Dogs at WDW ?

[paul436]

For my next trip to WDW I was thinking about bringing my dog. She's fairly big at around 50 pounds. I was thinking of staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins with my family of 5. What accomodations are there for dogs there? Can the dog stay in the cabin with us?

 

[Laura]

From AllEarsNet

Does FW allow pets?

Yes. In fact, Fort Wilderness is the only pet friendly resort on Disney World property. Request a pet site when making reservations. Pets are allowed at campsites in loops 1600 through 1900, 300, 700 and 800, but must be kept in those areas. Depending on the season and demand, Fort Wilderness might also temporarily designate certain loops as pet loops. There is an additional charge of $5 per day.

Fort Wilderness also has the fenced-in, leash free Waggin' Trails Dog Park: 'Where dogs on vacation can "Lose the Leash"'! The park is located next to the playground at loop 300, but all the pet loops have access to it by way of the designated paths. Currently, Disney doesn't have these on their maps, but they will hopefuly include them soon. All the paths are marked with signs, so you can easily find your way to Waggin' Trails. Leashed dogs are also allowed on the golf carts now, making the park even more accessible. It is open from dawn to dusk, and has several watering stations where the bowls are self filling. (Note: if they haven't been used, the water in them gets very warm, so you will want to get it to fill again with cool water.) There's also a picnic table where you can relax while your dog plays. Dogs must be accompanied by guests age 12 and over at the park; no unaccompanied dogs, puppies under 4 months, or dogs in heat are allowed. Use of the dog park is limited to FW guests staying in one of the designated pet loops. (See the photo section for a sign with all the Waggin' Trails Dog Park rules.)

Owners are expected to clean up after their pets in all areas. There is a receptacle to deposit pet waste, as well as collection bags with which to pick up the waste, located at each of the entrance/exit of the pet loops. Collection bags are also located between sites #1632 and #1634 beside the path to the comfort station, at the entrance to the pet walk in loop 300, and in the dog walk area next to the kennel.

Pets may also be boarded at the kennel near the FW entrance. Note there are kennels elsewhere on Disney property if you can't get your pet in the Fort Wilderness kennel. The day fee for dogs is $15 for all guests; cats and other small animals are $10. The overnight fee (including dry food) for WDW resort guests is $18 for dogs, $13 for cats and small animals. Guests not staying on property pay $20 for dogs and $15 for cats and other small animals. (Disney has turned over the kennels to the Best Friends Pet Care corporation. The rates are expected to increase again when the takeover is finished.) Guests are encouraged to walk their pets at least twice per day as they are not otherwise let out of their cages. Proof that the animal has had all of its shots is also required. Hours for the kennel are 7:30 am to 8 pm. More information on Disney Kennels HERE.

Fort Wilderness also has pet walks, in addition to walking dogs around the loops themselves. One is along the canal at loop 300, a second along the creek at loop 800, and the third behind loop 1900, servicing the four pet loops around it (1600 - 1900).

 

[westie]

We have always talked about bringing our dog IN the parks since we have one of those Labs that goes everywhere we do and figure his little doggy brain would explode with overload! But, on our last trip we saw a black Lab guide dog that looked so content in Epcot that I believe that's doggy heaven. We had to go say hello and that well behaved guys tail was going a mile a minute with joy! (sorry for the thread jack):hammer:

 

[Nemo14]

I think you can have your dog at certain campsites, but nor in the FW cabins.

 

[34Angels]

We thought about bringing our boxer with us, but I felt it would be unfair to her to be cooped up all day in a kennel with only a couple of walks from us (we would probably get at least 3 in a day). My bf's parent's are going to keep her for us as she and their lab are BFF's! :ROFLOL: I am going to check out the off leash area and the kennels and maybe she'll get to go with us next trip.

 

[frazierle]

We're debating about using the kennels for an upcoming trip. We have 2 10 month old Springers and will either kennel them locally or bring them with us and kennel them at Disney. We'll probably put them up at FW if we bring them - we like the idea of a couple of walks a day plus our visits. If we leave them local we'll be gone for 7 days and we have not been away more than a night since we've had them so I'm not sure how they'll be when we get back. Has anyone kenneled their dogs at Disney? If so how was the experience? Any regrets or tips that can be offered?

 

[Schultz]

:shrug:Would love to hear someone's opinion of the kennels since being outsourced to Best Friends. We loved to bring our dogs before but was wondering if Best Friends has the Disney magic?

 

[frazierle]

Well we did bring the dogs and they stayed at Ft Wilderness. I thought the staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. We visited our dogs everyday while we were there and they would always know exactly what was going on with them - what they did funny or whatever. We have 2 springer spaniels from the same litter, same liver and white color , both female and the entire staff knew them apart by day 2. They made us feel really at ease with leaving the dogs there and in turn we felt they were getting excellent care/treatment. I would not have a problem with leaving them there again. I'm actually looking forward to when they open the new facility where they are suppose to do training with the dogs.

 

[Schultz]

Thanks Frazierle for the info! (One of our "pups" is getting old and the other one is blind, so we're kind of overprotective.) Sounds good!