Pets and DVC ...

[jdg345]

If I recall the wording correctly, the POS says no pets ON PROPERTY, other than service animals. As I under the ADA guidelines, a service animal would have to perform a service for someone with a disability. Companionship, no matter the reason behind it, would not qualify.

The only other exception I'm aware of is HH where they allow those who dock their boats to walk their pets. I think they restrict them to outside the road or at least try to though I don't know if it's a written policy and don't think it's enforced as well as it might be.

Understood, but I think that in today's world, a lot can be considered a disability. Service dogs aren't just for those that have physical disabilities any longer. There are quite a few being used for seizures now (as mentioned previously) where the individual would be otherwise completely healthy.

 

[ralphd]

ADA guidelines:

' http://www.ada.gov/lodblind.htm '

 

[jdg345]

Most hotel chains do not allow pets in their guest rooms. I know of very few in the WDW area that will allow pets in the guest rooms.

Perhaps that's on WDW property ...

My sister travels just about everywhere with her 70 pound dog and I can't recall her ever having any sort of difficulty finding accomodations. And I'm pretty sure she's stayed off-site in WDW ...

There was a time were most hotel chains were not pet friendly ... but that has gradually been changing over the years. Especially now with higher gas prices, I can't imagine many would be willing to shrink down their available client pools?

 

[jdg345]

Actually, I had a friend with SEVERE pet allergies, and he had a Himalayan cat and used a specific dander shampoo on his cat weekly and never had a problem living with him as long as he kept him bathed regularly in that product.

Wow ... that's wild! Do you happen to know the name of the shampoo?

 

[mdhkitten]

I've always found it funny that Universal allows pets in their hotels (according to other posters). I just guess I never thought that I'd see a theme park allow pets at their hotels.

 

[jdg345]

ADA guidelines:

' http://www.ada.gov/lodblind.htm '

From that article:

You must allow people with disabilities to go wherever guests are generally allowed, even when they are accompanied by guide dogs or other service animals. For detailed information about services animals, please refer to the Department of Justice’s ADA guide, “Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business.”

Any disability according to that ... and they specifically allow for not only guide dogs (blind/low vision) but also 'other service animals'. We know someone who is bound to an ECV and has a service dog. I would imagine WDW would be very accomodating to him even though he has very good vision.

 

[mdhkitten]

Wow ... that's wild! Do you happen to know the name of the shampoo?

I'm not sure of what he used because that was so long ago, but there are several out there. Here's a link to a couple of different items:

http://www.onlineallergyrelief.com/pets/pets.html

I have no pet allergies whatsoever, but my dd's dad has them, along with other allergies such as laundry detergent, etc, and now she's already developed the allergy to laundry detergent, and his family's reaction to amoxicillin. I hope that pets aren't next! I'd be heart broken.

 

[ralphd]

I've always found it funny that Universal allows pets in their hotels (according to other posters). I just guess I never thought that I'd see a theme park allow pets at their hotels.

Universal does not own or operate any hotels. The major chain hotels around Universal do not allow 'pets' as far as I know. There are a few hotels in the Orlando resort area that do allow pets.

 

[mdhkitten]

Here you go. If you go under "Hotel Policies", at the bottom of that list is the pet policy. I know that the hotels at Universal are owned by Loews, but it's still surprising to me.

http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_more_info.html

 

[Sammie]

Universal does not own or operate any hotels. The major chain hotels around Universal do not allow 'pets' as far as I know. There are a few hotels in the Orlando resort area that do allow pets.

Then who owns and operates the hotels at Universal and yes the allow pets.

 

[disneykidatheart]

Might have been a service animal ... dunno ... I've actually never seen a pet on DVC property which is why I figured I'd ask.

Sorry to hear about the allergies, but many hotels allow pets. And if Service Dogs are allowed, this is going to be an issue regardless, no?

Some folks, I imagine, don't like to be separated from their pets ... and then, some folks, I imagine, don't have the option of leaving their pet at home unsupervised for a week or two.

