4 Walt Disney World Resorts to accept dogs

[ford91exploder]

It might help to remember that not everybody is a park warrior. Even without dogs, lots of people take breaks during their day, going into the parks for a few hours in the morning, then out for a rest in the afternoon, then back in for a few hours in the evening. There are a lot of ways to do a disney vacation and they don't all involve being out of the hotel room from dawn until midnight.

We travel with our large dog and usually stay in a pet-friendly rental house about 2 miles from the parks. We bring his crate, bed and toys so he has familiar things. We don't schedule anything for arrival nights, because he needs time to settle in. During the trip, we walk him or go to a dog park in the early morning, then hit the parks for about 4 or 5 hours, coming out around noon or 1. Then back to the house for a long break, walk the dog again, rest or shower, read a book, whatever. Give the dog dinner, take him out. Back to the parks around 6, stay until fireworks, then back to the house. Walk the dog again before going to bed. If we want to catch an afternoon parade or stay late for MNSSHP or MVMCP, we adjust the schedule accordingly. It may not sound like a vacation to you, but we enjoy it. We like having the dog along, we like the slower pace and we don't consider it an imposition to schedule around him.

That said, while everybody here seems to think all owners are desperate to dump their dogs in the rooms and go out all day, I'd be very nervous about leaving him alone in a hotel room. He'd be fine, but at a rental house, we control access. That's not true at hotels, where staff can enter rooms at will. It's not unheard of for front desk agents to accidentally give someone an occupied room, or for someone to pull off the "do not disturb, dog inside" sign as a joke. A crated dog is helpless if someone wants to mess with him or throw something in. There's also the possibility of theft: dog theft is a sad reality, especially if you have a friendly dog of a popular breed. Regular hotel theft (of laptops and so on) happens all the time. I do not want to be the one freak occasion where someone's dog got stolen out of a disney hotel. We'd send him to daycare and just have him with us at night.

I think our brand of crazy is fairly typical of peole who who travel with dogs and do play by the rules (no fake service dogs). If Disney is smart they'll work with Best Friends and offer a daycare discount...

...and if they're REALLY smart they'll put a pic of a sad, lonely looking dog alone in the hotel room on a flyer with the Best Friends number and have Sarah McLachlan's "In the Arms of an Angel" play whenever you try to leave the room without the dog.

You seem like a Dog OWNER, not a 'Pet Parent'

 

[MissingDisney]

That's main reason I wouldn't bring a dog. But I don't think it's a scenario where all of a sudden 100% of dog owners come to WDW are going to bring theirs.

Agree.

 

[ford91exploder]

I have never had a dog who would rather go to a "Dog Resort" or kennel then stay with the family. Yes, they tend to be a little unsure of the unfamiliar room for a few hours, but they accommodate very quickly.

Agree, but for the cats they really like the cat hotel as its an environment built around cat needs

 

[Casper Gutman]

I agree. Good lord what a whiney bunch of people. If you do t want to be close to dogs, contact the resort and ask to make sure you are not assigned a room near the pet area. What do these people do in their real life when they encounter a dog on the sidewalk or in a park? Life in bubbie wrap must be lonely.

I get the impression a lot of people would be shocked by how filthy most things are, particularly in public places like a hotel. I mean, this is a board for folks who go to lots of theme parks - what sort of germs and residue to you think lingers on the restraints of a dark ride or a table in a qs restaurant?

Folks on this board better never go on a Manhattan subway.

 

[freesvoice]

I sent WDW a complaint Sunday morning about the new dog policy and revived this just a few hours later. Please email!

Dear Steven,

Thank you for contacting us regarding our dog-friendly Resorts.

Because dogs are considered beloved members of the family, we will soon
be offering a new way for Guests to enjoy their Disney vacations with
their favorite canine companions. Beginning Oct. 15, select Disney
Resort hotels will offer an opportunity for Guests to bring their
favorite four-legged friends with them for an additional charge. Guests
may have up to two dogs per room.

