Complicated Trip

[butterflymouse]

My trip is getting more complicated by the day. Originally, my family of 6 adults was supposed to take a road trip to Disney World in late January, but my dad is basically telling us he doesn't want to go. He's not a theme park guy. I was sad, but thought it could work in our favor because we could leave the dog with him and stay at a Disney resort, but now he's saying he doesn't want to be responsible for the dog. My sister is extremely attached to her/our dog, and I think he's nervous something will happen to her under his care, so I understand why he doesn't want to take care of her. The dog does not do well in kennels or with strangers, so staying with one of the six of us at home or coming with us are the only options.

The complication is with what our accommodations will be. Since Disney doesn't accept pets, aside from Fort Wilderness, we are limited. We usually stay off site at Disneyland, but off site at Disney World is a different beast, which complicates things. I have serveral options in my head, but I kinda want an idea of what other people's experiences have been with these options.

1) We rent a rv and stay at Fort Wilderness. I originally didn't want to do this because I want to be comfortable after long days at the parks, but the idea of staying on property is so appealing, I'm more open to this than I was. Problem is I have others in my party who are not as fond of the idea (mainly one of my sisters). Maybe others can convince me and her this is actually quite comfortable.

2) We rent a house. This was a huge option when my dad was coming with us, and still is, but my mom is not sold on this. As a travel agent, she isn't a fan of anything she can't book through her vendors and she doesn't like the idea of having to clean on vacation since there is no maid service. We have also never rented a vacation home, so that makes me nervous. We would also have to book a throwaway room. I know this is controversial, but we haven't been to Disney World in what will be almost 15 years when we arrive, and for one of my sisters, this is her first time, so we need the 60 day fastpasses to get the hard ones because who knows when we can get back to Orlando.

3) We stay at an off site hotel. This is not complicated as accommodations, but is getting to the parks difficult? Are there any other cons to this? Again, we would book a throwaway room.

4) We stay near Universal Studios. The only reason this is an option is because another one of my sisters and I may be doing the Harry Potter celebration and we will likely get a hotel room out of that for the 3 nights the event is on. We could extend to stay to the whole 11/12 nights, since pets can stay there. Not sure I'm a fan of this option, but maybe others can convince this isn't too much of an inconvenience in regards to Disney.

The last option is my mom has offered to not go at all, which means the dog can stay with my parents and my 3 sisters and I can stay at any Disney Resort, but I think she would like to go. At the same time, she wouldn't be heartbroken because she's been twice before, and to her, it's more about the chance to travel than Disney itself, even though she enjoys Disney.

I know this was ridiculously wordy, but I really want to know how others have found any of these options to work out. If you done any or all of these, please let me know how it went.

Disney, you NEED a hotel for people and their pets, just ONE hotel.

 

[jaminmd]

I'm at Universal now with two German shepherds. Stay here.

We won't kennel our dogs, so if we want to do a family vacation, we have to drive and bring them along.

Sapphire Falls is beautiful and accepts dogs. I'm at RPR now but chose SF for our next stay.

 

[jaminmd]

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

 

[srwarden1928]

Maybe they are going to with taking the carpets out of refurbished rooms that I heard something about. I know we stayed at a pet friendly hotel someplace else, unfortunately without our precious girl because there were several stops on that trip, and the room didn't have a carpet, which seemed really weird, but understandable when they were pet friendly.

 

[earfulofmagic]

*bookmarked Sapphire Falls for future trips*

OP, if it were me I would again try to convince your dad to take care of the dog... but if he's set, he's set. Personally I would angle it as "you'll be lonely without all of us AND the dog!" and that the dog, presumably, will be less stressed and more comfortable at home, even if without the usual family members around. Between now and January, maybe you can all (minus dad) stay out for 24 hours and just get him comfortable with caring for her alone. Or, perhaps you can do any of the below, but somehow get him to come along and he can just relax with the dog during the day (i.e. he doesn't need to hit any parks), so he's not really doing it all by himself as you'll all be together at night. But I digress.

