Complicated Trip

[jaminmd]

Just to give you an idea, here are my boys at the top of the hill in the RPR dog area. The other is of one of them hogging the bed. They had a very stres-free vacation.

 

[jaminmd]

Resting at RPR...

 

[robinb]

So, in addition you're looking for a place that sleeps 5 people? Or would you book 2 rooms? Are you planning to have a car?

 

[ToddyLu]

We had a woman from our Vet's office sit with our JRT and my parents standard poodle this past May trip. She styed at our house when not at work and it was awesome. When my parents travel with us we have had a young adult family member stay for the week. She has since moved away and we were going to have to go with a "stranger". So this woman was very familiar with our JRT and was comfortable with us. Win-win. Both dogs are 12 and get along great and have known each other for years obviously. The poodle had a health scare last year but recovered well. We were so lucky to have her at our home this past trip because he got her up 3 times one night to go potty and she noticed bleeding and straining. This was half way through our trip and she quickly spotted a UTI, which he had never had before. She got our permission and took him to our vet who not only gave him antibiotics but did an xray to rule out an obstruction and that included a scan of the area of concern from last year....so we were very pleased and he recovered promptly.

Is there someone at her vet's office that does pet sitting? It never even occurred to us to ask until DH asked about boarding them together for May. Then low and behold the option was there.

 

[dansdad]

One of each hotel level. That has to be done by design. I really, really hope that's what they're planning.

They're not. It's just that those 3 resorts are currently going through a room refurbished. Every resort will have non carpet flooring going forward.

 

[Shanti]

One of each hotel level. That has to be done by design. I really, really hope that's what they're planning.

Given that the Yacht Club is a conventioner-oriented resort, it seems unlikely.

The Polynesian Villas also have wooden floors.

 

[butterflymouse]

Resting at RPR...

Seems like a lovable dog!

So, in addition you're looking for a place that sleeps 5 people? Or would you book 2 rooms? Are you planning to have a car?

We would prefer to stay in one room if we go with a hotel because it's usually cheaper that way. 2 rooms is doable if we find that more economic.

We are driving to and from Disney, so we will have a car.

Is there someone at her vet's office that does pet sitting? It never even occurred to us to ask until DH asked about boarding them together for May. Then low and behold the option was there.

Won't work. My sister refuses to leave her with anyone. We've tried it before and we had to pick our dog up not long after we left her because she was not doing well. Leaving her with a sitter just won't work for us.

They're not. It's just that those 3 resorts are currently going through a room refurbished. Every resort will have non carpet flooring going forward.

That's a bummer. It's also a poor decision on Disney's part to not have a hotel to accommodate pet owners who have to have their pets with them. I would gladly book a Resort, but can't because I need our dog with us. Disney is losing my money because of that. It's bad business for them because I'm sure I'm not the only one.

 

[patty57]

So, it looks like you won't leave your dog home. That means staying offsite at a rental that accepts dogs, staying at Universal resort that accepts pets, or staying in an RV at Fort Wilderness at one of the campsites that allows pets. Those are the options. Pick one of those.

 

[rosiebean]

That's a bummer. It's also a poor decision on Disney's part to not have a hotel to accommodate pet owners who have to have their pets with them. I would gladly book a Resort, but can't because I need our dog with us. Disney is losing my money because of that. It's bad business for them because I'm sure I'm not the only one.

As a pet owner who often travels with their dog, part of me agrees.

But WDW has decided that having pet-friendly rooms isn't needed for them to make a profit at this point. And given their high occupancy rates pretty much year round now and their overall profit as a corporation, they're not really losing money by making that decision. They're losing your money, but for every pet person who choses to stay elsewhere, there is another without a pet who will stay at a WDW resort.

If you have to have a pet with you on a WDW vacation, there are really only two choices. Stay in an RV (and there are companies who rent really nice ones) at the WDW campground, or stay offsite. I hope whatever you find works out and that all you, pup included, has a great vacation.

 

[wanderingdee]

I would do an offsite hotel. I know when we brought our cat with us a few years ago we stayed at the Omni. It was an amazing hotel, especially if you like to swim. I'm sure there are several pet friendly hotels nearby.

