Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[JasonMouse]

For me it means more runny noses, and potentially trouble breathing at night. I do have an inhaler, but it's not fun to use. The rooms will smell like dogs and heavier cleaning chemicals. I hope this idea fails! I'm glad to see people shouting loudly about it.

 

[acgardne]

I called regarding our upcoming trip to Ft. Wilderness Cabins. My husband is allergic to dogs and asthmatic. We can't be in a place with a (non-hypoallergenic) dog for more than a few hours before he starts getting watery eyes and a scratchy throat. The CM said she would note our reservation to request a deep-clean prior to stay and also a no-dog room (and we shouldn't need a deep clean if dogs aren't allowed everywhere???.) She said that she thought that certain loops would be designated for dogs and certain loops no dogs, but she did not seem very certain.

Having this sprung on us after all our planning is done is problematic. Obviously, I have no problem with well-behaved dogs in an outdoor setting. I know there is a dog park at the Fort, so this sort of thing makes sense there, but my concern is for my husband. We have already had one Disney trip end with a ride in an ambulance, and this is going to be a serious concern for us unless it is guaranteed that we won't have a dog-allowed room.

 

[MikeNamez]

Oh boy. Now, alongside the current war of dogs or no dogs, comes the new battle of dogs vs cats! hehe *Hide the children, batten down the hatches*

This made me legit L.O.L. haha ....

 

[Sarahraegraham]

I’ve read a lot of people’s comments on this, and I seem to be the only person bringing up the fact that Disney has ON-PROPERTY KENNELS. So why are they pushing this for in-room? It’s an awful, money-hungry idea.

When I’m on vacation, I don’t want to see, hear or smell anyone’s pet.

 

[Violet Parr]

Worst. Idea. Ever. I've been to hotels where pets are allowed and I have taken mine with me, but I do not think that WDW is an everyday, regular hotel environment. This is a big no for me. Ick.

 

[LSUmiss]

For those that are concerned about dogs left in the room all day, if I brought my dog (a 7 lb cavapoo) we would go back to the resort in the afternoon, just as many of you do today with little children to take naps.

Worried about dog poop... I can guarantee that dirty diapers end up on the room floors and potty accidents happen with kids too. Unfortunately. I would assume the $50 or $75 fee goes towards extra cleaning. Gross, I know... but it happens. I worked at a high-end toy store years ago and could tell you stories of what we would find on the shelves or the seats of the ride-on toys. Some people are just disgusting.

It looks like DME will only allow service animals, not sure if they plan on changing that policy or not?

A few years ago I would have been in the majority stating no dogs! However, we recently adopted our dog to help DD10 sleep at night (she has an intellectual disability). Pup sleeps in a kennel in DD's room next to the bed. It's been a a great 7 months with the dog and DD hasn't left her room in the middle of the night since! We do a lot of camping in a trailer and take the dog with us, but our Disney trips we're looking at boarding her (either at home or the Best Friends Pet Resort across the street from POR), or renting someplace offsite that allows pets. $50/night is a little steep, but we would consider it because we love staying onsite and having the dog next to DD's bed is a big help for her, especially in over-stimulation environments like Disney. And no, we don't claim her as a comfort animal.

FWIW - our dog doesn't shed at all, my very allergic DS and dad have no allergy issues with her, we give her the flea meds regularly, she doesn't bark (whimpers a bit when the kids go off to school, but that's it), potty trained, she's used to being kenneled when we're not home, and she's allowed on the sofa but not the beds.

To add this, I have seen more than one parent on different occasions change a diaper on a table in counter service restaurants!

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

To add this, I have seen more than one parent on different occasions change a diaper on a table in counter service restaurants!

Really? Comparing children to dogs. WDW is for families...that includes children! As much as people love their pets you cannot in all honesty compare people to 4 legged animals.