Guests traveling with their dogs must register them with the Front Desk
at the Resort and adhere to the pet policies they receive upon
registration. These include reminders about proper care and behavior, as
well as the need for the dog to remain on a leash at all times while in
public spaces. Guests must be able to provide documentation that their
dog's vaccinations and inoculations are up to date, upon request.

We will designate certain floors or sections of a hotel as dog-friendly,
while the majority of areas will remain canine-free to accommodate
Guests with allergies or other concerns. Should you have any concerns
during your visit, we encourage you to speak with a Cast Member at the
Front Desk.

We truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us.

Best regards,

Heather Lange
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort

Complaining before it even goes into effect? Geez. The response sounds logical enough why don't we just see how it goes?

 

[Brenthodge]

The child will not bring fleas into the hotels. And you know good and well now that they are allowing dogs in the rooms people are going to start bringing ANY pet into the room. Cats, ferrets, etc. And let's not pretend that some of these dogs are not going to be barking all hours of the night, they will not be picked up after so watch where you step, and this WILL increase the amount of "service animals" coming into the parks.

Really? Ferrets?

 

[Gabe1]

The outrage seems to be greater than the refillable mug threads or Disney data mining our Magic Bands, even worse a Child possibly being admitted into (the still unopened) Edison. Lots to panic about at WDW. I've never been bitten by a flea at a resort I am more concerned about BED BUGS.

Disney is simply duplicating industry leaders Pup Policy from top trend setting hotels and resorts. Resorts much more elegant set the bar for Pups a decade or two ago. Disney is simply just playing catch-up to similar resorts and new millennium standards and offerings to remain competitive. Maybe they tired of resort guests staying at Uni's Deluxe resorts over booking at a WDW or the other fine hotels that also welcome Pups. Disney has been analyzing their room occupancy trends for a while, Pups might bring some of these non DVC owning guests back to staying on property. We can't imply Disney was Hasty allowing Pets. Since they are at least 15 years behind major hotels in the Orlando area we certainly can't imply Disney was hasty. Disney is known for dragged their feet, remember the drama of bringing the evil WiFi into the Parks, guests talking on that thing called a Cell Phone or Lord Forbid alcohol into the Magic Kingdom? So many prior things that were going to ruin WDW.

I didn't panic over being at the Wilderness Lodge when guests came with their Pups, I didn't Panic either when Irma was heading towards WDW after landfall. I've actually survived other peoples Pups at Uni's Portifino and at the Wilderness Lodge. Never once saw a Cujo nor was I disturbed by a Pup while in my resort room. Drunks across the hall yes, adults screaming at kids, yes, a couple of fist fights over the years but issues with Pups no. The Hyatt Regency Orlando that is known for being pet friendly welcomed almost 1,000 dogs into their resort for Irma. They charge a length of stay cleaning charge of $150. They lowered the charge to $50 for the emergency. I honestly believe Disney is seeing the light and trying not to be as Dog-A-Phobic for both their guests and to help deal with their occupancy issues. Better resorts than Disney figured this out long ago, they are just late to the party.

While the Peabody doesn't have issues with Pups either I was a big fan of these little guys too! I've never traveled with a pet but I am a fan of *tolerance*

 

[Family B]

I have an extreme phobia and quite frankly it is shocking the number of dog owners that don't understand why I don't want their pet coming near me and try to force the issue. I keep my distance yet these dog owners don't respect my boundaries. I avoid pet friendly businesses since that is where I'm mostly likely to encounter issues in public.

If your pet is "your child" then why on earth would you want to keep it trapped in a small hotel room for any period of time. The rules are limiting on where the pet will be allowed. So right off, you know that those rules are going to be pushed.

Then you add in an "alpha" dog to the mix. The dog that barks when it smells or hears another animal.

And then we are expecting an animal kept trapped in a room to be able to "hold" it to make it to the assigned area. Last I checked a pet wouldn't know they can't just go on any old grass/dirt. It's expecting a lot to assume that people that don't normal clean up after their pets would do so at Disney.

Lets add in a retractable leash vs a standard leash. In a busy resort a retractable leash shouldn't even be an option.

