Dogs like Disney too!

[disneydudette]

As many of us know....dogs do truly become a part of your family! So...when planning for a disney trip I was really discouraged to see that very little was offered for our furry friends.

I would like to take my dog with us to Disney...but at the same time, leaving him in a cage all night and for the majority of the day...is not really appealing to me. I know FW does offer "pet loops" but we weren't planning on camping/RVing.
PetsMart runs the PETS HOTEL...but if your not going to rent a car thats not really an option...since you won't get to see them that often!

So...my plan...or I should say quesiton...
"How come disney hasn't made a pet friendly RESORT?"
(I know I shouldn't even be talking about Disney building another resort...but I just thought I'd throw the idea out there)

Heres what I'm thinking....

- A country/farmish setting...very rustic and natural
- A mix between the moderates and villas
- themed dog beds in every room for dog
- neatly fenced-in areas for outside play off leash
- possible lake for doggie swimming
- lots of walking trails
- PLENTY of plastic bags for the "clean-up"
- Large barn (to go with theme) for kennel use, grooming, and "day-camp"...similar to what PetsHotel offers
- Pet and kid-friendly accomidations
- Evening activities, like "the Barkin'-BBQ" (cute eh?)

Obviously this can't be a 1,000+ room resort...but maybe a nice small resort that famlies with pets could enjoy and a resort the dogs would enjoy too...you wouldn't have to nessecarly stay at the resort to use the kennel and day camp either...and the resort mascot would of course be Pluto! Also people w/o pets could stay too...there could be a section designated as a pet free zone.
*My only issue so far has been the best way to design the rooms to prevent the least amount of damage to furniture and carpet from the dogs*

Rules would of course be in place...
- Dogs must remain on leash, unless in "designated areas"
- Owners must scoop up after thier dogs to enure a clean propperty
- No dogs in pool area/eating facilities
- All vacinations must be present to ensure safety of guests and other dogs

It seems like a smart move to me...especially these days when people are dropping money left and right to please there new companions. Why should going on vacation be any different!

Thanks for reading! Go ahead and post your ideas as well! I just wanted to finally get my idea down!

 

[Nicole]

I'm not a pet owner so had never thought of this, but I know I have serious cat allergies and so could never stay in a hotel room that had had a cat in it prior to my visit. Plus I'm thinking that an unsupervised pet alone in a hotel room all day would be a recipe for trouble.

On the other hand, I know that in Europe there are lots of pet-friendly hotels and it seems to work there.

I guess they could make hotel rooms without carpeting - Pergo type floors would be nice and low maintenance, plus could be completely cleaned if needed. But I think they'd still have to have an on-site kennel, because pets still can't go in the parks.

I want to say that I read somewhere (99% likely to be the Unofficial Guide) that there is at least one hotel off-site near Disney that allows small pets...hmmm

I do have friends whose pets are their "babies" and I understand the emotional attachment from an outside perspective (which probably means I have no clue, lol) so think your questions are valid. I'll be interested to see the other responses.

 

[rick3236]

I am a dog owner and I have brought my Puppy (who weighs about 100 lbs and is not really puppy except in my eyes) to Disney with me on numerous occasions and I have always had wonderful experiences at the kennel.

The kennel cast members are always very friendly, enthusiastic and and very attentive to the dogs needs. The kennel is very clean and well maintained and they are very accomodating to your pets individual needs. Plus, the cages are large enough for the dog to comfortably walk around and lay down in. All they ask is that you walk the dog twice a day, which I do very happily because it gets me out of the room while my wife gets ready in the morning and is a nice break from the parks before dinner.

I am very happy with what Disney is doing with the new shop at DTD and the merchandise geared towards pet owners.

All in all I am very happy with the way Disney treats my dog when we bring him on vacation. He will be with us on September 4th.

 

[disneydudette]

PLEASE don't think I'm trying to slam the disney kennels...I have heard too that the kennels were great!
I just don't like the fact that there caged the majority of the time...I didn't realize how big the cages were though!

