Service Dogs at WDW About This Page:

[PamelaK]

First of all, I do not have a service dog, so this question is more to satisfy my own curiosity. I do hope that someone else is able to get some useful information out of the responses, though. My Ddad has a retired military dog, that he is training to work as a disability service dog. I realize that Disney is extremely accommodating for guests with disabilities. I also know there is a kennel on property for people to boards their pets while they are vacationing at WDW. Since ADA laws require that service dogs be allowed wherever their person goes, they are allowed into the parks. My question: Are service dogs allowed ONTO the rides as well, or do they have to sit and wait for their person to come back? Again, this is not something that affects me personally, but it is something I have been wondering about.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I don't have a service dog, But from what I understand some rides do allow service dogs, But for the most part someone from the traveling party will have to wait outside with the dog.. Too many rides could harm a dog so it's for their own safety to not ride..
We do have a few members that have service dogs that may be able to better answer your question.

[mechurchlady]

DisABILITIES FAQs - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

Sue has a herd of people and stuff about service dogs in the parks.

Guests With Disabilities | Plain Text | Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Theme Park

· Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
· Stitch's Great Escape!
Epcot Theme Park

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



Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park

· The Great Movie Ride
· Toy Story Mania



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

The above list is not complete and it depends on the animal. That is from the Disney site and people do take service animals into innoventions. The concern is that there are at times explosions that could disturb a service dog. Any ride that a service animal could be thrown out of the ride or cause injury to others is off limits. CMs have final say. A toy breed therapy/comfort dog who is carried in a bag is more likely to ride than a very large mastiff who cannot fit into a Fantasyland seat. Most people however can make their service animal fit the ride vehicle and I have only heard of on person saying their lab made for a tight squeeze.

Animals must be attended at all times. If an animal cannot ride then someone from the party must stay at the loading dock area with the service animal. They will do a baby swap and let the dog setter take a friend.

The restaurants will give the service animal water with or without ice. No pets and pets for fee hotels will take the service animal for free. Disney does a lot for service animals and check the link above.

The ADA does not demand that a service pet be allowed on the rides. Disney does that on its own. Disney on its own makes ride vehicles to accomodate wheelchairs and provides sign language interpreters and braille guides. Disney provides many disabled services that are not mandated by the ADA. ADA requires access to bathrooms but Disney goes beyond that to provide companion bathrooms

A service animal can be denied if it is a safety hazzard or not safe for the service animal. If the animal is snapping at people, barking in the middle of a show, or is a flea bitten stinker then the animal can be denied admission or be asked to leave. A business owner cannot be expected to allow a vicious animal in their business just because a person is disabled. The ADA and Disney are trying to make equal access for the disable and not special priviledges for the disabled. I am disabled and enjoy having to wait half an hour for the Bobsled at DLR. It is nice that at DLR there is a disabled line so I have more room for my scooter but I do not want ever to go ahead of people in line. At Disneyland Hotel we got a nice room but no special treatment, just another guest.

[PamelaK]

Ok that makes sense to me. I can see a service dog not being allowed on Kilamanjaro Safari and some of the other rides. If DDad ever decided to take his dog to WDW, I know Bluma (the dog) would be a sweet, gentle companion. But, being a German Shepard, he would take up a bit of room on the rides. LOL Thank you for the information.