Pet Friendly Resort??

[TessieA]

Why do you think WDW does not have any "pet friendly" resorts?

I realize you can bring a pet to the campgrounds, but you have to own a camper to utilize that area.

We stayed at Universal's Portofino Bay last summer with our dog. I was amazed how many others had pets with them.

Why can't Disney designate a certain resort "pet friendly" or at least one wing of a resort.

Am I the only one who feels this way or are there others who wish they could bring their pet along?

 

[Mrsjvb]

you can't bring the dog into the parks with you, so is it really fair to leave it alone in a strange hotel room all day long while you are in the parks? do you plan on going back to the room two or three times a day to let him out to do his business?


and thats not even getting into the whole liability thing.. having a dog in the room means Housekeeping has the right to say they won't clean for fear of being bitten, or if it whines all day long disturbing other guests..or has an accident..or gets sick or gets out because housekeeping let him escape...

 

[Anita_Radcliffe]

Disney provides pet kennels/boarding at all the major parks, plus the Fort Wilderness Resort/Campground. These facilities are run by Best Friends Pet Care. According to the DIS main information board, a new full-service pet resort is scheduled to be open in mid 2009 on Bonnet Creek Parkway, offering pet care to Disney resort and theme park guests.

I'm sorry, but due to my low number of posts I'm not allowed to post a link. If you do an internet search for Disney World - pet kennels, you will find the link at wdwinfo.

With all the recent threads here on "bed-bugs" (transmitted via other humans and their clothing), I don't even like to think about all the "flea and tick" threads we would see if pets were permitted at the Disney hotels.


Anita

 

[Rhonna]

We stayed at Portofino Bay years ago. I don't know if it was considered pet friendly then, but we didn't see any animals at all. I'm surprised to hear that it now allows pets. I'm sorry to say we would not stay there again because of that.

We have had different kinds of pets over the years and have some now, but we always make arrangements to leave them at home and have someone look after them.

If any hotel anywhere is pet friendly, we don't stay there. We check hotels out on tripadvisor now. We have had bad experiences of people leaving their pets in the room - it's unfamiliar to the animal - and then the other guests hear the cries, whining, barking for hours until the owners return. And of course, no one thinks their pet does those things. While the animal may not act that way when in their own home, it is a different story when they are left in unfamiliar surroundings.

One hotel we stayed at the dog cried/whined and barked for HOURS nonstop while the owners were out in the evening and were very late returning. We thought the dog was right next door by the sound of it. Apparently, one of our neighbors thought WE had the dog and slipped a note of complaint under OUR door - while we were dressed for bed! I knocked on the ladies door and explained that it wasn't us.

I called management and they said there were numerous complaints from other guests and that the dog was not even on our floor! The ventilation ducts for the bathrooms were all connected and the sound was carrying all over! The manager said they were not allowed to go into a room when the owners were gone and remove the pet to another area nor do ANYTHING to alleviate the situation. This was a very nice hotel chain too. We had no problems other that the policy allowing pets.

At our home, we have MANY neighbors with dogs who we never hear. But when our one neighbor goes away on vacation, she has a friend stay at her house. When the man is there, everything is fine. But when he chooses to stay out into the middle of the night, the dog starts barking, non-stop. Sometimes it gets the dogs in the nearby houses going too, until their owners wake up and stop them. When the guy returns, the dog stops.

I understand people being attached to their pets, but no one can honestly say they know what is going on while they are not in the room with the pet.

And especially at WDW, you can't take the pet with you into the parks. The owner may enjoy seeing the pet for a comparatively brief time frame during the day, but how enjoyable is it for the animal to be cooped up in the room for the majority of the day?

Not to mention, how would housekeeping deal with cleaning the room when a pet is there? I honestly don't know how this works at hotels that are pet friendly. Do they require the owner to keep the animal locked up in a pet carrier? Do they lock them in the bathroom? How would the maid clean the bathroom?

If WDW set aside a certain amount of rooms for pets and during busy season couldn't fill those rooms, they would have to put anyone into those rooms. There are many people who are allergic to dander. Who would pay the extra to clean the room thoroughly? This would end up with similar complaints as those people who got designated smoking rooms and either couldn't stand the smell or were truly allergic.

Where would the owner take the pet to walk them so the animal could "relieve" itself? And considering how rude many WDW guests are acting lately - I am sure many would NOT be picking up after their pets.

I guess those are some points I think of. Of course there are some lovely pets and responsible pet owners, but many at WDW would most likely abuse the system.

WDW tries to please the majority of their guests and make the most cost effective decisions. If this were something almost everyone wanted and continued to request, I am sure they would do something to accommodate them. They did have a kennel that I read is or has recently been closed down. That tells me they have reasons that they don't want to deal with animals. Maybe lack of interest, not enough guests using the kennels to support it financially. Or other issues that may have risen.

Sorry for the lack of support, but probably your pet would be really happy with someone back home to look after it while you're gone. And a really happy reunion for you both when you got back home.

