genenpet
10-17-2003, 01:50 PM
Some sometimes coherent advice for a first time visitor with a service dog at Disneyland. The attractions I called out at the end were ones where the guidebook doesn't give all the info it should from a service dog perspective. If I ever have time, I'll annotate the entire guidebook from that perspective. Well, here goes...
Assistance Dogs at Disneyland, Notes from a Puppyraiser
Disclaimer: I am not a service dog user, a service dog expert, or a dog behavior expert. I am a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser and I have talked with perhaps a dozen service dog users and raisers about their experiences at the park. Every dog will vary – you know your own working dog best – I hope some of these notes will be helpful to service dog user/raiser in visiting Disneyland.
Packing for your Dog:
1. Water/Food. The kennels will feed your dog (but not relieve them) on any schedule you request and with any food you provide.
2. You might wish to pack a mister bottle to fill with water to cool off your dog on hot days.
3. An expanded Clean Up Kit. Tons of stimulation and 1 designated relieving area for both parks = potential for an accident. You should plan for the ability to pick up not only poop, but also pee. Bring a large diaper or paper towels and a cleaner or cleaner cloths.
4. If you are going to have your dog in the park on a crowded night, I would suggest something that lights up so that people can see your dog. This is especially important if you are there during a busy Fantasmic evening or fireworks. The park sells lots of light up toys that could easily be adapted to your dog, or you can buy a specially designed light up collar. Be sure to turn it off during performances, shows, and rides.
General Issues:
Parking: If you are not traveling with a Handicapped sticker, note the following:
If Timon is operating, you can usually ask to park there because of the dog. You may be eligible for an A (priority parking) pass as well – ask at the Parking booth. Timon is a better if possible, not only because of the decreased walk if you choose not to tram, but also because both the walk and the tram let you out on the Kennel side of the Esplanade.
There seems to be some disagreement on this point, but I would encourage you to put the dog in harness or uniform (if applicable) at this point, as tram drivers may ask you to walk otherwise. Parking in Mickey and Friends for most guests involves the use of escalators. These escalators (at least the ones beyond the third floor) are really really big and even dogs trained for escalator usage may be uncomfortable on them. Elevators are a better bet, though they tend to get quite crowded at Park closing time.
Since the parking trams are essentially open-air, you may find it easier to take a normal (thin) row and place the dog in a down facing your legs (which protect the dog from the outside). The larger rows, including the wheelchair accessible rows, provide more room to move, which, depending on the personality of the dog, might not be a good thing.
The Disneyland kennels, located to the right of the Disneyland Park gates (when facing them) provide non-overnight accommodations. Service dogs pay like everyone else, $10/day as of writing. You can take the dog out to walk, or work any number of times. The Disneyland kennels will also hold your dog/harness bag for you while your dog is in the Kennel. The Kennel run, which is essentially a small well fenced dog park covered in pea gravel, is available to all service dog users, even if you have not paid for Kennel accommodations. This is the only “approved” relieving spot in the entire Disneyland resort. If you decide to moderate your dog’s water intake to prevent accidents at Disneyland, make this very clear to the Kennel staff. They will water your dog by default. You might consider bringing a blanket and favorite toy for your dog if they are going to spend time in the Kennel. Most of the large dog kennels are crate sized, however, there are also several runs in the back which provide more room. In my opinion, the point of letting the dog spend some time in the Kennel is to give them a break from their work – I chose the smaller crate-sized kennels to make sure our puppy rested.
Although the “dog park” at the kennels is secure, you probably should keep your dog on leash at all times – the entrance to the “park” is not a double door.
Relieving:
As was mentioned, the only official relieving spot in the entire resort is the Kennels. For well trained dogs on moderated water, this won’t be a problem. We just spent 5 days at the resort and never had an accident anywhere in the parks, however, younger puppies in training and stressed dogs may not be so lucky. Although these are not approved locations, let me suggest the following as alternate relieving areas located within the parks and Downtown Disney.