Also, I should have added this in the post above...the dogs don't have to stay in the room...thats what the "barn" was for! A Doggie day camp..where you could drop you dog off when you leave...and they could play all day and do the "dog-thing"!

thanks for you opinions

 

[Ringo8n24]

PLEASE don't think I'm trying to slam the disney kennels...I have heard too that the kennels were great!
I just don't like the fact that there caged the majority of the time...I didn't realize how big the cages were though!

Also, I should have added this in the post above...the dogs don't have to stay in the room...thats what the "barn" was for! A Doggie day camp..where you could drop you dog off when you leave...and they could play all day and do the "dog-thing"!

thanks for you opinions

I so totally agree. My dog, Jasmine, is my other "baby". I cannot bear to put her in a kennel. It has become a problem now that I have a daughter and I want my parents to come to WDW with us, but they are the only ones I trust here at home to watch Jasmine. It would be nice if I felt comfortable to take her with all of us and know she will be happy and ok.

 

[Gail Hayden]

Rules would of course be in place...
- Dogs must remain on leash, unless in "designated areas"
- Owners must scoop up after thier dogs to enure a clean propperty
- No dogs in pool area/eating facilities
- All vacinations must be present to ensure safety of guests and other dogs



This is exactly why it will never happen, people don't follow rules and Disney does nothing to those that don't.

I love my dog dearly, but, he stays home and has a pet sitter.

 

[Gail Hayden]

I am very happy with what Disney is doing with the new shop at DTD and the merchandise geared towards pet owners.


Can you tell me more about this? Where is it and what do they offer?

 

[Ringo8n24]

You are probably right, Gail. Someone will come along and ruin it for the people who are respectful with their dog and follow the rules, so it probably would not work.

 

[mickeysaver]

I wrote to WDW once about making a change to their handling of pets. I suggested a pet resort experience for the guests' animals, but all I got in return was a letter from the legal department telling me that my letter was being returned to me because any improvements to WDW are done from ideas cultivated in house.

I would pay to put my 3 Chihuahuas up in a resort style kennel at WDW, but the kennel experience that is there now is totally unacceptable. I have one Chihuahua with a heart condition and another with epilepsy. They all need to be kept together and spoiled.

Maybe one day.....
Maggie

 

[Scooter]

I have an English Springer Spaniel that I dearly Love.

I feel badly every time I drop him off at a Kennel.
The good news is that my bad feelings go away as soon as I arrive at Disney World! :lol:

Seriously though, I would advise anyone who wants to put their pet in a kennel to take the time to find one thats best for him or her.

After having a bad experiance with one kennel, I found one that is wonderful. It just took a little time and research.

They treat my dog well, take him on twice daily walks and I pay extra for what is called "Personal Play time" where they actually take him outside and play with him on a one on one basis.

He actually enjoys going to the kennel now and we get a little vacation away from our pooch and his never ending dog poopies. :hurl: :lol:

 

[Tim G]

I leave my dog at home... and certainly not out to a theme/attraction park..
And above all, my dog likes to sleep...
I've got a lazy dog...

 

[tigsmom]

My dog never stayed in a kennel until a few years ago, after my father passed away (he was the official pet watcher). We were very apprehnsive about it...it took a few days for her to get with the program, but she did well...better than I did. :lol:

We use a beautiful kennel that has large facilities and a wonderful exercise area (a fenced in "camp" as they call it) where the dogs can run and play.
The people are wonderful & love her as much as she loves them. She is a star boarder & this past trip got to stay in the owner's home because they needed more room in an emergency.

My advice is to check out the local kennels, interview the staff and ask for references. I would love to take our dog with us, but I don't think its fair for her to be left alone while we play.

Also she no longer comes home heavier than when we left.

Corrus, my dog is a lazy old, arthritic thing that loves to sleep too!
(but she loves to play with the kids)

 

[Gail Hayden]

We hire a pet sitter that comes to the house 2x's a day, feed the dog, the cats, the fish, waters my tomatoe plants, gets the mail and makes sure all is ok in the house.
I have used this kid for a couple of years now and it is less expensive and stressful than placing Chewie (a Peke adopted at the Humane society) in a kennel for much much more per day than a pet sitter.