 

[disneyseniors]

Wow, oh, Wow, what a can of worms Disney has opened with this!!!!
Others say, just don't book at those 4 resorts if you are unable to be where a dog has been. Well, that sounds just fine and dandy, BUT what if, like us, we have our vacation booked and set up at POR and can't change it now???? Oh, too bad? I will be calling and messaging Disney about this. Just because you can go to other resorts, you might not WANT to! My husband and I love POR and have been going there for several years. I don't want to go to another resort. POR is part of our vacation with many memories. So, it's not so easy as "just go to another resort".
As far as housekeeping cleaning the doggy rooms? I had to laugh out loud at that one They barely make the beds now. I don't think they ever use the sweeper on the rugs or do any deeper cleaning. In the past few years housekeeping has gotten less and less consistent, and I find it lacking every year. So, no, I don't think housekeeping will be able to keep a room clean as they should for health reasons. Just don't think it will happen.
As for leaving the dogs in the room all day, who is going to pay for doggy day care on TOP of paying their 50 to 75 dollar a day dog fee???? Can we say, No One! Those poor animals are going to be left in a strange environment and they will whine and bark, or pee and poop all over in protest. Our housebroken dog did this when we left him for even a short while.
We had a resort and had to stop letting guests have dogs in their cabins due to the increasing number of allergies to animals that occurred. The process of deep cleaning is way more complicated than I think Disney can accomplish every day or when the guests leave. When someone is allergic, Everything must be cleaned thoroughly. It's eye opening just how little dander can cause serious reactions. This is crazy.
We go to Disney for relaxation and fun at our favorite resort, POR. I hope they don't ruin it with this policy.
I hope that everyone on here who has commented calls or writes to Disney to let them know how they feel. Maybe, just maybe, they will reconsider.
PS: I am a total dog lover and am just trying to get over my beloved pet Bichon's death, FYI.

 

[Spencer Wright]

I called regarding our upcoming trip to Ft. Wilderness Cabins. My husband is allergic to dogs and asthmatic. We can't be in a place with a (non-hypoallergenic) dog for more than a few hours before he starts getting watery eyes and a scratchy throat. The CM said she would note our reservation to request a deep-clean prior to stay and also a no-dog room (and we shouldn't need a deep clean if dogs aren't allowed everywhere???.) She said that she thought that certain loops would be designated for dogs and certain loops no dogs, but she did not seem very certain.

Having this sprung on us after all our planning is done is problematic. Obviously, I have no problem with well-behaved dogs in an outdoor setting. I know there is a dog park at the Fort, so this sort of thing makes sense there, but my concern is for my husband. We have already had one Disney trip end with a ride in an ambulance, and this is going to be a serious concern for us unless it is guaranteed that we won't have a dog-allowed room.

One would hope a deep clean is done between guests regardless!!!

 

[MikeNamez]

I don’t stay at any “pet friendly” resort, because of cleanliness and flea/tick concerns. I check the pet policy before I check the parking policy. Perhaps the reason we don’t hear any horror stories is that the patrons care less about those issues than they care about others. I now have four Disney resorts I can no longer patronize. I can’t take the risk that I could end up in a pet room if the non pet rooms are overbooked. I will not be covered in flea bites if I can prevent it.

I hope it does NOT spread to all of them, unless and until Disney housekeeping improves to the point they can handle the additional burden, including treating for fleas and ticks between guests. They aren’t even cleaning the rooms properly now, which I put down to not having enough staff to give them the time to do a room properly. It’s going to take more than ten minutes a room to take care of a pet room. My last couple stays, I had issues even getting the bed linens changed once in an eleven day trip. They didn’t think this through from a cleanliness standpoint.

Here's the thing though... to ME it is fantastic, not having to keep my dogs at home in a kennel for a week or so. Not being mean at all, but I generally don't care how it impacts others. Also, common sense would lead you to believe that not every single room will be pet friendly and certain areas around the resort designated for them. People are allergic so they cant just lump everyone together (that's just bad business and Disney is a business after all). However, having specific floors or building would make more sense... Again, though that was common sense but maybe I was wrong.

 

[happycorgi]

I love dog.,Muftis, corgis, and the alike . but my whole family are highly allergic to dogs and not just a runny noise. My wife and son both had to go to the hospital due to lack of air. We were on a dog free floor that was two stories about the pet friendly rooms. The room next door had two dogs. POR is (was) our favorite resort. I waiting to hear that fido was eaten by an alligator. If people can not leave their dog then there are other vacation destinations that are very pet friendly (universal) please end this crazy idea now.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

For those interested, @rteetz has a good post with some more info on the news/rumors thread: 4 WDW Resorts to allow dogs

 

[Realfoodfans]

One would hope a deep clean is done between guests regardless!!!

Apparently not - I've been advised to request a deep clean for DGS room as he has low immune system.

