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Traveling to Disney World with a service dog can add a whole different level to your packing list. It is a bit like packing for a small child. Since we are within ‘day-trip’ range, Mouse has a backpack that we always keep packed for visiting theme parks. If you have never visited Disney with your service dog before, you may be wondering what extra items you need to include.
Bottled Water and a
Portable Bowl
When we spend much of our time in a home/office environment where water is always available to our pups, many of us tend not to realize how much water they drink in a day. If you add in the Florida heat and all that extra walking, you can easily double that. A collapsible bowl such as this one is easy and convenient to carry in a purse or backpack.
Disney has water fountains near all restrooms, but a bottle of some sort tends to be more convenient. A perfect time to offer water is while you are hanging out in a queue, and pretty much not doing anything else. We’re on the go a lot, so we love this dog bottle.
Disney offers free ice water at most of their quick service locations and many cast members will ask if I want water for Mouse if I am in a restaurant. That is a great way to refill your bottle and help cool your pups on hot days.
Doggy Raincoat
Will it rain during my trip?
It is Florida, it is pretty much guaranteed to rain at some point during your trip. It may last only a few minutes, or it may be soaking rain most of the day.
Disney is great on rainy days; crowds are lighter and since there are so many indoor attractions most of them will still be operating. There are a few dogs out there that do not pick up that ‘wet dog’ smell, I can tell you that Mouse is not one of them. A good dog raincoat will also make your dog more comfortable. No one likes to be sopping wet, and a wet dog will get cold when you are in air-conditioned attractions.
Mouse was not a fan of the hood and we subsequently removed it. A raincoat that already has a removable hood, like this one would be handy if you discover the same about your dog.
A small towel is also a nice addition to your bag. That way you can dry them off if you get caught in the rain unexpectedly, or any areas where the rain managed to get around the raincoat.
Tummy Meds
Traveling can upset anyone’s system, and a sick pup is never fun. Keeping some tummy meds on hand is never a bad idea for both canine and human travelers. Imodium and Pepto tablets are both generally safe for dogs (check with your vet for appropriate dosages).
In the same light, always make sure you have more pickup bags on hand than you think you will need.
Boots
I cannot tell you the number of times I have had a cast member thank me for having boots on Mouse. The pavement gets extremely hot in the summer and much of it is blacktop. If I cannot comfortably put my hand flat on the pavement for several minutes, I know Mouse will not want to go barefoot.
It is not a bad idea to use boots even when the pavement is not too hot. Although service dogs are becoming more common, people are not accustomed to looking out for a dog and they are well below eye level. Electric scooters and strollers are everywhere at Disney and it is easy to catch a dog’s toe. I must admit that my own scooter has gotten Mouse a time or two when trying to maneuver in a crowd.
Well fitted, rubber-soled boots are important in this case. Fabric ‘socks’ are more likely to chafe or fall off and if they get wet they will make your pup uncomfortable. I have even seen plastic rain-style boots melt on the pavement potentially injuring the dog.
These boots made by Muttluks have been amazing. I just replaced Mouse’s first set after 5 years of regular use.
Remember to check regularly throughout the day for any chafing that might be caused by the boots. Having vet wrap, or even some baby socks, on hand if a problem starts to develop may save you from carrying an injured pup out of the park.
Be particularly careful if the boots get wet, this can increase the likelihood of chafing and other irritation.
A Cooling Coat and Mat
This can be a great investment if you visit a lot of outdoor venues. Many cooling coats on the market rely on water evaporation, but in Florida’s humid environment they are less effective. Admittedly not inexpensive, but Mouse is a mountain breed with a thick coat so the cooling coat I have utilizes ice packs. If we are planning to be out all day, we will bring a soft-sided cooler with extra ice packs.
Anytime you are settling in an outdoor area waiting for a show or parade, a cooling mat, or even just a blanket, will protect your pup while laying on the hot pavement. Cooling mats specifically designed for that purpose are ideal, but they are also bulky, and frequently heavy, so you will need to judge what works best for your situation.
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