Assoc. Press Announcement about the new Kennel

[des1954]

Read all about it!

http://www.theledger.com/article/20...their-dogs-up-for-bedtime-stories-concierges-

 

[mousermerf]

The transition to this is going to go over like a lead balloon - people arriving at the parks expecting to use the kennels for the first several weeks are going to be a big problem.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Deb- Thanks for posting this. This press release has not yet shown up in the form of an article in my local fish-wrap. But, after seeing your post, I checked, and the story is all over the place. This is the first recent official announcement that all of the other WDW kennels are closing.

This is not a good thing for FW guests with dogs.

For what it's worth, there is a pretty comprehensive thread on the WDW Kennels here: WDW KENNEL FAQ THREAD . The person who started the thread, says in post 131 that there will be NO TRANSPORTATION provided to the kennel.

TCD

 

[BradyBz12]

The transition to this is going to go over like a lead balloon - people arriving at the parks expecting to use the kennels for the first several weeks are going to be a big problem.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to be the CMs that have to tell folks to throw their dogs back in the car and drive all the way over to the new joint. Especially those arriving at AK.

 

[Disneylitch]

I saw that the overnight charge is $37. That is an unbelievable charge and I can't imagine what they are charging just for the day. You would think they would want to encourage people to use the kennels, not make it unaffordable. I'm only paying $52 a night for a full hook up campsite. Glad my dogs stay in the MH, but feel sorry for the people that kenneled their dogs.

 

[BradyBz12]

Yep. If I figure $37/night X 3 dogs.... heck only 3 nights' boarding equals the entire monthly payment on the brand new camper my bunch will be spending their time in!

 

[photogal06]

Yikes ! On the few occasions when we leave our dogs at home, I pay a dogsitter $35 a day. She comes to our house 4x/day and stays an hour each time. And the dogs have all the comforts of home, with no additional charges! I can't imagine paying that for a kennel, no matter how nice.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

It will be most interesting to see how this plays out.

The owners of Best Friends are obviously in business to make money.

So, they crunched some numbers, and figured that they will maximize their profits by closing the five existing kennels and consolidating everything into one facility. This makes sense on paper- surely one building will cost far less to operate and maintain than five, and they will also be able to save on labor costs. And, since they have a monopoly on WDW property, they can charge as much as they think they can get away with.

The only problem in this analysis is that they didn't think about whether or not guests are going to deal with the inconveniences they have created. Or balk at their exorbitant charges.

I am predicting that they will lose their butts on this.

Time will tell.

TCD

 

[des1954]

It will be most interesting to see how this plays out.

The owners of Best Friends are obviously in business to make money.

I am predicting that they will lose their butts on this.

Time will tell.

TCD

Correct me if I'm wrong (I know you will ) but, isn't it the goal of all businesses to make money?? I thought so. The real question is...how high a profit do they want to rape (er, I mean) RAKE in?

Will it bite them in the butt? At first I'm sure it will, but like all things Disney, people will settle down and pay the price. Currently, Best Friends is operating all the kennels at WDW, but they don't have facilities to offer all the luxurious amenities.

It's just a guess on my part, but eventually I think Disney Transportation may include a way for people to get to Best Friends either by bus or by an on demand shuttle. I'm thinking more in terms of a shuttle with an extra cost involved. If people will pay the kennel price, then a $10 shuttle fee will be "kibbles" to them.

Here's a link to Best Friends. They are mostly concentrated in the North East, but have locations in quite a few regions - mostly the higher cost of living places.

http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/centers.cfm

ETA: Although this is not likely, it is my sincere hope that the kennels at the theme parks will remain opened as a one day only boarding kennel. I hate to think that people might leave their pets in the car because of the inconvenience of having to take them to Best Friends. Does anyone know if the other theme parks (i.e. Sea World or Universal) offer kennels? I've never looked into this because it wasn't something I needed.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Correct me if I'm wrong (I know you will ) but, isn't it the goal of all businesses to make money?? I thought so. The real question is...how high a profit do they want to rape (er, I mean) RAKE in?

Does anyone know if the other theme parks (i.e. Sea World or Universal) offer kennels? I've never looked into this because it wasn't something I needed.

On this rare occasion, I agree with you 100%. As I think about this, I wonder how profitable it was for Best Friends to operate five independent kennel facilities? They probably considered the fact that they are going to lose some business as a result of the consolidation, but they must be figuring the profit will still be higher.