Flying under the radar wouldn't work for us ... our pets are quite difficult to miss at over 60 pounds. Just for the record, I believe there are just as many people who aren't very scrupulous in cleaning up after their people-children as there are their pet-children. It seems there are a great deal of complaints about how beat up some of the resorts are -- and if it's not pets, then it must be people. I guess my point is that some children are considerably more destructive than some pets. Would it make your skin crawl any more or any less to know that you were walking on carpet baptized by a child versus a cocker spaniel?

No worries ... and my reply isn't intended to be grouchy either ... Some people aren't pet-people, and some people aren't child-people. Diversity is what makes the world go round.

I had never seen an animal on Disney property until February. It didn't cross my mind at the time that the dog might have been a service animal which it possibly was. It is just as possible that it was brought in a small carrier and whisked through the gates. It just seemed odd to see a dog running around back in South Pointe. While Disney may be ever vigilant to enforce the no pet policy I believe there will always be people who think rules are not meant for them!

I absolutely have no issues with service animals. I understand they play an important role in the lives of those who need them. I would think the percentage of service animals is extremely small compared to the number of those that would be brought in if allowed. I hope to be lucky enough not to get the room recently occupied by any animal. I would not make a fuss if I thought I was in one unless the room showed very obvious signs of animal misuse (pet accidents).

I understand the relationships people have with their pets. My daughter-in-law is one of those people. I don't have a problem with people bringing their dogs to Disney as long as they use the Disney kennels while visiting.

I like this one!! Again a point I didn't think of. I guess after raising three children and cleaning up more messes than I care to admit that came from more orifices than I care to think of, I am more immune to the human type of mess than those of pets. But you do have a very valid point!

I am not in the lease offended. When I saw the original post I remembered the February incident and decided to put my two cents in. I know people love their pets. I don't hate pets. I have owned dogs. My kids couldn't come home to visit if we didn't tolerate their beloved dogs. That doesn't mean I don't wash the floor, vacuum throughout the house, dust and wipe off countertops when they leave. We run an air purifier while they are visiting. It doesn't help my husband's condition but we love our kids and tolerate their pets, within reason. (The daughter-in-law wants a Great Dane). We have made it clear that one won't fly!

I was not trying to make the OP's question a great debate. Just wanted to make the point that there are very valid reasons for prohibiting pets in the rooms. Peace.

 

[ralphd]

Then who owns and operates the hotels at Universal and yes the allow pets.

'On property':
Portofino Hotel- Loews Hotels
Hardrock Hotel
Royal Pacific-Loews Hotels
Loews Hotels do allow pets on property for a added fee.
'Others':
Doubletree - Hilton
Fairfield - Marriott
La Quinta
Comfort Inn
Holiday Inn -
Sheraton -
Residence Inn - Marriott - pet friendly
Do not know if the others are pet friendly.
Marriott does not have a corporate pet friendly policy. I have seen a few Residence Inns that do have a pet friendly policy.

Hilton, Intercontinental, Sheraton?Weston do not have a corporate pet friendly policy. All obviously comply with ADA requirements.

None of the hotels are owned by Universal.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I think we have established that Disney is pretty vigilent about pets in their rooms and villas. It's a shame they aren't nearly as careful about people who smoke in non-smoking rooms. There is NO reason for this wind-wink attitude with smoke, when pets are not tolerated. Not only does smoking raise our dues on cleaning issues(as it does with pets in the rooms), it probably raises the insurance, too.

 

[Dean]

Understood, but I think that in today's world, a lot can be considered a disability. Service dogs aren't just for those that have physical disabilities any longer. There are quite a few being used for seizures now (as mentioned previously) where the individual would be otherwise completely healthy.

It may be hard to tell but from how I read the info, it has to be from a definable physical/medical issue which would include seizures. For example, someone who had depression and had a pet for comfort would probably not qualify as I understand the rules though they are pretty vague. As I referred to earlier, the service animal has to perform an actual function or task for that person with a disability.

In addition, timeshares would come under the condo applications of those rules rather than the hotel. DVC is tough to know because technically it's a timeshare (condo) but it functions partly like a hotel. I know a Marriott timeshare that asked Marriott corporate for guidance since they had a lot of people bringing pets and saying they were service animals. The Marriott lawyers came back with a 2 page document requiring pre-notification, proof of insurance, deposits, cleaning fees, statement of liability and the like.