It's a bit of a stretch, but Airbnb a whole house (owner gone, ideally) that's pet friendly, maybe? Or have you looked into renting a timeshare/condo that's pet friendly?--I think I was just reading a thread in the last few days discussing those. I'd put more emphasis on this route just because I'm guessing a home-like environment would be less stressful than a hotel room or RV for your dog, and you'd be able to leave her unattended.

My only concern for you if you stay in a pet-friendly hotel room is that you're probably going to run into one of these policies, like at Sapphire Falls:
"Pets should be supervised at all times while in the hotel or on the property. You have been provided with a list of local pet sitting services which can be arranged for you through the hotel’s concierge. Since these services are not provided by Loews Hotels we can not be held responsible for any pet service engaged by you."
which effectively means one person out of your party needs to be with the dog at all times. But, if that works for y'all, or I'm misinterpreting that you can indeed just leave a dog unattended in the room, then full steam ahead.

We have a similar dog situation, but thankfully my partner's mom will be available on our upcoming trip. I think.

 

[butterflymouse]

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

I don't get why they haven't yet. I understand why Disneyland doesn't because there's only 3 hotels and plenty of good neighbor hotels to compensate, but Disney World, with the sheer number of hotels they have, makes sense to me. Plus they can get money out of pet fees. Win win.

They could at least allow off site guests pay to receive fastpass privileges or something like that.

Maybe they are going to with taking the carpets out of refurbished rooms that I heard something about. I know we stayed at a pet friendly hotel someplace else, unfortunately without our precious girl because there were several stops on that trip, and the room didn't have a carpet, which seemed really weird, but understandable when they were pet friendly.

I hope that's why they did it. Which hotels did they do this in?

 

[butterflymouse]

*bookmarked Sapphire Falls for future trips*

OP, if it were me I would again try to convince your dad to take care of the dog... but if he's set, he's set. Personally I would angle it as "you'll be lonely without all of us AND the dog!" and that the dog, presumably, will be less stressed and more comfortable at home, even if without the usual family members around. Between now and January, maybe you can all (minus dad) stay out for 24 hours and just get him comfortable with caring for her alone. Or, perhaps you can do any of the below, but somehow get him to come along and he can just relax with the dog during the day (i.e. he doesn't need to hit any parks), so he's not really doing it all by himself as you'll all be together at night. But I digress.

Believe me, I've tried and will continue to try, but he is very stubborn. When his mind is set, it's pretty much a done deal.

It's a bit of a stretch, but Airbnb a whole house (owner gone, ideally) that's pet friendly, maybe? Or have you looked into renting a timeshare/condo that's pet friendly?--I think I was just reading a thread in the last few days discussing those. I'd put more emphasis on this route just because I'm guessing a home-like environment would be less stressful than a hotel room or RV for your dog, and you'd be able to leave her unattended.

We would definitely rent a whole house for ourselves if we went that route. Our dog would do fine in a hotel. We've traveled with her many many times over the years and she is a very comfortable traveler. Not sure about an RV, but I think she would be fine in an RV as well.

My only concern for you if you stay in a pet-friendly hotel room is that you're probably going to run into one of these policies, like at Sapphire Falls:
"Pets should be supervised at all times while in the hotel or on the property. You have been provided with a list of local pet sitting services which can be arranged for you through the hotel’s concierge. Since these services are not provided by Loews Hotels we can not be held responsible for any pet service engaged by you."
which effectively means one person out of your party needs to be with the dog at all times. But, if that works for y'all, or I'm misinterpreting that you can indeed just leave a dog unattended in the room, then full steam ahead.

Hmm, that's discouraging. We've left our dog in a hotel room by herself many times before. She is a chihuahua and we have a pet play pen for her we leave her in. She has plenty of room, and we leave her plenty of food and water. We just forgo maid service so she isn't bothered.

