Service Dogs in lines advice

[cinderella73]

Edited: Nevermind I just found a great website and printed out a list. But from the way I read WDW rules on the main site it appears they like people with service animals to enter in the same areas as guests with wheelchairs when it is a non-mainstream line. Is this correct?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to move this to from the disABILITIES Community Board to the disABILITIES Board because I think you meant it to go there.

Most of the parks have Mainstream Access, which means that the 'regular' line is accessible and there is not a different handicapped entrance.
This is a link to the official WDW website page of information for Guests with Service Animals.
(EDITED TO FIX LINK on 3/21)
That link does list the attractions in each park that Service Animals are not allowed on; for those, you will need another member of your party to watch your dog for you while you ride. CMs are not allowed to hold or watch your dog for you.

When you get to the parks, pick up a park map for disabilities. You will find them by the large display of park maps at the front of each park. If you don't see one, you can pick one up from Guest Relations at the park or from the ECV/wheelchair rental area.
The Guidemap for Guests with Special Needs has access information for each attraction that tells which entrance to use. It does say that Guests with Service Dogs should follow the handicapped access listed on the map. This is a quote from the map:

Walt Disney World Resort strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; that is, all Guests utilize the main entrance to the attraction. However, accessibility varies from attraction to attraction within Disney Parks. The Guide for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guidemaps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a Disney Cast Member at each attraction before entering. Mainstream queues can be found at these attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Most attractions for all parks are listed as "Enter through standard queue" for attractions without Fastpass or "Obtain a FASTPASS OR use Standby Queue" on the Guide for Guest with Disabilities maps I picked up in October 2009. There is also a large red box on the maps which says "Guests with any mobility or queue related assistance needs are encouraged to use the Disney's FASTPASS option where ever possible." There is the same explanation about how to use Fastpass as on the regular park maps.
These are the attractions in each park with a different method of access listed on the map:
MK
WDW Railroad: Enter using ramp on the RIGHT on Main Street
WDW Railroad: Enter using wheelchair ramp on RIGHT at Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain RailRoad: Obtain Fastpass or see Host for options. If FASTPASS is not available, enter thru access on RIGHT
Country Bear Jamboree: Enter thru door on LEFT
Hall of Presidents: Enter through door on RIGHT
Liberty Square Riverboat: Enter through exit on RIGHT or LEFT
it's a small world: Enter thru standard queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area
Peter Pan's Flight: Obtain FASTPASS or see host for options. If Fastpass is not available, see a host for options.
Snow White's Scary Adventures: Enter through Exit on RIGHT
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel: Enter through exit on RIGHT
Dumbo: Enter using ramp on RIGHT
Tea Party: Enter through exit on RIGHT
Barnstormer: Enter through exit on LEFT
Space Mountain: Obtain a FASTPASS or see a host for options. If FASTPASS not available, enter through queue on RIGHT

Epcot
Spaceship Earth: Enter through the exit on the RIGHT or LEFT
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the 3 Caballeros: Enter through the Standard Queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area.
American Adventure: See a host or hostess for access to second floor
Impressions de France: Enter through LEFT side of entrance hallway

Studio
Great Movie Ride: Enter through the Standard queue. A host will provide directions in the pre-show area
Studio Backlot Tour: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT
Fantasmic: Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT

Animal Kingdom
Wildlife Express Train: Proceed through standard queue. A host will direct boarding
The Boneyard: Enter through the designated access gate

Everything other than these attractions I have listed say to enter through the mainstream or standby queue.
The maps are very easy to read (although the type is small) and I recommend you get one for each park. The access information is listed right on the map with all the other information.

There is some more information /links about travel with Service Dogs in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hall of Presidents: Enter through door on RIGHT

voice of experience adds: make sure double door is fully open; do not try to hold one door open by oneself and operate wheels with other hand.

 

[SueM in MN]

voice of experience adds: make sure double door is fully open; do not try to hold one door open by oneself and operate wheels with other hand.