It seems like that is the least stressful option. We've stayed on property, and off property, and based on what you get for your money I tell my husband all the time that as soon as our daughter is older we are staying off property again.

We usually stay at the Grand Floridian and I don't think it's that much easier than having your own car and staying off property.

 

[butterflymouse]

As a pet owner who often travels with their dog, part of me agrees.

But WDW has decided that having pet-friendly rooms isn't needed for them to make a profit at this point. And given their high occupancy rates pretty much year round now and their overall profit as a corporation, they're not really losing money by making that decision. They're losing your money, but for every pet person who choses to stay elsewhere, there is another without a pet who will stay at a WDW resort.

That may be true, but that's not accommodating a certain kind of guest, and Disney accommodates most types of guests, so it's a shame pet oweners are left out.

Plus they can charge a pet fee, which means more money. It's a missed opportunity for money and customer service. I'm basically forced to stay off site and miss on all the Disney perks and the chance to do the dining plan if I wanted because I have to have my pet with me. That's sad to me.

If you have to have a pet with you on a WDW vacation, there are really only two choices. Stay in an RV (and there are companies who rent really nice ones) at the WDW campground, or stay offsite. I hope whatever you find works out and that all you, pup included, has a great vacation.

Thank you. We're weighing out all the options, so we'll see what wins out.

 

[kandb]

I know there are many people who are animal lovers but I really can't see people walking their dogs outside the Grand Floridian or walking them down the hallways. Dogs can have accidents, they shed and Disney probably just doesn't want to deal with it. There are also many people who are allergic to animals and this could
be an issue as well. I know some hotels accept pets but to be honest, I don't see WDW ever doing it but if they did, I would guess it might be one of their value resorts.

 

[Kaytie]

And I completely agree that Disney needs to get with the times and at least have one resort that accepts pets.

Well, no, really they don't. Many, possibly most, hotels don't accept pets. Disney provides a place to stay for pets whose owners need the pets to travel with the owners.

That may be true, but that's not accommodating a certain kind of guest, and Disney accommodates most types of guests, so it's a shame pet owners are left out.
I'm basically forced to stay off site and miss on all the Disney perks and the chance to do the dining plan if I wanted because I have to have my pet with me. That's sad to me.

Traveling with one's pet and needing to keep the pet in ones hotel room are choices. Pet owners are "left out" only by their own decisions.


For the OP, four of you can stay on-site and the sister who insists on the dog being with only family members or alone can stay off-site somewhere that doesn't care whether pets are left alone for hours without being walked.

 

[DaisyJ]

Seems like a lovable dog!



We would prefer to stay in one room if we go with a hotel because it's usually cheaper that way. 2 rooms is doable if we find that more economic.

We are driving to and from Disney, so we will have a car.



Won't work. My sister refuses to leave her with anyone. We've tried it before and we had to pick our dog up not long after we left her because she was not doing well. Leaving her with a sitter just won't work for us.



That's a bummer. It's also a poor decision on Disney's part to not have a hotel to accommodate pet owners who have to have their pets with them. I would gladly book a Resort, but can't because I need our dog with us. Disney is losing my money because of that. It's bad business for them because I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Then I guess the easiest solution is your sister stays home.

 

[DaisyJ]

That may be true, but that's not accommodating a certain kind of guest, and Disney accommodates most types of guests, so it's a shame pet oweners are left out.

Plus they can charge a pet fee, which means more money. It's a missed opportunity for money and customer service. I'm basically forced to stay off site and miss on all the Disney perks and the chance to do the dining plan if I wanted because I have to have my pet with me. That's sad to me.



Thank you. We're weighing out all the options, so we'll see what wins out.

Pet owners aren't left out. They just are much more flexible with their pets than you are willing to be. I would guess a good 60-70% of visitors on any given day are pet owners who don't let their animals dictate how they vacation.

 

[cluvsdisney]

If your father goes to basically dog sit, I would let him pick the accommodations since he'll be there the most. If it's the house, I am sure there are housekeeping services that would come in so none of you have to do housework while on vacation.

 

[jaminmd]

Why come on this thread with sarcasm? The OP is asking for options. You don't like pets, no problem but don't insert yourself with sarcastic comments that are no help to the OP or imply that she leaves her dogs alone for hours like she's neglecting them.

