A Dog at Disney?

[Kathy5]

We are considering the unthinkable-taking our dog to Disney World and boarding her in a Disney kennel. We would be staying on site. Would someone who has done this in the past help me out here? Is one kennel better than another? Will this be so time consuming that I will want to scream by the end of our vacation? Are the kennel people nice? Would staying at one resort be better for this than another? Some additional info-we have been to Disney before, and I am one to yank the family out of bed early on the days that we go to the parks.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[idontknow]

There is a kennel at the TTC, right across a parking lot from the Poly. I don't know if it is a 24 hr. kennel, though. You could camp at Ft. Wilderness. They have special loops that allow animals, too. I would say it would be better to just leave your dog at home and find someone there to watch it. Your entire trip will be centered around making sure you get to the kennel to let your pup out. That, to me, is no vacation.

 

[Annette]

You have to have the pet picked up when the parks close and you also have to come 3 times a day to let the dog out. No one will take the dog out unless you come to do it. Min. care is all you get. Now they did tell me they were thinking about expanding the care. That would be nice since you can not have an animal in the room. Good Luck

 

[Janet2k]

Here is the link to the official WDW website regarding animals: click here to go to the "Pet Information" webpage.

 

[Chip and Dale]

We considered taking our dogs to WDW, but once we saw the kennels, we changed our minds. It's not that they weren't clean nor the people unpleasant. We have 2 rather large and rather active Golden retrievers and once we saw the cages, we knew the dogs wouldn't survive more than a couple hours in them. Disney provides the bare minimum of care. Other people recommended the Bass Pet Motel which is nearby. We never used them, but you might want to check it out. I think they have a website. Just my humble opinion.....

 

[Kallison]

I agree with what Chip and Dale said. From what I've heard about the WDW kennel and their minimal care, it certainly wouldn't be the place for my large active dog. I can't imagine telling my three kids that we have to stop what we are doing to walk the dog three or four times per day, plus all the time spent going to and from the kennel. I would board your dog at home or find someone to provide in-home sitting.

Waves hi to Chip and Dale from Bucks County!

 

[kylara]

Before I moved to Kissimmee, I use to board my dog all the time at the Epcot Kennel (also have used TCC and MGM, but didn't like them as much as Epcot). But my dog is small and also crate trained. Although I really don't think size has much to do with it in some circumstances. I have a friend who has a large german shepard who has stayed in the disney kennels but once again, she was a crate trained dog also.

If you do is use to running free, the kennel could be hard to her. Also, you do need to plan to go by the kennel in the morning, once during the day and again before heading back to your hotel to walk your pet. If you don't mind these restrictions and you think that your pet can handle being boarded with only those walks (Disney kennels have no runs), then by all means use them. I prefer the Epcot Kennel because it is easy to get to(when kennel parking isn't being used for special events) and Epcot is where I spend my most time. Also it has a very large area where you can walk your dog.

 

[Thmacs]

I too am in a position where we have to take our dog to WDW with us this Christmas. I spoke with a CM at the Epcot kennel who basically confirmed all the above information. After speaking with her at length I knew I could never leave my dog (Rachel) crated for a whole week, even though we would walk her at least 3 times a day. THe CM agrees that it can be very hard on the dogs who are not used to it. She suggested the kennel she uses to board her pet. The Bass Pet Motel 100 s. Bass Rd. Kissimmee FL 34746. (407) 396-6031. I have called and spoken to this facility several times. They have indoor/outdoor air conditoned runs. They are very kind and have been very helpful. I have been able to secure a reservation for Rachel throughout our WDW trip. I think the WDW kennel would be fine for a night or two for Rachel, but she is used to have lots more space so I was very happy to find another option.

 

[Kathy5]

I'd like to thank everyone for their input concerning the kennels. May I ask-is each dog put into a cage or are the dogs separated by size with bigger dogs getting more of a kennel-size space? Again, thank you.

 

[spiceycat]

No it seems to be first come basis - there were some very little dogs in very big cages.

but don't worry - they have lots of cages

I take my cat - Spicey - he loves them - he gets lots of attention - and yes I take him for walks - long walks - if you attend to do this I would use either Epcot or FW - there is also walking room at T/T but there is a bus stop next to it - my animals do not like the noise.

I stay at OKW - short drive away - PO, CRB or any of the Epcot resorts would due too. (please kept in mind that is a long walk from the Epcot resorts to the kennel - if you have due it 3 times a day)

the Epcot kennel has started a walk your dog - for $2.50 per walk - so you need to add this to your $9.00 fee if you stay at a WDW resort.

