FW Kennel Closing

[Tigger1966]

I just read that they will be closing the kennel at the Fort once the new one near Port Orleans is finnished. Won't this be a big problem for MH campers in transporting to and from the kennels without a car?

 

[freshlybarked]

Yes. Stupid decision IMO. I don't think they will get a lot of park business and most people at surrounding resorts probably didn't bring dogs to start with so again, FW people get the short end.

 

[BradyBz12]

Sad but true - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2442340

 

[2goofycampers]

If someone grows a brain they will have a shuttle. But, then again it would be easier to keep the existing kennels open.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

wonder if the buses will be making the new kennel a new stop. then we'd have people with their dogs on the buses. at least those at fw without a tow vehicle could get there, but think about all those dogs having to ride on a bus & be around strange people to go to the kennel.

 

[rapriebe]

They really should keep the FW kennel open and only allow people staying at FW to use it. Think about all of the campers that use it during the day and then pickup their pets at night only to do it again the next day all over again. How inconvenient to have to go off-site to drop off your pup, plus impossible for those without a separate vehicle (truck campers, MH without a dinghy, etc)

 

[kimber23ks]

any idea WHEN the Port Orleans kennel will b done?

We are coming to the Fort for the first time beginning of November and were planning on taking our lil dog, with the hopes to keep her in the daycare a few days so she wouldn't be cooped up most of the day.

Now...will either have to keep her home at a kennel or plan on cutting up our day with several trips back to FW to let her out

This stinks, where is the logic behind it?

 

[Disneylitch]

There isn't any logic behind it. Just like converting almost of the loops to premium sites. No logic at all. Maybe they need to start polling and listending to the "guests".

 

[BradyBz12]

any idea WHEN the Port Orleans kennel will b done?

Press release says this summer - no specific date.

And as for logic....

 

[kazlac4]

They really should keep the FW kennel open and only allow people staying at FW to use it. Think about all of the campers that use it during the day and then pickup their pets at night only to do it again the next day all over again. How inconvenient to have to go off-site to drop off your pup, plus impossible for those without a separate vehicle (truck campers, MH without a dinghy, etc)

Unfortunately for us our much loved collie has been gone for a few years so we don't have a pooch at the time, but I would think that all the doggies who go to the Fort would just love if their humans would email Disney and ask them if they are planning on keeping the FW kennel open for the Fort and, if not, how do they expect people who have their RVs hooked up to get their dog to the new one? It might not help but it certainly can't hurt!

 

[mdoc]

I don't understand this at all. We have stayed at FW even when we weren't going to the Disney parks because of the convenience of putting our pups in the FW kennel. That's not going to happen now, so there's a campground reservation lost (although at the times we go, I have to admit they'll have no problem filling that site). I'm sure the prices are going up now also. And I suspect you won't be able to call Disney security to get your pup out after closing, either.

 

[Shan-man]

Anyone wanna take my bet that this will result in a LOT more howling dogs at the Fort?

 

[AuburnJen92]

Anyone wanna take my bet that this will result in a LOT more howling dogs at the Fort?

Awww, Shan, that is a sucker bet!

 

[retired and happy]

There was an email address somewhere in the forum a few weeks back...can't find it now... about withdrawing Fort specific merchandise. Has anyone written there to find out if Disney has any plans for how one would get a pet to the new kennels if they don't have a car/toad?...whether it be from the Fort or anyother location?

 

[Shan-man]

Awww, Shan, that is a sucker bet!

We have some suckers around here...

 

[tim5055]

Has anyone written there to find out if Disney has any plans for how one would get a pet to the new kennels if they don't have a car/toad?...whether it be from the Fort or anyother location?

I did. Here is the exchange, but all I got was a non answer


Dear Tim,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

We appreciate your interest, no details regarding your inquiry have been
released at the time, please contact the Best Friends Pet Care Inc at
407-824-2735 in the summer for additional information about kennel
service. This department is not accessible via email.

Tim, We hope this information will be of help to you.

Thank You,

Sincerely,

Melissa Acevedo
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.



Original Message Follows:
------------------------
This question would actually be resort specific for Fort Wilderness.

I read your press release that a new kennel will be opening this summer.
As a person who normally camps at Fort Wilderness I have some questions.

Does this mean the Fort Wilderness kennel will be closing?

If so how will those of us without a vehicle transport our pets to the
new kennel? With a motor-home once parked at the campsite it is
connected to electric, water and sewer. Disconnecting and driving is
not an option as once set up for camping it can be a multi-hour project
to disconnect, secure everything in the RV for travel and reversing the
process once you return.

Tim

 

[retired and happy]

That answer is not unexpected in view of the non-answers they have given recently regarding resort specific merchandise. It is however inconceivable that they have elected to close the kennel and build a new one with no thought of how the new facility would provide service to the customers (somehow "guests" does not seem to apply much anymore).

 

[des1954]

any idea WHEN the Port Orleans kennel will b done?
This stinks, where is the logic behind it?

Press release says this summer - no specific date.

And as for logic....

As of last Saturday, they were just finishing the foundation & had the cement block delivered to the construction site. So if they have a summer deadline - it will be LATE summer. My guess based on what I've seen so far, is more like late fall.

Disney's logic in this was to farm this out to an independent company so they could pull some people off their payroll & benefits list. The independent company (I think it's called "Best Friends) probably found the existing Disney kennels inadequate for their standards and demanded new facilities. Now the next question I have is this - are they still keeping the kennels at MK & Epcot open? I'm guessing that because FtW is pretty much a pet friendly campground now, some "pie in the sky" manager decided there was no longer a need for a kennel. I wonder what they will do with the building once it's vacated?

 

[jriae2000]

I will not eat a QS meal from there!

 

[PookaJean]

Unfortunately they will be closing all 5 kennels when the new facility opens.