Question about dogs at FW

[Tuffcookie]

Hi everyone! I will be camping with my Molly, for the first time, at the end of Sept. I know I can take her to the campfire program but was unsure about the marina area. I would like to take her with me to see the Electrical Water Parade and the fireworks from the beach area. Will that be permitted?

 

[proudmomof4]

Hi everyone! I will be camping with my Molly, for the first time, at the end of Sept. I know I can take her to the campfire program but was unsure about the marina area. I would like to take her with me to see the Electrical Water Parade and the fireworks from the beach area. Will that be permitted?

I have a long answer to a short question, lol.

Once upon a time, there was hardly anywhere you could bring a dog at the Fort. But it is now a very dog friendly campground.

Several years back, we were walking our dogs and stopped at the corner of 400 loop across the street from the walking path to the Settlement area as we thought dogs were not permitted there. We had discussed taking the dogs back to the camper so we could get something to eat in the Settlement area. We were approached by a Fort manager in plain clothes but with a cast member name tag, she asked us if we had tried the food trucks yet. We said no, but were looking forward to it, we just needed to return the dogs to the camper. She responded by saying the dogs were welcome in the area and we could go ahead and take them with us.

We have since taken our dogs to the Settlement a few times, we just make sure to be respectful of others and keep our dogs from approaching people. When we get our food, we tend to take it to a quieter area to eat and feed the dogs too.

We have walked our dogs along the beach to the canal behind the 300 loop, but we have not taken them down there during the fireworks or EWP because our dogs are afraid of fireworks.

We, personally, would not take them into the trading post (there is a sign on the door stating no pets allowed) or inside a restaurant. I only say this because I recently watched a YouTube video from a couple staying in a DVC cabin, and they took their small dog (who was in a stroller, so I don't believe it was a service dog) inside Crockett's Tavern. Apparently the dog was welcomed by cast members who provided the dog with water and a pup cup. Now maybe the dog was old and had some special needs? I don't know. We have also not taken our dogs to the campfire but I have seen other dogs there.

Just an FYI, this can be a touchy subject as some people feel that dogs should be left at home and they shouldn't have to be "forced" to be around them. But I have only ever seen that kind of opinion expressed on here and on other social media, no one has ever said anything to me in person at the Fort. Often, people will approach us and ask to pet our dogs, which our dogs LOVE. And I always tell children that they need a responsible adult's permission before they can pet the dogs.

My advice is, just be respectful and don't allow your dog to approach people. Look out for signs that say pets are not allowed. And as always (but I'm sure you do this), clean up after them. But most of all, enjoy your time at the Fort.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Thanks for your response! I fell in love with FW, when my youngest DS and I went camping there for a couple of Spring Breaks. That was in 2002 & 2004. I am 72 and retired. Both DSs are grown. Oldest DS is married and his kids (my grandkids) are in college.I have not been back to WDW since 2019. My late boyfriend and I had a trip planned for June of 2020 but, because of covid, that trip was cancelled. Bob, my late boyfriend, had ckd and passed away in Jan of 2024. Before Molly, I had a standard poodle (Gracie) that I took on a road trip, across my home State of Ohio, to a Peter Noone concert. The concert was held outdoors, at a mall parking lot, as part of a car show. Gracie got special attention at that concert from Peter Noone when he presented her with her own cd! This will be Molly’s first trip. She is a designer breed dog, called a “malshi” (maltese-shizu mix). I will be staying in an rv that will be delivered to FW and set up for me. It is pet-friendly. I’m planning on doing 3 days at the parks while I’m there but I plan on coming back to the rv for meal times and to just enjoy FW.