 

[Shaman]

I love my doggie...but she gets car sick...so we leave her home...nothing like seeing her expression when we come back from our trip....

I think Disney would have done the whole Dog Resort thing a long time ago if it would have been profitable...but I don't think there is a large market for a resort of this type...at least for now...most people that visit Disney fall into two large categories...people that fly in from out of state and people who live in the immediate to outlying areas...and they drive...people that fly will most likely leave there dogs at home....and those that drive (depending on how far away from the 'world' they live, they will also leave their dogs at home, with the farther away you get the more likely it is that dogs will come along)...ofcoarse there are always people who like to bring their pets along no matter what the distance or mode of transportation...and that fine...

I think they could always build kennels at the resorts themeselves...with an outdoor play area and all...guest drop their dogs in at check-in, have a fun vacation (visiting the parks and all), visit their pets every now and then...and during check out pick there dogs up...I think thats a nice compromise...this could be offered at one resort from each level...

Deluxe: AKL
Moderate: Port Orleans Riverside (or maybe even Coronado)
Value: Pop Century

Just my two cents...

 

[masterv]

I've never really understood why people want to take their pets on trips. I always feel sorry for that poor animal that appears to be dragged around all day. They never look very happy. So I suggest leave your animal at home. If you are trying to show off your pet bring pictures. Besides, I have a friend whose allergic to dogs and another whose allergic to cats. You have to take in consideration of that too.

 

[EmeraldDolphin]

We've got 2 dogs, an Australian Shepherd that is very shy & is afraid of strangers, and a Pit Bull X Lab that LOVES everyone & thinks she's the center of the universe, and doesn't understand when she's not being paid attention to... so I don't think either of my dogs would do well. My Aussie is happier NOT coming, and the other one... well, let's just say everyone else in the world is happier that she's not coming!

 

[Lennyg512]

From what it says on the website, it seems that all Universal Orlando Resorts are pet friendly. None of Disney's Resorts are pet friendly. It would make sense for Disney to add a pet friendly resort since Universal Orlando has them.

 

[Gail Hayden]

From what it says on the website, it seems that all Universal Orlando Resorts are pet friendly. None of Disney's Resorts are pet friendly. It would make sense for Disney to add a pet friendly resort since Universal Orlando has them.

I doubt Disney has to compete with Universal on any level, so, I doubt that logic would work with Disney. As to sense, that is the same as saying "If Johnny jumps off the bridge then you should too." What one choses to do does not necessarily mean the other needs or wants to follow suit.

 

[Gail Hayden]

I love my doggie...but she gets car sick...so we leave her home...nothing like seeing her expression when we come back from our trip....

I think Disney would have done the whole Dog Resort thing a long time ago if it would have been profitable...but I don't think there is a large market for a resort of this type...at least for now...most people that visit Disney fall into two large categories...people that fly in from out of state and people who live in the immediate to outlying areas...and they drive...people that fly will most likely leave there dogs at home....and those that drive (depending on how far away from the 'world' they live, they will also leave their dogs at home, with the farther away you get the more likely it is that dogs will come along)...ofcoarse there are always people who like to bring their pets along no matter what the distance or mode of transportation...and that fine...

I think they could always build kennels at the resorts themeselves...with an outdoor play area and all...guest drop their dogs in at check-in, have a fun vacation (visiting the parks and all), visit their pets every now and then...and during check out pick there dogs up...I think thats a nice compromise...this could be offered at one resort from each level...

Deluxe: AKL
Moderate: Port Orleans Riverside (or maybe even Coronado)
Value: Pop Century

Just my two cents...

Right, and then some guest would decide that doggy pet looks sad and has them in the room for the rest of the trip.

 

[Tim G]

Right, and then some guest would decide that doggy pet looks sad and has them in the room for the rest of the trip.

I've got a Sharpei... and she always looks sad, even when she's happy...