Idea... who to contact? DVC for pets

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

And the supposedly deluxe kennel they're building doesn't fit your desires in what way...are you proposing a DVC-only kennel? Not sure how that would be different from the one they will already be providing.

In that case I'd have to say I'm not in favor of my dues funding a kennel or a "pets-only resort" as I don't have pets.

That may be the only way to fund it because I can't see DVC selling memberships for pets considering the average lifespan of a pet...how long would a pet owner buy a membership for?

Is the new kennel supposed to be deluxe? During our last visit in April, we were told that it was just a larger facility that would consolidate all of the smaller kennels to one location. Is there information posted somewhere on the features they are offering?

I'm proposing a kennel membership for pet-loving families. It wouldn't be tied to a specific pet, just like DVC memberships are not tied to particular guests for each visit. It would have points allocated for use each year, just like the DVC memberships. Dues would only be paid by those members who chose to purchase points for their pets... not by everybody in DVC.

I'm 48 and I've had at least one pet, and sometimes many more, at any given time in my life. We just lost our beloved Bonnie (a sheltie) at the age of 16-1/2 last October, and our Gus (a beagle) lived to be almost 18 years old. I think you will find that most pet enthusiasts have at least one furry friend in their lives at any point in time. Memberships could reasonably be for ten years... or the prepaid idea that was mentioned above could work well too.

I am a little perplexed how my initial suggestion was seen as trying to get pet care paid for by the general DVC membership... I just thought it would be great to have an upscale pet area available and convenient (obviously, for a fee to the people who utilize it) at Disney. Apparently, I'm the only one who thinks so!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

And the supposedly deluxe kennel they're building doesn't fit your desires in what way...

Ah, just found a link with info on the new kennel: http://www.wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109151

It is being billed as a luxury destination for your pet, so that sounds like what I was hoping for. They do have some things listed that made me laugh though... like television and bedtime stories for your pet. I would love to be a "fly on the wall" if they try to encourage our Jessie to rest while they read to her!!!

 

[kikiq]

Our enthusiastic traveler - Diamond's Jessamine Joy of Snowpoint

Our occasional traveler - Sweet Bree's Samson of Snowpoint

Love your aussies, just love them. My DDs aussie is the greatest traveler.

 

[ToddyLu]

I think it is a neat idea. We have a precious JRT and while she stays with her Grandparents when we vacation it is great to know that a nice place is there for her. My husband thinks she stinks when we get home....she smells like my Mom's perfume (DM loves on her all the time)

For us she is "our child" since we have no human ones running around...I know Cesar would not recommend giving dogs human attributes...but, oh well.

I wonder if the Kennel folks would take her out for a gecko hunt each evening?

 

[dclfun]

I think the BF Kennel is supposed to be a rather luxury place for pets where you can pay to upgrade services. That said, I hope WDW never allows pets. There are enough fake service dogs now being brought into the parks ( the ones that bark and lunge at my service dog and who are not behaved ). I really don't need to worry about my SD being attacked at WDW. I also try to be responsible, ask where the break area is at each resort, and notify housekeeping as I figure they'll need to do a special cleaning when we leave in case of anyone who follows us and has allergies. Just my opinion. ---Kathy

 

[bwvBound]

I am a little perplexed how my initial suggestion was seen as trying to get pet care paid for by the general DVC membership... I just thought it would be great to have an upscale pet area available and convenient (obviously, for a fee to the people who utilize it) at Disney. Apparently, I'm the only one who thinks so!

I understood your 'wish list' item from the start. For better or worse, I live too far away to consider bringing our feathered-kids with us when we visit WDW. They handle car trips up to 2 hours ... but that is about as long as I can expect to handle traveling with parrots. (Someday, one of them is going to ask, "Are we there yet?" For now we go through the entire repertoire of vocabulary, phrases and funny sounds for miles and miles and miles.)

 

[ToddyLu]

I agree dclfun...recently we had a lady in the cafeteria of our hospital with a chihuahua as her "service animal" She had the cute dog in a purse type carrier. She put the dog up on the cafeteria table and caused a stir. The administrator sent out a memo to staff explaining that the dog would be accompaning her for treatments. Hmmm, don't remember seeing the proper identifying working vest. It is obviously non of my business why she needed her SD but as healthcare providers it suprised everyone that this breed was chosen for a SD.

