Complicated Trip

[mi*vida*loca]

This is a possibility if he agrees to come at all.



But I don't have an issue with bringing the dog. We always bring her with us on trips we are all attending. The complication is in where to stay, not in what to do with the dog.







All I was really looking for in this thread was to know how people have found any of the options I laid out to work out. Not many people have told me how a rv worked for them or how a house has or if off site is really that inconvenient. Most people have told me to leave my dog home or exclude my sister or drag my dad on a trip he's not that interested in. None of this is helpful to me.

I know I have to take my dog unless my mom chooses to stay home. No one else is staying home. I have to figure out the best accommodations for my situation with my dog because my mom is most likely coming.

At this point, I don't think I'm going to get the stories I hoped for of people's experiences. I've been reading lots of information on the options I have for accommodations, but I wanted more personal experiences of others to get a better idea of how they might work out. Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my op, and for that, I am sorry.

I've stayed offsite at Silver Lake Resort. It wasn't so bad. We just prefer not to drive when on vacation. We drive a lot in our everyday lives so that cramped our style. With staying offsite with 5-6 adults I think it may get funky if you all don't tour the same way and you only have one car. Say you all drive together then mom decides she wants a break but no one else wants to leave. Do you all have to leave, will she leave and come pick you back up, will she Uber it home, etc. That would be my biggest thing with vacationing as a group of adults while staying offsite. I would hate to have my vacation dictated in that way.

 

[butterflymouse]

I've stayed offsite at Silver Lake Resort. It wasn't so bad. We just prefer not to drive when on vacation. We drive a lot in our everyday lives so that cramped our style. With staying offsite with 5-6 adults I think it may get funky if you all don't tour the same way and you only have one car. Say you all drive together then mom decides she wants a break but no one else wants to leave. Do you all have to leave, will she leave and come pick you back up, will she Uber it home, etc. That would be my biggest thing with vacationing as a group of adults while staying offsite. I would hate to have my vacation dictated in that way.

My mom would gladly pick us up. She'll do that at Disneyland if it ever becomes an issue, so I doubt Disney World would be different. She is the one who really wants to do the rv because she would prefer to be on property. I would not be surprised if taking midday breaks is a contributing factor to her vote.

 

[robinb]

In defense of all who gave home with family staying as an option, the OP themselves stated it was an option in their original post.

Everyone here kept giving her the options that are available, and onsite isn't an option other than campground (you can rent an RV) so there is no purpose in OP continuing to bring that up. Discussing the actual options is what needs to be focused on, and I think that has been covered.

True, but while the mom did offer to stay home to watch the dog I'm not sure if that was really an option for the OP. She wants her mom there!

All I was really looking for in this thread was to know how people have found any of the options I laid out to work out. Not many people have told me how a rv worked for them or how a house has or if off site is really that inconvenient. Most people have told me to leave my dog home or exclude my sister or drag my dad on a trip he's not that interested in. None of this is helpful to me.

I know I have to take my dog unless my mom chooses to stay home. No one else is staying home. I have to figure out the best accommodations for my situation with my dog because my mom is most likely coming.

At this point, I don't think I'm going to get the stories I hoped for of people's experiences. I've been reading lots of information on the options I have for accommodations, but I wanted more personal experiences of others to get a better idea of how they might work out. Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my op, and for that, I am sorry.

I do think that some of the pushback you're getting is because you've posted on the Disney Resorts board. Your options are NOT the options that are even remotely considered by the vast majority of people who post on this board.

I would suggest that you ask the question about staying offsite with a dog over on the Orlando board and the question about the RV with a dog over on the Camping board.

FWIW, I have stayed in a house, in condos and in timeshares (as well as onsite, obviously from my signature). We always drive and have an AP (so, free parking) so it's pretty convenient. I prefer to stay near AK off 192 which is a 10-15 minute drive, but last time I stayed offsite it was across I-4 near the outlet mall. It was about a 20-25 minute drive. The time before that we stayed out off 192, but east of I-4 and it was about a 15-20 drive. @mi*vida*loca has a good point about adults and driving. Coordination can be an issue, especially in the morning. Getting 5 adults going in the same direction at the same time could be like herding cats. If you end up splitting up, Uber is super cheap. I paid about $11 to get a ride for 2 of us from the Home 2 Suites LBV to Epcot last month.

I've never stayed in an RV at FW, but it's on my Disney "bucket list".

 

[HopperFan]

True, but while the mom did offer to stay home to watch the dog I'm not sure if that was really an option for the OP. She wants her mom there!

I do think that some of the pushback you're getting is because you've posted on the Disney Resorts board. Your options are NOT the options that are even remotely considered by the vast majority of people who post on this board.

I've never stayed in an RV at FW, but it's on my Disney "bucket list".

