Dog Friendliness at Disney

[philm]

Our home resort is BWV, and we've got a poor dog, a Jack Russell, that breaks my heart everytime we leave him in a kennel and go on vacation. When we return, he's lost weight, and I swear he's giving me a look that says "Hope you had fun, but I suffered terribly while you were gone.

Is it possible to take your dog with you and board him nearby? How much would it be to get the dog there and back by plane? Thanks.

 

[FigmentLady]

Yes there is a great kennel right across from Port Orleans. Their prices are much better than what I would pay here in NY, but the cost to fly my dog down is more than my ticket, so unfortunately my Princess Jasmine will be staying home.

 

[FigmentLady]

Sorry, I forget the price for boarding, but dvc members get a discount on top of the resort guest fee.
Flights on Jet Blue are $100 each way and I think Southwest is $75 or $1000 each way. The pet needs to fit in a carry on crate or bag that can for under the seat in front of you.

 

[erionm]

Here's a link to the webpage for Best Friend's Pet Care @ WDW: http://wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com/

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We've used the kennels at disney 3 or 4 times now for my son's dog.....he lives near Ft Myers so they drive over with their dog who is.......not sure of the prices with the new kennel....he's only stayed at the ones that use to be by MK & Epcot

I would also love to bring our little 8 lb pup with us but she wouldn't like being in a kennel down there anymore than she likes it up here......we're probably going to leave her home during our next trip and have a friend come in and take care of her a few times a day.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'll address the airline cost. If he is small enough to fit in an under seat carrier (doubtful for a Russel), it will likely be $75 each way. If he needs to be put in luggage, it will depend on the size of the kennel, the combined weight of the kennel and dog, and the airline. Some airlines no longer allow dogs to be flown. For years we flew to cross country dog shows with our dogs for a mere $50-75 extra if the dog was going with a ticketed passenger. Now the airlines don't want to mess with the special handling anymore, so those who still do it often charge $250 and upwards depending on size. Our dogs are 50#+, so we no longer fly with them. Our last flight with a dog was $300 each way on Delta.

 

[Finally DVC]

We're from the Chicago area and we've always driven, even when our kids were babies. A dog might be easier than kids. Is it possible for you to drive?

 

[LIFERBABE]

My Ds's dog has travelled to WDW with us for the past 3 years. He is very territorial and a handfull. He's great with Ds but does not like anyone else. We need the dog whisperer!

Best Friends has been great! Last Christmas, he stayed in the new facility across from POR for 14 nights. The new facility is awesome, with a dog park, and a walking trail. The staff remembers him and they know how to handle him, which is always a concern for me. He is not a large dog, about 15 pounds ****z zu mixed with werewolf!

I know he likes it, because he continues to eat well, and when its time to go back after our visits, he does not resist like he normally does when I drop him off anywhere else. We get to visit often and the location is great, not out of the way.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'll address the airline cost. If he is small enough to fit in an under seat carrier (doubtful for a Russel), it will likely be $75 each way. If he needs to be put in luggage, it will depend on the size of the kennel, the combined weight of the kennel and dog, and the airline. Some airlines no longer allow dogs to be flown. For years we flew to cross country dog shows with our dogs for a mere $50-75 extra if the dog was going with a ticketed passenger. Now the airlines don't want to mess with the special handling anymore, so those who still do it often charge $250 and upwards depending on size. Our dogs are 50#+, so we no longer fly with them. Our last flight with a dog was $300 each way on Delta.

$75 on which airline?

Delta wants $125 each way for my puppy to sit under the seat in front of me so he stays home!

I am thinking that he may get boarded at WDW this April when I attend a meeting in the area if I decide to drive to Orlando (Or I may just dump the Disney hotel the meeting is at and find an offsite with a better pet policy!)

Also Delta will not allow checked dogs in the summer and I think other airlines have cut way back on them too.. it's just too hot for thier safety!

 

[dianeschlicht]

$75 on which airline?

