Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[P'colaBeachBum]

You do know that working people leave their dogs for much longer, don't you.

At home in a familiar environment that the pet is comfortable in.

 

[MuppetFan418]

Let's remember the Cast Members on the phone are not the ones making the decisions and that they are taking the brunt of the anger. After the phone call I had with this woman, I know they are getting the message at Disney.

This x 100000! I feel very badly for the CMs that have had to deal with the fallout from this awful plan.

 

[jrmasm]

I was not going to post in this thread anymore because I feel I'm wasting my time ...BUT...

This is what really irks me about the whole dog issue. It appears the rules, etc were thrown together on short notice and nobody, including Mr. K, knows what the *bleep* they are doing. Short notice and short sighted! They are giving out conflicting info so no one knows what rooms, what relief areas, etc. You can't make decent plans based on the info given! They have taken away choices for people that already booked and it's like "sorry, too bad". This should have been given more time to implement, people notified well in advance and all the CM's given GOOD, FACTUAL info. And I agree that the 7 hour rule is BAD. "dogs are considered beloved members of the family" (their words in an email) how many people would leave a "beloved member of the family" locked up alone, in a strange environment for up to 7 hours? Not to mention food left out on ground floors is inviting critters to come in. And considering other hotels, like Universal, state you cannot leave your pet unattended, and Disney stated that service dogs cannot be unattended either...why make a ridiculous rule of 7 hours? That seems cruel to me and I'm not a dog person. This is all the PPP rule. I would spell out all the P's but the mod might not like it. Ok, done for now.

Roll outs at Disney are always a cluster. I can’t figure out why anyone is surprised by this.

 

[robinb]

At home in a familiar environment that the pet is comfortable in.

Yes, but as someone said upthread, owners can help acclimate them once there.

 

[LSUmiss]

It has been posted here, many times. And so far, it has not been changed.

And yes, that is why some people are so upset. Disney is departing from all standard regulations that most hotels and resorts have.

At this point, a dog owner can leave their dog and go to a park. If the dog is reported as barking, the resort will attempt to locate the owner. Then the owner will be required to return to calm the dog. Of course if the owner doesn't want to answer the phone call, they can ignore it. But even if they don't, how long do you think it will take for the owner to return? Disney says to give 90 minutes. If they are called as the bus pulls away from the resort and they have to catch another bus to return, it could reasonably be 3 hours, or 90 minutes each way.

That means that the dog is alone, possibly barking or afraid or whatever, for 3 hours.

Edit to add:
And that doesn't touch that if the dog is quiet, they can be left alone for 7 hours.

What does it matter if the dog is quiet if he has been alone for 7 hours?

 

[wdwlver]

I've only read through a small number of the posts but I repeatedly see people referring to dogs left alone in rooms over long time periods. No, that's not how it works, or at least that's not how it works at most dog-friendly hotels.

The reason you’re seeing posts about dogs being left in rooms for extended periods is because Disney’s stated dog policy is they can be left unattended in room for seven hours.

 

[LSUmiss]

Some thoughts FWTW;

1) It's Disney's job to make rules, distribute the rules, and reinforce them. Disney now allows dogs at these particular resorts. Therefore, it is perfectly good (legally speaking) and acceptable for people to take their dogs to those resorts and abide by the rules. I'm perfectly happy that some people will now take advantage of this to make memories and hopefully have fun. It's Disney's job to clean the rooms. It's Disney's job to pick up after owners who don't abide by the rules. The health and safety of their guests is in their hands as far as they are liable.

2) It's the job of the pet owners to know themselves, know their dogs, and to know the rules. It is their job, if they choose to stay at these resorts, to abide by the rules which means they have to make sure their dogs are properly trained. They now have the freedom to bring their pooches to Disney. The health and safety of those coming in contact with their dog(s) (including other dogs) is in their hands as far as they are liable. There is nothing wrong (legally speaking) with people utilizing this new feature of the resorts. And I want people to come to the boards and tell about their experience when they stay with their dogs, I want that info to help me make decisions about my future stays and resort picks.

3) It is perfectly acceptable that people are upset and mad at the sudden change, and the now higher chance of an allergic reaction. It is perfectly acceptable that people are happy at the sudden ability to take their dogs to Disney. Nobody is doing anything wrong by being upset, and no one is doing anything wrong by being happy. And, as I'm sure we can all agree on; wherever there is an issue that can be debated you'll have humans alllllll along the continuum from overly dramatic on one side to overly dramatic on the other. We're human, that's what always happens.

4) In my opinion Disney dropped the ball on the roll out of this. Disney dropped it. So far other members of this site have not dropped the ball, and as far as the members of this board know, no dog owners have dropped the ball under this new policy at Disney. So, it makes logical sense that people are calling/emailing Disney and letting them know in what ways Disney dropped the ball, and how this change affects them even in the long run... after all, that is how Disney claims they work (surveys, feedback, balance sheet, etc...) and this is a "trial." Well, now it's on trial. Some people it's gonna have a huge effect on, some people it's not. We all have a right to give feedback to Disney whatever our opinion is.

