NO!! Tell me it isn't true - Ft.'s kennel closing?

[luvavacation]

Only days from when I get to call my reservation in to stay at the Fort with my DVC points, and I find out that the kennels are closing, including the one at Fort Wilderness, for some kennel that we won't be able to go to since the RV will be parked? What the heck?

We have planned on placing our dog in the Fort Wilderness kennel on days we would be gone for hours at the parks, plus I worry about the a/c going out and my dog overheating and dying before we return. So, I thought I had it figured out - doggy in kennel during the heat of the day, then we bring her back to the RV after we return for a meal, walk her, and she stays in the RV while we play at night.

This is not going to work if the kennel at Fort Wilderness will be closed. I am so not happy about this.

Anyone here plan on staying in their air conditioned RV next July 2 - 5 that will want to "RV sit" my dog while we play?

Aargh. I'd write a letter to Disney, but I don't think anyone there really cares anymore.

 

[becky1960]

Plus, they say the rates are going up quite a bit. We have always left our dogs in the RV with no problems so far, and we have been many times...

 

[luvavacation]

Rates are going up too? Wonderful.

If we leave our dog in the RV, we would need to come back to it to let her out about every 5 hours. I work from home, so she is used to always being with someone, and has never been alone for longer than 3 hours. I figure she would be good for 5 hours, though.

So, then we have to crate her, get to the bus, wait, get on the bus, take a drive, go to park, enter, wait in line for ride, maybe get two rides in, walk back to bus stop and wait for bus again to go back to Fort. I thought she would have more fun at the kennel than stuck in her crate, and it isn't that I mind being with my dog, but we tend to be on the run all day at the parks, and I know she will not like being left alone all day.

No kennel for the day is not working with my plans.

Maybe I need to find an RV sitter - like a dog sitter that goes to your house, but one that comes to my RV. I think I might have just found an idea for a new business!

 

[Eliza32]

I heard they opened a new kennel at the TTC, can't you drop her off there instead???

 

[Disneylitch]

Our dogs are used to having someone around and going out whenever they please also. When we are at The Fort, we crate them and some days we come back in about 5 hours and some days they are in their crates for a longer period, it just depends on where we are and what we are doing. We come back, get something to eat, walk them, and just basically have some down time. When we are ready to leave again they don't mind. They don't seem to mind and we have been doing this for the last 4 years. We will be at The Fort this year August 14 to August 28.

 

[des1954]

I do understand your concern for your fur-baby, and yes, the FtW Kennels are scheduled to close when the Best Friends Kennel opens. The opening of the new kennels is scheduled for this October. The new kennel is located directly across the street from the Port Orleans resorts. There has been no announcement regarding bus service to this kennel (that I've seen), and it's certain if there were, you would not be able to transport your pet. To me, it's a horrible inconvenience to the FtW guest who want to do exactly what you've described.

July heat can be brutal, but I wouldn't cancel the trip. If this is a real concern (like you have an older RV that you can't trust the A/C unit), just crack open a few windows when you leave the RV for the day and set up a fan to circulate the air. The Fort is very shady, and fido will be comfortable. Remember - you're not paying by the KwH for the electricity!

 

[BradyBz12]

If we were going to be there then we would definitely "pet sit" for you, but unfortunately we go much later in the year.

I agree this is going to put a major kink in a lot of people's plans - waiting to see if Disney comes up with a solution for people in the same boat as you. Let's hope!

We go in Nov/Dec when the weather is pretty mild and our gang stays in the TT, so we're familiar with the "out to the park for 5 hours, back for the dogs, back out..." routine. Our gang can hold it a bit longer if needed, so it's not so terrible and has just become part of our routine.

If you decide to leave your dog in the RV and are concerned about her being alone for so long, I can tell you what works for us...

- stuffed kongs: we freeze yummies in them the night before and by the time we get back they're licked clean

- TV: we just bought a new TT, but camped for 5 years in our 21' hybrid and the dogs' crates were setup in one "wing." We actually bought a 2nd little TV to park at their end and left it on when we were gone. Whether they *watched* it or not but it did also provide some extra noise to help mask out anything going on outside that might get their attention.

- backup fan: even in Nov/Dec DH is extra super paranoid about leaving the "kids" behind. So aside from leaving the A/C going, if the weather was warmer than usual we would also leave a battery powered fan running. We have a bunch of the Ryobi cordless fans that run off the big batteries and will run on low for a good 8-10 hours


Good luck!

 

[Magicbus]

I've read this before, about people being uncomfortable leaving their dogs in the RV. Is it comman for ACs in RVs to stop running? So far, it hasn't happened to us, yet.

We're talking almost a year away, I'd keep the res, a lot can happen. Who knows, maybe the new kennel will offer some kind of shuttle service.

I'm not quite clear. Is it that the AC in the RV might stop working or the length of time you'll be away, or both?

Worst case, can you leave Fido behind at a kennel near where you live and feel comfortable about it?

I plan to be there for the 4th and will gladly check on your dog. That goes for anyones pet. If I'm there, I'll do it.

BradyBz12, that's a great idea about having fans as a backup.

 

[LarryJ]

I'm not sure I understand the real concern here since the new kennel is only about a mile or so from FW. If worrying about the A/C suddenly quitting in the 26 years of staying at FW this has never happened and even in extreme heat a MH which I assume we are talking about here w/o a toad shouldn't get that hot as long as you have water down and the RV was cool when you left. You pooch might get hot, but not to the level of being dangerous. We always keep out pooches in the TT and come back every 5 hours or so mainly to POT them and to give us a mid day or early evening break from the parks.

