Has anyone heard of a Pet Friendly DVC Resort?

[BroadwayGirl]

whatever the point is, you sure missed it. I take it you don't like animals? don't have a dog?

obviously if there ever WERE a pet friendly resort, people like you would not book there, so don't get all upset over something that hasn't happened and most likely never will.

Actually, I grew up with a dog and some cats, although I don't have any pets now because it wouldn't be fair to them to live in a small apartment with very little contact due to my work schedule. When we traveled, our dog stayed with family and was very happy to spend time with them. With our cats, they stayed home with our neighbor's kids looking after them and were very happy not to be dragged off to strange places. I frequently dog-sit for people whose pets don't need to travel with them on vacation. In addition, I love playing with my furry friends when I visit their homes.

However, IMO, DVC resorts are NOT an appropriate pet environment and as a member I wanted to express my opinions regarding some of the downsides of people bringing pets on vacation and why it is something I hope DVC never does.

 

[Silver Queen]

I am a wholehearted dog lover, but I do agree with Broadway Girl. In my opinion there are many good reasons why this isn't a good idea (extra maintenance, pet behavior issues, liablility, etc.). I also believe that for some pets it would not be an enjoyable experience. We have only taken our dog with us when they can spend the day with us as well as sleep with us (like a cottage at the beach or on a lake). That was a fun experience for everyone.

 

[Donna]

I am a wholehearted dog lover, but I do agree with Broadway Girl. In my opinion there are many good reasons why this isn't a good idea (extra maintenance, pet behavior issues, liablility, etc.). I also believe that for some pets it would not be an enjoyable experience. We have only taken our dog with us when they can spend the day with us as well as sleep with us (like a cottage at the beach or on a lake). That was a fun experience for everyone.

It's not that i don't agree with her, it was the way she said it. Putting words in the OP mouth about how her dog won't bark, etc. It was unnecessarily stated and really wasn't asked for. The last line about what's the point because you can't take the dog in to the park, doesn't even make any sense! I can't take my dog to the grocery store either but I still like knowing he's at home!

I don't have an opinion either way about a pet friendly resort since we travel in our motorhome and stay at the Fort most of the time. As long as that is an option for me, I'm happy.

 

[crisi]

I for one do not want to see a pet friendly option at DVC, not only for maintenance fees, but because it further limits available rooms. Every added guaranteed booking category limits overall booking availability. And what happens if someone arrives with a pet, in a guaranteed pet friendly room, and the room goes out of service for maintenance issues? Do they then give them a non-pet room, where someone with allergies could be the next occupant?

My take as well. The more options offered - and the more of those that are required or unacceptable to some Disney guests - the bigger the holes in a system that needs high occupancy in its model in order to keep the most people happy.

 

[bz8bls]

My DSIS is allegic to most dogs...she actually develops asthma (and can be pretty severe sometimes). I would venture to say there are a lot of DVC members or their families/friends that may have the same problem.

Wouldn't want to see pets at DVC just because of this risk.

 

[fishermouse]

I could see the Carousel section becoming very popular.

I agree.. always said the Carousel is for the Dogs!

 

[maddmike]

Just because you love your pet doesn't mean that everyone does. Your DVC neighbors do not want to hear you dog barking or racing around the room overhead. And I know, I know, YOUR dog would NEVER bark or disturb your neighbors in the hotel but what about those other people's pets?

Nor do most members want to pay extra in annual dues to take care of the added expenses associated with cleaning up after pets. Because lets face it, there will be many instances where someone's pet has an "accident" or a "moment of spite" and leaves a wet or stinky present on the carpet or furniture. And even a "clean" pet smells and animals spray and stuff to mark their territories so after every guest traveling with a pet there would need to be a special cleaning. Besides, you can't bring your pet to the park, so really, what's the point?

I agree 100%. I can understand wanting to take a pet on a camping trip but why would you want to take a pet to WDW? I just don't get it.

We have had pets in the past but I'm not a big animal lover. I don't want to stay in any room where people have had their pets. When we go someplace where we have to spend the night I NEVER stay in a pet friendly hotel.

 

[jekjones1558]

I understand both sides of this discussion. Currently we have a dog with multiple health issues including cancer. He is on meds and we don'y like to leave him with anyone because we don't know when a crisis may occur. My DH and I either have to travel on separate vacations or take the dog with us. We would not take him to WDW (too far, not a great setting for a pet) but we have taken him on a few driving trips to pet friendly places. Traveling with the dog is NOT what I would prefer because we never leave him alone in the room or the car. We stay in places with a kitchen because we can't go to restaurants. I have a BFF who has lived 24/7 at our house with the dog on a couple of occasions so that DH and I could get away together for a few days, but I worry the whole time we are gone.
Bottom line: We wouldn't use a dog friendly DVC but I do certainly understand that for some folks this would be a real plus to ownership.

 

[spiceycat]

the new Hiltons at Bonnet Creek
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot.../en/hi/&xch=483714400,UMWXOCPGUAI2MCSGBJC4LYQ
http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/?ctyhocn=ORLBCWA


the new four season will probably be too - if you can afford these places.

 

[Anal Annie]

She is not allowed on the furniture at home but DD begged to let her sleep on the bed with her. I said OK thinking it was kind of a vacation treat, like kids jumping on the bed.

Wait a minute!! Forget the DOG!! Jumping on the bed is not allowed at home but it IS allowed when on vacation????? Why is it OK on vacation??

OK. I'm just gonna share a short story with you about a former co-worker who's young daughter jumped on the bed. She fell off. She hit her head on the corner of the nightstand. She had a serious brain injury as a result and would remain at that age, mentally for the entire rest of her life. She lost her motor skills. EVERYTHING. Gone in an instant. Her brain was mush. The end.