Would SD providers pick a chihuahua for a SD? Could a family pet be called an SD if the person desired it to be. I have read other threads that discussed it is illegal?? to question or ask if an animal is a SD...but you could ask what services the SD performed.

I realize I have just hijacked this thread---dclfun can you PM me with answers so I can be better educated and can in turn alert others as to how to handle these unique situations.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Love your aussies, just love them. My DDs aussie is the greatest traveler.

Many thanks!!!

Well, the info on the new kennel is posted. My wish was Disney's command...!!!

Here's a link to a website spelling out all the details: http://www.wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com/

The new kennel has everything on my wish list above, including a very nice DVC discount. Now we just need membership options or a "frequent guest" plan! The prices are about twice what the current kennel rates are, but if you already had an existing reservation in the system for upcoming trips (which we did for both our F&W and Christmas trips), then you will be charged the current rate for those visits. We got an email confirming this today.

Knowing our Jessie's propensity to chew on bedding (she's great about not chewing anything at all except doggie beds... go figure ), we are opting for the indoor/outdoor standard suite for her, combined with the play group. We also usually stop by at least once each day to play with her, which will be soooo much more fun now at the new facility. Sure, it's a lot less convenient now that we can't just drop by at the TTC on our way to the parks, but having a beautiful dog park right there to play in will make it worth the extra time to get there.

Good news for anybody with other types of pets... Best Friends has expanded to take all sorts of little guys now. If your pet is a good traveler, you might want to check out the options.

 

[bwvBound]

Wow -- those rates are much steeper than before. What discount are they offering to DVC and SilverPass members?

 

[Greysword]

I think this is a great idea, to be honest. An exclusive DVC Kennel for pets (basically an up front fee for boarding pets). There seems to be quite a few people that are not DVC owners, which may buy into this version of the club (and possibly bring them to the DVC side, too).

Each mini-room would be carpeted (or cusioned in some way), with a little pet bed (or perch, as needed), food, water, air conditioning, and maybe some toys. A vet could be on staff to care for any concerns (at an additoinal cost, of course). The DVC Kennel could have a large area to run and play, and maybe a section as an aviary.

I could see this working and being profitable for Disney, as they could sell contracts for the life of an animal or XX number of years (which ever came first). One concern could be naming; however, since WDW already has an Animal Kingdom Villas!

 

[edk35]

Disney doesn't accept "ideas" because if they use it the person who proposed it may expect payment.

They make you sign away that you release the idea to them.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Okay, now the photo on this page is really cracking me up...!

http://www.wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com/activities-amenities

 

[Greysword]

Wow this is DVC for doggies!

- These 36 to 48 square foot climate controlled suites include an indoor bedroom with a pet cot, and an outdoor patio.

- Vacation Villas: Our fourteen two-room villas provide an 8ft x 9ft (72 sq ft) tiled bedroom, with a raised platform bed and doggy-eye-level flat panel TV. Each villa also has a private outdoor 4ft x 7ft (28 sq ft) relief patio. The Vacation Villa boarding experience includes 1 Potty Walk, 1 Playgroup Session, an Ice Cream Treat and Turn-Down Service each day. Comment: This must be concierge level service!

- VIP Luxury Suites: For the ultimate in pampered pet boarding, we offer our four 226 sq ft super luxury suites... Each suite also comes with a private covered outdoor play yard, where pets can enjoy private play time with their family, or with their personal “pet concierge”. This all-inclusive boarding experience includes a wide range of daily complimentary activities: ... an Ice Cream Treat and Bed Time Story each day... Comment: 226 sq ft? This is almost as big as a BLT studio (at 339 sq ft)! Also, thsi is only $69.00/night! L

This is awesome!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Ah, just found a link with info on the new kennel: http://www.wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109151

It is being billed as a luxury destination for your pet, so that sounds like what I was hoping for. They do have some things listed that made me laugh though... like television and bedtime stories for your pet. I would love to be a "fly on the wall" if they try to encourage our Jessie to rest while they read to her!!!