 

[Wubar]

Here's the thing though... Not being mean at all, but I generally don't care how it impacts others.

That's a tough sentence to swallow. I mean, that's the sense of self-entitlement that, when taken to extremes, annoys the living heck out of me when I see it in others. That's not very sympathetic towards the other posters that have complained of strong allergies to dogs. Yes, Disney is opening this up to dog owners, and they have every right to take advantage of it. But, what if you had a loved one with a severe peanut allergy sharing a flight or a movie theater next to someone who wanted to eat peanut M&Ms or a PB&J sandwich? That person is allowed to eat what they want, but would you want them to? Perhaps an extreme example, but the rationale holds true...

Not an attack on you, MikeNamez, at all. Just trying to see all sides...

 

[figment3258]

I'm very concerned about this as we are staying in December at 2 of the trial resorts I called them about this issue wanting to know more about the policy I have a daughter who was attacked on then face by a dog and is severally afraid of dogs had I know about this trial I would not of picked these resorts
The cm told me that he put it on our reservation that we have a fear of dogs and that they will not be allowed in the general areas only certain dog friendly parts
Still didn't really help though so I'm waiting to hear back from others who will be able to share where the dogs actually are found.
Anyone else get any better answers or was anyone offered to switch resorts? Thinking about canceling all together as this is our post stay for 3 days before the drive home so we would just be relaxing at the resort no parks

 

[ArwenMarie]

Someone online mentioned a dog friendly resort, specifically for dog owners and I think thats an even better idea.

That would be really cute. I also think an adults-only resort would be a hit

Has anyone encountered issues at any of the Universal hotels since they allow dogs?

We've stayed at Portofino Bay at Universal a few times. They allow dogs. We've never had an issue. They designate a certain area of the hotel for it (it's the ground floor of one wing) and the walking path is right behind it. I've never seen any type of dog other than toy dogs. Now, that being said, if they tried to put me in one of those rooms, I would probably refuse it as I do have a slight allergy to some breeds.

I think the key here will be really keeping the rooms separate and doing proper cleanings, and I'm not sure Disney has a good track record on either of those.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

From rteez post

I was able to get some more info on the dog situation.

• This is only for canines, and not other pets
• The add on includes Pluto's Welcome Amenity (room/dog friendly items)
• Dogs will not be allowed in restaurants, pool areas, and recreation spots
• Dogs must be properly vaccinated
• This is a one year test for the moment through October 15, 2018
• Guests can have up to two dogs in a room
• No weight or breed restrictions
• Guests can make CMs aware of noises dogs and then owners will be notified
• Guests can use their own personal crate/carriers in the rooms
• Most guests with dogs will be in a specific area of the resort
• Guests can travel with dogs on magical express but dog must be in a pet carrier
• There will be designated pet spaces
• Pet medicine can be stored by Disney until room is ready
• No travel insurance for dogs
• If a guest does not like dogs they can be accommodated to be away from the dogs
• They will work with guests with allergies
• Disney is sending guests letters notifying them of the dog addition to those who are already booked

Guess you can bring 2 pit bulls or your Irish wolfhounds. "room/dog friendly items" wonder if that means old mattresses and ratty carpet. A few old pillows for them to chew on. I can imagine what the wood floors will look like at the YC.

 

[cluvsdisney]

My knee jerk reaction was oh heck no but after thinking about it for a few minutes I don’t think it’s a huge deal. service dogs are already permitted to stay at the resorts...in any room. At least these rooms will be in their own section and hopefully the pet owners will abide by the rules and that cast members will enforce them, although this is doubtful. I was surprised that they are allowing 2 dogs per room.

 

[GrumpySue]

It's hard enough walking around the piles of crap people don't pick up in my neighborhood, now I have to worry about this at Disney. And yes, one dog barking in one room will set off another dog and so on and so on. I am staying at the Yacht Club and will not put up with this for the amount they are charging, my room will be free if this at all infringes on my vacation that I save all year for. And I LOVE dogs, there isn't a dog I won't stop and hug on the street. They have really lost their minds with this idea, is it a Friday the 13th hoax ??

 

[LSUmiss]

Is also think it’s funny how many ppl have been going on about smell. I have smelled some of the worst smells I have smelled being behind some PEOPLE in line especially in the summer!