There are plenty of rules that we have to follow while in Disney World. Selfie sticks and large strollers are some common items that have been banned from being brought into the parks over the years.

However, there are a few surprising items that absolutely ARE allowed in the parks! Service dogs are a common sight throughout the theme parks. But did you know that there is another service animal that is allowed to enter Disney World? It might surprise you, especially if you saw it walking around in the parks!

Disney’s official statement on service animals reads, “At Walt Disney World Resort, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability.” That’s right! A miniature horse is allowed as a service animal for those guests who need assistance.

While these aren’t nearly as common a sight as service dogs, if you happen to spot a miniature horse in the parks, don’t be shocked! We don’t often see mini horses at ALL — service animal or not — so the idea of spotting one at the parks is intriguing to us. We have seen horses, of course, on Main Street, U.S.A. or Tri Circle D Ranch over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.

Keep in mind that with any service animal, certain areas and attractions in the park are off-limits. If you have a service animal, make sure you take off-limit areas into account. Be sure to talk to a Cast Member if you wish to ride an attraction that does not allow service animals to ride. The CM will either offer Rider Switch or have accommodations in place for your service animal such as a portable kennel.

Service animals may NOT ride the following:

Magic Kingdom Park

The Barnstormer

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Peter Pan’s Flight

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Space Mountain

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

EPCOT

Mission: SPACE

Soarin’

Test Track

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Avatar Flight of Passage

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®

DINOSAUR

Kali River Rapids

Maharajah Jungle Trek: Aviary Area

Keep in mind you will have to let your service mini horse or dog use the bathroom when in the parks and Disney provides a detailed list of locations where this is permitted:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Adventureland: adjacent to the Pirates of the Caribbean
• Frontierland: near the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Liberty Square: behind the Liberty Tree Tavern
• Fantasyland: near the Walt Disney World Railroad
• Tomorrowland: By Space Mountain Restrooms

Epcot

• Future World East: next to the restrooms behind MouseGear
• Future World West: next to the Imagination! restrooms
• United Kingdom: right of restrooms
• The space between the Outpost and Germany Pavilion

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• In the courtyard of First Aid
• Across from Baseline Tap House
• Toy Story Land: near Alien Swirling Saucers
• At the entrance to Toy Story Land

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Discovery Island: near First Aid
• DinoLand U.S.A.: next to the planter at the Restaurantosarus restrooms
• Asia: right of the planter at Maharajah Jungle Trek restrooms
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch: right of the planter at Conservation Station entrance
• Pandora: on path near the Satuʻli Canteen

Disney World is happy to welcome service animals when required by guests. Keep in mind you should never approach a service animal at work. So if you DO spot one, don’t try to pet it or take a photo with it. But if you need a medically required service animal, maybe consider the regal, majestic, petite world of miniature horses. For more Disney news, be sure to follow us at DFB.

What are some odd Disney rules to you? Tell us in the comments below.