Lastly, how about the fact that Disney hasn't addressed pre-registering pet arrival so that they can ensure that they have enough space of dedicated pet rooms.

I feel for the families that are arriving soon that have no idea that their resort is now "pet friendly".

The best those of us against this policy can do it continue to be vocal and if we encounter issues talk to management.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Really? Ferrets?

MANDATORY ferrets. You check in, and they assign a ferret to your room. And these are really FILTHY ferrets. Mean, too. And a few of them have knives.

 

[Brenthodge]

There's a dog in front of every Disney park every day sniffing for explosives. Sometimes they are even walking around the parks. Has that every bothered you?



I'll take a dog over screaming obnoxious born to millennial parents rugrats any day. Last week I was woken at 5:30 AM everyday at AKL by screaming uncontrolled so-called humans.

This is not a big deal people. At $50 a night, there won't be many takers.

No, because explosive sniffing dogs at security don't fit their overreactice narrative.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I get the impression a lot of people would be shocked by how filthy most things are, particularly in public places like a hotel. I mean, this is a board for folks who go to lots of theme parks - what sort of germs and residue to you think lingers on the restraints of a dark ride or a table in a qs restaurant?

Folks on this board better never go on a Manhattan subway.

Even the NYC subway doesn’t allow dogs out of carriers...

I know WDW is germy. I’m complaining about smell. Sure, NYC subway trains smell and sometimes have urine on the floor. But I don’t pay $400 per night for the pleasure of a ride. $2.75 pays for a gross train.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

For those interested, as I didn’t see this in this thread, here are the rooms Guests with non-service animal dogs can bring their pooch to currently:

Art of Animation

• Little Mermaid Standard Room
• Cars Family Suite

Fort Wilderness

• Cabins
• Pet Friendly Loop (this was an existing accommodation for those with a RV/camper)

Riverside

• Standard Room
• Garden Room

Yacht Club

• Garden Room
• Lagoon Room

This is not to say that the other room types at the same resort might not be adjacent to these. It is also not an indication every indicated room type at these resorts will be used for non-service animal dogs as many are not nearby the comfort stations.

 

[MissingDisney]

I have never had a dog who would rather go to a "Dog Resort" or kennel then stay with the family. Yes, they tend to be a little unsure of the unfamiliar room for a few hours, but they accommodate very quickly.

No, I don’t think our dog would choose anything over us but....when you say the name of his kennel/resort, he goes crazy and runs to the garage door. They have indoor and outdoor pools, several “sunning” areas, fire hydrant sprayers, treat time, fireplaces, giant ottomans to lounge on, and on and on. Cripes, sometimes I want to stay there! I do know he’d rather be there than alone all day.
Everyone vacations differently, like mentioned above. Rarely are we at one park all day but most of the time we are gone from morning to night. It would never work for us, for others, sure. Everybody’s different.

 

[freesvoice]

The outrage seems to be greater than the refillable mug threads or Disney data mining our Magic Bands, even worse a Child possibly being admitted into (the still unopened) Edison. Lots to panic about at WDW. I've never been bitten by a flea at a resort I am more concerned about BED BUGS.

Disney is simply duplicating industry leaders Pup Policy from top trend setting hotels and resorts. Resorts much more elegant set the bar for Pups a decade or two ago. Disney is simply just playing catch-up to similar resorts and new millennium standards and offerings to remain competitive. Maybe they tired of resort guests staying at Uni's Deluxe resorts over booking at a WDW or the other fine hotels that also welcome Pups. Disney has been analyzing their room occupancy trends for a while, Pups might bring some of these non DVC owning guests back to staying on property. We can't imply Disney was Hasty allowing Pets. Since they are at least 15 years behind major hotels in the Orlando area we certainly can't imply Disney was hasty. Disney is known for dragged their feet, remember the drama of bringing the evil WiFi into the Parks, guests talking on that thing called a Cell Phone or Lord Forbid alcohol into the Magic Kingdom? So many prior things that were going to ruin WDW.

