneyland?

I would really like to know how it went and what you experienced.

Thanks, YO

 

[SueM in MN]

Was wondering what this is as I haven't seen any reference to this.

I heard that if you have a SD you need to get a pass for them separate from a DAS if you need one.

Also, they have a holding kennel at each ride?

Anyone have any recent experience with having a SD at Disneyland?

I would really like to know how it went and what you experienced.

Thanks, YO

No, there is not a pass for Service Dogs.

That is probably a misconception based on pictures on the Disney site pages about Service Dogs. The pictures on that page prominently show the dog handler holding a Guest Assistance Card (GAC - which was discontinued in October 2013).
The only thing is, a GAC was never required with a Service Dog. Because the pictures brought up some concern here, I checked with the Disney director of disability services and was told that the creative team working on the website had included the card in error.

The attractions that have kennels would be the ones listed in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities and the Disney website as ones that are not recommended or not allowed for Service Dogs.

 

[coachyo]

Sue,

Thank you for the info. I had a feeling someone was not really sure of what they were talking about.
You mentioned the Guide for Disability Services where can I access this?
YO

 

[cinderella73]

I live here locally 5 mins from the parks. I went last week with out service dog and was told by cast members stationed at the fast pass entrances that I needed to go back and get the new card they using in place of the old GAC card. I told them this was incorrect but rather than argue I went back to guest services.

At guest services the guest services cast member went into the back room and spoke with one of the disability coordinators and was told told that the cast members at the fastpass entrances were all incorrect and that you do not need a card. I was also told if I encountered this again to ask for the ride supervisor. This added a LOT of time and hassle to my day and I have written Guest Communication Services about it.

Hopefully they worked out the kinks by now but just wanted you to be aware of what to do if you encountered any issues.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue,

Thank you for the info. I had a feeling someone was not really sure of what they were talking about.
You mentioned the Guide for Disability Services where can I access this?
YO

A couple of ways to get them:

1) Online - follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 3 of that thread has a link to the Guide for each park.

2) at your WDW resort - the resorts have copies of the park maps, but usually have a limited number of these special park maps. You may be able to get them from the resort Information or Concierge desk.

3) at the parks - the map for the park you are at will be available in the map kiosk near the park entrance with the other park maps.
You can get a copy of the maps for other parks at Guest Relations.

 

[cmwade77]

Sue, my friend who is at WDW right now with a service dog was told yesterday that she had to have a DAS with her service dogs picture on it when she went in to get her DAS replaced, because she forgot it in the room. They had no problems replacing it, but insisted that they had to issue one for her service dog as well, due to a new policy. Had she not already been in guest relations, she would not have known anything about this new policy, which appears to have been put in place as of yesterday, as she has been there for a few days and this wasn't an issue until yesterday. Incidentally, it is identical to the DAS, just has her dogs picture and name instead of hers. So, I don't know which is accurate, but this is what is happening right now and apparently the attractions are asking to see it.

On another note, they are having problems with many CMs saying that they don't have crates at attractions like big Thunder. I can't believe that is the case.i was under the impression that achy attraction that service animals are not able to ride is supposed to have a crate. I know that's how it works at DLR.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, my friend who is at WDW right now with a service dog was told yesterday that she had to have a DAS with her service dogs picture on it when she went in to get her DAS replaced, because she forgot it in the room. They had no problems replacing it, but insisted that they had to issue one for her service dog as well, due to a new policy. Had she not already been in guest relations, she would not have known anything about this new policy, which appears to have been put in place as of yesterday, as she has been there for a few days and this wasn't an issue until yesterday. Incidentally, it is identical to the DAS, just has her dogs picture and name instead of hers. So, I don't know which is accurate, but this is what is happening right now and apparently the attractions are asking to see it.

On another note, they are having problems with many CMs saying that they don't have crates at attractions like big Thunder. I can't believe that is the case.i was under the impression that achy attraction that service animals are not able to ride is supposed to have a crate. I know that's how it works at DLR.

That sounds like it would be extremely illegal to require a DAS with the dog's picture on it in order to allow it to accompany the person who needs the dog.

The ADA is pretty clear that nothing can be required to 'prove' a service dog in order yo use it.
So, if it is happening, it sounds like someone making their own rules.

As for the crates, I have heard they are using collapsible crates, so it could be that they are stored a bit out of sight and CMs not familiar with collapsible ones thinking they don't exist.

 

[disney david]

That sounds like it would be extremely illegal to require a DAS with the dog's picture on it in order to allow it to accompany the person who needs the dog.

