Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[chicagoshannon]

That is smart of your husband. They did this and made it a change super quick, you'd hate to buy something like that and then find out that they are making it resort wide at all DVC, or resorts. At least if you don't buy, you can choose to stay at one of the other resorts around.
Does anyone know if Bonnet Creek is Pet free?

Bonnet Creek is pet free.

 

[HopperFan]

View attachment 277151
I want to play at SAB too!

Don't laugh. If this is successful be looking for them to add Dog Room Service (Universal has it), Dog playgrounds (to keep them off the kids), Dog splash pads (to keep them out of the kids) and maybe a doggie pool (bone shaped like my dog's pet resort) and additions to food court like Puppy Ice Cream and more. Once the cash roll is rolling they will come up with lots of options, maybe you can buy a sweet Mickey bed to have in your room waiting.

I would also like to know how much the daycare is going to be.

It's nice you have someone to watch your dog when you vacation and you can truly relax knowing everything is fine. When we boarded our 2 dogs this past summer it costs us $800 for 6 nights with all the extra walks and playtime added in. It gets expensive. I do nothing but worry and think about them when I'm at Disney. I call at least once a day to check in on them.

Day Camp Full Day $27

Purchase 5 sessions and save $10!

Purchase 20 sessions and save $60!

Plus you will have to drive them there and pick them up.

http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/waltdisneyworldresort/services-rates/day-camp/

Bonnet Creek is pet free.

One of my favorite places, practically on property, way more value for the money and a competitive price to the Disney resorts.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Easy answer would be just to build a small resort only for dog owners - All Star Pooch. Then no worries for people with allergies and owners could be staying with other like minded guests.

Service animals would continue to be allowed to stay at the resorts so no matter what there will continue to be exposure (though I wouldn't know how much) for allergens though yes they generally would be with their owners who need them for x,y,z. Also as service animals are able to go where their owner goes there could be more exposure depending on how you look at it and depending on how the allergen affects the individual (enclosed spaces vs open spaces, just being in the presence, etc).

 

[Kaytie]

But, this is all about Disney World - the happiest place on Earth!

That's DisneyLand. Disney World is The Most Magical Place on Earth.

How much is a day of doggy care?

$27, with multi-day discounts available http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/waltdisneyworldresort/services-rates/day-camp/

 

[Sarasotadisneynut]

The first of Disney's four keys is safety. They are making a big mistake allowing any but "real" service dogs on property. Just wait till a Pit Bull, Doberman or German Shepherd attacks either a smaller dog or even worse a guest. It does happen even if the dog is on a leash.

As a shareholder, annual pass holder and one who has stayed at the Yacht club over 10 weekends in the last 18 months I will never stay at a Disney property that allows Dogs. My wife is highly allergic to dogs plus I have seen first hand what damage a dog can do even if they seem well trained.

Also Disney deleted mine and my wifes blog posts on the Disney blog site saying the same things mentioned above. I guess they only want positive posts listed not to scare off possible guests but if I was paying $300 to $500 per night and didn't know or want dogs all over I would be pissed off.

Disney this decision will make me rethink staying at Disney and my investment in the company. Even if it's a pilot program the damage has been done with me. It is obvious you are not thinking about the risks.

 

[Dis703]

Well, Disney did say there was doggie day care available, so you don’t HAVE to leave your pet in the room. But they are making it easier to leave the pet than to book the day care, probably because the day care won’t be able to handle the volume.

People have already mentioned not being able to find slots available for the daycare. Unless they build a bigger kennel it's not likely these guests will be able to utilize this service.

