Dog program extended

[snappy]

My doggie is happier at home when our daughter dog sits or we have dog walkers. And she’s no emotional support animal for sure. Trained service animals are another thing altogether and needed. I absolutely agree that the rules should be enforced if pets are allowed.

 

[tnolan]

I was hoping the dog experiment was over, for the sake of the dogs more than the people. If I owned a dog, I would not bring him or her to Disney. There are too many negative things there (fireworks, crowds, being left in the room all day alone, etc), and I am a dog lover.

 

[Scott MC]

The positive response must be outweighing the negative! (or money is being made)

I would HEAVILY lean toward what you put in parentheses.

Sooooooooo happy we own DVC.

But is it just a matter of time before.......?

I still say "No cats" is discrimination.

AMEN!

Sounds like the dog policy is here to stay: https://wdwnt.com/2018/07/breaking-...dly-hotels-are-becoming-a-permanent-offering/

While I understand that many are unhappy, at least it is not becoming a policy across all of the disney hotels and other dog-free options remain available.

Firstly, I'm not unconvinced it won't spread to other hotels. Secondly, the problem for those of us who have spent a lot of time at different Disney resorts and have really zeroed in on what we consider a "home" resort, but happen to have an allergy to, fear of, etc. dogs now have to move along to another resort. It's really frustrating.

 

[Scifidiner]

View attachment 340562 Another vote for cats! I can just as easily carry around one of my babies in the lovely carrier bag/purse like we saw at EPCOT last week with a little dog in while the owner was walking around Italy stores.

is that a tortoise shell kitty?

 

[ellbell]

I have two dogs and absolutely adore them and definitely feel they are part of the family. That being said I would never take them to a strange place where they are going to he locked in a room by themselves for hours on end with strange noises and smells all around.

Also even though I love dogs that does not mean everyone does. My one son hates them and has a fear of most. Why would I force that on other people. Some people also have allergies so I wouldn't intentionally make anyone sick by bringing the dogs.

I think bringing your dogs to theme parks is selfish.

 

[markman04]

We stayed at the Cabins a month ago with our 2 pups and had a great experience. I spoke to the resort manager when we were checking in and he told me that the pet policy at Fort Wilderness has been very positive. No real complaints.

 

[sfbank]

Scifidiner—no tortoise shell. Used to have one named Mickey. Go figure lol. All three are rescue. The black one is 12 the other two are less than a year old.

 

[GusGusTheMouse]

I think bringing your dogs to theme parks is selfish.

For some bringing a dog may not be the best scenario, and I personally would not bring my current dog. I also agree dogs (unless they are for medical assistance) should not be brought into the actual theme parks.

HOWEVER, I think it is inappropriate to call it generally selfish for those who bring dogs to the pet-friendly hotels. There are many reasons why people may bring their dogs on vacation, including for human medical assistance or the dog's own medical health. I have brought my dog on vacation before and that was because he was paralyzed later on in life and leaving him at home with another person was just not feasible. We went back to the rented home every 3 hours, so it was much better than leaving him at a kennel where he would have been by himself all night. So if this policy was available back then, my family would have been able to be even closer to him at a disney hotel instead of staying outside of Lake Buena Vista.

To each their own, but I think it is inconsiderate to generalize it as selfish.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We stayed at the Yacht Club last December with our dog. We had a great experience. For those saying dogs shouldn't be left alone all day, that's not the case for everyone. My son doesn't like to go to the parks anymore and he stayed with our dog who has never been in a kennel. He is coming with us to the cabins in December this year and again will stay in the room with my son but will have more room to explore. So to make a statement of people being selfish isn't always the case.

 

[ellbell]

It isn't only the dog being affected. Other guests are also affected through either allergies or fears. While it is generally said that they shouldn't stay at dog friendly resorts is one thing but not everyone knows that some resorts allow dogs.

People needing dogs for medical reasons is not the same as bringing your pet. I stand by my OPINION, and while yours may differ I still think it is selfish.

 

[LSUmiss]

I have no intention of utilizing this policy although it doesn’t bother me either. However, I do think it’s kind of funny all the ppl who swore that Disney had ended the policy b/c they finally wised up to all the potential legal ramifications as if a company as large as Disney did not have a team of lawyers mull over all possibilities.

 

[GusGusTheMouse]

It isn't only the dog being affected. Other guests are also affected through either allergies or fears. While it is generally said that they shouldn't stay at dog friendly resorts is one thing but not everyone knows that some resorts allow dogs.

