For those who have taken dogs...

[cgattis]

....how much did you get out and about around the resort? Considering a trip with dog, leaving Disney grump DH at the resort (Cars AOA) with the dog on our Star Wars-heavy days (he won’t ride those). Wondering how much folks walk them around and play vs just going outside for potty breaks. Understand pools and food areas are off-limits.

Also thinking of boarding him at Best Friends a couple of days (DH will do MK rides and he likes AK). I don’t think he’d be nice enough for daycare, though. Wish they had pics of the indoor/outdoor kennels. He’d love the ice cream break!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've boarded our dog at Best Friends twice and she liked it both times. Especially the first when we bought her more treat times. She gained too much weight, so we had to limit those for her next stay. But she is always happy when we pick her up to go home.

 

[loves to dive]

We took ours when we stayed at the Fort in our RV. Hubby isn't a fan of WDW so he just went to the parks in the morning for 3 or so hours and then he was back in the RV with the dog. My son and I spent most of the time in the parks except at night, when hubby insisted we eat in the RV. He took her to the dog park once but she isn't a fan of dog parks. He rode her around in the golf cart and just took her out to wander around our campsite in the afternoons.

 

[cgattis]

We took ours when we stayed at the Fort in our RV. Hubby isn't a fan of WDW so he just went to the parks in the morning for 3 or so hours and then he was back in the RV with the dog. My son and I spent most of the time in the parks except at night, when hubby insisted we eat in the RV. He took her to the dog park once but she isn't a fan of dog parks. He rode her around in the golf cart and just took her out to wander around our campsite in the afternoons.

That sounds exactly what my DH would want to do! Except he’d be up for dinner out somewhere. Our dog loves to ride the golf cart at home, so he might have to go do that one day LOL! Mine doesn’t really love the dog park either. He likes other dogs but they need to be way bigger than him; he doesn’t have good manners

Would love to hear some feedback on AoA specifically; not much in the sticky thread.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Try here https://www.disboards.com/threads/dog-friendly-resorts-faq.3697508/page-5 ?

 

[cgattis]

Try here https://www.disboards.com/threads/dog-friendly-resorts-faq.3697508/page-5 ?

Thanks...Had read that but still didn’t see much about being out and about the resort with your dogs. The hotel websites are also very clear about the policies of where they’re allowed. Just wanted to hear if folks really took them around the resorts much (in allowed areas) or mostly just stayed in their rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks...Had read that but still didn’t see much about being out and about the resort with your dogs. The hotel websites are also very clear about the policies of where they’re allowed. Just wanted to hear if folks really took them around the resorts much (in allowed areas) or mostly just stayed in their rooms.

We usually board our dog at our vet, but if we have a trip starting on Sunday, we have to board her on Sat. And if our trip ends on Saturday, the vet is usually only open until noon. So she has to stay until Monday. With Best Friends we can drop her off right before we head to the resort and pick her up right when we plan to head home. When her sister was still alive, she didn't mind being at the vet so much. Now that she is alone, she likes attention from humans or other dogs. We pay for extra walks, extra playtime, extra treats at Best Friends (and those all add up). She would not be happy sitting in a hotel room by herself while we went out to eat. Heck, she doesn't like to stay at home with her two cat brothers when we go out for a burger. She'd probably bark in a hotel room and other guests would not be happy.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I think you'll be fine walking your dog around the resort. We do the Fort with ours and walk her all over, just don't do heavily populated areas or public areas like pool, food court areas etc.

 

[Lizgistix]

We've boarded our 2 dogs at Best Friends 3 times now and it seems to go well. I pay for the Walk and Explore, so it's like a 3rd potty walk. One trip we even went outside in the back after picking them up to let them run around in the fenced in area to burn off some energy before heading home.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would confirm with the resort where it's acceptable to walk your dog. I can't see them restricting people to only the potty area, but I also can't see allowing unrestricted access to the entire property.

I think you'll be fine walking your dog around the resort. We do the Fort with ours and walk her all over, just don't do heavily populated areas or public areas like pool, food court areas etc.

 

[cgattis]

I would confirm with the resort where it's acceptable to walk your dog. I can't see them restricting people to only the potty area, but I also can't see allowing unrestricted access to the entire property.

