AEfx
Well-Known Member
What is Disney’s official policy on emotional support dogs in the parks. Recently a lady got in to EPCOT with a monkey in a diaper but I think that was more of an overlook by a poorly trained CM vs the actual policy. They obviously have to make accommodation for real service animals per ADA but do they also extend that to emotional support animals even if not required by federal law?
You just hit on one big point, and unintentionally, a second really crappy one. There is NO type of registration or entity that certifies service animals. There are all kinds of fake companies that do it, but you and I could open one tomorrow and just sell people certificates - it's not licensed or regulated whatsoever by the government. Any certification is a scam.
Just like everything ADA, they cannot ask for any documentation anyway. This is why it's such a terribly done law that allows such bullcrap abuse. And this is coming from someone who has a disabled member of my family, because it's absolute BS. Because monkeys are legal pets in Florida (at least Capuchins, which I am assuming it probably was - though it's doubtful it was an actual service animal unless she was paraplegic, the only people that get trained ones that can open bottles and pour drinks, etc.) they couldn't deny her. All it takes is "This is a service animal" and they can say or do nothing.
It's incredibly stupid, because ostensibly, the reason for the "no question asked" law is because of privacy issues. The thing is, no one who is legitimately disabled has any problem whatsoever with that documentation - they have miles of it. And it doesn't need to state your condition, just your needs. It's just why it's so widely abused, which both makes things more complicated for actually disabled people (like the whole Disney DAC drama) because companies have to minimize services because of all the horrible, ruthless fakers - and that it creates a crappy public atmosphere because of how people roll their eyes at things like "service animals" because the ADA is so incredibly abused.
That is the reason for that "proof of vaccinations, etc. on request" in that email people are getting. They can ask for that for a non-service animal, but once they say "service animal" - they can't ask for anything at all! For any proof of how stupid this law is worded, that is a prime example. The health of everyone at that resort is in possible danger because all someone has to do is say those two words and anyone can bring some diseased animal wherever they want.
Now, here is the other catch to this whole "dogs in the resorts" thing
People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals. In addition, if a business requires a deposit or fee to be paid by patrons with pets, it must waive the charge for service animals.
So folks, expect a whole lot of dogs to suddenly show up at these four resorts once this all gets out. Because people won't be paying a cent because all they have to say is (say it with me, people) "Service Animal" and they can't charge them for it!
And trust me, the dog crazy people that drag them along on vacation already know this. They will pounce on this like no tomorrow. It's one of the most disgustingly abused parts of the ADA. Chances are 99% of the dogs you are going to see are going to be BS "service" animals from fakers who just think they are entitled to take their precious little fleabag everywhere - and they won't even be paying for it. Sickos.
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