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Old 05-03-2017, 07:41 AM   #1
Tyson61616
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Service Dogs at WDW

I have a service dog, Lenny, and I was thinking of what to do with him in regards to our trips to WDW. My parents (hopefully us soon) live near WDW so I can leave him at their house but I was wondering if anybody ever brought their service dog to WDW and how did it go? I'm thinking if he goes we will utilize the ride swap thingy but I'm concerned about what to do if we go in the Summer when it's extremely hot and humid. We live in Texas so we are used to the heat but I don't normally take him for long walks when it's light out as I obviously don't want him to get sick. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Old 05-03-2017, 01:05 PM   #2
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If you do bring him to the parks - and the ADA says they have to allow it - I would make sure he was in full service-dog garb/gear.

I'd also bring a bowl, maybe a collapsible one, to give him water frequently; any counter-service restaurant will gladly provide water, free of charge and without question. They will often provide ice, as well; one year, I carried a water bottle in the parks, and was always able to get some ice to put in it to keep the water cold.

Also, Disney themselves have this page, relating to service animals in the parks and resorts:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/gu...rvice-animals/
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Old 05-11-2017, 01:42 PM   #3
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As the owner of two dogs, neither of them service animals, I would use caution before bring the animal into the parks. I cut my dogs walks down in the summer becuase their paw pads get hot and it is uncomfortable for them. I live in the northeast, my street is pretty shady but they still get hot even only walking a couple of thousdand feet.

If your dog is not essential to you're being able to do the parks, they are better off in a cool air conditioned house.

And I know your service dog is trained to behave around strangers, but I would not guarentee that some people in the parks are well trained to being around dogs.
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Old 05-12-2017, 09:50 AM   #4
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I would think Lenny would need those doggie booties to protect his paw pads!! And I know there are designated potty areas for them.
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Old 05-12-2017, 10:14 AM   #5
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I've seen service dogs on many occasions at the parks. I even saw one golden retriever who wore a magic band on his "wrist" and had been trained to touch it to the sensor!
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Old 05-12-2017, 12:38 PM   #6
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I've seen service dogs on many occasions at the parks. I even saw one golden retriever who wore a magic band on his "wrist" and had been trained to touch it to the sensor!
That must've been a sight to see!
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Old 06-06-2017, 08:33 PM   #7
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Hmmm, it sounds like you have some concerns that your pup might not be able to tolerate the park environment. Has he ever been in a similar environment before?
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Old 06-07-2017, 02:22 PM   #8
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Sandra makes a very good point.

I see you live in Dallas. Not a lot of humidity there typically, I know.

Think Houston heat and humidity if you've been there, and you've a good idea of how Orlando will be. Only possibly worse! Yeah, that hot and then some!
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Old 06-09-2017, 10:44 PM   #9
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As a service dog owner, Living in Fort Worth & a WDW visitor I would say unless you have conditioned your dog to the long hours of walking at WDW, have booties for his feet & have conditioned him to the sounds, fireworks & crowds you will encounter than please don't take him there.. I take my dog but never to the park. She stays at Best Friends for the day and stays with me at night. She goes to Disney Springs with me & everyplace else but the parks are just too much. I fear for her getting hurt because of crowds & we did encounter lots of crowds one night at Disney Springs. I put lights on her to help people see her.. It was very scary..
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Old 06-09-2017, 10:45 PM   #10
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Sandra makes a very good point.

I see you live in Dallas. Not a lot of humidity there typically, I know.

Think Houston heat and humidity if you've been there, and you've a good idea of how Orlando will be. Only possibly worse! Yeah, that hot and then some!
Actually Dallas / Fort Worth had very high humidity.. I live here
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Old 06-09-2017, 11:07 PM   #11
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Oh, okay, Eeyore Tattoo. Thanks for an actual expert opinion.

We went to DFW several years ago in summer (only once, so whadda I know! ) and thought it no worse than Wichita, KS where we lived then.

"Da Lou" has generally somewhat higher humidity than Wichita usually did, and Orlando feels like a steam bath to us. Guess it's a matter of differing mugginess sensors or something. :::: shrugging :::::
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Old 06-11-2017, 05:16 PM   #12
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I agree with Huntermom--a big problem will be the untrained children wanting to pet your trained dog!
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:03 PM   #13
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I put lights on her to help people see her.. It was very scary..
That's a tip worth repeating!
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Old 06-14-2017, 11:13 PM   #14
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Oh, okay, Eeyore Tattoo. Thanks for an actual expert opinion.

We went to DFW several years ago in summer (only once, so whadda I know! ) and thought it no worse than Wichita, KS where we lived then.

"Da Lou" has generally somewhat higher humidity than Wichita usually did, and Orlando feels like a steam bath to us. Guess it's a matter of differing mugginess sensors or something. :::: shrugging :::::
Orlando still beats our humidity But our's sucks too
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Old 08-25-2017, 01:38 PM   #15
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I have brought Sasha my service animal to WDW seven times I always use her boots because in summer people still spit their gum out and can severely burn her paws. We use the rider swap and that worked out well. This will be the first year she will not be coming with us (only two of us this time) and rider swap will not help a lot. others have talked about kids running up to pet but parents are bad about it too. The worst is the ones that come up and then kick.
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