kennels for service animals

[alabamaalan]

I realize I asked this once before but...

Have any of you taken a service animal but left them in the park kennels?

My wife is blind and uses a guide dog. Our plans are to leave him with a good friend before leaving. Since she will be traveling with family and concentrating on our daughter she does not want to have to deal with using him in the crowds and dealing with the rides.

However, she will really miss him for the drive and time at the resort.

I called the number given for guests with disabilities to ask if there was a discount for service animals in the kennels. I didn't expect one, but it never hurts to ask, especially since he would only be in there when we we actually in a park.

They emailed me back with four different numbers for each individual kennel

I'm not about to waste my time with a bunch of young kids who have to check with a manager who will give me four different answers.

Just wondering if any of you know the quality of the kennels, or if a discount is offered.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi and welcome to disABILITIES.
I can't specifically answer your question, but I can tell you that all the posts I have ever read about the WDW kennels have been very complimentary about the care provided there. So, I think you will be pleased with the service. Hopefully, someone who knows more will answer.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Hi!

I traveled to WDW last year in May with my best friend who has a service dog, a canine companion for independence. We used the kennels at Epcot and MGM, since we worried that the parks would be too hot for him. We found the people there at the kennels absolutely wonderful and very helpful. Our dog was quite happy to go there to escape the heat! We had no problems at all with either of the kennels. I don't believe we had any discount, but we never asked, either. I think all we had to show paperwork showing he had all his shots.

The only drawback was that it is our responsibility to walk, water, and feed our dog. So we had to keep returning to the kennel every couple hours. Since my friend has a power wheelchair and does not travel very fast, it took time to keep traveling back to the front of the park to get to the kennels. In Epcot this was especially true when we were in World Showcase.

But overall our experience was very positive!

Hope this helps!!

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[Beamerdog]

I have had two service puppies (we puppy home) in most of WDW and resorts. I can understand how you might not want to take the dog, but CM's and most visitors are very sensitive to dogs in parks. We had no trouble getting ice from vendors and were constantly being offerred water. Crowds didn't seem to be a problem. They will stop continuous loading rides so you can get on with the dog. (mine have always just sat under my legs or next to me)
However, I did know a puppy home who kennelled (sp) her dog when she went on coasters or rides that they don't let dogs on. She said the kennels were just fine. Maybe an option is to take the dog in the park when you're going on the "smaller" rides and eating and then kennel him/her when you want some relief or want to do the coasters/simulators. That would save some of the going back and forth to the kennel.

 

[CarlaKay]

I train service dogs and also show dogs. I have used the Disney Kennels. They are great but they are a crating facility not a boarding kennel. This means you have to exercise the dog yourself. There are boarding kennels in the vicinity, but service dogs are easy to work with at WDW. I believe that you are required to ex the dog at least every 12 hours, but I generally ex every 4-6.

Since yours is a service dog, s/he may stay in the hotel with you (ADA requirement). So long as he is crate trained, why don't you take him with you, crate him in the room so he is available to your wife, and if either one of them needs a break, drop him off at the kennel at the park where you are for the day if you're not comfortable with leaving him crated in the room. Each park has a kennel near the entrance (except MK, which is at the TTC). They are open one hour before and one hour after the parks close. The kennel at Fort Wilderness has hours something like 7:00 a.m. to midnight, but it is the most cumbersome to get to if you're not staying there.

You will need shot records (but you are surely used to traveling with those), and we bring our own food. I usually also bring a chew toy and a blanket for the crate/kennels.

Cast members are helpful and will work with you. You can also do the equivalent of a "baby-swap" on rides where the dog is not allowed.