To take the dogs or not to take the dogs...

[iradi8]

We recently adopted two 2y.o. Golden Retrievers. We will be camping in our new Toy Hauler at FW in late October. Although we have been to FW before we are new (again) pet owners.

So, can anyone share their experiences good or bad with the pet dilemma? I know when we are there we usually are gone all day. If we bring the dogs we can't do that. I don't think I would want to kennel them -- I would leave them in the camper where they would be more comfortable.

Does bringing your pet cramp your style? I mean, a WDW vacation isn't like some other vacations where you spend a lot of time in the camper. It would be nice to have the dogs with us at night -- I just don't know if I want to be worried about them all day.

Thanks!

 

[becky1960]

This is a hard one to answer, if your dogs are can hold themselfs all day then there would not be a problem. We take our dogs and they sometimes have accidents so we took out the carpet. With a new camper I would probably worry (Carpet)?. I think you are probably right about Kennels as you have to walk the dogs 2-3 times a day, although we have used the kennels for several years. Since we bought a 5th wheel we take our dogs and it works out better and it seems with each trip they are getting better. The pet loops are pet friendly.

 

[poohbearwithme]

I have heard that Disney's Kennels (and they have one at FW) are some of the nicest there are. But that's just what I heard. (but I have heard it many, many times). I have not been to Disney since we got our 2 dogs so this is not from experince but I can say from what I have heard about Disney's Kennels I would not hesitate to leave my family members there. They are also big dogs. However, you could keep them in a portable kennel in the camper (I say kennel so they won't get too board and take things out on your camper-they are only 2 yrs old and are goldens-lots of energy). But remember leaving them in the camper you take the chance of one of Florida's afternoon thunderstorms knocking out the power at the campground leaving them in a hot camper without A/C. This option would also require you to come back during the day to let them out to go to the BR. Leaving them outside unattended all day is not option at FW or any other campground. You can drop them off at the kennel that morning then pick them up and take them to your camper that evening to be with their family. (I think it's only $6 per dog a day to leave them at Disney) If they are like our dogs they want to be with their family even if they have to stay in a kennel during the day. If you put them in the Disney Kennels be sure to bring proof of shoots (including kennel cough).

 

[ynottony99]

We used the kennel a couple of summers ago. They are very nice whether inside or one of the outside runs. However at that time they requested that we return during the day to walk our dog, since they don't do that. So, that means returning to the Fort from the parks anyway.

Our dog was a mini dauchshound, and other times we left him in his kennel in the trailer and returned to walk him.

Myself, I like a vacation without the extra work and worry of the dog.

But that's just me!!!!!!

 

[juligrl]

If they're a part of your family and you can take them and you are willing to make sure their needs are met, then take them. I would love to be able to take my dog on my Disney vacations (she goes with me on almost all my other vacations), but since we stay in the hotels, this is not an option.

We did a day trip there in 2001 and boarded my dog at the MK kennel. I did have to come back and walk her, but it wasn't an issue for me since I normally take her on several walks a day. Have fun!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I have taken our retriever to Disney many many times. It would be hard to go there without her!! We started with leaving her in the kennel which are very nice, know we camp in the pet loops and she stays in the camper. I would take them possible board them see how they do, then see how they do in the camper Maybe bring a portable kennel for your camper. I think the kennel is very clean and the staff very friendly, It was just harder for me to leave her there when we were going to have so much fun. I think it was a guilt thing. Its great that Disney has the pet loops and you can take your dogs since in my case our dog is part of the Family and it complete our Family Vacation to have her with us. Have Fun.

 

[campingcorgi]

Gunnar the camping corgi loves to go to FW! Actually, he is the main reason we bought an rv--that and so we could afford to go to FW more often. He doesn't cramp our style--but it does require a change of style. He gets an early morning long walk and we have to make sure he gets another one sometime in the afternoon/early evening. He does fine for long periods in the regular house so he does the same thing in the 'little house'. It is actually quite fun to see all the dogs coming out in the late afternoon for their walks! Anyway, if we have an 'all-day' planned then we just take a break in the hot afternoon and rest, walk and feed the dog, and he is fine again.

I'd camp some before FW so you can see how your dogs do. Some dogs snooze away and some are barkers. Small dogs barking non-stop may be a slight nuisance but big dog barkers would be a whole-nuther tail As far as I know, Gunnar only barks when he hears us come back--and then he is ready for another walk! He loves to walk at FW--so many new sniffs to sniff!!

Feel free to pm me if you have any more questions--I've taken my dog camping at FW 22 times now!!

 

[Camping Cat]

Sloan, I'm glad that you posted your question here. You'll receive much better information on any FW question here than on RADP. I was going to suggest it to you if I hadn't seen your post here. I was very disappointed in some of the replies you got....must not have been any true campers. Or else no real pet lovers....hehe. I think your family would love camping at FW with your dogs. Just try them out on a few trips close to home and see how they do. That should help you make up your mind.

 

[Camping Cat]

Gunnar the camping corgi loves to go to FW! Actually, he is the main reason we bought an rv--that and so we could afford to go to FW more often.

We bought our camper just so our cat could stay at WDW with us. We just
became DVC members in December, but as long as we have our 16 year old fur baby, we will continue to stay in FW on our DVC points. We won't be staying at the resorts until we no longer have her. And I hope that's not for a long, long time!

He doesn't cramp our style--but it does require a change of style. He gets an early morning long walk and we have to make sure he gets another one sometime in the afternoon/early evening. He does fine for long periods in the regular house so he does the same thing in the 'little house'. It is actually quite fun to see all the dogs coming out in the late afternoon for their walks! Anyway, if we have an 'all-day' planned then we just take a break in the hot afternoon and rest, walk and feed the dog, and he is fine again.

We always have found it best to take a break from the parks in the middle of the day anyway, so that is a perfect time to give your pet some quality time with the family.

I'd camp some before FW so you can see how your dogs do. Some dogs snooze away and some are barkers. Small dogs barking non-stop may be a slight nuisance but big dog barkers would be a whole-nuther tail As far as I know, Gunnar only barks when he hears us come back--and then he is ready for another walk! He loves to walk at FW--so many new sniffs to sniff!!

I think most of the dogs are probably like yours. We've stayed in pet loops many times and have never noticed any barking. Either that, or there must be some Pixie Dust and Magic at FW.

 

[YorkieMom]

This will be Hollie's first time to see the Mouse.

I agree, you need to take your fur babies on a few short weekend trips before you take a long vacation.

She is used to being alone in the daytime as both DH and I have full time jobs. We plan to hit the parks early, come back early evening (4 or 5 ish), grab a quick bite for dinner, let her out to "do her thing" and head back for evening fun.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I had to go over to the RADP forum to see what they had been telling you. It looks like several who answered either don't have dogs or just don't get it. Anyway, our beagle goes with us camping wherever we go. He loves it. He, too, is home alone during the day while we work - his prime sleeping time, it seems. When we go to Disney, we kennel him during the day and he loves it there. He runs to the truck every morning and can't wait to get in. When we arrive at the kennels, he is pulling and straining to get in, and knows after the first day where his kennel is. He also knows where the treat jar is, and gets tons of attention from the staff throughout the day. I enjoy the break during the day for a walk, and he enjoys the extra walks during the day he normally doesn't get at home while I am at work.