Oh you can walk and/or visit any time you want too - believe during one bad trip I was there around 6 to 7 times in one day - they didn't say anything.

I had heard that their is an extra charge for food (there didn't use to be) - but Spicey will only eat his cans so I don't really know about this.

WDW Kennels have over night stays for all animals now - they use to only do for WDW resorts - the difference is the price $9 if you are WDW resort gues - $11 is you are not.

 

[webray]

We have done this several times, and hubby and I feel it is way too much work when you are on vacation. You have to walk the dog at least twice a day...we always do ours at least three times a day...because ours are used to going in and out whenever they want to. The kennels are very nice/clean. The staff is great, but going back and forth to the kennel really cuts into vacation time.

I would decide which park you are going to spend most of your time at...or which kennel is most convenient to your resort. All four parks have kennels that keep the dogs over night. $9 per night if you are a disney resort guest.

If I were you, I would try a petsitter who is in your current neighborhood at home...you will get really tired of going back/forth to the kennel, no matter how early you like to get up. By the way...the kennels are not open early in the morning...they open around 8am, someone is usually there around 7:30...but you have to call and wait for them to come and let you in....pain in the butt.

 

[DancingBear]

Another vote for looking into a petsitter in your neighborhood--your vetrinarian probably has some recommendations. We've got a great professional sitter who comes twice a day while we're away, and a wonderful animal-loving retired neighbor who comes once a day in addition. Although our dogs (three of them until last summer, now just two) miss us while we're away, they are much more comfortable at home than they would be travelling with us and staying in a kennel.

 

[Disneydenise]

Another vote for a pet sitter but I know they can be hard to find. If you are in an area that has a college near by you can try calling the counseling center there. We have a great girl who sits our home and dogs for $35. a day while we are away. She had recomendations and our home was as clean as when we left it. I interviewed a few girls before we left and I was a little worried the first time I did it but I live in a neighborhood so there was always someone around who could let me know if they were partying in my house. There was none of that and for a college kid this is easy money and they want to be able to do it again so they know the reputation is what will get them jobs.

 

[WDWguru]

There's a national licensed and insured service called Critter Care. Check the Web or your phone book for local franchises. It's set up so that people in your community get bonded through the national organization and then can use the name and promotional opportunities. We've used them in the past for our large animal brood and they were great! They set up an appointment ahead of time to come by the house, meet our animals, learn their routine, etc. They spend at least an hour at that time. You can have them come by as many times a day as you like (for an extra fee) and the cost is per day, based on number of visits plus the number and type of animals you have. They'll bring in mail and papers, alternate lights, spend time playing with your animals, etc. It's a bit pricey, but well worth the peace of mind.

 

[Kathy5]

First, let me say that until this year I would NEVER have considered taking one of our dogs to Disney. And, I would have thought that people who did were ruining their vacation (just a personal opinion). We have always had someone come to the house. But, here's the glitch, we recently adopted a greyhound direct from the race track, and she is clingy. We are planning to go to Disney for nine days next summer (plus two additional days driving back and forth), and we worry that she will be an emotional wreck. Maybe I'm just projecting-for all I know, she would sit at a neighborhood kennel and dream about rabbitsall day. Also, I did call the Disney kennel today, and a woman said that they do set up bigger runs for larger dogs. Still not sure what we're going to do, but once again, thanks for all of the input. Everyone's been a great help.

Kathy

 

[Disneydenise]

Well by next summer she may be a different dog. I hope she adjust well for you. I rescued a dog and she had been in 5 houses in one year. She was so cute but still a puppy at a year old and she hadn't really been trained to stay in a crate. We stupidly left her for a weekend with a neighbor coming in several times a day. She chewed the drywall , the cabinets, and antique chest and probably more I can't recall. Three months later I hired a pet sitter who was recomended by my vet. She chewed the drywall the wood around the doorway, she took the baskets off the walls(I still have no idea how she did that) chewed them up and then scratched the wall paper off that wall. This was with a pet sitter coming in 3 times a day and playing with them for a half hour each time plus a half hour walk twice a day. This cost me a fortune but the dog needed the care and I just don't think that the other dog would survive a kennel. When I got home the Pet sitter had left me a note about having the dog trained by a professional and seeing a psychiatrist. Its been 5 years now and she is still a very clingy dog but she is very loveable. That is how I got the college kid idea. The dog just wants someone around to sleep in our house. She is nuts but she really is a good dog. She has gotten much better and I could probably just have someone come 4 times a day and she would be okay but the kid needs the money and I am happier on vacation so for me it is a win win but now I understand why you are thinking of taking her. i bet she would be fine at the kennel.