The ADA is pretty clear that nothing can be required to 'prove' a service dog in order yo use it.
So, if it is happening, it sounds like someone making their own rules.

As for the crates, I have heard they are using collapsible crates, so it could be that they are stored a bit out of sight and CMs not familiar with collapsible ones thinking they don't exist.

Yeah what the point in it is someone going to switch dogs after getting a das. Are the cms going to check the photo with the dog to make sure they match and if they don't will they escort the dog out of the park.

 

[aaarcher86]

That sounds like it would be extremely illegal to require a DAS with the dog's picture on it in order to allow it to accompany the person who needs the dog. The ADA is pretty clear that nothing can be required to 'prove' a service dog in order yo use it. So, if it is happening, it sounds like someone making their own rules. As for the crates, I have heard they are using collapsible crates, so it could be that they are stored a bit out of sight and CMs not familiar with collapsible ones thinking they don't exist.

Wouldn't a DAS saying its a service dog be in the same vein as a DAS saying someone has a disability? Neither mentions specifics. It'd have to be a service dog to be in the park so it's not blowing a cover or anything.

 

[SueM in MN]

Wouldn't a DAS saying its a service dog be in the same vein as a DAS saying someone has a disability? Neither mentions specifics. It'd have to be a service dog to be in the park so it's not blowing a cover or anything.

No.
The DAS for the person is a communication tool that says 'this is the type of assistance this person with a disability needs'. And, most of the needs to DAS is me sent to accommodate are invisible.

Service dogs are treated in the law in a similar way to assistive equipment, like wheelchairs. Businesses can't require people using a wheelchair to get a piece of paper to prove they need to use it.

Having a DAS for the Service Dog or a wheelchair would be considered an unnecessary burden. SD and wheelchairs are visible, so there is no need to have a DAS to show they exist.
What would the reason be for having it?
To show the person has a Service Dog? So the person can't bring in a different dog?

Here's a link to the ADA FAQs about Service Dogs.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

 

[aaarcher86]

No. The DAS for the person is a communication tool that says 'this is the type of assistance this person with a disability needs'. And, most of the needs to DAS is me sent to accommodate are invisible. Service dogs are treated in the law in a similar way to assistive equipment, like wheelchairs. Businesses can't require people using a wheelchair to get a piece of paper to prove they need to use it. Having a DAS for the Service Dog or a wheelchair would be considered an unnecessary burden. SD and wheelchairs are visible, so there is no need to have a DAS to show they exist. What would the reason be for having it? To show the person has a Service Dog? So the person can't bring in a different dog? Here's a link to the ADA FAQs about Service Dogs. http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

I would think to just tie the dog to the person would be the reason. I don't know.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would think to just tie the dog to the person would be the reason. I don't know.

But it's not like the dog is going to go around randomly attaching to people???
And, a DAS with the picture of the dog and the dog's name doesn't attach it to anyone.

And, it would still do nothing to deter people with 'fake' service dogs. In fact, many of those people would probably like it because a DAS would legitimize their pet as a SD.

Disney would have to have some very compelling reasons to require it in order for it to be considered legal. I just can't think of any.
They could possibly say they need it to prove 'ownership' of a SD left in a crate at an attraction. But, a picture of the dog on a DAS left with the dog would not prove that. I could see if the person had the dog's DAS and had to produce it to claim the dog from the crate.
That could be a compelling reason, but is not the situation cmwade77 says his friend was presented with.

 

[aaarcher86]

But it's not like the dog is going to go around randomly attaching to people??? And, a DAS with the picture of the dog and the dog's name doesn't attach it to anyone. And, it would still do nothing to deter people with 'fake' service dogs. In fact, many of those people would probably like it because a DAS would legitimize their pet as a SD. Disney would have to have some very compelling reasons to require it in order for it to be considered legal. I just can't think of any. They could possibly say they need it to prove 'ownership' of a SD left in a crate at an attraction. But, a picture of the dog on a DAS left with the dog would not prove that. I could see if the person had the dog's DAS and had to produce it to claim the dog from the crate. That could be a compelling reason, but is not the situation cmwade77 says his friend was presented with.

Oh i don't know. I was just offering up thoughts. I wonder if the DAS for the person and the DAS for the dog could have a matching QR code? To link them in some fashion if the person is with a group or something?

Again, I really have no idea. I just didn't see the initial reason for it being illegal.

 

[cmwade77]

No.
The DAS for the person is a communication tool that says 'this is the type of assistance this person with a disability needs'. And, most of the needs to DAS is me sent to accommodate are invisible.

