Service Dogs

[Schmeck]

Last post is correct in CM's can't hold the dog for you, but we were told that if you want everyone to ride together at an attraction the dog isn't allowed on, a manager can be called and would be able to watch the dog for you. We never took advantage of this, but something to ask about and keep in mind if you're interested.

After the latest round of layoffs at WDW, sadly there are fewer chances of this being able to happen. We've noticed fewer 'free' CMs on our last two trips, and the last layoffs were managerial ones.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Last post is correct in CM's can't hold the dog for you, but we were told that if you want everyone to ride together at an attraction the dog isn't allowed on, a manager can be called and would be able to watch the dog for you. We never took advantage of this, but something to ask about and keep in mind if you're interested.

I have never heard of this. And all people at WDW are "Cast Members" including the managers. And CMs are not allowed to handle service animals for people.

If there is a service animal that cannot ride, then the party may use a "rider swap" just as if there is a person that cannot ride and cannot be left alone.

 

[dclfun]

Last post is correct in CM's can't hold the dog for you, but we were told that if you want everyone to ride together at an attraction the dog isn't allowed on, a manager can be called and would be able to watch the dog for you. We never took advantage of this, but something to ask about and keep in mind if you're interested.

I would not count on this! Even their printed information states that CM's will *not* be able to watch your SD while you're on an attraction. As to a CM taking a child into an attraction, again someone else is responsible for the SD. Can you imagine the liability issues if something happened to your SD while a Disney employee was watching him/her?---Kathy

 

[Stellapedia]

There are very few rides the dog cannot go on. I've taken our dog on almost everything. In MK dogs cannot go on Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Goofy's Barnstormer, or (of all things) Peter Pan's magic flight. To the best of my knowledge, everything else is fair game. There are a few that say to review with a CM (Buzz, Stitch, maybe a few more) but I've never not gone on them.
Epcot is Test Track and Soarin, I think that's it.
AK is Everest and (I think) A Bug's Life, that's all I know of (we rarely go there though, so I'm not positive). Animals on the safari jeep must be secured secondarily to the jeep, in addition to the owner. They're leashed to the wheel chair tie-downs.
I don't know about HS because we don't ever go.

Basically anything that requires a harness, belt, bar, or something else to restrain the rider is generally off limits to the dog. Things that actually hold the rider in, not just go in front of the rider (like haunted mansion or Nemo).

If my dog drools on something, I'll wipe it up. I don't wipe down everything he touches and don't intend to do so. My kid is also highly allergic to many things in addition to IC, I clean his environment, I don't trust or assume someone did it before me.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a copy of what the WDW Guidebook for People with Special Needs lists about Service Animals. The first list is those where it says Service Animals may not ride:

Magic Kingdom Park

* Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
* Peter Pan's Flight
* Space Mountain
* Splash Mountain
* The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm

Epcot

* Mission: SPACE
* Test Track
* The Land: Soarin'

Disney's Hollywood Studios

* Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
* Star Tours
* "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

* Affection Section at Rafiki's Planet Watch
* DINOSAUR
* Kali River Rapids
* Expedition Everest
* Primeval Whirl


Due to the nature of the experience, Guests with service animals should check with a host or hostess for attraction and boarding information at the following attractions:
Magic Kingdom Park

* Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
* Stitch's Great Escape!

Epcot

* Imagination: "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience"
* Innoventions East and West
* Spaceship Earth

Disney's Hollywood Studios

* The Great Movie Ride

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

* "It's Tough To Be A Bug!"
* Kilimanjaro Safaris
* Aviary area of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
* Aviary area of Maharajah Jungle Trek

There is also a link in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread to this part of the Guidebook.

 

[syko]

A SD can ride Star Tours but only in a "check flight". In other words you sit and watch the film with no movement.
We have done this several times as we have a SD and a DD who is not tall enough.
You cam also ask for a "flight check" for a child who is not tall enough, as long as the wait time is not too long WDW will happily do this.

 

[NonScents]

(Sorry, please excuse this post in error)

 

[LauraVV]

Hey DISers,

So please when you take your dog on the plane or on a ride, please if possible, quickly wipe down the immediate area with a clorox type wipe. They come in handy to-go packets. Yes........I know, what a pain! But just think that that little action could save my boy at least one day in the er and 2 more in a bed.

Okay, I'm gonna duck my head now. Please don't hate me. I just have other concerns. Yours are not less valid.

If your child is that allergic then he would react to the dander people carry on their clothing and wiping down a seat would nt help.

Our dogs have been on planes and have been on some Disney rides.