Hi Gail,
Welcome to planDisney! Disney World has done a fabulous job of making the most magical place on earth also the most accessible place on earth. There is a great
guide for guests visiting with service animals that will help with most of the questions that will arise surrounding your furry friend. I find the list of relief areas especially helpful for planning purposes.
When you are at
Magic Kingdom, your service animal will be able to ride all of the rides except for the following: The Barnstormer, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and TRON Lightcycle / Run. On all other rides, your service animal will be able to securely join you by either sitting on the floor of the ride vehicle at your feet or on your lap if they are smaller.
When you are venturing around the world at
EPCOT, your working friend can join you on every ride except Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Soarin’ Around the World.
Animal Kingdom has a few more rides where your service animal will not be able to join you because of either an inability to properly secure them or the potential interactions between animals. You will be able to bring them with you to all attractions except Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, and Maharajah Jungle Trek: Aviary Area.
When venturing to a galaxy far far away at
Hollywood Studios, your service animal will need to sit out when you experience Alien Swirling Saucers, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours – The Adventure Continues, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.
At all locations where you will have to leave your service animal behind, you will be able to utilize
Rider Switch where someone else can hold your animal while you ride and then immediately ride the attraction when you finish and take back the reigns. I would also ask the cast member at the entrance to these attractions because several of them also provide portable kennels so your entire party can enjoy the attraction together.
Happy Planning,
Jenna