Service dogs are treated in the law in a similar way to assistive equipment, like wheelchairs. Businesses can't require people using a wheelchair to get a piece of paper to prove they need to use it.

Having a DAS for the Service Dog or a wheelchair would be considered an unnecessary burden. SD and wheelchairs are visible, so there is no need to have a DAS to show they exist.
What would the reason be for having it?
To show the person has a Service Dog? So the person can't bring in a different dog?

Here's a link to the ADA FAQs about Service Dogs.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

I don't disagree with you, but this is being consistently enforced across at least Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios as of the day before yesterday.

They may be making their own rules, but apparently every attractions CM is making the same rule in both of these parks.

The situation they are being presented with is that the dog is not even allowed in the line without a DAS with HIS picture on it. I agree that this is most likely not legal, but this is what is currently happening, so you probably should check with guest relations, just to be on the safe side until this is resolved.

I am also curious what she should do if even the lead says there is no crate at an attraction? The ones that have apparently told her this are Big Thunder, Expedition Everest and Star Tours. I would expect all three of these to have crates available and she is there for a few more days, so I am sure she would appreciate any advice there.

 

[Wishes Count]

I work at DAK. I cannot speak for procedures at other parks although I would expect them to to be the same. We do not issue a DAS for a service animal and the owner can get one if they have a disability that requires one. I have never heard of the animal needing the DAS.

We do have a purple and white card that we give out. I cannot remember what it says on it exactly but it basically says that this is a service animal and that the duty manager is aware they are in the park.

We have crates at only select attractions and some of our attractions share the crate. You many encounter a wait if the crate is "shared" or if another guest is using the crate When someone enters the park with a service animal we radio the duty manager so they are aware there is a guest with a service animal in the park.

 

[SueM in MN]

I work at DAK. I cannot speak for procedures at other parks although I would expect them to to be the same. We do not issue a DAS for a service animal and the owner can get one if they have a disability that requires one. I have never heard of the animal needing the DAS.

We do have a purple and white card that we give out. I cannot remember what it says on it exactly but it basically says that this is a service animal and that the duty manager is aware they are in the park.

We have crates at only select attractions and some of our attractions share the crate. You many encounter a wait if the crate is "shared" or if another guest is using the crate When someone enters the park with a service animal we radio the duty manager so they are aware there is a guest with a service animal in the park.

Thanks for the information.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Is this purple thingie new after 2008? I never saw one of those.

Also purely out of curiosity, are the crates being considered mandatory if the guest wants to ride? When I went, because I was traveling with someone visually impaired, we'd enter the line together with the dog, one of us would ride while the other waited with the dog (typically at the ride exit) then would switch out usually with a CM's help. We wouldn't have used the crate as an option for either dog we had because both wouldn't have tolerated it in an unfamiliar setting. They both had extremely strong bonds with the user and would fight to get to him if they thought it was necessary, like the first time at the groomers they didn't know. Both were extremely well trained and behaved, and wouldn't have gotten violent towards other people but I know both would have been fighting to get out of the crate at the sight of the user, or frankly even me because I would have been the familiar face so to speak. If the crate was the only option it would have knocked several rides out of the realm of possibility for us.

 

[Wishes Count]

Using the crate is not required. In fact we encourage owners to use the rider switch system. Also the crate is usually only at attractions that the dog cannot safely ride such as roller coasters.

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[cmwade77]

Using the crate is not required. In fact we encourage owners to use the rider switch system. Also the crate is usually only at attractions that the dog cannot safely ride such as roller coasters.

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The encouraging them to use rider swap goes too far when they tell every CM along the way that they want the crate and it still takes 20 minutes to set it up when they get to the front of the applicable queue or are told that there is no crate, even when the attraction should have one. I understand if the line is short, it might take a few minutes still. But for example at RNR, it took 20 minutes to get the create ready after a 20 minute wait. At least there they allowed themb to ride twice, but they told every CM along the way that they would need a crate. This was for a party of two, so rider swap was not an acceptable option at the time.

That being said, I don't think CMs should be encouraging either solution, unless the guest specifically asks for their opinion. If they ask for the crate when getting in line, it should be ready by the time they get to the front, unless the line is super short as I said before. The person with the service dog knows what they can and cannot handle.

 

[Wishes Count]

I checked out the card today at work. On the one side it says "please present to the greeter at each attraction" then it reads for the cast member to contact the coordinator or leader for that attraction.

It sounds like asking for the coordinator from the start. Instead of being shuffled through line and telling each next cast member is what needs to happen. If the cast member does not call at the greeter position I would ask them to call a coordinator to ensure when you get to the load area the crate is ready.

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