solo + service dog= dungeon??

[videogal1]

What are the chances I'm going to get stuck in some dark clattering corner at dinnertime? I've read that there is slim hope of navigating the dining area when things are in full swing but, once seated, would there beroom for a service dog to lie down next to a chair without getting stepped on? How does the DCL staff go about assiging tables? Take requests? Make changes? Would I be better off at Topsiders away from the writhing mass but off to myself....? (Booooring)
Help?

 

[Muushka]

Having never been on a Disney cruise, I cannot answer any of your questions. I can just say if you are on our cruise, I hope we get to sit with you and your puppy!

 

[jgalecpa]

Videogal,

Having seen how Disney deals with the alternately-able, I would be shocked if they treated you poorly.

I would ask to sit with others.

I would be honored if you and your friend would sit at our table

Jim

 

[disboo]

I wish I were on your trip! Our family raises Seeing Eye puppies as a 4-H project. We just sent our fifth puppy back to the Seeing Eye for his training, and boy, do we miss him. Three of the other four pups are Seeing Eye dogs now, and we are so proud of them!

I think Disney will treat you well, and I think there are many tables where there is a little less traffic/sufficient room for a dog, but still in a great part of the room. I think you'll do great, and I hope your tablemates enjoy your company and are impressed by your dog's manners!

HAVE FUN!

 

[jwann]

It seems to me that there is extra room around the tables at Parrot Cay. We have eaten there upon arrival and had places to keep our bags by the table. And we've eaten there on departure morning and had lots of bagage next to the table. Just be sure to sit at a table by the windows. There are extra decorations around the windows and they cannot put the tables up to the walls, therefore there's extra space for the dog!

Don't skip the meals if you can at all help it!

 

[Alex]

I would stop by the dining room the first nite about an hour before dinner and ask to speak the Head Server. I would do that even if EVERYONE had promised me it was taken care of. That will give them some time to work their magic and I would be extremely suprised if the pooch didn't have a perfectly comfortable place to relax while you eat dinner. Since the same team follows you that should take care of it unless you book Palo's... if you go there just do the same thing.

 

[AmyM]

We were at table number 3 on the 4-day Wonder last November. I think the magic and wonder table numbers are similar. Anyways, table 3 was right inside the main entrance behind the host stand to the right. It was very easy to get to and absolutely NO traffic. I would request that as a good location. I'm sure Disney will be more than accomodating to your requests!

 

[videogal1]

Hi all
Thanks very much for the words of encouragement and advice from taswira, disboo, jwann, Alex ) ) and so many others who pointed out procedures and strategies for avoiding the dreaded Disney dining pits that sometimes appear according to the level of dining room occupancy and other factors. It is especially nice to learn where the safest places are for Cash to nap while he waits for me. I would love to be able to meet and share a meal with every one of you who extended the invitation ....Just watch for a huge black lab wearing lime green ribbons...I won't be far away... Thanks from us both.

 

[Kabuli1]

Lynda, I'm so happy we are going to be on the cruise with you! I am really looking forward to meeting you and Cash!

Karyn

 

[my3kids]

The table we were assigned was next to a wall or porthole in each restaurant. There would have been plenty of room for a dog to lay between the chair at the end and the wall. Sure, it gets busy, but kids wander through sometimes and they are bigger than the dog! You'll be treated like royalty. No need to even think about Topsiders!

 

[KathyTX]

Just to weigh in with the others- many tables are adjacent to walls or windows, or otherwise out of the traffic areas. I'm sure that DCL will take good care of you and Cash- no dungeons!!

I would also LOVE to be seated with you and the big furry guy. If only I were cruising again soon!!!

Kathy
(Who usually eats her dinner with a big black Lab laying on her feet!)

 

[ohiominnie]

Another here who would love to meet you and Cash! I believe you are on the 10 day, no? See you there!! Of course, I'll have to go over the rules to follow around working dogs otherwise my kids will maul Cash! Are there any others besides asking to pet the dog while on duty?

My dad and mom are currently looking into being foster parents for helper dog pups. I think it'd be a wonderful thing (if we didn't vacation so much!)

Uh....maybe a silly question, but will Cash be using the 'poop deck'? Not sure, logistically, how that works. Did Disney tell you anything about this when you made your reservations? Curious minds just have to know!

 

[videogal1]

Hi O-Minnie
So far the only info I've gotten about Cash's umm well, you know, is the DCL intention for him to be taken on scheduled walks to a "backstage area", whatever that is, where he will find his own personal litterbox. When I discussed this plan with the travel agent she was astounded. I have sent her a photo of Cash, who is taller than the seat of my electric scooter, to send to the keepers of the litterbox, so that they might have an idea of the relative size needed for practical reasons...Despite his ability to follow dozens of commands and understand the complexities of many social situations, Cash is just not "getting it" when it comes to target practice. It would have been much easier, for these purposes, if he had been born a girl (would I call her Carrie?) but he wasn't and I'm sure not going to subject him to the ridicule of his peers by having a little surgical alteration performed just to change the trajectory of the subject stream. So, the mystery rolls on. The situation is fluid, however, and things are bound to change...I'll post any important breakthroughs. I submitted a little piece on pedestrian/service dog etiquette as well as a choice of a few I.D. pictures of Cash to Mary to review for possible inclusion in the next Holiday Cruise newsletter. I am really delighted at the number of people contacting me who are heroic puppy raisers or who do volunteer work for various service dog agencies. I know from my short stint as a foster mom for homeless dogs and puppies that the hardest thing to do is give away the furry bundle you have loved and trained not to chew your shoes. See you on the Holiday Magic Cruise! ! ! !

 

[Alex]

ROTFL!! I'm trying to imagine training Reilly, our yellow lab, to go in a litter box!!!!

 

[mmouse37]

When we sailed last week there was a person with a seeing-eye dog....they must have been on a different dining rotation because I did not see them at dinner....but, my aunt has some mobility issues and we were seated at a table right near the wide center aise in the restaurants. It was easy for her to get in and out. It was a table for 4 but there was only 2 of us. It was either table 54 or 56. Once you get onboard if you do not like your seating arrangement, go you the dining changes and request a change. We have a yellow lab named Daisy and I could never bring her into a dining room....she would go nuts with all the good food smells!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

May I ask Cash's breed?

 

[KathyTX]

Originally posted by videogal1
Hi all
Just watch for a huge black lab wearing lime green ribbons

CourtasanSatine-
Doesn't he sound beautiful?

 

[rae519]

GLad to know service animals are welcome on the ship! Hope he enjoys his cruise as much as you and your fellow cruisers will!

Rae

 

[CourtasanSatine]

KathyTX: He does,black labs are a good and pretty breed