 

[dclfun]

Actually if you are not using a w/c or ECV you would enter the same lines as any other ambulatory guest. ---Kathy

 

[cinderella73]

Thank u everyone. I appreciate everyones advice. I am just so overwhlemed thinking about how much in our lives will be different ( for the good ) and I want to be prepared for everything . Especially since our trip is not to long after we get the dog.



I keep stressing still wondering things . How many times do I take him potty ? Does he need boots so his feet dont get to hot ? A cooling vest ? ( We may end up with a black lab so I worry about him overheating)

We will know exactly who our dog is ( we have been given a hint ) and get to meet him and go for a intensive 2 week training course soon here so I am sure I can ask them a lot of questions out there. But I doubt they know if he will be ok on the TTA ! lol I guess its just going to take time to learn everything. And probaly a whole entirely different way of touring the parks. But it will be weel worth it and we cant wait to have him home with us!

Kathy----- I am glad to hear it. I dont know why as many times as I have been to Disney I cant recall the width of the lines. I was afraid of getting into trouble if I had the dog in a regular line. But we would actually prefer to just do Disney the way we always have. We go in September so lines are never long at all ( usually walk on everything ) . I just want to watch out for him in the heat. BTW I remember reading about what happened with your van. I am glad u two are ok and hope the situation with your van is all fixed.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually if you are not using a w/c or ECV you would enter the same lines as any other ambulatory guest. ---Kathy

This is per the WDW official information, not experience;
The official Disney webpage and the new park map say:
Trained service animals are welcome in most locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. All service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Guests should follow the same attraction entrance procedures as described for Guests using wheelchairs. Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride. In those instances, a member of the Guest's party must remain with the animal. Walt Disney World® Resort hosts and hostesses are not permitted to take control of service animals.

But since the maps were changed to specify the entrance to use for wheelchair/ECV access, in almost all attractions, guests using wheelchairs and ECVs are using the same lines as everyone else. (So, Kathy is right - in most cases, the WDW official information says to use the regular entrance).

The ones I listed in my other post from the park map are the few lines where there is something about the line or boarding that makes it inaccessible to guests with wheelchairs. Some of those things would make also it easier to use that entrance/boarding area with a SD too (like stairs, moving walkways).

Most of the MK attractions listed do have narrow queues.
Some of the attractions (like Peter Pan or Barnstormer) are ones that SDs are not allowed on/are listed as 'check with host or hostess'. For those attractions, boarding at the entrance listed for wheelchairs generally has you board at the exit (after waiting in line), where someone else in your party will be able to hold your dog for you while you ride and then switch off so they can ride.
For the Backlot Tour at the Studio, I think the reason for following the 'wheelchair path' is that there are stairs in the regular path of the walking part. Once you get to the tram, there are several huge steps up to get onto the tram. Using the wheelchair boarding area would allow you to use the ramp in the wheelchair area to get your dog into the tram. (There is a similar tram and ramp at AK for the Safari, but that attraction is listed as 'Check with Host or Hostess', so I assume they would tell you to use that entrance).

But, as you look at the list, you will see that there are very few attractions where the park maps direct somewhere other than the regular line - for AK, there are only 2, the Studio 3 and Epcot 4. MK has the most, but that's because they have the most lines that are narrow or have some other situation.

PS - I fixed the link in my other post. When I copied and pasted a few letters did not copy, so the link did not work.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I keep stressing still wondering things . How many times do I take him potty ? Does he need boots so his feet dont get to hot ? A cooling vest ? ( We may end up with a black lab so I worry about him overheating)

Hi there . I don't have a SD yet, so all of the following is just what I've picked up from these lovely people, but I'll offer what help I can.

He may need to take comfort breaks more frequently than at home, as he'll need to drink more in the Floridian heat, and may need to eat more if he's not used to walking around all day. All SD rest areas are backstage, so you will need to get a CM to show you to them. Locations are in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.

