Disney has updated its rules at Hong Kong Disneyland, allowing guide dogs and assistance dogs access to several restaurants across the resort — a meaningful expansion of where these animals are permitted.
How Disney Handles Pets Across Its Resorts
Most Disney destinations maintain strict policies when it comes to animals. At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, only trained service animals are allowed inside the parks — emotional support animals are not included. Walt Disney World does welcome pet dogs at a handful of resort hotels, including Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, and The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, as well as Fort Wilderness campsites. Even so, dogs remain off-limits in theme parks, pools, restaurants, and most shared spaces.
Disneyland Paris follows a similar framework. Guide and assistance dogs may enter the parks, while pet dogs can stay in select Pioneer and Premium Plus cabins at Disney Davy Crockett Ranch (for a fee) or spend the day at the resort's Animal Care Centre. Pets are not permitted elsewhere in the parks or Disney Hotels.
What's New at Hong Kong Disneyland
Starting this week, Hong Kong Disneyland has expanded access for guide dogs and assistance dogs in training. Fully trained guide dogs can now access every dining location across the resort, including restaurants inside Disneyland and its hotels — going beyond the outdoor areas and selected venues where they were previously allowed.
Effective immediately, guide dogs and assistance dogs in training are also permitted inside the Royal Banquet Hall, a medieval dining hall serving American, Japanese, and Chinese specialties. At the resort's hotels, dogs may now enter the Star Chart Café, Cloud Dragon Restaurant, Radiant Restaurant at Disney Explorers Lodge, and the Cinema and Art & Design Kitchen at Disney's Hollywood Hotel.
Requirements for Visiting
The three eligible categories of dogs do not require an additional ticket, but there are several steps owners must complete before their visit:
- Documentation must be submitted to Disney at least seven days before the planned visit.
- Required documents include a valid license from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department and a certificate from an approved accredited organization.
- Once Disney verifies the documents, owners will receive confirmation by email.
- Original documents must be brought to the resort for inspection on the day of the visit.
Only dogs certified by approved organizations — including the Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association and the Hong Kong Guide Dogs Service Center — are eligible. Fully trained guide dogs must wear a working harness, while dogs still undergoing training must wear a jacket or vest.
Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs and disposing of waste in a sealed bin. Hong Kong Disneyland has designated backstage toileting areas near the Animation Arts Classroom and the Royal Banquet Hall.
Part of a Broader Change in Hong Kong
These updates follow new measures introduced across Hong Kong on July 9 that allow dogs in selected restaurants, making Hong Kong Disneyland's policy shift part of a wider citywide change.