DCA: There is a smoking section located in the old exit of superstar limo. This area provides a semi-private kid-free area with sandy beds or cement as a relieving surface. Also in DCA, you might be able to use the Grand Cali entrance to reach a grassy area. Disneyland itself is more difficult; you might need to ask a CM for assistance. The only obvious place I saw was on Tom Sawyer’s Island. If your dog is comfortable relieving on cement, entrances to shuttered attractions would be the obvious choice. Easy to find right now. In Downtown Disney, between Haagen Daz and the pretzel place, you’ll find a gate leading to an accessway near the trams. This was a designated relieving area during the guide dog outing, it would probably be safe to use this at any time. Farther up, you’ll find grass at the Disneyland Hotel side of Downtown Disney and at the entrance to the parking lot between ESPN and Rainforest.
The walkways to/from both parking lots provide additional relieving opportunities. No grass is available on the Timon walkway.
Remember to be prepared! Always carry the ability to fully clean up after your service dog!
Handicapped/Wheelchair Seating/Entrances.
In my experience, wheelchair accessible seating was often the wrong place for us to sit. Our puppy is happier in standard seating – the more restrictive environment is more calming, and frankly, as cute as it is to watch her get introduced to strange stuff, her job is not to enjoy the attractions, but to sit or down quietly until she is needed again. Many CMs will try to place you in wheelchair accessible seating, meaning that the dog ends up in the open space where the wheelchair would have been. I found these times more stressful for the dog, and more risky as well since these seats often present the possibility of being stepped on or otherwise trampled. Personally, I would ask for standard seating at the aisle, giving you an easy escape if for any reason your dog is not dealing well with the experience (in a theatre style attraction).
Feet and Pads:
The walkways at Disneyland get HOT during the summer and on sunny days. Exercise care when you have your dog working during the middle of the day. Use a spray bottle to provide relief and look for shady areas to walk in. Consider letting your dog break during the hottest times of the day. Consider booties, but only if you have already gotten your dog accustomed to them before the trip.
GuideBook (or why I’m writing this).
Guest Services at the entrances to both parks provides a guidebook for guests with disabilities. This includes a list of attractions where service dogs are not allowed, and a list of attractions where they are not recommended. Since this book is designed for users with a wide range of needs, I thought there was info that would be useful to service dog users as a supplement. Basically, what follows is a list of things to note of special interest to service dog users.
Disneyland:
META ISSUES: Since the Kennels are located outside the entrance to the park, you may wish to make use of the train when you need to take a relieving break. It is the least-walking way out of the park from most places.
Parades/Shows:
Parade of the Stars: Assuming your dog has no issues with plush characters, there is nothing to consider here.
Fantasmic: Many service dog users choose not to visit Fantasmic because of the fireworks. I would note that the fireworks are low level here and nearly silent – not like the big fireworks over the castle. However, there are other things to consider such as very loud music, the canon blasts from the Columbia during the Peter Pan sequence, the fire on the river, and the possibly painful crowds. If you choose to take your service dog to Fantasmic, use the Handicapped seating area if possible so that you have some protection from the crowds. If you don’t, have an exit plan that involves getting your dog to a safe waiting place until the crowds have gone down slightly. I would consider a fantasmic exit to be ultra-dangerous for any service dog, even those comfortable in crowds. Exiting here is where you’ll also want some kind of light on the dog. This said, ours attended the show twice and never showed any interest except in the canon blast. However, she is unusually nonplussed by fireworks. The two working guides I saw also showed no signs of interest or stress in this show.
Just some notes on rides not recommended by Disney for service animals:
Pirates: Disney recommends against this ride for service animals. Two things to consider: the drops and the canon blasts, both of which are at the beginning of the ride. You will be seated in the first row of the boat because it contains an area under the bow for your dog to lie down in. This is a safe place for them to experience the drops, and they should remain in a down at all times. Our puppy, who is not usually particularly stressed by motion, definitely had some nervousness about the drops. Be sure to maintain control over the dog’s position at all times.