A lot of people prefer to use paw wax, rather than boots. You can just apply this stuff to your SDs paws as often as they need it, and it will provide a protective layer. You'll know if they need more, because they'll start doing the 'hot paw dance'. September isn't normally too bad, heat-wise, so he may not even need the wax on every day.

You should be able to gauge how hot he is, by observing his behaviour. As you're getting him soon, you'll have enough time to establish what his 'normal' is, before you get to Florida. If he's panting a lot more or doesn't seem to be quite himself, you may want to give him a pat to see how hot he feels. There are plenty of places where you can have a break in the air-con, or just pouring some water over them will help cool off a bit (just make sure you don't go into any of the buildings with a dripping wet dog, or they many not thank you for it). Make sure you carry a folding bowl to give him regular drinks of water. To make filling it easier, you can take a bottle with you or ask for a cup at any CS restaurant, to fill up at a water fountain. You can even ask for a cup of ice at the CS restaurants, if that will help.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[cinderella73]

This is per the WDW official information, not experience;
The official Disney webpage and the new park map say:
Trained service animals are welcome in most locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. All service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Guests should follow the same attraction entrance procedures as described for Guests using wheelchairs. Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride. In those instances, a member of the Guest's party must remain with the animal. Walt Disney World® Resort hosts and hostesses are not permitted to take control of service animals.

But since the maps were changed to specify the entrance to use for wheelchair/ECV access, in almost all attractions, guests using wheelchairs and ECVs are using the same lines as everyone else. (So, Kathy is right - in most cases, the WDW official information says to use the regular entrance).

The ones I listed in my other post from the park map are the few lines where there is something about the line or boarding that makes it inaccessible to guests with wheelchairs. Some of those things would make also it easier to use that entrance/boarding area with a SD too (like stairs, moving walkways).

Most of the MK attractions listed do have narrow queues.
Some of the attractions (like Peter Pan or Barnstormer) are ones that SDs are not allowed on/are listed as 'check with host or hostess'. For those attractions, boarding at the entrance listed for wheelchairs generally has you board at the exit (after waiting in line), where someone else in your party will be able to hold your dog for you while you ride and then switch off so they can ride.
For the Backlot Tour at the Studio, I think the reason for following the 'wheelchair path' is that there are stairs in the regular path of the walking part. Once you get to the tram, there are several huge steps up to get onto the tram. Using the wheelchair boarding area would allow you to use the ramp in the wheelchair area to get your dog into the tram. (There is a similar tram and ramp at AK for the Safari, but that attraction is listed as 'Check with Host or Hostess', so I assume they would tell you to use that entrance).

But, as you look at the list, you will see that there are very few attractions where the park maps direct somewhere other than the regular line - for AK, there are only 2, the Studio 3 and Epcot 4. MK has the most, but that's because they have the most lines that are narrow or have some other situation.

PS - I fixed the link in my other post. When I copied and pasted a few letters did not copy, so the link did not work.

Sue--- Thank you so much. I noticed how it said "Use wheelchair access when available . " But then it said most where mainstream anyway. It was a bit confusing to take it all in but then this is only our visit with the dog so I am sure it will get easier the second time around. I printed our what you wrote below for reference .So it looks like any ride that a SD is not allowed on we can do something similar to a baby swap? That would be great as I was wondering if we would have to forgo some of those rides alltogether. Pirates is one ride that confuses me as I think I saw it listed as both a mainstream and wheelchair access? Am I correct in thinking you enter the main line and then you make a spilt somewhere? I never paid attention to this stuff before because we were always going into regular lines. I am not sure if thats one we board normal or not.

The people I know that got their SD from the same place I am have said they havent heard the dog bark yet! So as I understand it they are really well trained. That being said I still wonder how our dog will take to the different motions and noises. I did ask them for a Disney ready dog though! ( They asked about our activities so as to pick the right type of dog. )So hopefully they did bring him around on moving pavements and similar things ahead of time to make sure hes ok. Especially since we will be moving near the parks next year and visits will be a regular thing. I would hate for him to be scared. But they are so well trained that again I am sure I am worrying for nothing. I have been doing that in excess all week about everything. ( Vacation cant get here soon enough!)