5) Disney is also dropping the ball with all the conflicting info. That's on Disney as well, so that should be included in feedback to them, rightfully so. It isn't fair to those trying to avoid dogs at Dis and those trying to take their dogs to Dis.

We just need to make sure we are comporting ourselves according to the rules of this board when we are interacting on this issue here (I've found it's also a good idea to remember the Golden Rule when interacting too, and try to find empathy even if you don't wanna find sympathy).

Finally, and seriously, for anyone on here that has a phobia (of any type) or their children have phobias please consider going to therapy to work on it (if you haven't yet) and I say that as someone who offers counseling and who is married to a clinical psychologist. You and/or your children don't have to live with the fear and anxiety associated with a phobia, so if you haven't tried counseling yet, give it a go, even if you've tried meds. I say that also as someone who suffered with a phobia (of flying stinging insects) which was triggered by an actual wasp attack when I was a child. A professional can help you figure out if it is something that needs addressed for quality of life, or not.

All very good points. I’m also a mental health professional & was thinking this about the phobias. Even if WDW doesn’t offer this policy, avoiding dogs in every day life is hard & it can be treatable.

 

[gwynne]

Yes, but as someone said upthread, owners can help acclimate them once there.

Well, yes. Owners can certainly spend the majority of their time with their pet for several days to help acclimate the animal to the new environment.
It still doesn't mean that the animal will be happy alone later in the week while everyone zips to the parks.
Maybe they will be happy, maybe not. New environment, different noises each day and so on.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Yes, but as someone said upthread, owners can help acclimate them once there.

Well, good luck for them. I've been going to WDW since 72 and it takes me 3 days to get acclimated due to all the noise of kids running around, boat horns, fireworks, etc. WDW is a very noisy place.

 

[jrmasm]

Well, good luck for them. I've been going to WDW since 72 and it takes me 3 days to get acclimated due to all the noise of kids running around, boat horns, fireworks, etc. WDW is a very noisy place.

Like people, dogs are different. I have one that would fine. Two that wouldn’t.

 

[smidgy]

I agree about the ad nausea! But I don't feel like anyone has adequately explained how it is at their expense (excluding those already booked). That's why I was asking you Thought maybe your were thinking of something specfic.

sometimes we like to sleep in.. sometimes we like to take a nap. dogs left alone in an unfamiliar room are probably going to bark. it will keep me awake. disney says they will wait till the dog is barking for half an hour before even calleing the owner. who now has to get back from the park. . nope. no fair to other guests.

You do know that working people leave their dogs for much longer, don't you.

they leave their dogs in their homes, where everything is familiar. not a good comparison at all.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

...were thrown together on short notice and nobody knows what the *bleep* they are doing. They are giving out conflicting info ..you can't make decent plans based on the info given!...taken away choices for people that already booked.

Well Disney is nothing if not consistent. You could have written any of the above based on their recent trends in park hours, ride closures, resort refurbishments, restaurant closures/reservation releases.

 

[Candlelady]

I wouldn't classify myself as having a phobia. A phobia is an irrational fear. I have a real fear of dogs.

 

[LSUmiss]

At home in a familiar environment that the pet is comfortable in.

My dog doesn’t care. His crate is his home more than where I place it. And he would be acclimated before I leave him. And just b/c you can leave them for 7 hours doesn’t mean ppl will. I expect ppl know their dogs & will do whatever is required. If I'm going through the hassle of taking my taking dog, it’s because I love my dog & feel he can’t board for whatever reason. I’m not going to abandon him while I go to the park for hours. I’m sure ppl don’t want to have to come back or get in trouble for a barking dog.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

What does it matter if the dog is quiet if he has been alone for 7 hours?

The posted indicated that leaving a dog alone was a problem.

Disney allows this, including a dog that is quiet, for up to 7 hours.

 

[tee11]

Roll outs at Disney are always a cluster. I can’t figure out why anyone is surprised by this.

Such an experienced, successful and beloved company. But you wouldn’t be able to tell from their roll outs.

 

[LSUmiss]

Well, yes. Owners can certainly spend the majority of their time with their pet for several days to help acclimate the animal to the new environment.
It still doesn't mean that the animal will be happy alone later in the week while everyone zips to the parks.
Maybe they will be happy, maybe not. New environment, different noises each day and so on.

That’s for individuals owners to judge b/c they know their dog best.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I wouldn't classify myself as having a phobia. A phobia is an irrational fear. I have a real fear of dogs.

Exactly.

I don't worry about well behaved dogs. Or dogs that are under control.

But I have been knocked down by more than one over excited dog.

It isn't a phobia to not want to be knocked down. I bet most people don't want knocked off of their feet.

 

[Wubar]

Well Disney is nothing if not consistent. You could have written any of the above based on their recent trends in park hours, ride closures, resort refurbishments, restaurant closures/reservation releases.

BOOM. Mic drop.

 

[LSUmiss]

Well, good luck for them. I've been going to WDW since 72 and it takes me 3 days to get acclimated due to all the noise of kids running around, boat horns, fireworks, etc. WDW is a very noisy place.

The dog I had wished I could have brought when this wasn’t a policy was elderly so he was blind & deaf. Not necessarily the norm. But point is, it’s up to the owner to decide what’s best.