Since I haven't seen a thread like this, I offer this for all those who are bringing or are thinking of bringing their dogs with them.
When I stayed at Animal Kingom Lodge around Christmas of last year, I boarded my dog at the Animal Kingdom kennel. They told me on the phone when I booked that there was a "dog-walking" service and that for just over a dollar a walk someone would walk my dog, but I should come by and walk him myself anyway.
When I checked him in though, I was told there was no such service (except maybe at Epcot - they weren't sure), so I had to spend a lot of time every morning and evening driving to the Animal Kingdom, parking (sometimes they let me park close and sometimes they didn't), and then hiking the distance to the kennel, walking my dog, putting him back, and then going back to the Lodge, then catching the bus. As a result, the first day I didn't get to Epcot until almost noon.
One person said they were planning to build a large, centralized kennel with grooming, indoor/outdoor runs, vet service, etc. Another person said that they'd never heard that and they doubted it was true.
On the up-side, I met a lot of other nice dog-owners and nice security people when I went into the Animal Kingdom park daily around Midnight. One guard told me he'd met his wife as a monorail driver ("hey, wanna come up front and watch me drive the monorail?" is a great line that few get to use)
Also, the park was beautiful and magical with no one around. One night the music was still playing and the mist was wrapping around the Christmas tree. VERY nice
On the down-side, the kennels at the parks are just "crating" services (some people actually never came to walk their dogs!). It's time-consuming, and time is at a premium at an expensive resort.
In short, it's best to leave your dogs at home or board them elsewhere.
Anyone else want to share?
When I stayed at Animal Kingom Lodge around Christmas of last year, I boarded my dog at the Animal Kingdom kennel. They told me on the phone when I booked that there was a "dog-walking" service and that for just over a dollar a walk someone would walk my dog, but I should come by and walk him myself anyway.
When I checked him in though, I was told there was no such service (except maybe at Epcot - they weren't sure), so I had to spend a lot of time every morning and evening driving to the Animal Kingdom, parking (sometimes they let me park close and sometimes they didn't), and then hiking the distance to the kennel, walking my dog, putting him back, and then going back to the Lodge, then catching the bus. As a result, the first day I didn't get to Epcot until almost noon.
One person said they were planning to build a large, centralized kennel with grooming, indoor/outdoor runs, vet service, etc. Another person said that they'd never heard that and they doubted it was true.
On the up-side, I met a lot of other nice dog-owners and nice security people when I went into the Animal Kingdom park daily around Midnight. One guard told me he'd met his wife as a monorail driver ("hey, wanna come up front and watch me drive the monorail?" is a great line that few get to use)
Also, the park was beautiful and magical with no one around. One night the music was still playing and the mist was wrapping around the Christmas tree. VERY nice On the down-side, the kennels at the parks are just "crating" services (some people actually never came to walk their dogs!). It's time-consuming, and time is at a premium at an expensive resort.
In short, it's best to leave your dogs at home or board them elsewhere.
Anyone else want to share?
Some dogs like yorkies are considered hypoallergenic and don't shed, and don't bother people with allergies, etc which my husband and I both have. I really do believe tho they should set aside certain sections bc I can understand some persons not wanting to stay where there has been a pet as my husband and I both are severely allergic to cats, with my husband getting asthma attacks, but they should set aside certain sections or resorts. Anyway looks like we may split between a Sheraton and a Universal hotel this time. Disney is so pet unfriendly, they don't allow the Swan and Dolphin which are Sheraton properties from allowing pets, they told me it was Disney's rules which is why they do not as Sheraton's typically do. I still really wish they would allow certain areas or certain resorts with pet rooms! If Universal hotels can, they should also! 
On another note, I do NOT recommend keeping your pet overnight in the kennels unless your dog or cat is very calm, and possibly can handle, you know your own pet but I personally would not. We do board her during the day when we go to parks and for that they're great, and always take a break and walk her.