Oh I understand she wants her Mom to go, but to the point that she is bucking that option folks mention, she herself is the one that brought it up. Had she not I'm sure that folks would have just said offsite, campground or sister stays home with her dog. There is just no point in continuing to argue that she wants Disney to change their business model; she needs to discuss the actual options and ask for help in locating those. Orlando Board and Camping Board are best bets since she has no option on this Board.

We have family that stayed in campground for years in big RV and they LOVED it! But it can be overwhelming if you have never "used" an RV before. But it's a great option for this situation, and OP gets the perks she wants.

We also stay offsite alot of the time now, and really find the perks aren't that perky.

 

[Minnesota!]

Sister(s) stay in an RV at the campgrounds, with dog. Mom and dad stay elsewhere, on property, and get housekeeping. A campsite + a value room for mom and dad is going to be affordable, allow all the on-site perks, allow the dog, and allow the housekeeping. Dad can stay back at the resort and swim, watch TV, go to the bar, etc.

 

[butterflymouse]

True, but while the mom did offer to stay home to watch the dog I'm not sure if that was really an option for the OP. She wants her mom there!

Yup, exactly.

I do think that some of the pushback you're getting is because you've posted on the Disney Resorts board. Your options are NOT the options that are even remotely considered by the vast majority of people who post on this board.

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that was my mistake. I thought since Fort Wilderness is considered a Resort, I would be fine posting here, but I think I majorly misjudged that.

I would suggest that you ask the question about staying offsite with a dog over on the Orlando board and the question about the RV with a dog over on the Camping board.

I just might have to do that.

FWIW, I have stayed in a house, in condos and in timeshares (as well as onsite, obviously from my signature). We always drive and have an AP (so, free parking) so it's pretty convenient. I prefer to stay near AK off 192 which is a 10-15 minute drive, but last time I stayed offsite it was across I-4 near the outlet mall. It was about a 20-25 minute drive. The time before that we stayed out off 192, but east of I-4 and it was about a 15-20 drive. @mi*vida*loca has a good point about adults and driving. Coordination can be an issue, especially in the morning. Getting 5 adults going in the same direction at the same time could be like herding cats. If you end up splitting up, Uber is super cheap. I paid about $11 to get a ride for 2 of us from the Home 2 Suites LBV to Epcot last month.

Distance and driving is actually my biggest problem with staying at a house, or even off site hotel, aside from not getting the Disney perks. A house is very appealing for size and comfort, but for convenience, it seems like the worst choice. Between distance and maintaining the home for almost 2 weeks, it's more work than you want on a vacation.

I've never stayed in an RV at FW, but it's on my Disney "bucket list".

I think it could be fun. Just worried about comfort after long park days. I'm leaning towards it, though, for the on site perks and convenience.

 

[butterflymouse]

Oh I understand she wants her Mom to go, but to the point that she is bucking that option folks mention, she herself is the one that brought it up. Had she not I'm sure that folks would have just said offsite, campground or sister stays home with her dog.

I said my mom is willing to stay, not anyone else, and not many people have actually suggested my mom stay home. Most say my sister should, and that is not an option. Anyone suggesting my sister stay is not getting that from my op. She must go because she is the only member in our family to have not been to Disney World.

There is just no point in continuing to argue that she wants Disney to change their business model; she needs to discuss the actual options and ask for help in locating those. Orlando Board and Camping Board are best bets since she has no option on this Board.

I made a huge mistake voicing my desire for Disney to have pet friendly hotels. That was not the argument I wanted to get into on this thread. I proceeded to respond to people who responded to me. That was another mistake. I should have just dropped the subject sooner, which I eventually did.

We have family that stayed in campground for years in big RV and they LOVED it! But it can be overwhelming if you have never "used" an RV before. But it's a great option for this situation, and OP gets the perks she wants.

Definitely agree that first timers to an rv could be overwhelming for us, but we have always wanted to try one, and I think Fort Wilderness is probably the nicest place to try it.

We also stay offsite alot of the time now, and really find the perks aren't that perky.

They probably aren't. Ha! But they are convenient. Won't have to pay parking and anyone can get back for a midday break easier without having to drive back to any off site accommodations.

 

[BigredNole]

If the dog has to go and you have to be onsite, then the RV is the only option. Finding one that allows a pet may be the more difficult issue. The problem with renting an RV is the price and it is as simple as that. You have the $75+/day for the campsite, $150+/day for the RV, the rental of a golf cart. As for ease, there is nothing easier. You pay the money, they do the work, and you just enter the RV like it is a hotel room. It will come to about $350 per night.

 

[robinb]

I just want to point out that you would not have housekeeping in an RV either.

