4 Walt Disney World Resorts to accept dogs

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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AEfx

Well-Known Member
I am somewhat familiar with the legal requirements but I wasn’t sure what Disney’s policy was. It’s good they chose not to open that can of worms since the number of abusers would far outnumber the people with a true need. I did find this response from the mom’s panel which is pretty much an official Disney response:
https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...g-wdw-emotional-support-animal-mo-old-298086/

See above - that policy is BS and so is that answer - surprise surprise.

The only difference between a "service animal" and an "emotional support" animal in terms of Disney's knowledge is what you say it is. Since they cannot ask for documentation (proof of training, etc.), it's an asinine system.
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
087d8fd3029b1908c18046122c1279fb--no-cell-phones-mind-games.jpg

"Hello, front desk? Yes, this is dog. Just wanted to inform you I have been here for 7.5 hours. Where are my owners?"
"They're probably still in line for Flight of Passage"


:hilarious:
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
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 ithat 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




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 (say it with me, people) is "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. Sickos.
They can actually ask them 2 questions:
  1. Is this a service animal required for a disability?
  2. What kind of work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
They cannot ask what the disability is or ask for proof of the dog’s training. If the answer to #2 is emotional support the dog is not a service animal. If they lie and say something else they are going to get in but if an incident occurs and it turns out they lied that’s against the law and the owner would be held liable for any damages.

On the point of payment, it is illegal to charge an additional fee for a service animal but it’s not illegal to charge more for an emotional support animal or a pet. I don’t think that many people will lie about their dog being a true service animal just to beat the extra fee. It’s a pretty obvious lie.
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
They can actually ask them 2 questions:
  1. Is this a service animal required for a disability?
  2. What kind of work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
They cannot ask what the disability is or ask for proof of the dog’s training. If the answer to #2 is emotional support the dog is not a service animal. If they lie and say something else they are going to get in but if an incident occurs and it turns out they lied that’s against the law and the owner would be held liable for any damages.

On the point of payment, it is illegal to charge an additional fee for a service animal but it’s not illegal to charge more for an emotional support animal or a pet. I don’t think that many people will lie about their dog being a true service animal just to beat the extra fee. It’s a pretty obvious lie.

You have more faith than I do, friend.

Do we need to revisit the GAC hooplah? Sure, you, have the worst - the ones who hired the people with downs syndrome, but there was so much casual abuse going on which is why people complained about it so much. If it had just been truly disabled people, no one would have ever noticed it. People catch on quick - especially with Disney because they are so easy to scam to get special benefits.

If you don't think these dog crazy people have this down to an sick art form, you haven't known many. There is a growing number of them that feel entitled to bring their little family member with them wherever they go. And they aren't going to think about "incidents" - not my precious!

Here are your answers:

1) Yes
2) He senses health problems

Done. And since you can't ask anything about the persons health problem, there you go. That's a legit reason to have one (they sense seizures, etc.) - and one among many that are very, very easy to fake because you don't have to do anything to demonstrate it because clearly you couldn't, even if they asked.

You really don't think people are going to do this to save $350 a week? Come on, think about it, man. It's become a joke among people "It's my service animal, wink wink" - it's widely accepted in a lot of circles, because "they are family members!" People are scum out there, and worse, it's becoming socially acceptable. Hell, as much as I love her, even Carrie Fisher used to say it with a "wink wink" and admit that Gary really wasn't a service animal, she just wanted to travel with him.
 
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MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
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.

The ADA defines 'service animals' as "dogs." It then says that that definition can be broader for:
  • states
  • the Fair Housing Act
  • the Air Carrier Access Act

How “Service Animal” Is Defined
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.

Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the State attorney general’s office.

Florida defines 'service animals' as "dogs and miniature ponies" that do work or perform a task (in comportment with ADA definitions).

So, if you're at WDW and it ain't a dog or pony, it ain't a service animal. The monkey should have been barred because by Federal and Florida Law, monkeys aren't service animals.
 

"El Gran Magnifico"

We are The Knights who say Nuuk
Premium Member
Florida defines 'service animals' as "dogs and miniature ponies" that do work or perform a task (in comportment with ADA definitions).

So, if you're at WDW and it ain't a dog or pony, it ain't a service animal. The monkey should have been barred because by Federal and Florida Law, monkeys aren't service animals.

