POLL - Who wants a pet-friendly DVC property?

[calypso*a*go-go]

I think it might be okay to have some "dedicated" pet friendly DVC rooms off-site but wouldn't want any @ WDW as I think there would be too many animals cooped up all day while their owners are doing the parks commando-style.

 

[spiceycat]

off site DVC are you talking about HH and VB - or do you mean in Lake Buena Vista????

there are places (hotels, condo, houses) that allow pets already - go I don't think DVC will never built an off-site DVC resorts that allowed pets.

I voted yes - just because I would love to have Spicey with me!!!

but I definitely understand the majority not.

Some people do not believe in vet visits, vacinations or flea baths - believe me I have meet them.

So I understand guests at WDW not wanting to be around them.

this was so funny - this large lady was in a wheelchair and she had this very tiny dog in her nap and she say the dog was a service animal.......oh yea!!!! in WDW! - no skirt on the dog or anything....

 

[mickey1010]

Do I want a Pet Friendly DVC property?

Assuming the property would be at WDW, I probably would never utilize it, since we live in Michigan with our Golden Retriever and have always traveled by plane. However, the option would be nice.

For all of you who say you would *NEVER* stay in a "pet-friendly" hotel, you would probably be surprised at the number of "pet-friendly" accommodations that exist. If you do much travel, there is a good chance you have stayed in a pet friendly location without even knowing it. Advances in cleaning methods have all but done away with dander problems from previous "guests".

I would be curious to hear from people who have actually had bad experiences in pet friendly accomodations that are on par with the quality and cleanliness level of a Disney location. I don't think we can really compare places like HoJo's to a DVC resort. Please discount any locations where it was not pet friendly, but a previous guest may have brought their pet in under radar.

We have stayed in a few different pet friendly locations and have seen ZERO difference in the cleanliness. In fact, I would take a guess that pet friendly hotels that are on par with Disney in terms of quality are probably cleaner than their counterparts because the staff takes extra cleaning measures and guests are extra sensitive to the condition of the room.

I can give you an example of a specific high end hotel chain that not only is pet friendly, but they actually cater to families who bring their pets. Loews hotels has locations in a number of North American cities and provides amenities for dogs/cats such as a welcome bag full of food/dishes/treats and a toy upon arrival, information on local pet friendly attractions and restaurants, pet walking and sitting service, among others. We have stayed in two of their hotels, downtown Montreal and Quebec City, and they could definitely be categorized in the same league as Disney accommodations. Loews also has three locations that I am sure many of you are not only familiar with but have probably stayed at...
Hard Rock Hotel
Portofino Bay
Royal Pacific Resort

All pet friendly and extremely nice accommodations!

So the majority of the responses have been "No, there shouldn't be a DVC pet friendly resort because I don't want one, everyone I know is allergic to cats and dogs, animals bring down the value of a property (not too sure about that one)...."

Well, maybe YOU don't want one, but apparently ~17% of current/prospective owners (assumption) do, according to this poll. While this poll may be a somewhat statistically insignificant sample, for the sake of argument, let's say it is. If there are 100,000 members, that's 17,000 *current* members. Eventually (may be unrealized right now), there will be a market for it.

Furthermore, nobody is forcing you to stay at any resort, so don't! I don't want to stay at Saratoga Springs because of the location, so I don't! (Not necessarily true, just using it as an example). More importantly, I am not going to say people with home resorts at Hilton Head or Vero Beach should have to use more points to stay at my Boardwalk or Old Key West. I already have the advanced booking window advantage over people at other resorts.

The maintenance and upkeep is a non-issue since the only way it would affect you is if you purchased an interest in the resort. Obviously the maintenance fees would be higher to cover necessary cleaning costs. In fact, for people who have points elsewhere and who wanted to stay at the "pet friendly" DVC resort, it would be an advantage because they would be staying there without paying the higher maintenance fees.

I'm not sure if the market is currently there, but I would bet that it will be eventually.

 

[canwegosoon]

As much as I love my pet...I think it would be too stressful on him Let alone the flights etc.