Yes, Sea World and Universal Studios definitely have kennels. Right there at the entrance as a convenience to their guests. Now WDW apparently won't. The press release says these locations are closing, which I assume means even for day guests. Who cares if a guest is inconvenienced? They know that we are stupid, and will still turn over our money to them.

TCD

 

[des1954]

On this rare occasion, I agree with you 100%.
TCD

It's about damn time!!! You just love picking on an old lady as a cheap way to get your beer, don't you? At least Donnie is up front and honest about it. He just walks up to me and asks if I have a cold beer before he says "Hi"!!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

It's about damn time!!! You just love picking on an old lady as a cheap way to get your beer, don't you? At least Donnie is up front and honest about it. He just walks up to me and asks if I have a cold beer before he says "Hi"!!

You may have noticed that I am a bit more refined than Donnie.

No?

Well, in my mind I am.

TCD

 

[ftwildernessguy]

In reality, they aren't out of line with some of the chain kennels. We pay 38 bucks a day for Mickey to stay overnight at Camp Bow Wow when we are out of town. Now I would expect Best Friends to give the same level of service and accomodation. At Camp Bow Wow, Mickey has a large kennel (they call them cabins) with a raised bunk, heated floors, and play time in an indoor/outdoor play yard with his friends twice a day, plus nap time and snack time. I can also watch him via closed circuit TV if I have internet access wherever I am during play time. Last year when we were at Disney we left him home at Camp Bow Wow. When I picked him up, he came out, wagged his tail, and turned around and went back in - it was play time.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Last year when we were at Disney we left him home at Camp Bow Wow. When I picked him up, he came out, wagged his tail, and turned around and went back in - it was play time.

The kids today,,
theres just no loyalty anymore.

 

[sjs314]

I board my golden retriever Bella at a Best Friends near my home, I don't recall what it was per day last year but I did pay for her to be walked and played with plus given a daily snack.

I have been boarding at the same place for decades (previous dog) before Best Friends took it over and If I still drove to Disney I would bring my dog with me now and board here nearby where I could go visit her perhaps, not sure since she might not understand why I kept leaving her there but I do think it sound good, especially the tv since my dog sits and watches tv all the time at home.

I do not think the price is out of line for the peace of mind your pet is properly cared for in your absence

 

[starbuc71]

After reading the article, I had to wonder if it was a gag. Not ever having to board an animal before, I never heard of flat screen tv's and luxury suites. Who in thier right mind would pay $76 a night to board thier pet. I know most pets are like children to some people but honestly, $76, Disney needs to refocus thier customer service and realize what's going on in today's economy. 1/2 the population or more will continue to give in and just add another higher monthly credit card payment for this sort of thing. I guess Disney understands that there are still crazy people out there who have no money but think they do. Just my 2 cents

 

[des1954]

After reading the article, I had to wonder if it was a gag. Not ever having to board an animal before, I never heard of flat screen tv's and luxury suites. Who in thier right mind would pay $76 a night to board thier pet. I know most pets are like children to some people but honestly, $76, Disney needs to refocus thier customer service and realize what's going on in today's economy. 1/2 the population or more will continue to give in and just add another higher monthly credit card payment for this sort of thing. I guess Disney understands that there are still crazy people out there who have no money but think they do. Just my 2 cents

Apparently, a lot of people opt for this feature. If you look at the Best Friends website, it's offered at most of their locations - not just WDW. Keep in mind, it's not Disney setting the prices, but Best Friends. Disney no longer runs or manages the kennels. They just lease the land to Best Friends.

Walt Disney invented the idea of corporate sponsorship. (Or - at least I would like to think he did.)

 

[SandrA9810]

Like I said in another topic. Instead of Best Friends focusing on the guest that are pinching pennies by staying off site or at the Fort, they're trying to go for the ones that are at the Grand Floridian. And the common theme with the Fort and off site, is most these people have their own cars. Trying to appeal to those staying at the Grand, they're the ones flying down. Most people in their right minds don't take their pets on vacation if they're flying.

And I've noticed A LOT more hotels are becoming pet friendly with only 10-20$ fees. Part of this is because of people not evacuating during a hurricane because they don't want to leave their pet home. And most facilities wont allow pets. So hotels see it as an opportunity to allow residents to evacuate with their pets. Many people from South Florida go to Disney while a hurricane passes.

Best Friends is biting themselves in the butt on this one. I believe Sea World is still only like 5$ or so for the day, not sure on overnight charges. But a lot of people opt for getting a passport, which saves them even more money.