 

[Rhonna]

Disney provides pet kennels/boarding at all the major parks, plus the Fort Wilderness Resort/Campground. These facilities are run by Best Friends Pet Care. According to the DIS main information board, a new full-service pet resort is scheduled to be open in mid 2009 on Bonnet Creek Parkway, offering pet care to Disney resort and theme park guests.


Anita

Didn't WDW close it's main kennel awhile ago? Was it to make way for the new one you mentioned or is another company now responsible so Disney does not have any liability issues?

 

[rcraw45425]

All Loews hotels chain-wide are pet friendly. At Portofino Bay there is a pet wing, which we stayed in with our Shih-Tzu. While there we saw quite a few dogs on the dog paths and even a huge Great Dane by the main theme pool.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

you can't bring the dog into the parks with you, so is it really fair to leave it alone in a strange hotel room all day long while you are in the parks? do you plan on going back to the room two or three times a day to let him out to do his business?


and thats not even getting into the whole liability thing.. having a dog in the room means Housekeeping has the right to say they won't clean for fear of being bitten, or if it whines all day long disturbing other guests..or has an accident..or gets sick or gets out because housekeeping let him escape...

Well said.

 

[Rhonna]

All Loews hotels chain-wide are pet friendly. At Portofino Bay there is a pet wing, which we stayed in with our Shih-Tzu. While there we saw quite a few dogs on the dog paths and even a huge Great Dane by the main theme pool.

Learned something new. Thanks for the reply. We must have just happened to be at Portofino when there were few pets and we didn't cross paths. Our room overlooked the main (sand) pool but we never saw pets there either. Come to think of it, we DID run into Scooby Doo in the lobby.

We LOVED the quiet, adult pool with the palm trees, hot tub and cabanas. In fact it was slow season and so we actually had the pool to ourselves for several hours one afternoon. It was great! Felt like we were in the Great Gatsby or the Hearst Castle.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Here you go, http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/B...ry-Pet-Resort-at-Walt-Disney-World-Resort.cfm . Projected opening, mid-2009. I'm sure Disney is happy to pass along liability issues to someone else, but still offer it relatively close to the property.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm sorry, but due to my low number of posts I'm not allowed to post a link. If you do an internet search for Disney World - pet kennels, you will find the link at wdwinfo.

Even easier - the DIS Boards is PART of www.wdwinfo.com!

 

[TessieA]

Sorry for the lack of support, but probably your pet would be really happy with someone back home to look after it while you're gone. And a really happy reunion for you both when you got back home.

Actually, I am having a friend come and stay with my dog when we leave next week, I just wish I had the option of bringing him.

It went very well when we took him to Universal last summer. They do have a separate wing for pets, so that not everyone can hear them. They also have onsite kennels where you can take the pet to stay for the day.

I'm kind of surprised that there are not more pet lovers out there.

 

[lclark0621]

We love our dogs. We have two big dogs.

We dont take then with us when we travel. We wont stay in Pet Friendly hotels.

Just because people love their own animals, does not mean they love your animals.

When I travel I dont want to worry about my dogs & leaving them alone, needing to get back to let them out, having them in a strange hotel for hours, the possibility of housekeeping letting them escape by accident, something happening to them, etc, etc, etc.

I also dont want to worry about people who claim their dog is "friendly", when it really isn't. Or the people who have no control over their animals or dont train them properly.

We have a very good, very trusted family run kennel here & that is where my dogs go on "vacation" when we go on a trip. They are well cared for, protected & loved by the family who runs the kennel. I trust them completely & know it is the safest place for them.

I dont trust pet sitters. I dont trust family to come & check on my dogs while we are gone. I want to know my dogs are safe, and cared for, for the entire time we are gone. Not just a couple of bathroom breaks throughout the day.

Plus I dont want to inconvience my family/freinds/neighbors, by needing to inturpt their busy schedules to check on my dogs. And what if they are late/forget/something goes wrong?

I think the safest and best place for my dogs is in the kennel while we ae away. Not some hotel room.

My dogs get no enjoyment from travel. They dont care that I saw Mickey Mouse. They just want their safe, known enviorment.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I think the safest and best place for my dogs is in the kennel while we are away. Not some hotel room . . .

1) Agreed.
2) I can understand pets during a camping trip.
3) But, pets in a hotel room while on vacation is something else.

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

I would love to be able to bring our Bichon with us on vacation. The last time we came to WDW we rented a home and found a dog sitter that we took him to during the days at night he was back at the rental house with us.

This time we are staying at the Poly and doing a cruise so he is going to stay with grandma.


A pet friendly resort is a great idea. People who do not like pets or do not like staying where pets have been (don't blame you a bit) don't have to stay there.

 

[TessieA]

A pet friendly resort is a great idea. People who do not like pets or do not like staying where pets have been (don't blame you a bit) don't have to stay there.

Thank you! I was starting to think I was the only one out there.