Hi there . I don't have a SD yet, so all of the following is just what I've picked up from these lovely people, but I'll offer what help I can.

He may need to take comfort breaks more frequently than at home, as he'll need to drink more in the Floridian heat, and may need to eat more if he's not used to walking around all day. All SD rest areas are backstage, so you will need to get a CM to show you to them. Locations are in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.

A lot of people prefer to use paw wax, rather than boots. You can just apply this stuff to your SDs paws as often as they need it, and it will provide a protective layer. You'll know if they need more, because they'll start doing the 'hot paw dance'. September isn't normally too bad, heat-wise, so he may not even need the wax on every day.

You should be able to gauge how hot he is, by observing his behaviour. As you're getting him soon, you'll have enough time to establish what his 'normal' is, before you get to Florida. If he's panting a lot more or doesn't seem to be quite himself, you may want to give him a pat to see how hot he feels. There are plenty of places where you can have a break in the air-con, or just pouring some water over them will help cool off a bit (just make sure you don't go into any of the buildings with a dripping wet dog, or they many not thank you for it). Make sure you carry a folding bowl to give him regular drinks of water. To make filling it easier, you can take a bottle with you or ask for a cup at any CS restaurant, to fill up at a water fountain. You can even ask for a cup of ice at the CS restaurants, if that will help.

Hope you have a great trip!

Great tips! Good point. We will have a couple months to get used to reading the dogs body language before the trip so that will help give me a better idea. The ranch that is training our dog told me in no uncertain terms they didnt want me taking the dog to Disney in May as we will not be experienced enough with him. So we cancelled it and rescheduled.

The paw wax sounds so much better than booties. I know the purpose of the boots is to help protect from the heat but just thinking of it made me feel overheated. We bought a little travel kit for the dog already that has travel bowls but I wonder how you store them away once they get all wet? I guess I will bring ziplocks. ( And I better get used to the idea of dog slobber real fast. lol) Ice water sounds like a great idea as well. My moms black lab loves to lick icecubes in fact. I laughed at you mentioning the wet dog part. I think nothing smells worse than a wet dog. My aunt always says thats what her teenage boy smells like after running around outside. lol I will be careful to save anyone exposure to that! I am going to go google paw wax now . Thanks

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't know where you're getting your dog from, but among the friends of mine who have service dogs there is a wide range of vehicle comfort. Most are fine with anything, but one was matched with a dog who is afraid of trains and similar vehicle. He is fine with airplanes, but I don't know that she's had a chance to try disney rides with him yet.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think some of the confusion comes from some of the lines that are wheelchair accessible may not be ECV accessible. So, there are some attractions that are Mainstream lines for wheelchairs, but if users of ECVs want a mobility device in line, they may need to switch to a wheelchair.

If you get a park map for Guests with Disabilities in each park, you will have a nice compact map that lists which entrances to use, which attractions are not recommended for Service Animals and even lists the animal toileting areas.
If you go to Guest Relations in the first park you get to, you should be able to get the map for each park.

 

[cinderella73]

I don't know where you're getting your dog from, but among the friends of mine who have service dogs there is a wide range of vehicle comfort. Most are fine with anything, but one was matched with a dog who is afraid of trains and similar vehicle. He is fine with airplanes, but I don't know that she's had a chance to try disney rides with him yet.

Well I know they take the dogs out in public and in the car a lot as part of the training. But the dark, noises , and motion of a ride I am unsure about. I just talked to one mom today who had a dog for her child from the same place and she said they went to Disney Land and had no problems and did some rides and the dog was well behaved. She did say that finding cast members to direct them to the break areas backstage so the Sd could potty was a huge hassle and stressfull though .

