Disney & Shades with a Service Dog

Visiting Walt Disney World and staying at the Shades of Green Resort, with a Service Dog

by Frank Browne, contributor

First let me preface by getting a few technical details established. I’m a GWOT Combat Veteran, Retired Army, and have had a Service Dog for about a year now. My dog alerts me to various medical issues, and I’m her primary Trainer/ Handler, along with professional training and coaching support provided by WayBetter K9, out of NC.

Though not required by the ADA in my state of TX, My dog has completed the AKC Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine and AKC Urban CGC, as well as the NC state service animal registration. Needless to say, we are a well trained handler/ dog team and are well versed in the day to day interactions with the general public when it comes to interacting with a service animal team.

Flying to FL from TX is pretty straightforward. I fly United, and their website has a very user-friendly section under the user profile to add the necessary info of your service animal. This automatically populates the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which is saved to your profile. Although I always carry a printed copy (along with my dog’s immunization records), I’ve never been asked for it by the airline. When booking, I ensure the “Service Animal” box is checked under the special needs/accommodations section, and that’s all United requires. I can’t speak for other airlines at this point.

I try to book the earliest flight possible and don’t give any food or water after midnight so she can empty her bowels and bladder before leaving the house. (She refuses to use the pet relief areas at airports since they’re usually nasty.) Navigating the airports is pretty straightforward… I recommend a non-metallic collar and leash combo for walking through TSA; keep your metallic items in your checked bag and reattach them once complete. (Having TSA Precheck is also a great advantage.) When boarding, I go to the front of the line in order to get the dog situated under the seat in front of me before the crowds embark, and she stays there for the whole flight. Some dogs benefit from a chew toy to handle pressure differences; just don’t pack one with a squeaker!

Arrival at MCO (Orlando Airport) is also a breeze… there is a little bit of grass outside on the baggage claim level, and after a quick #1 there, we get the bags and hop on MEARS to Walt Disney World (WDW). I call ahead (a week or 2) to let them know I’ll be checking in with a SD, and request a ground floor room, which makes it easy to let her out to go #1 real quick.

The friendly staff at Shades of Green (SOG) are used to having SD teams stay on property, and I have never been asked anything by staff about my dog. SOG is not a pet-friendly resort, meaning you cannot stay with a pet. As such, common courtesy dictates you keep your SD on leash at all times (Unless the tasks performed require it to be off-leash). Shades has one Service Animal Relief Area, located at the end of the Magnolia Wing, across the golf card roadway. The area has 2 pet waste trash cans with waste bags to clean up after your dog, and ample space to run around. Note that the early morning (5-ish AM) sprinklers will leave several large puddles here, so plan and dress accordingly!

🚌 Getting Around: Buses, Minnie Vans, and Where the Dog Fits Safely

Transportation is fairly easy in/ around the parks. The buses provided by Shades have a great space on either side at the very back for your dog to curl up beneath the seats and stay out of the way. We use Minnie Vans a lot and some drivers lay down a protective mat/ blanket on the floor in the rear.

Navigating the parks is pretty straightforward—aside from the usual muggles who make a beeline for the dog and need a quick lesson in reading the “Do Not Pet” patches. (Fun fact: under Florida law, it’s a misdemeanor to purposefully interfere with a service animal performing its tasks. That usually gets the belligerent adults to back off!) Then there are kids with the irresistible urge to pet a dog, though most are managed well by good parents. Service dogs (SDs) are welcome on most rides. For those with a height requirement—anything with a restraint—there’s a standard wire kennel near the loading area. A cast member will stay with your dog until your ride vehicle returns.

🥵 Heat, Rain & Paw Safety: Booties, Cooling Vests, and When to Use Them

We usually visit before the Florida heat really kicks in, but I still stop and touch the ground to check the temperature. If it’s hot to the touch, the dog booties go on. Same goes for air temps—if we’re sweating, the swamp cooling vest comes out. All our gear is from Ruffwear, but use whatever brand works for your team. I carry a collapsible silicone bowl and offer water anytime we pass a fountain or stop to eat. Keeping the dog hydrated is key. For rain, I pack a dog raincoat—mainly because I don’t want to smell wet dog all day.

🧻 Potty Logistics in the Parks: Designated Spots vs. Realistic Options

WDW has pet relief areas throughout the parks, but my dog won’t go near them. Thankfully, any grass, sand, mulch, or gravel area is fine for your dog to relieve themselves. Just be sure to clean up any #2. On that note, beware of Main Street at MK. For some reason, dogs love to walk and poop here—I think the horses may have something to do with it. Be prepared and have bags ready to clean up right away. It’s also smart to keep some baby wipes in your park bag in case it’s not all solid.

I keep my dog on a 6 AM and 6 PM feeding schedule, and she usually goes #2 right after eating. If you’re in the parks during the afternoon, keep that in mind and pack a meal. I use dry kibble in a Ziploc bag and bring a collapsible bowl. Find a shady spot near some grass to feed your dog and let them relax for a bit. Take off the vest and let them play as they would at home. They’ve been working all day and still need some playtime and a break!

🍖 The (Real) Packing List: Gear, Treats, Backups, and Nice-to-Haves

I pack chewy treats to reward kennel time at rides and high-value soft treats for good behavior. I also bring an extra leash, boots, a cooling vest, collapsible bowl, water bottles, and some paw balm. The balm is great for long breaks or to soothe paws at a restaurant. Aside from that, it’s business as usual in the parks and across WDW property. If your dog is sensitive to loud noises, consider packing hearing protection—Rex Specs makes good ones.

I met another K9 team who handed me a sticker with their dog’s picture and Instagram info. It was a pretty cool idea and a nice thing to pass out to kids and helpful cast members. I’ll look into doing this for future visits.