 

[spiceycat]

you forgot the Ritz Carton that use to take pets - I don't know if they still do because of being brought by Marriott.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I voted NO. Can you imagine the occupancy infractions ? Does the studio sleep four and one big dog, or four and two littles dogs ? Will the pullout sofa sleep two dogs & one child ? Will you need a two bedroom if you take a cat & a dog ? What if the dog wants to smoke ? Can he on the balcony ? Does the Villa come with feeding dishes ? Will there be a pooper scooper in the closet,next to the playpen ? Or we just call housekeeping when we get there ? Will they store our pets for us if we check in early & want to hit the parks till 4:00 PM ? Will the dog have charging priviledges ?

Sorry.... just way too many unanswered questions.

 

[spiceycat]

thank you KNWVIKING - I needed a good laugh!!!

 

[TnRobin]

I am with the majority of the other posters here. I dearly love my two kitties. But I have to say No.

1. The maintenance cost would be prohibitive - sorry, I know Loews may allow them, but Loew is paying for the maintenance.

2. As stated before, there are the allergy issues.

3.While I believe the majority of people do take care of thier pets, there are those few who would no ensure thier pets are free of fleas and such. This just adds to the possible allergens that could affect other people.

4. For the cat lovers, cats hate change. They really don't do well at traveling. I know some cats are different, but they are the exception to the rule. For this reason, even if I stay at a pet friendly resort, Simba and Annie will be staying at home. I will have the Pet sitters stop by and play "Chase the laser beam light."

 

[JimC]

Not interested. Opening up DVC to pets generally I believe would increase costs and not add to the magical memories of our vacations.

However, ADA service animals are fine anywhere. Different situation, different laws and based on my experience are very well received by Disney CMs and guests.

 

[beacher]

I can only conjure images of incessantly barking dogs left in strange rooms hearing unfamiliar noises with their routines adjusted, other people's pet hair on my clothes from furniture, bad allergic reactions from my family members, pets showing up at pools and restaurants, funny smells which would make me wonder, etc., etc., etc. No pets is my vote.

 

[SSRex]

Sorry to say it, but I told you so. I have someone like this, the OP from the related thread, not this pollster, that said yes, of course, there should be a pet-friendly resort although not a DVC member.

She has no kids, no significant other, male or female. She has to be home from work every night by 6pm to give the cat a shot, a 13 year old cat that is. The highlight of her week is when the cat lets her out on Tuesday nights to play volleyball. It is very sad. I told her it would be a landslide and why, due to allergies, etc. and she did not understand or care about anyone else, no clue. Thank you to all that took the time to vote and kill this crazy idea.

 

[CarolA]

Well it looks like a landslide "NO" vote right now, but Rex I don't think this would be considered an "official" vote by DVC.

However Disney has never been "pet friendly" so they must belive the expense of pet friendly outweighs what any additional customers this would bring in.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

After 223 votes: 87% No, 13% Yes.
I believe that's a landslide!

 

[kathleena]

The last thing I want to hear when I'm vacationing away my very expensive DVC points is someone's yappy dog that's been left alone in the room next door.

A Big NO thanks!

 

[akghutton]

Very allergic to cats and dogs - so a resounding "NO" from this camp!

 

[Coach Rick]

I voted no. I have a cat, and a samoid, which we love dearly...well with the cat everyone in the family but me.

Disney has places for your animals. If you really want to bring them there are beautiful kennels there. I am sure Disney pampers the pets of guests as much as they pamper the guests.

Besides, what would keep someone from bringing their pet skunk.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I voted no. We love our cats (after all we are named for a cat on the Dis-Boards) but if we started to take them to the hotel with us, next they would want to start going to the theme parks and on the rides. I could see my cats jumping off to visit the other cats in Pirates. Just wouldn't work. It would be a CATastrophe!

HBC

 

[RuthnPaul]

Originally posted by CarolA
However Disney has never been "pet friendly" so they must belive the expense of pet friendly outweighs what any additional customers this would bring in.

CarolA, but would the new members who buy into DVC because of a pet-friendly resort offset the number of current members who might very well sell their contracts if this was implemented??

 

[LisaSt]

We would sell our contracts if they did this.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by RuthnPaul
CarolA, but would the new members who buy into DVC because of a pet-friendly resort offset the number of current members who might very well sell their contracts if this was implemented??

Huh? I already said I'm not in favor of such a concept, but why would a member sell his/her contract based upon actions taken at another resort? That's kinda like a BCV member saying they don't like SSR, so they're going to sell their BCV contract.

The only thing we can ever control is our own Home resort--and that level of control is dubious at best. But I'm certainly not going to let future changes at any resorts other than my Home drive my level of satisfaction.