People needing dogs for medical reasons is not the same as bringing your pet. I stand by my OPINION, and while yours may differ I still think it is selfish.

I will continue to disagree with you that dogs should not be brought to pet-friendly hotels for which they are meant to stay, but I will respect your OPINION.

I was just trying to point out to you (and other previous posters) that perhaps there are other reasons to bring a pet on vacation other than pure convenience.

I'll leave it at that and I wish your two dogs a good evening.

 

[Jen1995]

I have no intention of utilizing this policy although it doesn’t bother me either. However, I do think it’s kind of funny all the ppl who swore that Disney had ended the policy b/c they finally wised up to all the potential legal ramifications as if a company as large as Disney did not have a team of lawyers mull over all possibilities.

Large companies lose lawsuits and have major problems all the time and they have plenty of lawyers. Enron had plenty of lawyers. I'm not comparing Disney to Enron per se, but just because a company has a lot of lawyers doesn't mean they don't make mistakes. And ask any in house lawyer and he/she will tell you that companies very often make decisions without even consulting the legal team (and often - very often- a company WILL consult legal, are told by legal that it is risky, and the company does it anyway). I am not saying that there is any legal problem with dogs in the hotels, but people need to remember that Disney is not infallible.

 

[HopperFan]

WDWNT in typical fashion declares the dog policy is over just a few days ago, then flip flopped to say it's staying. Their mole needs to get it straight. Unless I missed it Disney has said nothing and the website still says it is a test until October. I have no "dog" in the fight because I would never bring my dog and leave them locked up all day ........... but until Disney actually states their policy I'll wait.

For some bringing a dog may not be the best scenario, and I personally would not bring my current dog. I also agree dogs (unless they are for medical assistance) should not be brought into the actual theme parks.

HOWEVER, I think it is inappropriate to call it generally selfish for those who bring dogs to the pet-friendly hotels. There are many reasons why people may bring their dogs on vacation, including for human medical assistance or the dog's own medical health. I have brought my dog on vacation before and that was because he was paralyzed later on in life and leaving him at home with another person was just not feasible. We went back to the rented home every 3 hours, so it was much better than leaving him at a kennel where he would have been by himself all night. So if this policy was available back then, my family would have been able to be even closer to him at a disney hotel instead of staying outside of Lake Buena Vista.

To each their own, but I think it is inconsiderate to generalize it as selfish.

I think bringing a dog to Disney World is a whole different story than taking your dog on vacation. I think the problem for many of us is that Disney has not stayed with industry policy and thrown all rules out the window. No breed or size restrictions and the dogs may be left 7 hours in the room alone. Given it's Disney World .......... and many folks stay gone that long and longer .......... I do think it would be selfish to leave a dog in the room that long. Disney doesn't require crates, that means these dogs are all over those rooms. Disney does say the dogs can't be on the furniture, well that is laughable. Disney says no dogs in public areas or restaurants, and it is being reported and recorded that dogs are in food courts, pool decks ... so no enforcement of the few rules they have.

I have two dogs, they are my family, I would never take them to Disney and leave them locked in a room for hours on end. Yes there are a few folks who say they will leave someone in the room with them during the day. And folks who do as you did. But I imagine both those cases are rare. I have a dog that had some awful experiences kenneling, so for a few years someone always stayed home with her and missed vacation unless it was to the beach and we all go, fur and all. She eventually came to love the doggie resort but I have a second dog now that likely would die of stress (he's on high stress if I leave even if he's with rest of family) ... so once again someone has to stay home with them.

I was at Disney last week, I stayed offsite, in a hotel built specifically for dogs.* It has rules. I wish Disney did but since it doesn't I won't go to those hotels.

*Home2Suites, built for dogs. Even the carpet was in squares so they could switch out one if needed. Well planned and set up for the furbabies.

I have no intention of utilizing this policy although it doesn’t bother me either. However, I do think it’s kind of funny all the ppl who swore that Disney had ended the policy b/c they finally wised up to all the potential legal ramifications as if a company as large as Disney did not have a team of lawyers mull over all possibilities.

I haven't seen anyone state that Disney ended it due to legal reasons. If they end it at this point it's likely due more to either too much work for the money coming in or guest complaints/cancelled reservations. But I firmly believe their lack of rules has set them up perfectly to be sued. They didn't follow industry standards so they have lined themselves in the cross hairs if something happens.

