New disney policy -dogs at FW cabins.

[Ouida]

I was booked at one of the other WDW resorts that recently became dog-friendly, and was also within three weeks of arrival when this was announced. I asked to be moved to any non-dog resort, but they said the entire property was sold out for my dates. So I had to cancel and switch to an offsite hotel that does not allow pets. At least, many offsite hotels still have space even with short notice.

Didn't Disney charge a cancel fee? I was told 30 days out, you had to pay a fee to change resorts. I really don't remember what it was. I guess my hope would be that it's so new, there won't be dog bookings yet??

 

[DaisyDuck001]

No resort is legally allowed to not allow service dogs. No matter where you book you may run into a dog or other service animal.

Wow, this comment missed my statement that I switched to a hotel that does not allow pets. I didn't say they don't allow service dogs.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow, this comment missed my statement that I switched to a hotel that does not allow pets. I didn't say they don't allow service dogs.

I'm not getting the difference really. A dog is a dog is a dog. They all bark and have to potty, and most of them shed. Some do less of one than the other.

I'm saying if you are hoping to avoid dogs totally there is no way to guarantee that, no matter where you stay.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Didn't Disney charge a cancel fee? I was told 30 days out, you had to pay a fee to change resorts. I really don't remember what it was.

Depends on how you booked in the first place. I think it is 30 days out if you booked online, and 6 days out if you booked by phone. If this has changed recently, I'm sure someone will say what the new policy is.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I'm not getting the difference really. A dog is a dog is a dog. They all bark and have to potty, and most of them shed. Some do less of one than the other.

I'm saying if you are hoping to avoid dogs totally there is no way to guarantee that, no matter where you stay.

The amount of genuine service dogs is a much smaller number than the total amount of dogs, so such encounters tend to be less frequent, at least they have been in my experience.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I'm not getting the difference really. A dog is a dog is a dog. They all bark and have to potty, and most of them shed. Some do less of one than the other.

I'm saying if you are hoping to avoid dogs totally there is no way to guarantee that, no matter where you stay.

There is a huge difference between a service dog and a pet. Service dogs are specially trained to deal with noisy, loud, overwhelming and unfamiliar environments. When they are "working" they are expected to ignore distractions, remain silent and perform the services they have been trained to do to assist their person.

If there truly was no difference between the two, there would be legislation that mandates all hotels to allow all pets. Yet that isn't the case as pets are not working animals and they do not provide a necessary service to their owners.

 

[MuppetFan418]

There is a huge difference between a service dog and a pet. Service dogs are specially trained to deal with noisy, loud, overwhelming and unfamiliar environments. When they are "working" they are expected to ignore distractions, remain silent and perform the services they have been trained to do to assist their person.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

First hand reports:



First hand report of Disney campground dog management:

Well, it was only a matter of time (or no time at all) when the Disney mantra would morph from "we can't control guest behavior" to "we can't control guests' dogs' behavior".

 

[Allison]

There is a huge difference between a service dog and a pet. Service dogs are specially trained to deal with noisy, loud, overwhelming and unfamiliar environments. When they are "working" they are expected to ignore distractions, remain silent and perform the services they have been trained to do to assist their person.

If there truly was no difference between the two, there would be legislation that mandates all hotels to allow all pets. Yet that isn't the case as pets are not working animals and they do not provide a necessary service to their owners.

Truth.

I also highly doubt service animals are left in a hotel room for up to 7 hours allowing the possibility of disturbing guests with barking.

 

[Lynne M]

It would be really nice if one thread could stay open for providing helpful information, without being hijacked by the same (very) tired debates that got the other dog threads closed (service dogs, etc).

Let's get this one back on track, and get back to helping the OP. Does anyone have any additional information on where dogs are being placed at FW? Has anyone successfully or unsuccessfully requested to be in a cabin away from dogs?

 

[Ouida]

It would be really nice if one thread could stay open for providing helpful information, without being hijacked by the same (very) tired debates that got the other dog threads closed (service dogs, etc).

Let's get this one back on track, and get back to helping the OP. Does anyone have any additional information on where dogs are being placed at FW? Has anyone successfully or unsuccessfully requested to be in a cabin away from dogs?

Thank you, I'd really appreciate any additional info anyone could provide. I did not mean to rehash old debates. It was kind of a shock when I saw this today, and really need advice to what I can do for my situation now.

 

[HopperFan]

See the link for the updated maps with pet relief areas: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...-areas-at-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels.htm

It can be both as I stated. Start with loops 2200 and 2300 and then if demand exceeds those cabins use others. If a guest with a dog requests the 2800 loop are they going to say no, I doubt it, but I think they would like to be able to contain the cabins with dogs as much as possible. Those who have phobias or allergies just need to know they have stated outright that there is no such thing as a dog-free cabin or loop. You could certainly request to be placed away from dogs if possible, but it is viewed as a "special request" and may not be possible.

Nothing there is updated. Those are the maps from Oct 14th. They are exactly the same as we first saw. The only Disney Official thing that has changed is the Pet Policy Agreement. It no longer has a 30 minute dog bark window, there is none. It no longer tells guests to use Pet Relief areas, pet walkways and by reading it pets are permitted to walk anywhere they want as long as they are on a leash.