That said, we do have pets (cats), but I have no desire to cart them anywhere on vacation. Nor do I want to take them to Petsmart to go shopping. As other people mentioned, not only are you asking for more accidents but also more wear & tear on the villas. And there are allergies, fleas...all kinds of things. A unit would have to be dedicated to pets only. Like a smoking or non-smoking situation. You could not mix. And CAN YOU HEAR the complaints that will come from the first case of flea infestation that gets passed on to someone else??? OH. And probably additional insurance. And you know the poop will not always get picked up because SOME people just don't. I love my cats but agree they don't belong in my vacation villa.

 

[Donna]

I think thats what the OP meant - an ALL PET DVC, not some rooms guests with dogs, some without. So all these issues about allergies, etc., wouldn't really matter. only people that booked with their pets would be staying there. the pet-less dvcers would stay at the regular villas. I don't see it ever happening but alot of people swore DVC or disney in general would never go to ALL non smoking units and that did indeed happen.

We stay at disney for two weeks or more on our family trips and I can't imagine being away from my dogs that long. plus, camping=disney for us...all one big trip.

jekjones1558, thank you for being so dedicated to your sick pup. You've made alot of sacrifices for your dogs well-being; you will never be sorry!

 

[jekjones1558]

jekjones1558, thank you for being so dedicated to your sick pup. You've made alot of sacrifices for your dogs well-being; you will never be sorry!

We love our Duffy and feel lucky to have him hanging in there.

 

[Sammie]

We love our Duffy and feel lucky to have him hanging in there.

He is adorable.

 

[jekjones1558]

He is adorable.

Thanks from Duffy's proud Mom. He is 15 years but doesn't look his age. He did NOT inherit his good genes from me!

 

[Donna]

wow, i'll say he does NOT look his age! He's soooo cute. He looks maybe half that age! You can tell he is well taken care of.

 

[Greysword]

First, I didn't see any malice in Broadway Girl's post. To me, it sounded more as a sarcastic knock against the complaints we've heard about rowdy children in the halls (mostly at the Boardwalk, it seems ). Goes to show one of the pitfalls of posting versus speaking, different people have different interpretations .

I agree with Annie that the point which stood out in my mind was why the kids were jumping on the bed . Seems like wear and tear on the furniture to me, but that is my practical side showing itself, again.

As for the pet hotel option, I agree it should not be available at least at this time for the reasons stated. It would need to be a whole resort unto itself, so any conflict in room assignment will ensure all available options are available for the pet. Members would be really mad if they arrived and had to pay to kennel their pet due to a reservation snafu as no pet-friendly rooms were available. In addition, would the pet-freindly resort be restricted to cats and dogs? Could someone bring their pet tarantula or snake? What if they got out and made it into another room?

Second, Annie hit a main sticking point for me, which is dog dropping clean-up. Many in our neighborhood don't do it, and I don't expect people on vacation to either. This alone would increase the number of staff required (thus dues) to constantly be on patrol throughout that resort.

However, the biggest argument against would be the possibility of someone allergic to pets staying in the room and having a severe reaction. Also on the line of safety, a scared, mean, or agitated pet could bite an unsuspecting child causing an incident.

Just my thoguhts on the idea, even though it would be kind of fun to share Disney witht he dog.

- Chris

 

[Donna]

The pet dropping problem is an easy one. At the fort, there are bag stations every so often always filled with a roll of bags, you tear one off, pick up after your pet. Although, I have to admit, not everyone even bothers to do that. It is generally not a problem there or at the dog park, although I wouldn't be going barefoot in the dog park anytime soon, lol.

 

[tjkraz]

If Disney hasn't gone the pet-friendly route with any of its 30,000 hotel rooms, I can't see them doing it with a portion of their 3,000 DVC villas.

The main problem (IMO), is that DVC has more to lose than it has to gain. Pet owners are used to being turned-away in the hospitality industry. I doubt DVC is losing many sales because its resorts do not allow pets. By contrast, I'm fairly certain they would drive folks away from a resort if they did allow pets. Many of the fears could certainly be irrational--stepping in messes or hearing a dog bark all day. But those fears would be enough to repulse many guests and potential customers.

And on the occasions where those fears were realized, even more owners would be repulsed.

As another poster said, Walt Disney World isn't exactly the ideal destination for pets. Sure there would be responsible owners who would only go to the parks for short periods and spend a lot of time walking the resort with their best friend. But others wouldn't be so conscientious and fellow guests would pay the price.

 

[Dean]

If Disney hasn't gone the pet-friendly route with any of its 30,000 hotel rooms, I can't see them doing it with a portion of their 3,000 DVC villas.

The main problem (IMO), is that DVC has more to lose than it has to gain. Pet owners are used to being turned-away in the hospitality industry. I doubt DVC is losing many sales because its resorts do not allow pets. By contrast, I'm fairly certain they would drive folks away from a resort if they did allow pets. Many of the fears could certainly be irrational--stepping in messes or hearing a dog bark all day. But those fears would be enough to repulse many guests and potential customers.

And on the occasions where those fears were realized, even more owners would be repulsed.

As another poster said, Walt Disney World isn't exactly the ideal destination for pets. Sure there would be responsible owners who would only go to the parks for short periods and spend a lot of time walking the resort with their best friend. But others wouldn't be so conscientious and fellow guests would pay the price.

Pets raise the maint and other costs of a resort. Sure, some will lie and say a pet is really a service animal now just like some will lie about occupancy and/or about numbers from a DDP perspective. Overall I don't think having a pet friendly resort, or even segment, is a good idea for DVC but it is a decision they have to make. VERY few timeshares have gone this route. Westgate charges an extra non refundable fee for their resorts that allow it.

 

[ILuvMulan]

One word- Allergies.