Visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can be a very overwhelming experience. However, Disney wants everyone to feel welcome and appreciated in their Parks. The company knows that some people may need additional assistance while in the Parks, and they work to accommodate that. While some may need assistance with the help of a wheelchair or electric vehicles, others need more. That is why Disney is very welcoming and accommodating to those who need to bring their service animals on their vacation.
Service dogs are welcome in all Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. However, they must be properly registered and identified. Unfortunately, many people are now trying to register their regular pets as service animals, just so they can take them everywhere they go. According to one woman, that is exactly what happened while she was visiting Disney World. The woman states that a dog was a fake service dog that almost injured her daughter’s service dog and caused her daughter to have a medical episode.
In a Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Facebook group, member Ms. Diaz wrote about a terrifying experience she and her daughter had while visiting the Magic Kingdom.
This is a tough post for me, but I must bring awareness in the harm that is being done. My daughter has a trained service dog. We have never had any issue before today. May 7, 2023 we went to celebrate my birthday in #waltdisneyworldresorts. We went to #MagicKingdom
As we entered we saw another young lady with her service poodle dog. Sweet and adorable…I asked about the #Wagwear crock shoes on her service dog, pavement heat is rough on the service dog. Got her info and started for the store in the entrance to wait for my oldest daughter.
We had seen a chocolate lab earlier by the restroom but paid it no mind until we crossed paths. The lab lunged at my daughters PITBULL service dog. My heart went to my throat but our dog knew what to do. He pulled on my daughter with his leash away from the dog and guides her away. Damage was done. I went to report it… But her anxiety took over and she went down… Again my daughters service dog did his job.
This could be avoided if you STOP putting your fake amazon harness on your pet to go into locations they are NOT SUPPOSED TO BE! Pets are pets, medical equipment is medical equipment. This could have been worse. Thank God her service dog did his job. No #Disney staff could not do much because the gentleman in the wheel Chair claimed he was a service dog. Obviously… He was not. Do all service dogs a favor… Don’t bring them to the parks. Respect those that do have them for.a.real.purpose.
The Walt Disney World Resort website currently has the following rules for service animals:
At Walt Disney World Resort, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability.
Service animals must be under the control of the owner at all times and should remain on a leash or in a harness. Cast Members are not able to take control of service animals.
Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride. At these locations, please ask a Cast Member about available options, including Rider Switch with a member of your party or a portable kennel.
Service animals are not allowed in the water—including water features and fountains—or closer than 4 feet to the water on wet decks.
It should be noted that pretending an animal is a service dog is illegal in many states. While Disney will not pry into the legitimacy of a Guest’s service animal, it is important to note that, if they find a Guest is lying, they will take it seriously. Disney reserves the right to remove a Guest from the theme park if they are found to be lying about their service animal. A trespass notice may also be issued, banning the Guest from all Disney Parks for a set amount of time.