Sorry...I just love the miniature ponies part of the law. So you're saying a dog and pony show is acceptable?
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Posts like this are stupid.
Not every dog is that small.
And regardless of size, that little dog is very capable of soiling carpets, floors and so on, as well as destroying furniture during possible fits of separation anxiety.
It's also capable of barking, perhaps more apt to bark than a large breed.

It was a joke, hence the wink...and the first sentence of the post.
I was discussing this with friends at work today and they brought up some points I hadn't thought of so being the weird person I am I actually called Disney World guest services to complain, the nice guy said he's been getting calls against this plan all day so I doubt this will last long.

What did you specifically complain about?
Asking to move your current reservation to a resort that doesn't accept dogs? Or just to make sure that you aren't on a "dog Floor"
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
I think the service animal thing is the funniest part about this. Has there been any serious cases of allergic reactions because a service dog was on the same property as another Disney guest?

I think there was a lawsuit thread awhile ago.. there was a few crazy lawsuits, so I wouldn't be too surprised.
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
We love our dog like family, which is why we would never bring her to Disney. Being alone in a strange room and hearing people but not being able to see them would be cruel. We go to Disney to be in the parks, so it just seems not right to leave the pet on it’s own.. There is no way they can really enforce the 7 hour rule. Plus our pup is a jumper and a licker, which would bother some people. Disney is magical, but I imagine that it would be hell for pets.

EXACTLY. /cheers to you.

At the risk of opening a different can of worms, it's like bringing a newborn, 3-week old-baby to WDW. People aren't bringing them for benefit of the newborn/dog (yes, someone flame me for putting them in the same category, I dare you), they are bringing it out of selfishness. No newborn is getting a dang thing out of WDW, and neither is a dog.
 

Lets Respect

Well-Known Member
I think the service animal thing is the funniest part about this. Has there been any serious cases of allergic reactions because a service dog was on the same property as another Disney guest?

I think there was a lawsuit thread awhile ago.. there was a few crazy lawsuits, so I wouldn't be too surprised.

I was wondering this too. If a service dog has been in the room, wouldn't people have the same intense allergies?

Service dogs shed too. Actually a lot of the breeds they use shed a lot and are some of the most allergenic
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
You have more faith than I do, friend.

Do we need to revisit the GAC hooplah? Sure, you, have the worst - the ones who hired the people with downs syndrome, but there was so much casual abuse going on which is why people complained about it so much. If it had just been truly disabled people, no one would have ever noticed it. People catch on quick - especially with Disney because they are so easy to scam to get special benefits.

If you don't think these dog crazy people have this down to an sick art form, you haven't known many. There is a growing number of them that feel entitled to bring their little family member with them wherever they go. And they aren't going to think about "incidents" - not my precious!

Here are your answers:

1) Yes
2) He senses health problems

Done. And since you can't ask anything about the persons health problem, there you go. That's a legit reason to have one (they sense seizures, etc.) - and one among many that are very, very easy to fake because you don't have to do anything to demonstrate it because clearly you couldn't, even if they asked.

You really don't think people are going to do this to save $350 a week? Come on, think about it, man. It's become a joke among people "It's my service animal, wink wink" - it's widely accepted in a lot of circles, because "they are family members!" People are scum out there, and worse, it's becoming socially acceptable. Hell, as much as I love her, even Carrie Fisher used to say it with a "wink wink" and admit that Gary really wasn't a service animal, she just wanted to travel with him.
In my opinion there is a big difference between lying that your dog is trained to sense health problems and lying that they are there for emotional support. I think if they allowed emotional support animals under the umbrella of service animals it would be a much bigger problem.

Disney wouldn’t need this new policy for people to commit fraud and say their dog is a service dog when they are not. Has that been a problem historically at WDW? I can’t remember ever seeing a dog at WDW on my trips in the parks or at a hotel.
 

"El Gran Magnifico"

We are The Knights who say Nuuk
Premium Member
I've kinda been sidetracked by the miniature horse thing. Not sure about my reaction if I left my room in the morning and the guy in the room next to me suddenly walked out with baby Seabiscuit.
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
I was wondering this too. If a service dog has been in the room, wouldn't people have the same intense allergies?

Service dogs shed too. Actually a lot of the breeds they use shed a lot and are some of the most allergenic

Addressed above...

True working dogs are very well potty trained and don't bark unless for a very good reason. So, it's unlikely that a room was ever soiled by a working dog. It's also unlikely they were up on the bed or crawling under it or trying to dig through the carpet. Working dogs also go with their owner and aren't almost ever left in the room by themselves. A good vacuuming should be sufficient to clean up after a working dog.
 

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