Pooh: Disney recommends against this ride for service animals. I’m not quite sure why this is, other then the relatively small seats. The ride vehicles move in a fluid, bouncing motion. I don’t think most dogs would care. However, if you are concerned, you’ll want to ask for a Handicapped vehicle, which has no motion. I think an average sized person and medium sized dog are about as much as a row in these vehicles will accommodate. The consideration for the handicapped vehicle is that it has only one seating row, so only you and the dog will be able to ride in this car (unless you are very small or the dog is really good about a compressed space. Although the Pooh ride is “trippy” I doubt most well-trained service animals would care.
Haunted Mansion: Another one recommended against by Disney but frequented by some service animal users. I would be most concerned about the tipping backwards during the transition out of the attic. Most dogs in a down in the Doombuggy wouldn’t see anything strange on this ride. Note the moving walkway on both sides – you can ask them to stop the ride for boarding.
Mark Twain: I would avoid the top-level as the whistle is unbelievably loud up there and is bound to freak out some dogs.
DCA:
Meta: Since some of DCA is black asphalt, you’ll want to stay on the sidewalks in these places to avoid burning dog feet. See above
Electrical Parade: The small, quick, moving bug-like things that make noises and interact with guests are bound to set some dogs off. Consider NOT sitting in the front row, and be prepared to maintain control over the dog at all times. One loud noise to consider is the canon blast from the Peter Pan float – not super loud, but very close and plenty of fog. Ours was quite surprised by this.
Aladdin: Since some of this show takes place in the audience, avoid Orchestra level handicapped seating or place your dog in the row. Everywhere else is basically safe. As I said earlier, my preference would always be to take a row instead of having the dog in a wheelchair space because she sees less and is more under my control. Careful with the front rows of the two balcony levels too.
Muppet Vision: Loud explosions and moving lighting were of interest to our puppy. While not super-stressful, be aware of these.
Those were just the topline thoughts. As I said, I'll try to annotate a more thorough service dog guide at some point. Until then, I hope this proves useful for someone.
Assistance Dogs at Disneyland, Notes from a Puppyraiser
Disclaimer: I am not a service dog user, a service dog expert, or a dog behavior expert. I am a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser and I have talked with perhaps a dozen service dog users and raisers about their experiences at the park. Every dog will vary – you know your own working dog best – I hope some of these notes will be helpful to service dog user/raiser in visiting Disneyland.
Packing for your Dog:
1. Water/Food. The kennels will feed your dog (but not relieve them) on any schedule you request and with any food you provide.
2. You might wish to pack a mister bottle to fill with water to cool off your dog on hot days.
3. An expanded Clean Up Kit. Tons of stimulation and 1 designated relieving area for both parks = potential for an accident. You should plan for the ability to pick up not only poop, but also pee. Bring a large diaper or paper towels and a cleaner or cleaner cloths.
4. If you are going to have your dog in the park on a crowded night, I would suggest something that lights up so that people can see your dog. This is especially important if you are there during a busy Fantasmic evening or fireworks. The park sells lots of light up toys that could easily be adapted to your dog, or you can buy a specially designed light up collar. Be sure to turn it off during performances, shows, and rides.
General Issues:
Parking: If you are not traveling with a Handicapped sticker, note the following:
If Timon is operating, you can usually ask to park there because of the dog. You may be eligible for an A (priority parking) pass as well – ask at the Parking booth. Timon is a better if possible, not only because of the decreased walk if you choose not to tram, but also because both the walk and the tram let you out on the Kennel side of the Esplanade.
There seems to be some disagreement on this point, but I would encourage you to put the dog in harness or uniform (if applicable) at this point, as tram drivers may ask you to walk otherwise. Parking in Mickey and Friends for most guests involves the use of escalators. These escalators (at least the ones beyond the third floor) are really really big and even dogs trained for escalator usage may be uncomfortable on them. Elevators are a better bet, though they tend to get quite crowded at Park closing time.