Again, the resorts web pages list all the detailed rules, and they only say (paraphrasing) that they can’t be on the furniture or at the pools and food locations.

I guess what I’m really looking to hear is did all the CMs seem to know the rules as stated? And did you get any stink-eye from guests who may not be aware? Obviously I will do my best to steer far clear from anyone with an allergy or fear of dogs, if I know about it. Just asking if anyone has any actual experience walking their dogs around any of the resorts? Sounds like it’s pretty common at the Fort but maybe not so much at others, as of yet anyway, so maybe no DIS’ers have done it yet.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I would confirm with the resort where it's acceptable to walk your dog. I can't see them restricting people to only the potty area, but I also can't see allowing unrestricted access to the entire property.

I am sorry you don't understand my response I specifically responded as such. Highly trafficked areas like the pool, store areas, beach, restaurants are not allowed, common sense because anyplace like that dogs are not allowed, and that is what I meant by my response. As far as walking dogs all around the property otherwise, on walking paths etc. don't see a problem unless signs of some kind.

 

[cgattis]

Ye

I am sorry you don't understand my response I specifically responded as such. Highly trafficked areas like the pool, store areas, beach, restaurants are not allowed, common sense because anyplace like that dogs are not allowed, and that is what I meant by my response. As far as walking dogs all around the property otherwise, on walking paths etc. don't see a problem unless signs of some kind.

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!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am sorry you don't understand my response

Back at ya! I am saying ask at the resort [over, respectfully, taking advice from non-CMs]. As I said, I'm sure dogs aren't restricted to just the potty area(s), but CMs onsite will have the best, most accurate information.

Okay, I didn't actually say that last part. I thought people would infer.

 

[cgattis]

Back at ya! I am saying ask at the resort [over, respectfully, taking advice from non-CMs]. As I said, I'm sure dogs aren't restricted to just the potty area(s), but CMs onsite will have the best, most accurate information.

Okay, I didn't actually say that last part. I thought people would infer.

I certainly would ask at the resort. However before I drive 700 miles with my dog, I’d like to hear some colloquial information. I’d read the other threads and couldn’t find much, so I started this one. Getting some appreciated info here.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

 

[cgattis]

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, I appreciate any info I get. I’m still hoping for some AOA-specific. I just don’t see any need to be snarky to anyone.

 

[MomOTwins]

When we were at POR there were definitely people taking their dogs for walks around the pathways all around the resort. I think walks and play around the resort's oudoor areas are fine as long as you keep a baggie in case of accidents, keep your dog on a leash, and have a dog that is not aggressive toward small kids (assume that is the case, but we did have one bad experience with a large dog snapping and snarling at my son in a stroller and scaring him....).

 

[cgattis]

When we were at POR there were definitely people taking their dogs for walks around the pathways all around the resort. I think walks and play around the resort's oudoor areas are fine as long as you keep a baggie in case of accidents, keep your dog on a leash, and have a dog that is not aggressive toward small kids (assume that is the case, but we did have one bad experience with a large dog snapping and snarling at my son in a stroller and scaring him....).

That’s great to hear that you saw dogs out and about. Sorry to hear one scared your little guy I definitely don’t want to be “that” dog owner. I know my dog doesn’t care for men in hoodies (with the hoods on) but I’m not sure he’s ever seen a stroller.....that’s good to think about. We might need to do a few more urban walks to encounter some different type things just to make sure he doesn’t get surprised by something and act aggressively. Thanks for the info!

 

[MomOTwins]

That’s great to hear that you saw dogs out and about. Sorry to hear one scared your little guy I definitely don’t want to be “that” dog owner. I know my dog doesn’t care for men in hoodies (with the hoods on) but I’m not sure he’s ever seen a stroller.....that’s good to think about. We might need to do a few more urban walks to encounter some different type things just to make sure he doesn’t get surprised by something and act aggressively. Thanks for the info!

Sure! And when in doubt, you can always do the thing where you meander off the path onto the grass to the side a bit to put some distance between yourself and oncoming foot traffic. I used to have a little Shih Tzu who got a bit yappy if she got too close to another dog when walking, so we'd preemptively cross the street (where we could) or go off the path if we saw another dog up ahead.