Delta wants $125 each way for my puppy to sit under the seat in front of me so he stays home!

I am thinking that he may get boarded at WDW this April when I attend a meeting in the area if I decide to drive to Orlando (Or I may just dump the Disney hotel the meeting is at and find an offsite with a better pet policy!)

Also Delta will not allow checked dogs in the summer and I think other airlines have cut way back on them too.. it's just too hot for thier safety!

As I said, that was the last time I heard the price. I have no doubt it has increased greatly. FYI, it is Federal regulation the prevents dogs from being shipped in temps that are too hot or too cold. Believe me, it is for their safety.

Frankly, I think they are far better off either at home or in a boarding facility familiar to them. I have a kennel full of show dogs, and I pay dearly to have someone come in and take care of them when I am gone ($150 a day). I know they are far better off in their own surroundings than they would be anywhere else.

For what it's worth, I think Disney hotels have a great pet policy. When I travel to dog shows, I need a place that allows pets. I know which chains those are, and NEVER bring my dog into the guest room. My dog stays in my travel van in his own comfortable area. By the same token, when I travel to Disney, I'm very glad people aren't allowed to have pets in my "home away from home", because I'm quite sure they aren't going to be as careful with it as I want them to be.

 

[philm]

We definitely can drive, and are considering doing that. We have in the past when our kids were smaller, and they slept through the night. That was great. We need to get the dog used to the car though. He freaks out, trembling, and scrambling all over the car, I assume trying to figure out why he's moving when his legs aren't. We'll see.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We definitely can drive, and are considering doing that. We have in the past when our kids were smaller, and they slept through the night. That was great. We need to get the dog used to the car though. He freaks out, trembling, and scrambling all over the car, I assume trying to figure out why he's moving when his legs aren't. We'll see.

We drive when we take our dog and he travels in his kennel. I make sure he is accessible so we can take him out on stops. Throw in his favorite blanket and he is fine for the 1200 mile trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I would hate to see my dog's broken heart twice a day if I boarded her while we were at WDW. She couldn't come to the villa. She could only be visited at the kennel and would have to go back into the kennel everytime we left. It's much easier on her to leave her once and come back to her and take her home for good.

 

[LSchrow]

Another idea is to ask your vet and friends (ask other ppl in the vet's office and/ppl shopping in your favorite pet store) for breeders that may also board dogs.
We used e different breeders, and our dogs had a great time! They got to play with the other dogs most of the day, the staff treated them wonderfully, and they made some new friends (my golden, toby, had a girlfriend that he played and stayed with from dusk to dawn - the two were adorable together)
I feel comfortable knowing my babies are having a great vacation of their own while we're away

 

[Antonia]

Stay at Universal! They let you keep the dog in your room and even have pet room service. At least they did several years ago when we stayed there.

There were dogs in the elevators and I think trails to walk them on.

 

[kwdw]

One vote for Disney building a pet-friendly hotel! (or a DVC resort that is pet-friendly)

Currently dogless but when I did have a dog - it was either board at home - or stay someplace where he could stay with us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One vote for Disney building a pet-friendly hotel! (or a DVC resort that is pet-friendly)

Currently dogless but when I did have a dog - it was either board at home - or stay someplace where he could stay with us.

And one vote against. Not all pet owners are that responsible. I could see lots of damage.

 

[ddoconnell]

Have had pets most of my life and am very careful with them. But I have to tell you that I would have to vote no on having them in DVC villas. My cats are great, but they do occassionally still scratch things. Can you imagine coming in behind someone that didn't care wht their pets did?!? Some surprises aren't so nice!

As much as I miss all of my pets when we're gone, we just leave them back home on their vacation.

 

[Sammie]

In my opinion Disney and DVC might as well have a dog friendly lodging and monitor it, because right now lots of dogs are being snuck in.

to the OP, the new kennels seem really nice and well staffed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

And one vote against. Not all pet owners are that responsible. I could see lots of damage.

make that two votes against, and I'm a dog lover, exhibitor and breeder.