 

[Jennasis]

We have 2 dogs. To board them at the lovely kennel near our home (which they both adore) it costs us $67/night, which includes three daily walks/potty time, feeding and an extra playtime each day. For our upcoming 5 day trip to Orlando, it will cost us around $337 for them to be in a secure environment where we will not have to worry about them disrupting others, destroying anything, stressing out or being without veterinary care (our vet is 10 minutes away from the kennel) or driving in a car for 9 hours with them LOL.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Don't laugh. If this is successful be looking for them to add Dog Room Service (Universal has it), Dog playgrounds (to keep them off the kids), Dog splash pads (to keep them out of the kids) and maybe a doggie pool (bone shaped like my dog's pet resort) and additions to food court like Puppy Ice Cream and more. Once the cash roll is rolling they will come up with lots of options, maybe you can buy a sweet Mickey bed to have in your room waiting.

 

[skyp4WDW]

When I got a call from Guest Services yesterday, the CM tried to use Ft Wilderness as an example of how well having dogs at the resorts can work out. My response was, "Really? Because I have first-hand experience that it is absolutely Not working out there. The Cast Members have given up trying to enforce the rules regarding dogs. I have seen dogs in the Pet-Free Loops, in the pool area, in the meadows store (where food is sold),etc. The resort was once a very charming place for all. Now it has literally gone to the dogs! There is dog poop everywhere and and it reeks. I stepped in "residue" and had to throw out my sneakers." Just this last week a dog got out and was running free for 24 hours before they caught it. If you ask me, it's definitely not working! It's beyond not working. It has ruined Ft Wilderness for us.

And now they want to add more dogs...to the last Pet- Free area...the Cabins.

 

[agavegirl1]

People have already mentioned not being able to find slots available for the daycare. Unless they build a bigger kennel it's not likely these guests will be able to utilize this service.

That is just sad. Petsitters might be an answer. Otherwise, those dogs will be locked into hotel rooms for 6 hours and 59 minutes (LOL).

 

[tommygunn]

A shameless money grab by Disney. Very disappointing. I love dogs, LOVE dogs. But don’t want to see mine or any others during my stay. The smell this will cause in the rooms is unavoidable. What about People with allergies? And The noise? Possible alterations with dogs? The list goes on. Only bad things can come from this, except, of course, another revenue stream. Terrible idea. Hoping this pilot is a massive failure.

Oh ... and bring back the old Main Street bakery while you’re at it. I can get Starbucks in the mall. Another money grab at the expense of the guest experience.

 

[Wubar]

That is just sad. Petsitters might be an answer. Otherwise, those dogs will be locked into hotel rooms for 6 hours and 59 minutes (LOL).

If they're smart, they'll bark 1 minute after their owners leave the room. Because, if all goes according to Disney's standard operating protocols, the CMs will call the owners who have to take care of the noisy barking within 30 minutes. So the dogs will only have to be locked away for 31 minutes max!

 

[SL6827]

I on the other hand will not enjoy swimming in your SAB playground, rather I had just prefer to lounge as near as I can to whomever will give me love while I sunbathe at the Yacht Club.

 

[Gryhndmom]

View attachment 277197
I on the other hand will not enjoy swimming in your SAB playground, rather I had just prefer to lounge as near as I can to whomever will give me love while I sunbathe at the Yacht Club.

She's cute!

 

[SL6827]

She's cute!

Her name is CoCo Puff! That was at another birthday party I give my dogs.

 

[LSUmiss]

View attachment 277197
I on the other hand will not enjoy swimming in your SAB playground, rather I had just prefer to lounge as near as I can to whomever will give me love while I sunbathe at the Yacht Club.

She is cute! I hope y’all enjoy!

 

[VH103428]

Well, now you have a new source of doggy souvenirs at POR, YC, AoA and Fort Wilderness. They claim to be adding pet specific merchandise at these resorts.

It is sad, but now we will stay somewhere other than POR, our favorite, and will have to visit to pick up the souvenirs...

Now I hope they won't up the other resort rates, so I can stay at a "Pet Free" resort without paying an upcharge...

