For those who have taken dogs...

[DisneyMomma1]

We stayed at POR last year for a week, with our 100 lb. pit/choc lab mix. We drove 1200 miles with him, one way to WDW, he is a very good traveler! Anyway, I was a bit anxious as to how he would behave at the resort, on walks, when we were out of the room and he was there alone, etc. He usually has good manners. I loved getting up early and walking him around the resort pathways, occasionally seeing other folks, they would give us room, sometimes asking if they could pet him. I usually responded with "thank you for asking but he is still getting used to things here" Again, my boy has manners but on the slight chance he may get excited, jump or bark, I just didn't want any problems or somebody taking it as him being aggresive, especially because of his mixed pit breed. When walking him, sometimes he couldn't wait to get to the designated doggy areas to do his business. I always had bags with me and cleaned up after him immediately. My only other concern was housekeeping. I found the supervisor of our building first thing when we arrived to let them know we had the dog in the room. I asked that they not open the door if we weren't there (we also had the tag on the door at all times). Usually I would flag housekeeping down when we were there in the afternoon to walk dog, and they came in and did their thing. They were very accommodating.

 

[cgattis]

We stayed at POR last year for a week, with our 100 lb. pit/choc lab mix. We drove 1200 miles with him, one way to WDW, he is a very good traveler! Anyway, I was a bit anxious as to how he would behave at the resort, on walks, when we were out of the room and he was there alone, etc. He usually has good manners. I loved getting up early and walking him around the resort pathways, occasionally seeing other folks, they would give us room, sometimes asking if they could pet him. I usually responded with "thank you for asking but he is still getting used to things here" Again, my boy has manners but on the slight chance he may get excited, jump or bark, I just didn't want any problems or somebody taking it as him being aggresive, especially because of his mixed pit breed. When walking him, sometimes he couldn't wait to get to the designated doggy areas to do his business. I always had bags with me and cleaned up after him immediately. My only other concern was housekeeping. I found the supervisor of our building first thing when we arrived to let them know we had the dog in the room. I asked that they not open the door if we weren't there (we also had the tag on the door at all times). Usually I would flag housekeeping down when we were there in the afternoon to walk dog, and they came in and did their thing. They were very accommodating.

SUPER informative—thanks!! So when you left him in the room, did you crate him or leave him loose? We have a big fold-flat wire kennel that we could take, but he’s not been in it since he potty-trained (so like 4 years). He has the run of the house at home. I just worried if someone still opened the door, he could bolt thinking we were outside. Of course at AoA, at least he’d still be somewhat contained! I’m just afraid he might bark if we put him in there. Of course I’m also afraid he’ll bark if he sees something interesting out the window!

I’m excited at the thought of being able to take him but a little worried we might disturb someone else. He just is not a good boarder and my father-in-law usually looks after him when we’re gone, but he just doesn’t feel great some days and I’m hoping for an alternate plan. So it doesn’t give DH an excuse to stay home but it does give him an excuse not go to the parks every day—a win-win for him! LOL

 

[DisneyMomma1]

SUPER informative—thanks!! So when you left him in the room, did you crate him or leave him loose? We have a big fold-flat wire kennel that we could take, but he’s not been in it since he potty-trained (so like 4 years). He has the run of the house at home. I just worried if someone still opened the door, he could bolt thinking we were outside. Of course at AoA, at least he’d still be somewhat contained! I’m just afraid he might bark if we put him in there. Of course I’m also afraid he’ll bark if he sees something interesting out the window!

I’m excited at the thought of being able to take him but a little worried we might disturb someone else. He just is not a good boarder and my father-in-law usually looks after him when we’re gone, but he just doesn’t feel great some days and I’m hoping for an alternate plan. So it doesn’t give DH an excuse to stay home but it does give him an excuse not go to the parks every day—a win-win for him! LOL

We did not even bring his crate. I was very concerned also about someone opening the door and him getting out. I hunted down housekeeping each morning to remind them NOT to go in to clean because of the dog. He is very good at home, unsupervised, and has run of the house also. The first day when we left the room, we stood around the corner to see if he would bark. He did. So my husband went back in, told Chubby he had to lay down and be quiet. He did protest a little quieter after that, but eventually settled down. The front desk had our cell numbers ofcourse, in case there was a problem. We got a call one day, (we happened to be close at the pool) they said someone complained the dog was barking. My husband went to the room immediately, again he waited around the corner and everything was quiet. Later on we had a room check, by the building supervisor, he made friends with Chubby, we told him about the barking complaint (also keep in mind we are very aware of other's guests comfort and this is their Disney vaca too) he told us sometimes if other people know you have a dog in the room they will call the front desk and complain about the dog hoping for some sort of freebie or compensation, so not to worry too much We loved having the dog with us and will be returning to POR with him.