Since the parking trams are essentially open-air, you may find it easier to take a normal (thin) row and place the dog in a down facing your legs (which protect the dog from the outside). The larger rows, including the wheelchair accessible rows, provide more room to move, which, depending on the personality of the dog, might not be a good thing.
The Disneyland kennels, located to the right of the Disneyland Park gates (when facing them) provide non-overnight accommodations. Service dogs pay like everyone else, $10/day as of writing. You can take the dog out to walk, or work any number of times. The Disneyland kennels will also hold your dog/harness bag for you while your dog is in the Kennel. The Kennel run, which is essentially a small well fenced dog park covered in pea gravel, is available to all service dog users, even if you have not paid for Kennel accommodations. This is the only “approved” relieving spot in the entire Disneyland resort. If you decide to moderate your dog’s water intake to prevent accidents at Disneyland, make this very clear to the Kennel staff. They will water your dog by default. You might consider bringing a blanket and favorite toy for your dog if they are going to spend time in the Kennel. Most of the large dog kennels are crate sized, however, there are also several runs in the back which provide more room. In my opinion, the point of letting the dog spend some time in the Kennel is to give them a break from their work – I chose the smaller crate-sized kennels to make sure our puppy rested.
Although the “dog park” at the kennels is secure, you probably should keep your dog on leash at all times – the entrance to the “park” is not a double door.
Relieving:
As was mentioned, the only official relieving spot in the entire resort is the Kennels. For well trained dogs on moderated water, this won’t be a problem. We just spent 5 days at the resort and never had an accident anywhere in the parks, however, younger puppies in training and stressed dogs may not be so lucky. Although these are not approved locations, let me suggest the following as alternate relieving areas located within the parks and Downtown Disney.
DCA: There is a smoking section located in the old exit of superstar limo. This area provides a semi-private kid-free area with sandy beds or cement as a relieving surface. Also in DCA, you might be able to use the Grand Cali entrance to reach a grassy area. Disneyland itself is more difficult; you might need to ask a CM for assistance. The only obvious place I saw was on Tom Sawyer’s Island. If your dog is comfortable relieving on cement, entrances to shuttered attractions would be the obvious choice. Easy to find right now. In Downtown Disney, between Haagen Daz and the pretzel place, you’ll find a gate leading to an accessway near the trams. This was a designated relieving area during the guide dog outing, it would probably be safe to use this at any time. Farther up, you’ll find grass at the Disneyland Hotel side of Downtown Disney and at the entrance to the parking lot between ESPN and Rainforest.
The walkways to/from both parking lots provide additional relieving opportunities. No grass is available on the Timon walkway.
Remember to be prepared! Always carry the ability to fully clean up after your service dog!
Handicapped/Wheelchair Seating/Entrances.
In my experience, wheelchair accessible seating was often the wrong place for us to sit. Our puppy is happier in standard seating – the more restrictive environment is more calming, and frankly, as cute as it is to watch her get introduced to strange stuff, her job is not to enjoy the attractions, but to sit or down quietly until she is needed again. Many CMs will try to place you in wheelchair accessible seating, meaning that the dog ends up in the open space where the wheelchair would have been. I found these times more stressful for the dog, and more risky as well since these seats often present the possibility of being stepped on or otherwise trampled. Personally, I would ask for standard seating at the aisle, giving you an easy escape if for any reason your dog is not dealing well with the experience (in a theatre style attraction).
Feet and Pads:
The walkways at Disneyland get HOT during the summer and on sunny days. Exercise care when you have your dog working during the middle of the day. Use a spray bottle to provide relief and look for shady areas to walk in. Consider letting your dog break during the hottest times of the day. Consider booties, but only if you have already gotten your dog accustomed to them before the trip.
GuideBook (or why I’m writing this).