Larry

 

[SandrA9810]

If I was still in Orlando, I'd totally take up the job of dog sitting.

Because we camped in a tent, we also did this, so she could still be with us part of the time. And I'm also not a huge fan of the best friends pet service. When it was Disney CM's I had no issues leaving her there for the entire trip, day/night.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Our grandpuppy would NEVER forgive us if we drop'd her off at a/the kennel,,,
she thinks the reason we go to the Fort is so she can enjoy it.

 

[luvavacation]

Thanks for all the thoughts and insights.

We would be renting the RV, hence my concern on the a/c quitting. I have been looking at the RVs for rent around here, and not so happy with the shape they are in. Still, I suppose that happens when lots of people use the same motor home.

If it was my own RV (someday, when we move to a plot of land not in an association in the next 5 years), I would not be worried, because I would be familiar with it and know that we would be keeping it well serviced and running perfectly.

If we had our own car, dropping her at the kennel would be ok, but we will have the RV all hooked up. Rentals that I have seen will not allow you to tow a car behind.

My sweet pup is just an 8 month old German Shepherd, but she already is so social and just enjoys other dogs so much more than any Shepherd I have ever had. For her to spend part of a day in a kennel with other dogs would be wonderful for her, and her own fun part of vacation.

Hmm, decisions. Now if only that money tree would grow in the back yard, then I would buy my own motor home and perhaps bring along another dog for her to play with until we get back from the parks!

 

[tim5055]

We would be renting the RV, hence my concern on the a/c quitting. I have been looking at the RVs for rent around here, and not so happy with the shape they are in. Still, I suppose that happens when lots of people use the same motor home.

Why not rent Tina's camper at the Fort? Drive down in your car and it will be set up for you. Good deal if you plan on renting anyway.

They accept pets up to 80 pounds.

Natasha says hi to your GSD!

 

[freshlybarked]

We usually camp there in the summer months and we turn the air down to a level you could hang meat. Leave lots of water. Then if God forbids the power or air goes out it will take quite some time to get hot. We always do the 5 hour thing. In the summer in Florida (even being residents) we need a mid-day break along with the dogs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

In case any of you missed the press release last month, here's a link to the Best Friends website that confirms they plan on opening their new facility on August 27, 2010:

New WDW Kennel

I last saw the state of the construction project earlier this month, and it looked like they still had a long way to go, but they released the opening date on June 24, and it hasn't changed, so I assume they are on track to open on August 27.

I have not seen anything official announcing when the other kennels on WDW property will close.

I agree that this seems to be a very ill-conceived idea as far as WDW guests are concerned. I'm sure the bean-counters are breaking their arms patting themselves on the back for this genius move. But, the centralization of all kennels into one facility is going to create major inconveniences for guests, some of which have already been noted here.

TCD

 

[chilipyro]

While our AC didn't stop working, we turned it off in the morning one day, while we were eating breakfast, and forgot to turn it on again before we left for the parks. Our plans always have us back at the trailer for an early afternoon break, before going somewhere else. We got there at about 3:00, and the trailer was about the same temp as outside (92 degrees). While hot for comfort, I don't think that would be any more dangerous for a dog that was sleeping outside in the shade - which many do. Its a lot more dangerous in a car - where the sun shines through the windows all around, heats up the dash and the seats, etc. A car quickly gets up to dangerous temps in the sun. But an insulated trailer, with minimal window exposure, would not behave the same.

As long as your dog has water, he/she might even like the warmth better than the AC. Keep the shades down, crack a window or two, leave a roof vent open (if you can), and it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[des1954]

In case any of you missed the press release last month, here's a link to the Best Friends website that confirms they plan on opening their new facility on August 27, 2010:

New WDW Kennel

I last saw the state of the construction project earlier this month, and it looked like they still had a long way to go, but they released the opening date on June 24, and it hasn't changed, so I assume they are on track to open on August 27.

I have not seen anything official announcing when the other kennels on WDW property will close.

I agree that this seems to be a very ill-conceived idea as far as WDW guests are concerned. I'm sure the bean-counters are breaking their arms patting themselves on the back for this genius move. But, the centralization of all kennels into one facility is going to create major inconveniences for guests, some of which have already been noted here.

TCD

We just drove past the new kennels yesterday and if they open August 27, it will be miraculous! It looks to me like they have a LOT to do yet. Rick & I commented on how we thought October would be pushing it!

 

[ChateauFive]

I was very dissapointed to hear that the kennel at the fort was closing when I made my ressie back 7 months ago. When you are there in a motorhome and not towing your "stuck" so to speak, I don't mind because Disney has buses/boats, but pets are not allowed on them, so how are you suppose to get your fur-friend to the kennel? Nice...thanks for thinking that one through people. OK thank you for letting me vent

 

[mikmouse]

I was very dissapointed to hear that the kennel at the fort was closing when I made my ressie back 7 months ago. When you are there in a motorhome and not towing your "stuck" so to speak, I don't mind because Disney has buses/boats, but pets are not allowed on them, so how are you suppose to get your fur-friend to the kennel? Nice...thanks for thinking that one through people. OK thank you for letting me vent

They should provide Disney pet taxi to the kennell.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We just drove past the new kennels yesterday and if they open August 27, it will be miraculous! It looks to me like they have a LOT to do yet. Rick & I commented on how we thought October would be pushing it!

I find it hard to believe that they will be done by the 27th.

But, I do believe that they are going to open on the 27th.

Do you want to make (another) friendly wager, Deb?

I think you still owe me a beer from the 2100 loop wager.

What do you say?

Double or nothing?

TCD