 

[earfulofmagic]

Hmm, that's discouraging. We've left our dog in a hotel room by herself many times before. She is a chihuahua and we have a pet play pen for her we leave her in. She has plenty of room, and we leave her plenty of food and water. We just forgo maid service so she isn't bothered.

Hmm. Well, the next two rules are:

-> A $10 per hour “time out” fee is assessed by Loews Hotels if a pet is left unattended and needs to be removed from a guestroom.
-> Guests should display the special Loews Loves Pets “Do Not Disturb” sign to alert housekeeping that a pet is in residence.
(all from here: https://d3opdn976v5yna.cloudfront.net/AIDAJCS2SN24LOEZH2A44/cms/pressroom/pet_policy_pdf.pdf)

But perhaps if you kept the DND sign out while you're gone, you won't run into any issues. Also - hadn't realized you have a chihuahua, definitely easy for hotel rooms. My bad!

 

[butterflymouse]

Hmm. Well, the next two rules are:

-> A $10 per hour “time out” fee is assessed by Loews Hotels if a pet is left unattended and needs to be removed from a guestroom.
-> Guests should display the special Loews Loves Pets “Do Not Disturb” sign to alert housekeeping that a pet is in residence.
(all from here: https://d3opdn976v5yna.cloudfront.net/AIDAJCS2SN24LOEZH2A44/cms/pressroom/pet_policy_pdf.pdf)

But perhaps if you kept the DND sign out while you're gone, you won't run into any issues. Also - hadn't realized you have a chihuahua, definitely easy for hotel rooms. My bad!

Haha, it's ok. We're very lucky she's a good traveler, and we would not have a problem taking her if it wasn't for Disney's pet policies.

Leaving her in a hotel isn't a problem for us, but we've never been to a hotel that told us specifically not to leave her alone, or I don't remember it if we have. I don't know if we could risk doing that, especially for how long a trip it is.

 

[jaminmd]

Hmm. Well, the next two rules are:

-> A $10 per hour “time out” fee is assessed by Loews Hotels if a pet is left unattended and needs to be removed from a guestroom.
-> Guests should display the special Loews Loves Pets “Do Not Disturb” sign to alert housekeeping that a pet is in residence.
(all from here: https://d3opdn976v5yna.cloudfront.net/AIDAJCS2SN24LOEZH2A44/cms/pressroom/pet_policy_pdf.pdf)

But perhaps if you kept the DND sign out while you're gone, you won't run into any issues. Also - hadn't realized you have a chihuahua, definitely easy for hotel rooms. My bad!

I have taken my German shepherds on numerous vacations at RPR and HRH. We have ALWAYS left them in the room alone while at the parks and we have NEVER had an issue. While that's the "official policy", it's never been enforced on us.

Ours only bark if someone knocks on the door. Otherwise, they sleep all day.

If you have any specific dog-related questions, please ask me. I have made multiple trips to Universal Orlando - it is very dog-friendly.

 

[jaminmd]

Maybe they are going to with taking the carpets out of refurbished rooms that I heard something about. I know we stayed at a pet friendly hotel someplace else, unfortunately without our precious girl because there were several stops on that trip, and the room didn't have a carpet, which seemed really weird, but understandable when they were pet friendly.

I wish but I think it's unlikely. RPR was just refurbished, it's pet-friendly, and they kept the carpet. I think many places are moving away from carpet due to allergens, mold, easier to clean solid surfaces, etc.

 

[dansdad]

Which hotels did they do this in?

Yacht Club
Coronado Springs
Pop Century

 

[peg2001]

One option that you didn't mention is to familiarize the dog with another caregiver BEFORE your trip so that he/she isn't being cared for by a stranger while you are gone. This could be a willing friend, neighbor, or paid pet sitter. That would be my first choice to simplify the actual trip.