 

[Mrs. Pookie]

When I travel I dont want to worry about my dogs & leaving them alone, needing to get back to let them out, having them in a strange hotel for hours, the possibility of housekeeping letting them escape by accident, something happening to them, etc, etc, etc.

Exactly how I feel. I'd be in a constant state of worry having our babies in a strange hotel room. Never would I trust housekeeping with their well-being!

 

[lclark0621]

A pet friendly resort is a great idea. People who do not like pets or do not like staying where pets have been (don't blame you a bit) don't have to stay there.

But that leaves a possibility of a whole lot of empty rooms for Disney. A lot of money unbooked because they dont book up a whole pet friendly hotel or wing, etc.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Why do you think WDW does not have any "pet friendly" resorts?

I realize you can bring a pet to the campgrounds, but you have to own a camper to utilize that area.

We stayed at Universal's Portofino Bay last summer with our dog. I was amazed how many others had pets with them.

Why can't Disney designate a certain resort "pet friendly" or at least one wing of a resort.

Am I the only one who feels this way or are there others who wish they could bring their pet along?

You're not the only one. We had APs @ WDW for 5 years, until we got our mini-pin. Before then, we spent many weeks in their resorts. Not anymore. Universal gets most of our business. We do go to WDW once every 2 or 3 years now. For those trips, we stay offsite.

Why doesn't WDW have pet friendly resorts? Lets just say UO resorts have much better filtration systems, among other things. Most luxury chains allow pets. At most true deluxe resorts you'd never know they allow pets, unless you asked or saw one. Their cleaning practices allow them to do so.

With all the recent threads here on "bed-bugs" (transmitted via other humans and their clothing), I don't even like to think about all the "flea and tick" threads we would see if pets were permitted at the Disney hotels.


Anita

Most people who travel with their pets have indoor pets that are very well taken care of . They won't have fleas or ticks. Many also won't put their pets in kennels, because they don't want them exposed to anything a kenneled dog may have brought with them.

We stayed at Portofino Bay years ago. I don't know if it was considered pet friendly then, but we didn't see any animals at all. I'm surprised to hear that it now allows pets. I'm sorry to say we would not stay there again because of that.

PBH has always been pet friendly. We stayed there before getting our mini-pin & had no idea pets were allowed. That's what a true deluxe resort will be like.

But that leaves a possibility of a whole lot of empty rooms for Disney. A lot of money unbooked because they dont book up a whole pet friendly hotel or wing, etc.

Are you kidding? Studies have shown that close to 30% of people travel with their pets. Why do you think so many luxury chains allow pets. People like taking their house pets along, & are willing to pay for the privilege. Filling rooms wouldn't be a problem.

 

[BamaTigger]

Why do you think WDW does not have any "pet friendly" resorts?

I realize you can bring a pet to the campgrounds, but you have to own a camper to utilize that area.

We stayed at Universal's Portofino Bay last summer with our dog. I was amazed how many others had pets with them.

Why can't Disney designate a certain resort "pet friendly" or at least one wing of a resort.

Am I the only one who feels this way or are there others who wish they could bring their pet along?

I would LOVE if WDW had a pet friendly resort! We always take our dogs with us and kennel them at the TTC kennel, and though it is NOT a problem going to walk them (we go up to 4x a day ), it would be great if they could go with us to the resort! I totally think that the way Universal lets pets in is just GREAT. And it is a shame that WDW does not, after all...most of the characters are animals!

But yes, even if one floor was pet designated, it would be wonderful. Maybe one day they will.

 

[BamaTigger]

Thank you! I was starting to think I was the only one out there.

Oh gosh, I just read all of the NEGATIVE things about bringing dogs on vacation!
First off all, some people HAVE to take their dogs cause they have NO ONE to come and check on them! Or the town they live in does not have a great kennel to put them in. So the only option is, to take pets along. As far as kennelling dogs at WDW, the kennels are clean, your dogs HAVE to have the appropriate shots, and my dogs are very familiar with the BEST FRIENDS PET CARE staff. They even get the same crate every time we go.
As far as walking them?? Well, me and DH have no problem at all going to walk our dogs....we go about 4x a day. We schedule our ADR's around their walks, and park times. It is no different than tending to a kid while at WDW. SO, I dont see the big deal about that!

At US, they have designated rooms for pets and you can choose TO OR NOT TO have housekeeping do your room! SO if you are out walking your dog, you can call HK and they will come clean your room while you are out. So, no danger there.

And as one previous poster said, the average pet owner who cares so much about their animal enough to take it on vacation with them, will not have fleas or ticks to leave behind in the rooms! And Im sure housekeeping will give the room a good cleaning when the people check out!!!!

And if a resort, being WDW or US or Motel 6, does allow pets, no you dont have to stay there.... I dont like kids, so I choose not to go to Chuckie Cheese's....same principal.

Now, I have my flame suit on....(sorry, I get very defensive about my dogs!)