I think some of the confusion comes from some of the lines that are wheelchair accessible may not be ECV accessible. So, there are some attractions that are Mainstream lines for wheelchairs, but if users of ECVs want a mobility device in line, they may need to switch to a wheelchair.

If you get a park map for Guests with Disabilities in each park, you will have a nice compact map that lists which entrances to use, which attractions are not recommended for Service Animals and even lists the animal toileting areas.
If you go to Guest Relations in the first park you get to, you should be able to get the map for each park.

Thank you , I will do that first thing when I get into the park. I have this huge stack of papers I printed out with all this info. A pamphlet will be so much easier to have with and will help if I get cast members who are not sure where to direct me to take the dog potty ( or wonder why I am asking to go backstage ). I can just show them their own park pamphlet and that will make things much much easier!

-------------

Thanks to everyone and I will make sure to do a trip report so I can share our little adventure with you all. I will probaly do a little blog up as well for when we go to get our dog and go through our training . Maybe it will be able to help someone out on here like you all helped me. One things for sure , I wont have any trouble coming with a interesting trip report title!

 

[SueM in MN]

OneLittleSpark's reminder that you can get cold water or ice cubes from food places is important.

To keep your bowl after use, I would bring along a large zip lock bag to put it into.
We have a SD in training for DD. The breeder that we got him from does hunting dog training and trains all his dogs to drink from a bottle of water. It's just a regular bottled water bottle; you squeeze it to make a stream into the dogs mouth. At first our dog (Niles) lost a lot of the water and some dogs look like 'how the XXX am I supposed to drink this water???' but most catch on pretty quick and we never have to get a water bowl out for him.

 

[cinderella73]

OneLittleSpark's reminder that you can get cold water or ice cubes from food places is important.

To keep your bowl after use, I would bring along a large zip lock bag to put it into.
We have a SD in training for DD. The breeder that we got him from does hunting dog training and trains all his dogs to drink from a bottle of water. It's just a regular bottled water bottle; you squeeze it to make a stream into the dogs mouth. At first our dog (Niles) lost a lot of the water and some dogs look like 'how the XXX am I supposed to drink this water???' but most catch on pretty quick and we never have to get a water bowl out for him.

Wow thats pretty cool. I have to admit I was worried that we would do something wrong with our dog and screw up its training but they assured us that as long as we stuck to the schedule and routines we would not only be fine but they could teach us how to add on things as we went along ( scent detection related) . I would love to teach our dog to drink from a water bottle. I imagine its a LOT nicer to not have to carry around a slobbery bowl in a ziplock. lol

In the meantime I was thinking maybe bring a stack of paper bowls in our backpack. I wonder if that would work? Cant imagine a few stacked up would take up any more room than a bowl and I can just throw them out after. I just have to make sure they dont blow away on us.

I think I remember you mentioning you had a dog in training before. How is the training going with your dog? How much longer till you can bring him home?

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a link to the blog of our dog trainer if anyones interested ( Shes not the owner , just the trainer )

http://peanutsniffingdogtrainer.blogspot.com/

Very interesting website.

Our dog is living with us and being trained by us with the help of a SD trainer. He's doing really well and is a great dog.
My DD doesn't really have a lot of complex needs for her dog to do. She needs him to do things like alert us if she needs something, pick up things for her and hopefully, he will eventually alert to seizures.
So far, the seizure part is not working too well, but some dogs never do pick up on that.

 

[cinderella73]

Very interesting website.

Our dog is living with us and being trained by us with the help of a SD trainer. He's doing really well and is a great dog.
My DD doesn't really have a lot of complex needs for her dog to do. She needs him to do things like alert us if she needs something, pick up things for her and hopefully, he will eventually alert to seizures.
So far, the seizure part is not working too well, but some dogs never do pick up on that.

Are you by any chance working with Tina in Colorado ? I know she does seizure alert and PN sniffing dogs .