 

[M1ckeyM0use]

Looks like Disney has a pet hotel..
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/best-friends-pet-care/

 

[jaminmd]

Looks like Disney has a pet hotel..
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/best-friends-pet-care/

They do but I don't think the OP wants to kennel their dog. For some of us, that's not an option we will choose.

I have used Best Friends and my feelings are mixed. They ignored my dog and the instructions I left, therefore, I don't trust using them again. YMMV.

 

[M1ckeyM0use]

They do but I don't think the OP wants to kennel their dog. For some of us, that's not an option we will choose.

I have used Best Friends and my feelings are mixed. They ignored my dog and the instructions I left, therefore, I don't trust using them again. YMMV.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. No dog should be ignored! Knowing my dog, she loves other dogs but she's very submissive and other dogs pick on her. So she couldn't kennel even if we needed her to.

 

[elphaba91]

I don't know if you could do it budget-wise but could you afford to get both a cabin and a campsite with RV? That way you could take it in turns staying with the dog in the RV (or if there's a couple of people who like the idea more than others they could stay there the whole time), but still have the cabin for those who want a bit more comfort! While you won't be in the same loop, you will be at the same resort. The cabins are really lovely, sleep 6 people and have a good sized kitchen.

 

[Eastern]

What about leaving the dog with your dad but having a pet walker/sitter visit for walks, play and feeding time? That way he really doesn't have to do anything and your pet stays at home. Search 'rover' for pet sitters in your area.

I never kennel my dogs and always have someone stay at my house with them. Makes it hard to schedule things sometimes.

 

[disney144]

Rent a house. What are you going to do with the dog while you're at the parks? Go home every few hours to take it out?

 

[butterflymouse]

Yacht Club
Coronado Springs
Pop Century

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

One option that you didn't mention is to familiarize the dog with another caregiver BEFORE your trip so that he/she isn't being cared for by a stranger while you are gone. This could be a willing friend, neighbor, or paid pet sitter. That would be my first choice to simplify the actual trip.

We've tried this before and it doesn't work with our dog. We had one family she would stay with because they owned her for a month or so before we did, but we don't have much contact with them anymore. Our dog is not a people person, and most of our friends have had an incident with her over the years. We warn them not to touch, yet some still try, or she snaps when someone does something that appears like a threat to us. She thinks she's a big dog.

Looks like Disney has a pet hotel..
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/best-friends-pet-care/

My sister, the dog's main owner, has already ruled this out. Kennels are not our dog's thing.

I don't know if you could do it budget-wise but could you afford to get both a cabin and a campsite with RV? That way you could take it in turns staying with the dog in the RV (or if there's a couple of people who like the idea more than others they could stay there the whole time), but still have the cabin for those who want a bit more comfort! While you won't be in the same loop, you will be at the same resort. The cabins are really lovely, sleep 6 people and have a good sized kitchen.

We thought of this, but we can't afford this. It would likely cost us close to $500 a night, and we can't do that. Wish we could, though. We loved the cabins back in 2003. It's a bummer because I think they might have allowed dogs back then. I feel like I remember seeing a dog in promo pictures of the cabins.

What about leaving the dog with your dad but having a pet walker/sitter visit for walks, play and feeding time? That way he really doesn't have to do anything and your pet stays at home. Search 'rover' for pet sitters in your area.

This is something I've thought of in my own thoughts, but I have not talked to my dad or my sister about it. My sister might be ok with it if it was a friend willing, but my dad will probably shut it down. He's really private and won't want some random friend or stranger coming in and out of the house every day. I know I'm making my dad sound unreasonable, but he's a good person, just set in his ways.

Rent a house. What are you going to do with the dog while you're at the parks? Go home every few hours to take it out?

We maybe will take a midday break, but our dog does well when we leave her alone for hours and hours when we do outings at home. She stays home alone for 10+ hours sometimes if we go into the city or anything else like that. I don't see Disney World any differently.