 

[Ermise]

You don't know that. I myself highly doubt a huge number of guests will start bringing dogs to WDW. It is too much of a bother to do so.

While I didn't notice any animals at my resort, during my trip last week I saw multiple service animals. They are staying somewhere.

Obviously no one can know what hasn't happened yet, but with a little common sense you can certainly predict the number of dogs staying at resorts will increase substantially with the new policy. Judging from other threads there are plenty of people excited about the opportunity to bring their dogs. There will probably be a bit of a lag as it might be difficult for those who already made plans (i.e. flights) to include their dog.

 

[Ermise]

Nothing there is updated. Those are the maps from Oct 14th. They are exactly the same as we first saw. The only Disney Official thing that has changed is the Pet Policy Agreement. It no longer has a 30 minute dog bark window, there is none. It no longer tells guests to use Pet Relief areas, pet walkways and by reading it pets are permitted to walk anywhere they want as long as they are on a leash.

That is not what I said. The pet relief areas in the cabins at the 2200 and 2300 loop are new as part of the dog policy - and was confirmed by the Disney Guest Services person I spoke with that is the first loops where guests with dogs will be placed. That was my point. They are not changes made after the dog policy was announced.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I did not mean to rehash old debates. It was kind of a shock when I saw this today, and really need advice to what I can do for my situation now.

Same here, I was trying to help you, OP, by suggesting that if Disney is unable to relocate you to an area or resort where you feel comfortable, then staying offsite might be an option. I too was shocked when this thread got turned into a debate about service dogs etc. OP, I truly hope you are able to get this resolved to your satisfaction.

 

[Ermise]

It would be really nice if one thread could stay open for providing helpful information, without being hijacked by the same (very) tired debates that got the other dog threads closed (service dogs, etc).

Let's get this one back on track, and get back to helping the OP. Does anyone have any additional information on where dogs are being placed at FW? Has anyone successfully or unsuccessfully requested to be in a cabin away from dogs?

I apologize if I wasn't clear the first time around. The answer is "it depends".

I spoke to Guest Services and was told families with dogs will first be placed in the 2200 and 2300 loops, but could be placed anywhere. I requested a cabin away from dogs and was told that was not possible because even though the goal was to try and contain families with dogs in those two loops, dogs are allowed in any cabin. A guest can ask on arrival and the staff will treat it as a special request and it may or may not be possible at the time. I asked to be transferred to a different resort because they couldn't guarantee anything, but since we were three weeks out there were no other options for a family of 5 who needed a kitchen. In the end no accommodations could be made for us to avoid potential dogs. We will ask when we check in and see how it goes.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thank you, I'd really appreciate any additional info anyone could provide. I did not mean to rehash old debates. It was kind of a shock when I saw this today, and really need advice to what I can do for my situation now.

Some people have had success getting accommodated in a different Disney World resort by writing to the email addresses listed in post #4 above. They have gotten a phone call even after a CM had told them there was nothing they could do for them. Do consider writing about your situation, and let them know how you feel.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I apologize if I wasn't clear the first time around. The answer is "it depends".

I spoke to Guest Services and was told families with dogs will first be placed in the 2200 and 2300 loops, but could be placed anywhere. I requested a cabin away from dogs and was told that was not possible because even though the goal was to try and contain families with dogs in those two loops, dogs are allowed in any cabin. A guest can ask on arrival and the staff will treat it as a special request and it may or may not be possible at the time. I asked to be transferred to a different resort because they couldn't guarantee anything, but since we were three weeks out there were no other options for a family of 5 who needed a kitchen. In the end no accommodations could be made for us to avoid potential dogs. We will ask when we check in and see how it goes.

It’s just a thought, but maybe you would be better off asking for a specific loop as far from 2200 and 2300 instead of asking for a dog free area?

In any event, I would be asking immediately to get a different cabin if they told me a number in those loops.

 

[Ouida]

Thanks for everyones kind advice. I am waiting to hear back from my first email. I will email the others on that list, if I don't get a good response from guest communications. But reading everyone's experience on here, it seems a lost cause. And we will just have to deal with it. That's easier said then done, she is a 10 on the super afraid of dogs scale. She was chased by one a few years ago. At 8, she hasn't gotten over it. Like always, I can just not go back if it's a bad experience. Still I feel strongly they should leave a loop pet free for those of us who can't change our plans now. I'm willing to forgo any other preference I asked for, so I feel it shouldn't be so difficult for them. I'll post back if they say anything different from what's been said here. Again thanks

 

[paradesintherain]

Thanks for everyones kind advice. I am waiting to hear back from my first email. I will email the others on that list, if I don't get a good response from guest communications. But reading everyone's experience on here, it seems a lost cause. And we will just have to deal with it. That's easier said then done, she is a 10 on the super afraid of dogs scale. She was chased by one a few years ago. At 8, she hasn't gotten over it. Like always, I can just not go back if it's a bad experience. Still I feel strongly they should leave a loop pet free for those of us who can't change our plans now. I'm willing to forgo any other preference I asked for, so I feel it shouldn't be so difficult for them. I'll post back if they say anything different from what's been said here. Again thanks

I hope it all works out for you. I believe Disney will do everything they can to accommodate your request, and hopefully it will be a non-issue. Have a great vacation!