 

[proudmomof4]

Thanks for your response! I fell in love with FW, when my youngest DS and I went camping there for a couple of Spring Breaks. That was in 2002 & 2004. I am 72 and retired. Both DSs are grown. Oldest DS is married and his kids (my grandkids) are in college.I have not been back to WDW since 2019. My late boyfriend and I had a trip planned for June of 2020 but, because of covid, that trip was cancelled. Bob, my late boyfriend, had ckd and passed away in Jan of 2024. Before Molly, I had a standard poodle (Gracie) that I took on a road trip, across my home State of Ohio, to a Peter Noone concert. The concert was held outdoors, at a mall parking lot, as part of a car show. Gracie got special attention at that concert from Peter Noone when he presented her with her own cd! This will be Molly’s first trip. She is a designer breed dog, called a “malshi” (maltese-shizu mix). I will be staying in an rv that will be delivered to FW and set up for me. It is pet-friendly. I’m planning on doing 3 days at the parks while I’m there but I plan on coming back to the rv for meal times and to just enjoy FW.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I hope your return trip to the fort is relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[StormyCA]

We've had our 16lb Dachsie with us on all 4 trips (campsite). We've found the Fort very dog friendly.

As PP says, don't take them into any buildings marked 'no pets'. Although I believe you do take them into the Outpost with you when you're checking into a cabin (as we will be next time).

It may very well be that the CMs will be polite if you take your pooch into a building, but the 'no pets' signs are there for a reason.

FWIW we take our dog to Best Friends on our park days (he's a barker). They open 1 hour before the earliest park's rope drop and close 1 hour after the last park closes. We have never felt he's gotten anything but the best care. In fact, last time they had him in the 'geriatric area' (he was 11) nearer to the 'back office' area where they can be kept a closer eye on.

 

[skyp4WDW]

So...I will present the other side of the coin here. I do not enjoy seeing, hearing, or smelling other campers dogs at Ft Wilderness. ( I much prefer the days when I used to wake up to the charming sound of the Boat horns; now when I visit the fort I get to wake up to lots of barking/yipping dogs).
By far, the most annoying thing is when Entitled dog owners constantly try to bring their dogs in the few areas left that are supposed to be "Dog Free zones". {Restaurants, stores, and pool)
A few years ago, my neighbor in the site next to me in the 1500 Loop had a large aggressive dog in a tent (not allowed) and constantly off leash (not allowed) and even when Security came, just refused to put the dog on a leash and abide by the rules! Sigh.

 

[bama_ed]

WE have Sticky thread at the top of the Camping Board 'FW Resort Info' and post #2 is abt pets at FW. It has a little bit of info.

 

[Tuffcookie]

So...I will present the other side of the coin here. I do not enjoy seeing, hearing, or smelling other campers dogs at Ft Wilderness. ( I much prefer the days when I used to wake up to the charming sound of the Boat horns; now when I visit the fort I get to wake up to lots of barking/yipping dogs).
By far, the most annoying thing is when Entitled dog owners constantly try to bring their dogs in the few areas left that are supposed to be "Dog Free zones". {Restaurants, stores, and pool)
A few years ago, my neighbor in the site next to me in the 1500 Loop had a large aggressive dog in a tent (not allowed) and constantly off leash (not allowed) and even when Security came, just refused to put the dog on a leash and abide by the rules! Sigh.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I realize not everyone is an “animal person “, which was why I asked my question in the first place. I also knew about the rule about not having dogs in tents, or pop-ups. I’m surprised the offenders in your post were allowed to stay. Years ago, when I camped at FW with my youngest DS, there were specific loops you had to stay in if you had a pet. In case we are at FW when you are, please post the following sign near your cabin or rv, (or wear a badge) so Molly & I will know to stay clear of you!

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

We saw several well behaved dogs on leash watching the fireworks from the beach/marina area in Feb. I may have pet a few of them

 

[ScarletFire]

My dogs love FW! I think it might be the walks they get every single time we return to the camper. There are so many great spots for dog walkers and there are poop baggies available everywhere!