 

[LSUmiss]

WDWNT in typical fashion declares the dog policy is over just a few days ago, then flip flopped to say it's staying. Their mole needs to get it straight. Unless I missed it Disney has said nothing and the website still says it is a test until October. I have no "dog" in the fight because I would never bring my dog and leave them locked up all day ........... but until Disney actually states their policy I'll wait.



I think bringing a dog to Disney World is a whole different story than taking your dog on vacation. I think the problem for many of us is that Disney has not stayed with industry policy and thrown all rules out the window. No breed or size restrictions and the dogs may be left 7 hours in the room alone. Given it's Disney World .......... and many folks stay gone that long and longer .......... I do think it would be selfish to leave a dog in the room that long. Disney doesn't require crates, that means these dogs are all over those rooms. Disney does say the dogs can't be on the furniture, well that is laughable. Disney says no dogs in public areas or restaurants, and it is being reported and recorded that dogs are in food courts, pool decks ... so no enforcement of the few rules they have.

I have two dogs, they are my family, I would never take them to Disney and leave them locked in a room for hours on end. Yes there are a few folks who say they will leave someone in the room with them during the day. And folks who do as you did. But I imagine both those cases are rare. I have a dog that had some awful experiences kenneling, so for a few years someone always stayed home with her and missed vacation unless it was to the beach and we all go, fur and all. She eventually came to love the doggie resort but I have a second dog now that likely would die of stress (he's on high stress if I leave even if he's with rest of family) ... so once again someone has to stay home with them.

I was at Disney last week, I stayed offsite, in a hotel built specifically for dogs.* It has rules. I wish Disney did but since it doesn't I won't go to those hotels.

*Home2Suites, built for dogs. Even the carpet was in squares so they could switch out one if needed. Well planned and set up for the furbabies.



I haven't seen anyone state that Disney ended it due to legal reasons. If they end it at this point it's likely due more to either too much work for the money coming in or guest complaints/cancelled reservations. But I firmly believe their lack of rules has set them up perfectly to be sued. They didn't follow industry standards so they have lined themselves in the cross hairs if something happens.

It was on the thread a while back when it was first announced that the policy would be ending. There were a lot of ppl saying it was b/c they realized all the legal ramifications.

 

[Jen1995]

It was on the thread a while back when it was first announced that the policy would be ending. There were a lot of ppl saying it was b/c they realized all the legal ramifications.

Having dogs at the hotel is not a legal problem, but the lack of rule enforcement is. Disney could be seen as negligent if a dog is not where it's supposed to be and it bites someone. One would only need to point to these boards to see many people pointing out examples of Disney allowing guests to violate the rules.

But actually I think where Disney is going to have a PR (and legal) battle is not the hotels.... but when one of the untrained "emotional support" dogs now all over the parks maims someone- possibly a small child. This is what drove the airlines to change their rules as well. Untrained dogs on planes were biting people.

 

[HopperFan]

Having dogs at the hotel is not a legal problem, but the lack of rule enforcement is. Disney could be seen as negligent if a dog is not where it's supposed to be and it bites someone. One would only need to point to these boards to see many people pointing out examples of Disney allowing guests to violate the rules.

But actually I think where Disney is going to have a PR (and legal) battle is not the hotels.... but when one of the untrained "emotional support" dogs now all over the parks maims someone- possibly a small child. This is what drove the airlines to change their rules as well. Untrained dogs on planes were biting people.

I also think it's a lack of rules that are normal industry standards. There are no breed or size restrictions, there are no crating requirements, there are more than double the normal time allowances for them to be left alone. It is just leaving so many holes in their policy that Disney has now become part of the problem should something bad happen. When you don't stick to standards, when you don't do all you can to protect others and you don't enforce the rules you have ... then you have to assume some responsibility. Who has the deepest pockets is who will be sued first.

And when I book at a hotel that accepts dogs, I know it as it's usually part of their description. I haven't booked at any of these Disney resorts since this became policy so I wonder ... when you book does a disclaimer come up to warn you that there may be dogs staying all around you? Something that has been against policy for 47 years. Or are guests coming to Disney, the majority that don't follow anything Disney, showing up to a surprise?

 

[Bella Paige]

It isn't only the dog being affected. Other guests are also affected through either allergies or fears. While it is generally said that they shouldn't stay at dog friendly resorts is one thing but not everyone knows that some resorts allow dogs.

