Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[P'colaBeachBum]

I was curious about the rules for service animals at WDW and wondered why the rules are not the same for Dogs staying at the hotels. I had to giggle a bit at the mention of miniature horses. It states that guests must retain control of their animals at all times. BUT, according to the new policy you can leave your dog(s) out of your control by keeping them unattended in your room for up to 7 hours.

Service Animals
We value all our Guests with disabilities and service animals are welcomed at most locations throughout Walt Disney World theme parks and Resort hotels.


At Walt Disney World theme parks and Resort hotels, a service animal is defined as any dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

Guests who use service animals must retain control of their animals at all times and should keep them on a leash or harness while visiting. Cast Members are not permitted to take control of service animals.

Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride. At these locations, please ask a Cast Member about available options, including Rider Switch with a member of your party or a portable kennel.

 

[Sue M]

We were at the Borgata in Atlantic City last week. We always book a non-smoking room. When we walked into the room the smell from the air fresheners the housekeeper used hit you in the face. The room reeked of smoke. There was a burn mark on the toilet seat and some ashes in the corner behind the toilet.

So much for people obeying rules.

I called down to the front desk to let them know the situation (didn’t want to be blamed for the damage to the toilet seat or be blamed for smoking in the room) and to change rooms.

So much for housekeeping letting the front desk know that the previous guest was smoking in a non-smoking room.

Some people think that they are above the rules and have no problem breaking them. I’m sure that with dogs allowed someone somewhere will sneak Fido into a non-doggy room.

We stayed at a hotel that allowed animals one time and I made sure it was the last time. The room we were given smelled like crap even though it was supposed to be a no dogs allowed floor. (We had to change rooms there too.). There was pee and some poop outside in areas where dogs were not suppose to pee and poop.

While I like cute sweet dogs, how are you going to stop some idiot from bringing an aggressive dog with them?

I can understand your concerns. My experience has been different. We’ve stayed in Universal Hotels and they allowed dogs, but I never saw any. I’ve stayed in a few dog friendly hotels and never had a problem. For the most part hardly see dogs. I don’t travel with my dogs, unless it’s somewhere that’s half a days driving distance. And at a place that dog can be with me, doing outdoor things. I sure wouldn’t take a dog somewhere just to keep him locked in a hotel room for hours. So I think most dog owners wouldn’t think Disney an appropriate place to bring their dog, and we won’t find that there’s many at the resort. Maybe I’m too optimistic but I’ll reserve judgment until we see how this goes.

 

[Lehuaann]

According to the map, it looks like the pet friendly rooms will be in some of the Nemo, Lion King and Little Mermaid rooms. I would not want to stay in those LM rooms in building 7 facing the relief area. I'm going to assume those rooms will all be designated dog rooms. That's a lot of rooms if that's the case!

Could you please share a link to the map(s)? I'm specifically looking for YC. Thank you

 

[HopperFan]

Could you please share a link to the map(s)? I'm specifically looking for YC. Thank you

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...-areas-at-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels.htm

 

[MikeinBoston]

I have really bad allergies from some dogs. Talking to customer service they told me that I'd have to make a "special request" (that could not be guaranteed), that I would be put into a dog free room. I explained again this was due to allergies, and they again told me they could not guarantee my "special request", but I could talk to the front desk upon my arrival in December... not really sure where I go from here? It's not like I'm requesting a full size fridge be added to the room.. very disappointed for the first time with Disney's lack of concern and customer service.

 

[Haley R]

I think it was wrong for Disney to announce it when people have already booked and have little choice for other options. However, I honestly think very few people will actually take up this offer. It costs a lot of extra $ to bring a dog and you have to change your whole schedule to accommodate your dog. I love my dog, but I will not bring him because he barks too much and I don't want to have to worry about coming back to let him out. We do the parks from open until close and wouldn't be able to do that with a dog.

 

[Haley R]

I have really bad allergies from some dogs. Talking to customer service they told me that I'd have to make a "special request" (that could not be guaranteed), that I would be put into a dog free room. I explained again this was due to allergies, and they again told me they could not guarantee my "special request", but I could talk to the front desk upon my arrival in December... not really sure where I go from here? It's not like I'm requesting a full size fridge be added to the room.. very disappointed for the first time with Disney's lack of concern and customer service.

That's a pretty bad response

 

[ArwenMarie]

Maybe it's because there are already dogs staying in all of the rooms? (service dogs)

 

[HopperFan]

I have really bad allergies from some dogs. Talking to customer service they told me that I'd have to make a "special request" (that could not be guaranteed), that I would be put into a dog free room. I explained again this was due to allergies, and they again told me they could not guarantee my "special request", but I could talk to the front desk upon my arrival in December... not really sure where I go from here? It's not like I'm requesting a full size fridge be added to the room.. very disappointed for the first time with Disney's lack of concern and customer service.

