Disney with a dog, who has done it?!

[Disneytwins85]

hey guys! DS, dog and I are looking for the closest good neighbor hotel that accepts small dogs (Pomeranian), does anyone have experience doing a Disneyland trip with a dog? We're going to be visiting late summer for about 6 days, we would love any feedback!

 

[Westcoastwild]

What are your plans for the dog while you're in the park? Just curious here. You can't take the dog into DL, you can't leave the dog in your hotel room.

But aside from that, wouldn't take any dog to Anaheim in late summer. Too hot. Cement will be hot, it's basically a car centric city setting, no fun for the dog.

 

[haileymarie92]

We've brought two of our pups to Disneyland before. We've done it twice actually.

Disneyland has the Disneyland Kennel Club to the right of the Disneyland front gates. When we last used it, it was $20/day/pup and is open the same hours as Disneyland. It's basically an air conditioned kennel area with various sized kennels. Each kennel has a blanket and water dish that the attendants will refill. They will not open the kennel door, though. It is your responsibility to come back every few hours and let your pup stretch and potty. They do have a little yard you can go in, or you can walk them in the esplanade. It's quite a nice little option if you have a pet with you.

As for hotels, we stayed at the Candlewood Suites. It's a bit farther away, but they allow pets and didn't charge us any extra for having them. We requested floor level and they were able to accommodate that also.

As far as being "too hot", it depends. We are from Phoenix. So it's generally hotter where we are from than in Anaheim. And with small dogs, we always carry them if the ground is hot. And like I said, the Disneyland Kennel Club is air conditioned. Every time we walked in it was ice cold in there.


Edit for link:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/kennel/

 

[DLRExpert]

Disneyland does have a Kennel as mentioned before.

However, make sure you have the necessary shots done. They are VERY strict and there are no exceptions.
Every time I drop off my dog, I always see another family and dog being turned away.

Contact the Kennel first, then contact them again on another day to make sure you are covered before you arrive

Also be sure to arrive early enough because on busy days at the parks they will sell out.

 

[haileymarie92]

Agreed. They are very strict on the vaccinations policy. They have a list of required vaccinations on the link I posted above.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Starwood properties allow pets. The closest one to DLR is the Sheraton Park on Harbor. I think the La Quinta allows pets. Most hotels with a pet policy allow pets to stay in the rooms if they are in a crate, but it is best to check with each hotel individually ahead of time. If the DLR kennels are full, Anchor Pet Hospital on Lincoln (about 5-10 minutes from the parks) does boarding.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I haven't done it, but looked into before. I was only going to bring one or two of my dogs. The Kennel at Disneyland told me to get there early (first thing in the morning) as it could fill up. They did mention the vaccines. When I looked at their list of vaccines, it listed a couple that I never heard of, so I asked my vet's office about it and found out that they were in the standard vaccines that my dogs always get. Here is something I copied off a google search that shows what is in the vaccine - "Therefore, a notation of “DA2PPV,” “DA2PP,” “DHPP,” or “DHPPV” in your pet’s vaccination record generally means that your pet was vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis (canine adenovirus-2 and -1), parvovirus, and parainfluenza." Dogs also need the normal rabies and bordatella. Disneyland kennel also told me I'd need to come check on my dog at least every 4 hours.

I ended up not taking my dog(s) because my vet's office said dogs from all over the world board at Disneyland and I got paranoid that my dogs would be exposed to something they normally aren't exposed to. My other concern was about the fireworks. I would want to pick up my dog and have her long gone before the fireworks start because they are so loud. Even being with my in a hotel would probably be too loud for her.

I was looking at Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel. They do charge extra for a dog and I believe the fee was quite steep. It could be worth it to have best friend along, though. I've also since seen that Red Lion Hotel accepts dogs. That hotel seems a little classier than Majestic Garden.

Whatever you decide, make sure you have a clean copy of the vaccines from your vet. They won't call to check on vaccines if you don't have your paperwork. And be sure to get to the kennel as early as you can.

P.S. I also googled day care for dogs in the nearby areas. There were a few vets and also someone who did it out of her house. Day care normally requires pick up by 6:00pm, so Disneyland kennel has better hours if you don't mind going to kennel every 4 hours.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Hotel Indigo will accept pets (deposit needed). I stayed at Hotel Indigo last August, and it was a decent hotel. Interior hallways and clean. I didn't bring any furry friends, but I assume it would work out well. The AC worked with no issues. It was about a 10 minute walk to DLR.

Here is their pet policy (per their website):

• Pets are welcome at Hotel Indigo. Non refundable one time pet fee of 100 USD plus tax with signed Pet Policy Agreement and complete verification and up to date vaccinations required. Limit 2 pets not to exceed 40lbs each. See Ft. Desk for pet policy info.
• Pet Deposit per Stay: 100 USD

 

[Khokhonutt]

If you go the route of staying at a hotel that says it's pet friendly, I'd highly suggest reaching out directly to that property before you make reservations. We had an issue on a trip to Vegas where we traveled with our dogs. When we booked online, the hotel information stated they were pet friendly. We even added the fact that we were bringing our dogs on our reservation notes.

The "fun" started when we arrived (after driving from NC). The front desk saw my wife with the dogs (we figured we had nothing to hide) and the hotel staff and management immediately went on the attack, as if we were intentionally trying to do something wrong. The manager literally threatened us with cancelling our reservation and giving us nowhere to stay unless we paid a $250 pet deposit. Apparently they had changed ownership and no longer allowed pets. I tried to explain to them that when we booked that was not the case and we were not trying to get away with anything, but that the deposit was ridiculous. They stood their ground and said we had to pay the deposit or sleep somewhere else.

Lesson learned, we now will talk to management at the hotel before we reserve a room with our dogs.

 

[Malcon10t]

Residence Inn Maingate is dog friendly. Anaheim Plaza Hotel is also dog friendly. Double check with the Sheraton.

 

[tarheelalum]

We have done it many times but have not been there in about a year and a half due to our beloved boxer "Ziggy" passing so call to verify and get the latest info.

The key to it is having the proper documentation for the shots as well as the proper shots. You must have the date when each shot was given and the date when each shot expires. Your vet must create the paperwork and it must be on the vets letterhead. They were super strict about this.

Also while there you MUST take your dog out to the bathroom every four hours. They require this. The people at the kennel do not handle your dog. The kennel opens 30 minutes before the first park opens and 30 minutes after the last park closes. Call the kennel @ 714-718-7662 for the most up to date info.
The people who work there are exceptionally nice!! If going on an extra busy day, get there early before the park opens because they will fill up.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Best of luck OP. such helpful suggestions were given here!!