 

[mymartianromance]

Knoebels, a family owned Amusement Park in Northeastern PA has allowed dogs in their park for years, heck the dogs are even allowed on a few of the rides. No breed or size restrictions the dogs just have to be leashed and picked up after. My family has gone their for years and I've never saw any of the things that people are swearing is going to happen. But of course you're dealing with much smaller and less crowded area than WDW.

Also, there's no breed restrictions on service dogs. Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, and other "vicious" breeds can be service dogs and I'm insulted that some people in here purposely singled out those breeds as the ones who will fight/bite another dog or person. Especially since people who choose to have those breeds (or even a mix dog with one of those breeds) already deal with people/businesses going against ADA and swearing they aren't real service dogs just because they are "vicious".

 

[TheFloatingBear]

While I can appreciate the point of view that one shouldn't jump to conclusions and to wait and see how Disney handles things, I feel like I can't afford to do this. I have a group trip planned to POR in a couple of months, and short of telling my DD that she can't go with her friends on the trip she's been raising funds for 10 months, I don't really have any *choices*. So I do what I tend to do in both personal and professional situations - think of worst case scenarios, think of how this could impact my family and in this case my expensive vacation, and troubleshoot and consider how to best minimize the potential impact so I'm not making decisions on the fly. I consider this to be a natural and prudent process and not an alarmist response And again, love dogs and have had several, but don't want to stay in a dog friendly resort but do not have allergy concerns.

Anywho, here are some practical concerns about potential issues rolling around in my head for our upcoming trip...

• Do I ask the trip organizers if they plan to tell the 60-70 other people about the policy change, in case there are serious allergies to try to prevent any issues?
• I always pack one pair of sneakers and two pairs of my Dansko flip flops for Disney - do I pack some extras in case I step in dog poop and I'm waiting for the front desk to pixie dust my soiled shoes? I like to pack as lightly as possible. It happens on a daily basis at the park at my kids' former elementary school - not everyone follows the rules - parents are called and need to bring in extra shoes...
• Am I still willing to supervise my daughter's friends and their siblings around the resort? My DD generally listens to me, but some of her friends, maybe not. If we encounter a unfamiliar dog, will another child listen to me or the dog's owner?
• My DD and I witnessed a bad dog attack on a little girl at school pick up last year (again with the not following rules) and I have some anxiety around this when I encounter unfamiliar dogs with my kids - how will I handle these feelings?
• If I see a guest knowingly breaking a rule - say, bringing their dog in the pool area - how will I handle it? Will I want to bother to tell a lifeguard? In my Disney experience, when I have asked for assistance regarding guests breaking rules (pool hopping, line cutting, smoking on balconies), CMs have not responded in an affirmative manner, preferring to avoid conflict with the guest. Is it worth my time and effort?
• If there is an unattended dog barking in a room, how much time am I willing to give to address it, if any? How bummed out will I be if I have a lonely doggy neighbor that cries and barks?
• I have requested (I know, no guarantee) that we will have an adjoining room with her pal. If my room is not properly cleaned from a previous guest and there are smells, etc., (I'm pretty sensitive to that kind of thing) will I just deal with it or ask to be moved, which would really make my DD sad?
• If we're with others from the group that have more significant issues, such as allergies/phobias, etc., and they can't ride the bus, go in a common area, etc., do we stick around with them or ditch them do our own thing? It's a short trip and we're going to want to get the most out of it, but we'd want to be helpful and supportive.

Again, it's a short trip and we want to get the most we can out of it, so I feel like I need to really think about possible issues and how I'll respond...

 

[Octoberbaby]

I think this is a wonderful idea. My dog is more well behaved and polite than most adults and kids I've encountered at Disney the 35 plus times I've been there. He wouldn't ever be noticed! And is definitely cleaner than the kid who decided to use SAB as a toilet this past week. The pool was closed for at least 30 min! I've seen some crazy things, and rude people over the years, and a dog couldn't possibly be any worse. I've actually come to a point where I like dogs more than most humans. I hope they add the Polynesian and the French Quarter!