The dog she is reading to looks like my furry-son, Max. He's a yellow lab, and would LOVE for someone to read to him, just as long as they are scratching him under his ears at the same time!

We might try this place the next time we drive to WDW. Max gets horrible separation anxiety, he's such a baby!

 

[kikiq]

Good news for anybody with other types of pets... Best Friends has expanded to take all sorts of little guys now. If your pet is a good traveler, you might want to check out the options.

Well, we live in Southern California. It won't be anytime soon that we would be driving to WDW And besides, Toby is actually a better car traveler than my DH. Toby can make the trip from our house to Ventura (a 2 hour ride with no traffic without whining) where we make a dog park stop then he's good for the next 2 1/2 hours to San Luis Obispo where my DD goes to school. My DH however, needs to make an extra stop if you know what I mean.

I love the new facilities. Prices aren't too bad.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Wow this is DVC for doggies!

- Vacation Villas: Our fourteen two-room villas provide an 8ft x 9ft (72 sq ft) tiled bedroom, with a raised platform bed and doggy-eye-level flat panel TV. Each villa also has a private outdoor 4ft x 7ft (28 sq ft) relief patio. The Vacation Villa boarding experience includes 1 Potty Walk, 1 Playgroup Session, an Ice Cream Treat and Turn-Down Service each day. Comment: This must be concierge level service!

This is awesome!

Okay, I confess, we've now got a Vacation Villa booked for Jessie for F&W! I'll get pics of everything to post in our trip report when we are home. =)

I love the new facilities. Prices aren't too bad.

Seriously, the prices really aren't outrageous. Compare that to the typical kennel found at most vets and a few "luxury" pet boarding businesses here, which basically offer large indoor dog crates made of chain link (no outdoor access) with two potty breaks per day for the average bargain price of $45.00. The only thing that really concerns me about WDW's new facility is the size. With a capacity of 360 dogs, I'm worried that (1) dogs may be overlooked for individual care due to the sheer numbers, and (2) the noise factor will be upsetting to our baby. I called and asked about this and was told that the facility is divided into smaller sections, with each section individually staffed, but with a central check-in area and management.

We are fortunate with the boarding we have found locally. We know someone who runs a beautiful kennel out of their home (rural, just outside BR). They take a maximum of 12 dogs at a time and have a setup like the indoor/outdoor suites described on the Disney site. Hers is a building with a central walkway, six large indoor/outdoor kennels, with a doggie door going from the inside to the outside of each kennel. The dogs get play time together several times a day on the 3 fenced acres. It really is doggie heaven compared to most boarding facilities. The thing is, hubby goes into withdrawal if he doesn't get his puppy play time each day!!! So, we bring Jessie along for trips when pets are permitted (since she truly does enjoy them) and leave the rest of our furry family members boarded at home (they are not as enthusiastic about traveling as Jessie).

 

[TagsMissy]

Sorry I 110% disagree with the DVC for pets/DVC resort that allows pets. How cruel can one be to go on a Disney vacation be out from morning to night at the parks; the pets in the room alone for our own selfish reasons bring our animals.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Sorry I 110% disagree with the DVC for pets/DVC resort that allows pets. How cruel can one be to go on a Disney vacation be out from morning to night at the parks; the pets in the room alone for our own selfish reasons bring our animals.

I'd say this is one of the most presumptive and judgmental responses I've ever read on Disboards. Perhaps the tone is not coming off as you intended... at least I hope that is the case. Did you even READ the entire thread?

 

[edk35]

I'd say this is one of the most presumptive and judgmental responses I've ever read on Disboards. Perhaps the tone is not coming off as you intended... at least I hope that is the case. Did you even READ the entire thread?

Apparently they didn't even read this thread. GOOD GRIEF

 

[edk35]

Sorry I 110% disagree with the DVC for pets/DVC resort that allows pets. How cruel can one be to go on a Disney vacation be out from morning to night at the parks; the pets in the room alone for our own selfish reasons bring our animals.

You need to read this thread.......