 

[Dean]

Perhaps that's on WDW property ...

My sister travels just about everywhere with her 70 pound dog and I can't recall her ever having any sort of difficulty finding accomodations. And I'm pretty sure she's stayed off-site in WDW ...

There was a time were most hotel chains were not pet friendly ... but that has gradually been changing over the years. Especially now with higher gas prices, I can't imagine many would be willing to shrink down their available client pools?

I think to say most hotels now allow pets would be an overstatement. If one plans there certainly are appropriate places in most locations though many restrict to small dogs and many require a deposit or even a non refundable fee. In my limited experience, I can think of 3 Hampton Inns that accepted pets in the past and have changed their policy, likely coinciding with when they joined up with Hilton. Loew's hotels have a corporate policy I think and I'm pretty sure La Quinta is the same. I know Hardrock and Portofino do as does the Seminole Reservation Hardrock hotel. The Don Cesar does as well, I'm told they actually have a Pet Spa.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

It would be my hope that anyone considering bringing a pet would completely understand what Disney is offering them- because it's not much.

From Disney's website

With the exception of service dogs for Guests with disabilities, pets are not permitted in the Theme Parks or hotels, or on the Resort or Theme Park buses. They may, however, stay in one of the air-conditioned kennels, which are members of the American Boarding Kennel Association.

Pet Care Kennels are located adjacent to the Park entrances at Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. At the Magic Kingdom® Park the Pet Care Kennels are located adjacent to the Transportation and Ticket Center

Kennel fees are per animal, per night.[B] Guests are required to walk and exercise their pets 2-3 times daily. [/B]
Resort reservations do not guarantee a kennel space for your pets; availability is first come, first served. No native wildlife or exotic species are allowed in the kennels. Prior to boarding, all Guests are required to show records of vaccination (for dogs: Rabies, Parvovirus, D.H.P. and Bordetella; for cats: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitus and Calcivirus).

Dogs- this is not stringent at all. Asking for proof the dog is on heartworm preventative and has tested negative in the last 6 months, health certificate from vet in last 10 days,negative fecal test
No dog- aggressive dogs and no female dogs in season, collar with tag-

The above listed are standard requirements for local boarding/grooming facilities in my area as well as all rescue dogs who get on a transport to go to their new home.

 

[NMW]

It's my understanding that when you board your pet at a WDW kennel you have to go daily to feed and/or walk your pet. Is that correct? If so, I can't really understand why people would want to take time away from their vacation like that. We never even get a car at WDW, so it would be impossible for us. Plus, I'd have to pay to fly him to Orlando. We board our dog (an Alaskan Malamute) at a really nice kennel by our house twice a year for our vacations. They take care of everything and give him a really great bath the day we pick him up. I usually book the kennel the same day we book our vacations and they do require the bordetella shot as well as the others. We just get him the shots at his yearly vet visits plus the lyme disease one.

 

[cherylp3]

the epcot kennel offers walking services. I believe that disney will feed your dog.

 

[cherylp3]

Also according to All Ears

http://allearsnet.com/tp/kennels.htm

Camping with pets is welcome in select Full Hook-up campsites for an additional charge, based on availability at Disney's Ft. Wilderness Campground.

 

[crisi]

Years ago I ran a local convention in the Twin Cities. We had one of the larger hotels and filled it. It was a no pet hotel, but that didn't stop some of our guests from bringing pets in. And the problem was really the variety of pets people would sneak in - if it had been just dogs or just kittens, we probably really could have managed - but the dog would go nuts brought into a room where the kitten was and the hotel would end up with the cops on site. We had a ferret escape and end up in the hotel duct system. For two weeks, it would go from room to room, leaving ferret droppings. The hotel knew it was there (I'm surprised they didn't poison it), but guests never saw it. Eventually, housekeeping was able to trap in and get it back to its owner when it showed up in a bathroom a housekeeper was working on. Thank God it was housekeeping and not a guest - imagine walking into your bathroom in the middle of the night and having a ferret looking at you. We also had people sneak in with snakes, rats, rabbits. As excited as I was about the ferret - at least it wasn't a snake in the airvents!