 

[robinb]

Pet owners aren't left out. They just are much more flexible with their pets than you are willing to be. I would guess a good 60-70% of visitors on any given day are pet owners who don't let their animals dictate how they vacation.

I don't see anything wrong with pet owners wishing there were resorts at WDW that accepted pets any more than bigger families used to wish that Disney offered affordable accommodations for their families. Neither one affects me since I made the choice to have only have one child and I leave my pets at home.

I think your best choice is a split stay between one of the Universal Hotels so you can enjoy Harry Potter followed by a week in a pet friendly house/condo. That way you're going from being squished to having a ton of room. Yes, you'll have to pay to park, but you'll save a TON of money over being on Disney property (even at the campgrounds).

ETA: Mousesavers has a deal with the Holiday Inn LBV where they offer lower rates and NO resort fee. It sleeps 5 and is pet friendly. You may want to look into it and book by June 19th as a back up plan.

Here is the link: https://www.mousesavers.com/holiday-inn-resort-lake-buena-vista/ You may need to call the Holiday Inn to arrange for the dog.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

For the OP, four of you can stay on-site and the sister who insists on the dog being with only family members or alone can stay off-site somewhere that doesn't care whether pets are left alone for hours without being walked.

This is what I would do. I can't imagine letting a pet dictate how I vacation. People leave their children with sitters, the dog can be left with a sitter too.

I hope if they do allow for pets they clean well for the next guest. I have asthma that is triggered by dog/cat hair. My allergies get so bad with it.

 

[HopperFan]

Won't work. My sister refuses to leave her with anyone. We've tried it before and we had to pick our dog up not long after we left her because she was not doing well. Leaving her with a sitter just won't work for us.

That's a bummer. It's also a poor decision on Disney's part to not have a hotel to accommodate pet owners who have to have their pets with them. I would gladly book a Resort, but can't because I need our dog with us. Disney is losing my money because of that. It's bad business for them because I'm sure I'm not the only one.

That may be true, but that's not accommodating a certain kind of guest, and Disney accommodates most types of guests, so it's a shame pet oweners are left out.

Plus they can charge a pet fee, which means more money. It's a missed opportunity for money and customer service. I'm basically forced to stay off site and miss on all the Disney perks and the chance to do the dining plan if I wanted because I have to have my pet with me. That's sad to me.

Preface by saying we have two dogs. One went through trauma a couple times at kennels at which point we knew that we couldn't travel as a family since someone stayed home with the dog. Then we finally found a wonderful resort with great staff and amenities like water park and swimming pool (with lessons) etc. She gets so excited when we arrive. Our newest member is older and small and I doubt that I would be able to leave him at the resort so again our options are limited .............. so I don't fall into the cold and heartless in your case.

I have dogs, I am responsible for their care, not Disney or any other hotel. Almost half of all households have a dog, and most make some kind of arrangements when they travel. If their dog is unable to travel with them or stay elsewhere, then someone stays home or a relative/friend steps in.

Disney is not losing any business at all on this, they are filling hotels with no problem. Disney does accommodate service dogs. Disney has a very nice boarding on site, they allow dogs in the campground since many in RVs travel with their dogs. But having dogs in hotels presents another level of problems. We have to remember that many guests have allergies that having dogs in the hotels or regularly in rooms can aggravate. There are many, especially children, who are afraid of dogs and having one staying or passing in the hall can be very upsetting.

As far as the extra fee ........ that is not money that is made. That is money that is spent on heavy duty cleaning between furry guests, replacing carpet that inevitably will be stained faster, for maintenance and cleaning of a doggie doo area, and obviously many guests will not take their dogs there so extra maintenance outside etc. It's just not worth it for Disney and I'm glad they aren't allowed.

I appreciate this impacts your trip but you have options: all stay somewhere that allows dogs, sister stays somewhere with her dog and rest onsite, sister stays at home or Mom stays at home.

I don't see anything wrong with pet owners wishing there were resorts at WDW that accepted pets any more than bigger families used to wish that Disney offered affordable accommodations for their families.

I think it's more an issue of the posts seem to be more a berating of Disney with "poor decision" "bad business" "losing money" "not accommodating" "pet owner left out" ........