 

[cgattis]

We did not even bring his crate. I was very concerned also about someone opening the door and him getting out. I hunted down housekeeping each morning to remind them NOT to go in to clean because of the dog. He is very good at home, unsupervised, and has run of the house also. The first day when we left the room, we stood around the corner to see if he would bark. He did. So my husband went back in, told Chubby he had to lay down and be quiet. He did protest a little quieter after that, but eventually settled down. The front desk had our cell numbers ofcourse, in case there was a problem. We got a call one day, (we happened to be close at the pool) they said someone complained the dog was barking. My husband went to the room immediately, again he waited around the corner and everything was quiet. Later on we had a room check, by the building supervisor, he made friends with Chubby, we told him about the barking complaint (also keep in mind we are very aware of other's guests comfort and this is their Disney vaca too) he told us sometimes if other people know you have a dog in the room they will call the front desk and complain about the dog hoping for some sort of freebie or compensation, so not to worry too much We loved having the dog with us and will be returning to POR with him.

So appreciate all the info! And if it weren’t for that extra bathroom at AOA, all the POR posts on this thread are making me want to return there! My very first onsite stay was Dixie Landings and I really enjoyed it.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

All due respect, there is one single resort-specific response in this thread that begins , "I think..." The others seem to be from DISers who board at Best Friends the entire time. But there was no mention of boarding in the original post.

All due respect but I take my little dog to WDW and never board at Best Friends. She cannot handle boarding. We have had her and walked her at POR and Fort Wilderness. Years back with another dog we had, we would take her to the park day care, they used to have dog care at the park themselves and only boarded her for the day, never overnight and at that time we stayed off site. Now we stay on site with our dog which is why I responded. We had no issues walking her anywhere except normal places you don't take a dog like the pool area, restaurant area, beach also they are not allowed. I absolutely do take my dog to WDW. Just be respectful of others with your pets, be respectful of your pets also, we don't go the entire day leaving our pet alone either without walking her checking on her etc.

 

[OrcaPotter]

SUPER informative—thanks!! So when you left him in the room, did you crate him or leave him loose? We have a big fold-flat wire kennel that we could take, but he’s not been in it since he potty-trained (so like 4 years). He has the run of the house at home. I just worried if someone still opened the door, he could bolt thinking we were outside. Of course at AoA, at least he’d still be somewhat contained! I’m just afraid he might bark if we put him in there. Of course I’m also afraid he’ll bark if he sees something interesting out the window!

I’m excited at the thought of being able to take him but a little worried we might disturb someone else. He just is not a good boarder and my father-in-law usually looks after him when we’re gone, but he just doesn’t feel great some days and I’m hoping for an alternate plan. So it doesn’t give DH an excuse to stay home but it does give him an excuse not go to the parks every day—a win-win for him! LOL

I’m curious to hear how your trip went! I’m taking my corgi with us for a weekend in June to AoA and am struggling to find experience reports, other than “this is Disney’s posted policy.” Since she is a short loaf, I was wondering if people had experiences in more trafficked areas keeping their dog in a body carrier or even a stroller. My girl is well trained and behaves in carts at stores like Target and TJMaxx so I’m curious if folks have been able to grab a drink or ask a question in the lobby with their dog if they’re smaller and more contained.

 

[cgattis]

I’m curious to hear how your trip went! I’m taking my corgi with us for a weekend in June to AoA and am struggling to find experience reports, other than “this is Disney’s posted policy.” Since she is a short loaf, I was wondering if people had experiences in more trafficked areas keeping their dog in a body carrier or even a stroller. My girl is well trained and behaves in carts at stores like Target and TJMaxx so I’m curious if folks have been able to grab a drink or ask a question in the lobby with their dog if they’re smaller and more contained.

Well, we decided we just couldn’t handle Disney in masks, so we’ve pushed out to late fall with fingers crossed! I’m LOL’ing at “short loaf” though!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Ye

Yes, stores too; left that out.

One other question for you....did you ever have an issue with your dog (unintentionally by you!) using a non-designated area for a potty break? I suppose if you have an accident, you pick it up and then do you notify a CM? I’m talking grassy areas; obviously if it was a walkway you’d need to. Thanks if you have any specific info there!

Of course, anywhere the dog makes a “deposit” it has to be picked up. This goes for designated areas too.