People needing dogs for medical reasons is not the same as bringing your pet. I stand by my OPINION, and while yours may differ I still think it is selfish.

Yes the need for service dogs to travel with their human partners is different than those who bring pets the ramifications for those other guests who suffer from allergies is equal, if not more risky with a service animal since the owner is welcome at any resort, in any room. Those with severe pet allergies should always assume that a dog was the prior guest in any room and should always request a deep cleaning prior to check in.

 

[LSUmiss]

Having dogs at the hotel is not a legal problem, but the lack of rule enforcement is. Disney could be seen as negligent if a dog is not where it's supposed to be and it bites someone. One would only need to point to these boards to see many people pointing out examples of Disney allowing guests to violate the rules.

But actually I think where Disney is going to have a PR (and legal) battle is not the hotels.... but when one of the untrained "emotional support" dogs now all over the parks maims someone- possibly a small child. This is what drove the airlines to change their rules as well. Untrained dogs on planes were biting people.

Have airlines changed their rules? As far as I know they only changed rules about not allowing animals others than dogs & mini horses.

 

[GusGusTheMouse]

I think bringing a dog to Disney World is a whole different story than taking your dog on vacation. I think the problem for many of us is that Disney has not stayed with industry policy and thrown all rules out the window. No breed or size restrictions and the dogs may be left 7 hours in the room alone. Given it's Disney World .......... and many folks stay gone that long and longer .......... I do think it would be selfish to leave a dog in the room that long. Disney doesn't require crates, that means these dogs are all over those rooms. Disney does say the dogs can't be on the furniture, well that is laughable. Disney says no dogs in public areas or restaurants, and it is being reported and recorded that dogs are in food courts, pool decks ... so no enforcement of the few rules they have.

I have two dogs, they are my family, I would never take them to Disney and leave them locked in a room for hours on end. Yes there are a few folks who say they will leave someone in the room with them during the day. And folks who do as you did. But I imagine both those cases are rare. I have a dog that had some awful experiences kenneling, so for a few years someone always stayed home with her and missed vacation unless it was to the beach and we all go, fur and all. She eventually came to love the doggie resort but I have a second dog now that likely would die of stress (he's on high stress if I leave even if he's with rest of family) ... so once again someone has to stay home with them.

I was at Disney last week, I stayed offsite, in a hotel built specifically for dogs.* It has rules. I wish Disney did but since it doesn't I won't go to those hotels.

*Home2Suites, built for dogs. Even the carpet was in squares so they could switch out one if needed. Well planned and set up for the furbabies.

I appreciate your response. I do think it would be horrible for a dog to be alone for 8+ hours in an unfamiliar area, which I am sure people do. Especially at the resorts near fireworks as the noise can scare me let alone a pooch. I also respect that some people do not like dogs or cannot be near them for medical reasons. However, those issues can be avoided if Disney implements rules like you said.

I guess my main issue is we do not know how the majority of guests bringing dogs are acting. You know the saying "you only focus on the negative"? I feel like that may be what is happening here. That only what is being remembered are the "bad" owners. I have been checking in on the dog report thread quite frequently and I feel like the majority of responses are positive/neutral/non-existent instances. And maybe that is because a lot of families do come prepared with well behaved dogs and frequently visit their dog throughout the day. However, we continue to focus on the handful of memorable bad dogs, and I fully admit some of the stories were truly icky (reflecting on the dog at AoA sitting on the food court bench). Maybe I am just being optimistic, but I think there are a lot more responsible dog owners than what we are giving credit for. And perhaps Disney found that to be true and it may be a reason why it is being extended. Or I could be completely wrong, and Disney will end it in a few weeks and the costs of the deep cleanings are just not worth the extra $50 a night.
However, it would be a shame for a few bad owners to stop a policy that could really help the good and responsible families enjoy a memorable vacation.

Additionally, I fully support your statement implementing more stricter guidelines. Like many, I am not thrilled about sleeping on the same pillow Old Goofy took a snore on the previous night. If I come san Pluto, I'd like to be assured I am not going to be put in a pet-friendly room. Likewise, if I voluntarily bring Goofy, I better be ready to sleep in a room that smells slightly of old pee. I think Disney should look to Universal as an indicator of a successful pet-friendly policy for an amusement park. If Disney can implement what Universal has done, then I think a lot of these complaints will lack support. However, if Disney does keep a "broad" policy then I may change my mind. But I would at least like to give Disney some time to try and figure things out. Don't knock it down until you give it some time to grow!