I am sorry to hear about your daughters seizures. I am sure the dog is great comfort to her . I have heard dogs are very perceptive to their owners states and even more so longer you have and bond with them. Hopefully overtime he will start picking up on it .

( If you dont know the woman I mentioned above let me know and I can PM you her info. Tina's daugher Noelle has suffered seizures all her life as well and I know they also do in home training and seizure alert dogs are their main focus. Maybe she can give you some advice with your existing dogs training if you like . Shes a super nice lady and huge Disney fan as well. She even names all her SD's after Disney characters! lol )

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the information.
The trainer we are working with has been training different types of SDs for over 30 years.

I am sorry to hear about your daughters seizures. I am sure the dog is great comfort to her . I have heard dogs are very perceptive to their owners states and even more so longer you have and bond with them. Hopefully overtime he will start picking up on it .

So far, the dog is not picking up on seizures. Our cat is very perceptive about seizures/illness and she has taken it upon herself to teach the dog. (I put a post up about it on the disABILITIES Community Board.)

 

[Nicole&Becker]

Wow thats pretty cool. I have to admit I was worried that we would do something wrong with our dog and screw up its training but they assured us that as long as we stuck to the schedule and routines we would not only be fine but they could teach us how to add on things as we went along ( scent detection related) . I would love to teach our dog to drink from a water bottle. I imagine its a LOT nicer to not have to carry around a slobbery bowl in a ziplock. lol

In the meantime I was thinking maybe bring a stack of paper bowls in our backpack. I wonder if that would work? Cant imagine a few stacked up would take up any more room than a bowl and I can just throw them out after. I just have to make sure they dont blow away on us.

I think I remember you mentioning you had a dog in training before. How is the training going with your dog? How much longer till you can bring him home?

Hey there!

I have been to the World with a service dog before but it was about 3yrs ago. I am getting my new service dog in June. Our trip is in December. I would like to ask you a couple things and then I can give you some really good advice (since my last dog and my new dog are both dark chocolate).

First, When is your trip?

When do you get your dog?

How old (about) will the dog be when you get it?

Is the dog for you or someone in your family?

Where was the dog trained (state)?


The reason I ask these things is because depending on the time of year you are going to WDW, when you get your dog, and where the dog was raised will give a lot of clues as to what the dog will need to be comfortable while at WDW. Also depending on who the dog is for will also help me to know which kind of advice to give. I hope you don't think I am prying. I really just want to give you some good advice about all of this as I have traveled a lot with service dogs and also have a lot of experience with dogs in general.

Thank you!

 

[cinderella73]

Hey there!

I have been to the World with a service dog before but it was about 3yrs ago. I am getting my new service dog in June. Our trip is in December. I would like to ask you a couple things and then I can give you some really good advice (since my last dog and my new dog are both dark chocolate).

First, When is your trip?

When do you get your dog?

How old (about) will the dog be when you get it?

Is the dog for you or someone in your family?

Where was the dog trained (state)?


The reason I ask these things is because depending on the time of year you are going to WDW, when you get your dog, and where the dog was raised will give a lot of clues as to what the dog will need to be comfortable while at WDW. Also depending on who the dog is for will also help me to know which kind of advice to give. I hope you don't think I am prying. I really just want to give you some good advice about all of this as I have traveled a lot with service dogs and also have a lot of experience with dogs in general.

Thank you!

We are thinking September so far with the trip .

Dog will be under my guidance but not for me. They wont allow children to complete the training intill they are older so I am being given the alpha dog role even though its being used to help a family member.

He will be 2 to 3 years old we are told. We will get him the end of April .

He is being raised at a training center / ranch where they also train narcotic sniffing / bomb / arson dogs.

 

[pooh4me]

I can help you with your water bowl question, I have used Petco folding plastic bowl for years. It folds up into a 2" x 3" holder and lasts for a long time. Try their site www.petco.com/product/7369/PETCO-Fo...owls.aspx?CoreCat=DogSFC_BowlsFeedersWaterers