Taking a Service Dog to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure

By
Heather
Published: November 22, 2009Posted in: Florida, Orlando, Road Trips, Service Dog, Theme Parks, Travel, Universal StudiosTags: , , , ,
Taking a Service Dog to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure

We are back from a fabulous day in Orlando. We went to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with my son’s autism service dog in training, Giney. In the state of Florida we have been to multiple theme parks with a service dog and by far, Universal parks is the most service dog friendly.

To start the day you want to go to the Guest Assistance office. We do this before we enter the park.  Here you will get a guest assistance pass (GAP) if needed to take a separate entrance from the regular line queue. Also you will get the ultimate guide for your trip, the riders guide. This will tell you what to expect on each ride, which rides service dogs can go on and where the service dog break areas are in the park. The guide willalso tell you that there are kennels for the service dog available at each ride so the service dog can wait while you ride.

15733_183323163986_537193986_2818816_5604052_nGiney modeling the GAP on the back of her vest while she rides one of the rides

Next we head into the park and off to our first ride. When approaching the line you will go to the Fast Pass entrance. Here the ride attendant will normally ask if the service dog will be ridding with or if you would like a kennel. Some rides will ask you to leave a bag in a locker, if you are kenneling your service dog they will let you keep your bag with the service dog while you ride. Giney went on the Simpson’s ride, but we then kenneled her to ride Men In Black. When you kennel your service dog, they are kenneled just long enough for you to ride the ride and then you are back with them. If you ask the ride attendant nicely, they will normally let you ride twice.15733_183324308986_537193986_2818840_2765377_nGiney in a kennel while we ride. The kennels are BIG.

On many rides, a service dog is welcome to ride. Taking a service dog on a ride is a judgment call. Not all service dogs would be happy about going on a ride, some may get an upset stomach, while some may be uncomfortable or scared. My son likes having her on the rides with him as he is less scared and able to focus on her. Thankfully she went happily on all of the rides.14638_1133488548323_1560586357_953549_7573853_nHere she is on Cat in the Hat!

The employees at Universal and Islands of Adventure helped make a wonderful day even better. They are always willing to help in any way they can and love having us there. They will help you find a service dog break area or get you water at any time. At many attractions we were told that they really support people with disabilities and their service dogs and the compliments were abundant (which made my son so happy)
15733_183321518986_537193986_2818768_6922229_nIan with his autism assistance dog Giney

Universal was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. We all had a fantastic day and can not wait to go again.
14638_1133485948258_1560586357_953489_1017318_nGiney add her paw prints to the Stars at Univeral

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About the Author

Heather is mother to a 10 year old son with autism. They live in the Southwest Florida area and travel around the state on numerous adventures.