Unpopular DVC Opinions

My unpopular opinion is that you shouldn't bring a Service Dog to Disney (especially the Island Tower in the room opposite mine) if it cannot stay quiet. If a dog is barking all the time then it totally negates the benefits it may bring, like alerting people of a seizure etc. Also, if you need the dog, why have you left it in the room while you go to the park? Isn't it essential?

On our latest trip to the Poly Tower in the summer we called the desk twice on two separate days because we were concerned the owner needed help and, quite honestly, it's not really a Deluxe experience to listen to a barking dog and worrying that someone had collapsed while trying to enjoy the room.

Well behaved Service Dogs - no issue at all.

That does make me wonder if the service dog is actually a service dog. They're usually meticulously trained.

I had the same thought. My thinking is somebody is claiming it is a service dog when it really isn't. How strictly does Disney handle these issues? If you are bringing a service dog are you required to provide some sort of verifiable proof that it is an actual (as in well trained) dog for a documented need or do they just trust people to be honest?

Part of the reason I am curious, on our most recent cruise on the Dream somebody had their "service dog" with them and based on the dog's behavior (it was very friendly and it wanted to interact with people) my commented that despite the harness designating it as a service dog it sure wasn't acting like on since most service dogs tend to behave in public like Secret Service agents.

It depends on the nature of the service dog. For example, seizure dogs will be a little friendlier than hearing dogs. That said, states need to crack down on the service dog industry and create a common licensing system to prevent that. I know the ADA restricts that, but it is definitely being abused. Disney at least limits it to dogs and miniature horses.

There is no standard training or credentialling for "seizure dogs" really making most no better than a emotional support dog in terms of training.

We just have to take it at face value and hope the people taking their dogs are being honest about their need.

I'm being a bit selfish here, but it did impact my vacation (mostly my afternoon nap!).

That tracks with what my wife said and as she put it, there standards are vague enough and wide enough that dishonest people can take advantage of the situation.

Hence my comment that states need to implement some form of licensing program. Keeping a card on you stating that your dog is a certified service dog would not violate HIPAA and would ensure that animals in public are trained to behave.