Dog from Airport to Kennel

alanbrai

alanbrai

Member
I am going to WDW in Aug of 2009 with my brother and his girlfriend and she wants to bring her dog, (OH goodie). Anyway, we are staying at the Pop Century Resort so I guess the best kennel would be the one at DHS. Now with that said we want to take the Magical Express (what a awesomely great service), but we are unsure what will become of the dog, does ME pick him up and bring him to the kennel, do we have to get him and bring him there? For the first time since the first time I went to WDW I am no sure how something works down there. If anyone has any insight on how this works would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
 
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NadieMasK2

NadieMasK2

Active Member
Arg. I hate when people diss others for bringing their pets. It's a personal decision guys, they know their pet (and their situtation) better than you. I have taken my little dog twice to WDW and he had a great time and my kids loved having him along. If he was an easily stressed dog then no way, but he isn't. I am just waiting for the new BestFriends Pet Resort to be built so I don't have to leave the parks so frequently to walk him.
 
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smk

smk

Well-Known Member
Looks like your brother and his girlfriend will have to rent a car to get the dog from the airport to the kennel. I personally would find that to be too much of a hassle (and I love my dog too). I would also not enjoy going to the kennel twice or three times a day to walk him, again, too much of a hassle while I am on vacation. Present the facts and let her make her choice, then live with it, but if the dog was not mine I wouldn't go out of my way to arrange my schedule around dog walks. So, my advice, make your plans and stick to them.
 
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Mori Anne

Mori Anne

Active Member
In the Parks
No
Depending on when you go, the airline may not let you fly the dog. Airlines have outside temperature guidelines. I'd hate for you to miss your vacation because you get to the airport and find out the temperature is too low, or too high when you fly.

Anyways, DME will not transport your animal unless it is a service animal. Disney Kennels now take reservations, I suggest you make them.

To bring your animal is definatly a personal choice. but having to "fly" the dog in just to stay in the kennel might be more of a hassle than what it may be worth, not to mention expensive.

I used to live in FL, and on our weekend trips and a few week long trips to WDW, my dogs just went to WDW kennels. They are familiar with the kennels there, and we are used to the routine of having to take our doggie kids out for walks. Therefore, it doesn't bother us or the dogs, or hinder our vacation. Our dogs go out in the morning, at lunch, dinner, and before we head back to our hotel for the night.

Good luck in your decision. Like another poster said, your choice.
 
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NEmickeyfan

NEmickeyfan

Well-Known Member
While it is a personal choice to take the dog, it seems to me like it is far more hassle and expense than would be necesesary. Shipping the dog, bording fees, car rental and time away from your vacation seems like a high price just to see the dog a couple times a day. When I spend the big bucks to take a nice vacation, I want to get the most out of it and would not appreciate taking time away from it to deal with what seems an unneccesary distraction. If the GF wants to take the dog, she should have to make all the arrangements, pay for the extra expenses and use her own time to get back and forth to the kennel. It seems a bit selfish for the GF to expect your whole party to have to deal with the needs/wants of herself and the dog. I am sure Disney's kennels are nice and they will gladly take your money to care for the dog.....if the hassle and expense is worth it...then go for it.
 
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sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
I agree that to take your pet or not to take your pet on your WDW vacation is a totally personal decision. I know for us (and we've only had our little fur-baby 11 months) making plans for our pup is part of planning for a trip of any sort. I'd love love love to take her with us and not impose on family/friends to keep her. I just don't see us interrupting each day several times to go walk her. I'm also really excited about the new doggie spa opening down there. If my hubby's cousin couldn't keep our girl I'd have 2 other choices: drive her 8 hours (each way) to my mother's house or board her at a nice doggy spa in Houston on our way to the airport.

To the person who said to just board the dogs at the vet's office, that's not always an option. Although our vet is a great doc for our little Riley, the boarding staff are deplorable to say the least. I boarded her with them last Easter weekend and it was not good at all. She came back with her entire back end all crusted which tells me she didn't get walked much. I had to bathe her 3 times to get her clean. Also, she had an upset stomach for a day or so after coming home. She ate and drank like she hadn't been fed or watered properly. Also, she was very clingy for a couple days. She seemed quite traumatized. At the time she was only like 5 or 6 months old so the fact she wouldn't play for a few days was a big red flag for me. If I sat down she would crawl up into my lap. Anywhere I walked she followed. I've boarded her at doggy spas since and she came home perfectly happy and healthy. I've also talked to other people who use this vet and all have had similar experiences. The boarding staff are just really unreliable. We really do love our little girlie as the 5th member, the baby, of our family. If I am on vacation I truly can't enjoy myself unless I know without a doubt that my baby is okay. Believe me, before I had my dog (Riley is the 1st I've ever had) I thought dog people were a little nutty. I understand now, tho. I love my fur-baby endlessly. She's the 5th member of our family now. :animwink:
 
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sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
NEmickeyfan said:
While it is a personal choice to take the dog, it seems to me like it is far more hassle and expense than would be necesesary. Shipping the dog, bording fees, car rental and time away from your vacation seems like a high price just to see the dog a couple times a day. When I spend the big bucks to take a nice vacation, I want to get the most out of it and would not appreciate taking time away from it to deal with what seems an unneccesary distraction. If the GF wants to take the dog, she should have to make all the arrangements, pay for the extra expenses and use her own time to get back and forth to the kennel. It seems a bit selfish for the GF to expect your whole party to have to deal with the needs/wants of herself and the dog. I am sure Disney's kennels are nice and they will gladly take your money to care for the dog.....if the hassle and expense is worth it...then go for it.
Click to expand...

It's important for people to understand that the current Disney kennels will board your pet but that's it. They don't feed or walk pets. It's up to you to get over to the kennel to do those things. This is why so many folks are so excited over the new pet spa being built. Pet spas are like little pet resorts. Your pet gets their own "room" and you can pay for all the little perks you want your pet to have including extra walks, play sessions, spa treatments such as bathing, grooming, or "massage" (which is really just nice, thorough petting sessions). The pet spas in Houston will also give your pets plush beds, televisions, and for a little more $$$ they get their own private outdoor play area that adjoins their room. THe whole experience is highly customizable and geared towards each pets' individual needs or routines. It adds more options for pet owners!
 
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smk

smk

Well-Known Member
Here in Indy we have "Pet Suites", we board our dog there. He gets his own room and toddler bed, a TV on the animal planet station 24/7 if we want him to have it on all night, personal play times and three outside trips a day, we pay extra for a few more cause he still a puppy (well, 1 and half years). Many other things are offered as extra's. He was very happy there the only time we have had to board him, therefore we were very happy.

I would not board him at the WDW kennel for a whole vaction, maybe a short trip (unlikely) like a two day get away, but not for 7 or more days.
 
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