Guest Services at the entrances to both parks provides a guidebook for guests with disabilities. This includes a list of attractions where service dogs are not allowed, and a list of attractions where they are not recommended. Since this book is designed for users with a wide range of needs, I thought there was info that would be useful to service dog users as a supplement. Basically, what follows is a list of things to note of special interest to service dog users.
Disneyland:
META ISSUES: Since the Kennels are located outside the entrance to the park, you may wish to make use of the train when you need to take a relieving break. It is the least-walking way out of the park from most places.
Parades/Shows:
Parade of the Stars: Assuming your dog has no issues with plush characters, there is nothing to consider here.
Fantasmic: Many service dog users choose not to visit Fantasmic because of the fireworks. I would note that the fireworks are low level here and nearly silent – not like the big fireworks over the castle. However, there are other things to consider such as very loud music, the canon blasts from the Columbia during the Peter Pan sequence, the fire on the river, and the possibly painful crowds. If you choose to take your service dog to Fantasmic, use the Handicapped seating area if possible so that you have some protection from the crowds. If you don’t, have an exit plan that involves getting your dog to a safe waiting place until the crowds have gone down slightly. I would consider a fantasmic exit to be ultra-dangerous for any service dog, even those comfortable in crowds. Exiting here is where you’ll also want some kind of light on the dog. This said, ours attended the show twice and never showed any interest except in the canon blast. However, she is unusually nonplussed by fireworks. The two working guides I saw also showed no signs of interest or stress in this show.
Just some notes on rides not recommended by Disney for service animals:
Pirates: Disney recommends against this ride for service animals. Two things to consider: the drops and the canon blasts, both of which are at the beginning of the ride. You will be seated in the first row of the boat because it contains an area under the bow for your dog to lie down in. This is a safe place for them to experience the drops, and they should remain in a down at all times. Our puppy, who is not usually particularly stressed by motion, definitely had some nervousness about the drops. Be sure to maintain control over the dog’s position at all times.
Pooh: Disney recommends against this ride for service animals. I’m not quite sure why this is, other then the relatively small seats. The ride vehicles move in a fluid, bouncing motion. I don’t think most dogs would care. However, if you are concerned, you’ll want to ask for a Handicapped vehicle, which has no motion. I think an average sized person and medium sized dog are about as much as a row in these vehicles will accommodate. The consideration for the handicapped vehicle is that it has only one seating row, so only you and the dog will be able to ride in this car (unless you are very small or the dog is really good about a compressed space. Although the Pooh ride is “trippy” I doubt most well-trained service animals would care.
Haunted Mansion: Another one recommended against by Disney but frequented by some service animal users. I would be most concerned about the tipping backwards during the transition out of the attic. Most dogs in a down in the Doombuggy wouldn’t see anything strange on this ride. Note the moving walkway on both sides – you can ask them to stop the ride for boarding.
Mark Twain: I would avoid the top-level as the whistle is unbelievably loud up there and is bound to freak out some dogs.
DCA:
Meta: Since some of DCA is black asphalt, you’ll want to stay on the sidewalks in these places to avoid burning dog feet. See above
Electrical Parade: The small, quick, moving bug-like things that make noises and interact with guests are bound to set some dogs off. Consider NOT sitting in the front row, and be prepared to maintain control over the dog at all times. One loud noise to consider is the canon blast from the Peter Pan float – not super loud, but very close and plenty of fog. Ours was quite surprised by this.
Aladdin: Since some of this show takes place in the audience, avoid Orchestra level handicapped seating or place your dog in the row. Everywhere else is basically safe. As I said earlier, my preference would always be to take a row instead of having the dog in a wheelchair space because she sees less and is more under my control. Careful with the front rows of the two balcony levels too.
Muppet Vision: Loud explosions and moving lighting were of interest to our puppy. While not super-stressful, be aware of these.
Those were just the topline thoughts. As I said, I'll try to annotate a more thorough service dog guide at some point. Until then, I hope this proves useful for someone.