This answer on it's own answers the question as to whether there will actually be designated, set apart rooms for dog families. If there were and it was something like a bookable category, they would have no trouble with this request. Their answer to you is there is a potential for dogs to be in each and every room, so therefore they can't promise you won't follow one.

 

[skyp4WDW]

This answer on it's own answers the question as to whether there will actually be designated, set apart rooms for dog families. If there were and it was something like a bookable category, they would have no trouble with this request. Their answer to you is there is a potential for dogs to be in each and every room, so therefore they can't promise you won't follow one.

That's exactly right.

 

[Designed4dis]

So I think with everything considered and what I have read here and twitter, and the response myself and others have gotten from guest services the best option is to move resorts, but to downgrade and ask for the difference to be refunded. We would get £300 back from changing from AoA to POP, but what if we all go extreme. What if everyone against this move start asking to move to all star music? What would they do?

 

[KarenP64]

Response to my email:
Thank you for contacting us regarding our dog-friendly Resorts.

Because dogs are considered beloved members of the family, we will soon
be offering a new way for Guests to enjoy their Disney vacations with
their favorite canine companions. Beginning Oct. 15, select Disney
resort hotels will offer an opportunity for Guests to bring their
favorite four-legged friends with them for an additional charge. Guests
may have up to two dogs per room.

Guests traveling with their dogs must register them with the Front Desk
at the resort and adhere to the pet policies they receive upon
registration. These include reminders about proper care and behavior, as
well as the need for the dog to remain on a leash at all times while in
public spaces. Guests must be able to provide documentation that their
dog's vaccinations and inoculations are up to date, upon request.

We will designate certain floors or sections of a hotel as dog-friendly,
while the majority of areas will remain canine-free to accommodate
Guests with allergies or other concerns. Should you have any concerns
during your visit, we encourage you to speak with a Cast Member at the
Front Desk.

We truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us.

Best Regards,

Lucretia Roma
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort

 

[JerseyJanice]

I would put "canine free" on my reservation preferences.

I also would bring a print of that Email message and highlight the part where it says that designated floors and sections are dog-friendly. I would ask to not be placed there.

 

[DWillowBay]

Agreed. I have broken out in a rash sitting on an upholstered chair that had been occupied by a dog at one point, had my eyes start to swell shut when my coat was hung up next to a coat with pet hair on it and had a severe reaction walking into an apartment that supposedly never had a pet in it.

THIS ! So sorry for your experiences, but I can totally relate. Believe me...if there was anyone who would LOVE to cuddle a dog, it's me. But, like you...this side of Heaven, it's a no-go.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Would they have housekeeping shampoo the carpets and change the bedding, every time a dog(s) stay in a room?.

 

[DisneyFive]

One other thing that comes to mind for me.

People talk about the "Disney Bubble", myself included. Dealing with peoples' family pets around my WDW resort really takes away from that bubble for me. It's just something that will in no way benefit me (even though we own and love dogs), but has a potential to significantly negatively impact me. We've had issues recently with an adjacent neighbor's large dogs barking loudly and being obnoxious so this is a hot button for me. Hopefully it turns out to be a non issue.

Dan

 

[mikejs78]

deleted


The doom and gloom here is incredible. The sky is not falling. You have options.

Not if you're already booked and there's nothing left available....

 

[Mome Rath]

Andre just posted this on the PoR board;

From the Room Inventory Manager at POR regarding dogs in rooms: Rooms will receive a more thorough cleaning at departure including carpet and upholstery cleaning. They will try to put guests with pets in certain rooms; how successful they are will depend on whether they know about the guest bringing a pet in advance or not.

Andre

 

[Disneylover99]

Andre just posted this on the PoR board;

Thanks for posting this.
So basically, they have a plan, but there is no guarantee. As expected, I guess.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

One other thing that comes to mind for me.

People talk about the "Disney Bubble", myself included. Seeing peoples' family pets around my WDW resort really takes away from that bubble for me. It's just something that will in no way benefit me (even though we own and love dogs), but has a potential to significantly negatively impact me. We've had issues recently with an adjacent neighbor's large dogs barking loudly and being obnoxious so this is a hot button for me. Hopefully it turns out to be a non issue.

Dan

While I certaintly respect your thoughts regarding the Disney bubble I can think of many many different stimuli, events, factors, etc that could do the same thing to me as a seeing/being around/knowing a dog is there does to you.

I don't really want to see a mom slap her daughter in the face because she stepped on her flip flop--that can certaintly take you out of the Disney bubble--but it did happen at my resort lobby in front of a decent amount of people in September.

I don't really want to see a couple arguing loudly about the available space for getting on the parking lot tram at the end of the night--but it did happen at DHS in September.

Those are just a few examples.