FWIW, I just looked on VRBO for your dates and found a pet-friendly 3 BR/3Bath townhouse for 11 days (1/22-2/1) in the Crestwyn development for $1170 all in. That's $106 per night, taxes, fees, etc included for all 5 of you *and* the dog. It's an 8-minute drive to Animal Kingdom and it gets GREAT reviews. Yeah, you would have to pay $200 in parking, but you also might want to consider getting an AP instead. It's $280 more than a 10-day pass an AP comes with (1) free parking, (2) free photopass and (3) discounts on merchandise and food. If the main driver gets an AP you can more than break even on the $81 additional for photopass and discounts.

 

[robinb]

If the dog has to go and you have to be onsite, then the RV is the only option. Finding one that allows a pet may be the more difficult issue. The problem with renting an RV is the price and it is as simple as that. You have the $75+/day for the campsite, $150+/day for the RV, the rental of a golf cart. As for ease, there is nothing easier. You pay the money, they do the work, and you just enter the RV like it is a hotel room. It will come to about $350 per night.

Yup. Here is a place that rents RVs and golf carts.

http://www.traveltrailerrent.com/disneys-fort-wilderness-rental-packages.html

They start at $125 per day for the smallest pop-up (plus camping fees at FW).

 

[butterflymouse]

I just want to point out that you would not have housekeeping in an RV either.

I know, but I think being on site and the fact she's always wanted to stay in an rv, she's ignoring that. My mom is for rv, my sister is for house. The other 3, myself included, are torn and trying to weigh all the options out.

FWIW, I just looked on VRBO for your dates and found a pet-friendly 3 BR/3Bath townhouse for 11 days (1/22-2/1) in the Crestwyn development for $1170 all in. That's $106 per night, taxes, fees, etc included for all 5 of you *and* the dog. It's an 8-minute drive to Animal Kingdom and it gets GREAT reviews. Yeah, you would have to pay $200 in parking, but you also might want to consider getting an AP instead. It's $280 more than a 10-day pass an AP comes with (1) free parking, (2) free photopass and (3) discounts on merchandise and food. If the main driver gets an AP you can more than break even on the $81 additional for photopass and discounts.

Thanks for looking that up! Everything you said are fair points, so this will be put on the table for sure.

 

[robinb]

I know, but I think being on site and the fact she's always wanted to stay in an rv, she's ignoring that. My mom is for rv, my sister is for house. The other 3, myself included, are torn and trying to weigh all the options out.

Thanks for looking that up! Everything you said are fair points, so this will be put on the table for sure.

It's this one: https://www.vrbo.com/342269 but there are tons more in the area.

 

[nkereina]

I love the Universal resorts, but if you're spending the majority of your 11 days at WDW, then it makes zero sense to stay at a Universal resort. It's a solid 25-30 minute drive to and from WDW, not including traffic and any potential construction delays. To me, that would be MUCH more inconvenient than staying at an off-site hotel near WDW. Considering your options, I'd go with an off-site hotel close to WDW - mom gets her housekeeping, sister gets her dog, no one has to deal with an RV. Seems to be the best option.

That said, I'm also in the camp that I'd honestly find a way to leave the dog at home. Start taking the dog to daycare to socialize him or her, or find a trusted sitter like a friend or relative. It's a shame dad won't just watch the dog since that would make the most sense. I'm a dog owner myself and we board him with his Vet. He knows them and they know him, and we know he will be well cared for especially in the case of an emergency.

 

[TwinkleKS]

I haven't read the whole thread, but get the RV for three people and the dog and rent a cabin at Fort Wilderness for the others. I think some of the RV rental places even rent the smaller RVs/pop ups that might end up being a little less expensive. We have stayed in the cabins at FW a lot and love them. But all in it is going to end up being a lot more than going the VRBO route.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that was my mistake. I thought since Fort Wilderness is considered a Resort, I would be fine posting here, but I think I majorly misjudged that.

I think the problem is that people have thrown out all kinds of options, but it sounds like at least 1 member of your party will have a problem with (or at least not be completely satisfied by) each one of them. That's what leads to suggestions like "board the dog" and "sister stays home."

Also, as some have mentioned, I think Disney doesn't want to get into the liability nightmare of allowing pets on property. Do you have any idea what kind of insurance policy they'd have to have for that, and what kind of a legal mess they'd be in when someone inevitably gets bitten? Think about how they were vilified after the alligator attack last year, and that was a naturally occurring wild animal. I just really don't think they're going to knowingly allow dogs who bite (or even ones who don't) to be kept in hotel rooms. Also, every single person I know who owns a dog either boards it or has a family member or friend watch it. The amount of people who "have" to bring their dog on vacation isn't high enough that Disney feels the need to cater to them.

Anyway, if your party is willing to split up, I think that's the way to go. I think it's so nice of you to help your sister. But it sounds like this is causing you a lot of stress. If you're unable to come up with a solution that everyone can live with, I'd throw the ball back in her court and let her find accommodations since she's the one with the dog.