I didn't panic over being at the Wilderness Lodge when guests came with their Pups, I didn't Panic either when Irma was heading towards WDW after landfall. I've actually survived other peoples Pups at Uni's Portifino and at the Wilderness Lodge. Never once saw a Cujo nor was I disturbed by a Pup while in my resort room. Drunks across the hall yes, adults screaming at kids, yes, a couple of fist fights over the years but issues with Pups no. The Hyatt Regency Orlando that is known for being pet friendly welcomed almost 1,000 dogs into their resort for Irma. They charge a length of stay cleaning charge of $150. They lowered the charge to $50 for the emergency. I honestly believe Disney is seeing the light and trying not to be as Dog-A-Phobic for both their guests and to help deal with their occupancy issues. Better resorts than Disney figured this out long ago, they are just late to the party.

While the Peabody doesn't have issues with Pups either I was a big fan of these little guys too! I've never traveled with a pet but I am a fan of *tolerance*

This this this.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Even the NYC subway doesn’t allow dogs out of carriers...

I know WDW is germy. I’m complaining about smell. Sure, NYC subway trains smell and sometimes have urine on the floor. But I don’t pay $400 per night for the pleasure of a ride. $2.75 pays for a gross train.

Do you feel Loews and Four Seasons Hotels are fetid piles of dog feces and wet canine stench? At $400 a night, why wouldn't WDW be able to handle this as well as those chains?

And man, do you know what babies do in hotel rooms? They don't even wait until they get out onto the grass.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Complaining before it even goes into effect? Geez. The response sounds logical enough why don't we just see how it goes?

That’s easy to say if you don’t have a $10,000 vacation coming up. People are allowed to be upset. And you’re allowed to not be. That’s still allowed in America.

 

[MuteSuperstar]

I don't have a huge problem with this as long as it is confined to certain buildings that can be avoided. My main concern would be barking and as long as that's contained among the like-minded, have at it.

 

[Casper Gutman]

That’s easy to say if you don’t have a $10,000 vacation coming up. People are allowed to be upset. And you’re allowed to not be. That’s still allowed in America.

Why would you pay that much to go to a hotel that features such awful maintenance and housekeeping that it can't handle dogs with the efficiency of a La Quinta?

 

[freesvoice]

That’s easy to say if you don’t have a $10,000 vacation coming up. People are allowed to be upset. And you’re allowed to not be. That’s still allowed in America.

Complaining once you've seen it in action and encountered an issue is completely logical. Complaining ahead of time about a few dog friendly rooms at a hotel that you don't have to stay at? Intolerant among other things.

And I do have a very expensive trip coming up in 115 days. At POR (for part of it) no less.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Why would you pay that much to go to a hotel that features such awful maintenance and housekeeping that it can't handle dogs with the efficiency of a La Quinta?

Nostalgia. And because I convince myself it’s worth it. How does anyone else convince themselves Disney resorts are worth their rates?

 

[Chernaboggles]

People lie.
They lie to get what they want, and people who want to take their dogs with them are going to lie.
A responsible dog owner wouldn't even dream of taking their dog on to a WDW hotel.
They would get someone to watch their dog, put the dog in a kennel - there as some really good ones now, or choose a different vacation destination.
But "pet parents?"
These are an entirely different - pardon the pun - breed of people.
They think their dogs are human.
They are not going to be honest.

Some people lie. GAC abusers, fake service dog owners, line-jumpers, people who use scooters but don't actually need them, people who complain to get free stuff. Out of the hundred thousand plus people at WDW every day, you're quite right: there's a significant percentage who will lie and break the rules to get their way, and some of these are dog owners.

However, if you look at the number of people who like to travel with their dogs, you will find that most of the ultra-entitled, my-dog-is-my-baby liars are already in the parks, and the resorts, with their fake service animals. The remaining people, the ones Disney is trying to entice, are the folks who don't lie about their dogs, but do travel with them to Orlando and currently give their dollars to off-site hotels and rentals that accept dogs. None of those hotels have gone up in flames or shattered the windows with barking (even if they're near enough for the dogs to hear fireworks). There may be individual bad experiences, but if it were the kind of plague of reeking destruction some folks here are making it out to be, NO hotels in the area would take dogs.