 

[Dakota731]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I realize not everyone is an “animal person “, which was why I asked my question in the first place. I also knew about the rule about not having dogs in tents, or pop-ups. I’m surprised the offenders in your post were allowed to stay. Years ago, when I camped at FW with my youngest DS, there were specific loops you had to stay in if you had a pet. In case we are at FW when you are, please post the following sign near your cabin or rv, (or wear a badge) so Molly & I will know to stay clear of you!

It’s not always a question of being an animal person or not. It’s the behavior of some owners that cause the problems. I love dogs and have never not owned one in my life. However, guests have a right to not be awakened in the middle of the night or very early morning by barking dogs. And there are children who have been attacked and bitten by dogs who are terrified when a dog runs up to them unexpectedly. I won’t even get into the owners who don’t clean up after their dog or just let the poop bags lay on the trails or beaches for someone else to clean up. The irresponsible owners ruin it for everyone, so I hope Disney will enforce the rules that were established for a reason.

 

[proudmomof4]

I had to take a few days before deciding to type out another response to this thread, I have a feeling people won't like what I have to say, but here goes anyway.

I can agree with Dakota731 in that there are pet owners who ruin things for the all of the rest of us and that's a shame, I wish everyone could be kind and considerate.

But I think that there are parents who also ruin things for the rest of us. They think that once they get to Disney property they can just let their children run wild and free. On my last trip, there were 2 little girls (maybe 4 and 6) running through the woods chasing the turkeys and throwing rocks at them, no parents in sight. I have come across bikes and scooters all over the road when trying to drive out of the loop, and the parents just sit there and look at you like you're the idiot for not getting out of your truck and moving their kids' things. Kids running around at 11:00pm screaming, not crying as in a baby, (that I could understand) but screaming like they are in a horror movie and the parents are just sitting around their campfire drinking and laughing.

I have nothing against kids, I raised 4 of them, my issue is with the parents who are not parenting. I see more of that than irresponsible dog owners.

 

[team bradfield]

I had to take a few days before deciding to type out another response to this thread, I have a feeling people won't like what I have to say, but here goes anyway.

I can agree with Dakota731 in that there are pet owners who ruin things for the all of the rest of us and that's a shame, I wish everyone could be kind and considerate.

But I think that there are parents who also ruin things for the rest of us. They think that once they get to Disney property they can just let their children run wild and free. On my last trip, there were 2 little girls (maybe 4 and 6) running through the woods chasing the turkeys and throwing rocks at them, no parents in sight. I have come across bikes and scooters all over the road when trying to drive out of the loop, and the parents just sit there and look at you look you're the idiot for not getting out of your truck and moving their kids' things. Kids running around at 11:00pm screaming, not crying as in a baby, (that I could understand) but screaming like they are in a horror movie and the parents are just sitting around their campfire drinking and laughing.

I have nothing against kids, I raised 4 of them, my issue is with the parents who are not parenting. I see more of that than irresponsible dog owners.

Agree, it gets worse every year, teach your kids people

 

[ScarletFire]

I did a two day stay at POP with my daughter and the leaf blower woke me up at 6am both mornings. The people next door were loud talkers. When I sleep in my camper with the AC cranked, I don't hear the outdoors or the neighbors.

Sometimes I hear dogs barking while their owners are at the parks but I've never been parked next door. I think it might be because they see me walking my dogs or they could be anxious. We keep the shades closed so that my dogs can't see outside and the AC and tv cranked for noise cancelation. When I spy on my dogs with the blink camera they are fast asleep. My dogs know the routine.

 

[proudmomof4]

Sometimes I hear dogs barking while their owners are at the parks but I've never been parked next door. I think it might be because they see me walking my dogs or they could be anxious. We keep the shades closed so that my dogs can't see outside and the AC and tv cranked for noise cancelation. When I spy on my dogs with the blink camera they are fast asleep. My dogs know the routine.

I do the same things. And I always talk with my neighbors and let them know we have dogs and to let us know if they are loud, they always say the dogs are quiet when we are gone, some have even said they didn't realize we had dogs. We make it a point to be back for them before dark and the fireworks.