 

[butterflymouse]

I love the Universal resorts, but if you're spending the majority of your 11 days at WDW, then it makes zero sense to stay at a Universal resort. It's a solid 25-30 minute drive to and from WDW, not including traffic and any potential construction delays. To me, that would be MUCH more inconvenient than staying at an off-site hotel near WDW. Considering your options, I'd go with an off-site hotel close to WDW - mom gets her housekeeping, sister gets her dog, no one has to deal with an RV. Seems to be the best option.

This is what I figured. Seems too much inconvenience to be that far.

Off site near wdw is probably better, you're right.

That said, I'm also in the camp that I'd honestly find a way to leave the dog at home. Start taking the dog to daycare to socialize him or her, or find a trusted sitter like a friend or relative. It's a shame dad won't just watch the dog since that would make the most sense. I'm a dog owner myself and we board him with his Vet. He knows them and they know him, and we know he will be well cared for especially in the case of an emergency.

My dog is a 12 year old chihuahua. We've tried leaving her with other people before over the years. It doesn't work for her. It stresses her. She does better with travel. She's also the type of dog who will curl up into a ball on a couch or bed or wherever whether she's left in a 5 bedroom house or a dog safe play pen, either alone or with lots of people around.

I really do wish my dad would watch her, but I understand his reasons not to, so I'm not pushing it too hard.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney's solution to guests who want to have their pets along is to have an on site kennel. Not something you find at most other hotels. They also do allow dogs at Fort Wilderness, so there is an option for you. Disney is not anti-pet, if anything they seem to make it fairly easy for people to travel with their pets. And without having to worry about charging cleaning fees, or having to deep clean rooms for allergic guests, or having to worry about more insurance in case of bites.

Also, they would have to figure out where at each resort a guest would walk their pet. Not something so easy in a place that has snakes and gators and other not so friendly wildlife.

I do hope you find a solution that makes everyone happy.

 

[patty57]

I think many dogs would bark a lot in a hotel room when they hear people out in the hall, and other sounds in the hotel. I love dogs, but would not be happy to have one next door to me, barking it's head off when left alone in a room. Just another reason that Disney would not want to ever consider having pets in their resort rooms.

 

[shruley]

I think you are looking at the RV, or off site. We did stay offsite one year (due to a Make a Wish trip). We thought we would hate it, but it really was fine. Different, but there were parts we liked a lot better. More space, and the drive wasn't bad. It was offset by waiting for the bus I feel like. We still took mid day breaks, etc and that was do able. Of course, as we were Make a Wish, we had front of the line passes. For our upcoming trip, we looked at renting a house off site first because we did like it last time, and price and space is so much better. But in the end, it's our first trip back to WDW in awhile, and I wasn't willing to give up the fastpass and ADR booking windows and EMH hours. (We go in late August. We like to start touring as early as possible to avoid the sun pounding down on us. That 8-9 am hour has been a blessing some days.) Now with Pandora, I'm glad we are onsite. I wouldn't like staying in an RV. That would NOT feel like a vacation to me, did it a lot growing up (even in a really nice one), but yuck. Good luck deciding.

 

[Nancyg56]

We want to stay in one if the rv's some day. They look awesome!

I saw someone upthread explained why you are getting some if the responses that seem a bit judgemental. Your options are limited because of your dog. I get why she's coming with you but I think that your first step in what is as you said, a complicated trip, is to rule in and out what works for your family.

There is a camping forum here, and that is where I would start in terms of rv rentals. The folks there can help you to determine if you can even find an owner that allows pets.

I would then discuss with your family the pros and cons of renting a house. For me, the driving is s deal breaker so I would probably lean toward a big luxury rv if I could find one for the dog. How are you all with driving and sharing a vehicle? My crew starts together but that does not last long. We need to have independent travel options. For us, this is a major consideration. You should have an honest discussion with your family about travel and park time.

I'm still a bit confused about mom and dad. We travel as a family and no one gets left behind to babysit, and when my dh stays behind I always hired someone to come in and play with my cat and feed him. I know dh would do it, but I wanted someone dedicated to Bax. I see that your pup is a bit snappy so that's out. I think part of the decision you need to make is whether your pet trumps a parent. I am the parent in our crew. As much as I enjoy the animals, I expect that they are not my problem. I would compromise lodging to bring a pet that can't be left behind, but I would not be happy to see dh pressured into caring for an animal he has already said that he prefers not to do, and while I would not volunteer to stay behind, I do believe I understand why your mom has offered.

So. Your options are limited. research the options that you have in terms of offsite lodging as well as onsite rv rental. Make a list of pros and cons, as well as costs for each option. Once that is done present it to the family, pick one and go.

Tomorrow is not promised so don't make the mistake of compromising a family member on a family vacation. You compromise the logistics of the trip, and you will be fine.