Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Phobias are just one source of fear of dogs --- there are also children who visit WDW whose issues are sensory/autism related for whom it may not be as simple as a little therapy to fix their dog issues ---- which may be aurally/visually/olfactory based. Disney resorts has been generally viewed as a fairly safe and friendly place for kids with special challenges.

There are 2 things that really bug me about this....

The first is that the best trained/temperment Service Dogs seem to have more rigorous rules (they can't be left for 7 hours alone...) than pet dogs.

The other thing is that they plan to not have dedicated dog-friendly rooms. The fact that instead of limiting the exposure to a specific subset of rooms they want to make it almost impossible for those who want to avoid dog issues in any room at those resorts. Perhaps if they'd said we'll have X-number of rooms in an isolated area of these 4 resorts for our pilot --- then people would not be so upset --- they'd just avoid booking categories near those rooms. I guess the solution would be a separate booking classification for those rooms would allow both the groups to work with the new reality. The fact that literally tens of thousands of reservations have already been taken and paid for by people for the next year who have no idea that they may be stuck next to a room with 2 dogs is wrong. For most of those people (who probably aren't DIS members) they'll find out about this new policy when they get to the resort and have a severe allergic reaction or come back to the resort for a nap and have barking dogs or meet up with an untrained unfriendly dog in an elevator...

I'm sure every member of the DIS has perfectly awesome, well behaved, quiet dogs (or at least they think they do....) but I'm fairly certain there will be DIS posts from people who experience some very un-magical vacations due to barking/smelly and damaged rooms/etc... from these dogs.

 

[Jafar30]

Everyone does know that when the Star Wars resort opens you will be vacationing with these guys

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Thanks for posting that link, @kungaloosh22! I've been curious about people's Universal's experience and meaning to go poke around on that forum today...

 

[Mome Rath]

Lol, ok. Thanks for all the psychological advice. Next time you have an 85 lb German Shepard, leap on you growling and baring fangs, call me and I'll give you the same advice. Oh and the owner said I must have provoked him because he wouldn't hurt a fly. Yeah right. I was walking by and glanced at him. Only thing that saved me was my DH punched him in the head. So don't pretend to know how I feel and try to diagnose me. smh

I'm sorry that happened to you. My husband was attacked by 2 German Shepherds as a small child and could have been killed, as they were both on him and shaking him, and I was bitten by a husky, also as a small child. It's horrible to have to go through something like that. I'm also sorry you think I'm pretending to know how you feel, or that I'm trying to diagnose you. It wasn't my intent. It was simply to say that terror, fear, and anxiety can be tackled if one wants to, that there is hope for it to change. Fears, anxieties, phobias, ptsd, all of it is very real, as can be seen by the concerns in this very thread.

 

[Mome Rath]

Phobias are just one source of fear of dogs --- there are also children who visit WDW whose issues are sensory/autism related for whom it may not be as simple as a little therapy to fix their dog issues ---- which may be aurally/visually/olfactory based. Disney resorts has been generally viewed as a fairly safe and friendly place for kids with special challenges.

Absolutely, along with PTSD as I mentioned, OCD, and other anxiety disorders would also be in the mix.

Also, just as a point of information for the thread in general, phobias aren't usually simple, and can take years in therapy to work on (same with PTSD, OCD, working behaviorally with those on the spectrum, etc...) but those interventions are available and can help. Disney does need feedback from those this impacts in all these ways, as I mentioned in the earlier post. It's the only way they can decide what to do at the end of the "trial."

 

[Candlelady]

I understand that you both think you are helping somehow and thank you for the thought. But...
Please quit discussing how all of us with REAL fears of dogs need therapy! It's very condescending. I avoid dogs just fine. With this new policy, I may not be able to avoid them at Disney.

 

[Sarahraegraham]

I understand that you both think you are helping somehow and thank you for the thought. But...
Please quit discussing how all of us with REAL fears of dogs need therapy! It's very condescending. I avoid dogs just fine. With this new policy, I may not be able to avoid them at Disney.

And one of the dozen or more reasons this trial should not be happening.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I understand that you both think you are helping somehow and thank you for the thought. But...
Please quit discussing how all of us with REAL fears of dogs need therapy! It's very condescending. I avoid dogs just fine. With this new policy, I may not be able to avoid them at Disney.

FWIW I didn't say you need therapy. I didn't say anything of that sort.

it's not to say that counseling or therapy can't do anything for you (general you). There are many things in life that may lead us to counseling that can be beneficial. If you don't feel that applies to you that's completely fine;the poster was only trying to provide some potentially helpful advice.

ETA: I suppose in my statement of "If you don't feel that applies to you that's completely fine" I should have also put (general you) as that was my line of thinking as I did on the other statement.

And also FWIW so many posters talk about having fears of dogs, having phobias of dogs and how other posters couldn't possibly understand how other felt. Why shun another DISer who is only trying to provide general advice? No one has to respond personally to it. If you don't feel it is beneficial to you ignore the advice.

 

[MuppetFan418]

It should not mean that everyone else (dog owner/lover or not) should be expected to accept that dogs can go any and everywhere with their owners (supermarket, mall, your workplace or WDW) to compensate for the owner or animal’s well-being

EXACTLY. One more thing that I haven't heard anyone say yet: Since this thread opened on Friday, many dog owners have expressed sentiments along the lines of, "I own a dog [or two, three, etc.] and love him but I don't want to vacation with him."

I've got to ask the "pro-dog at WDW" camp: If many dog owners do not want to vacation with their own animals, imagine how strongly people who don't own dogs feel about vacationing with them. Many of us don't own dogs for a reason--we don't want to live with them; on vacation or off.

 

[LSUmiss]

The big problem Disney have with this (well all of it is a massive problem) is the 7 hour rule, this is what is setting them apart from other pet friendly hotels (that and the fact they haven’t got a separate section for the dogs). They can’t have the same rules though as the other hotels though as if they say dogs can’t be left unattended in the room what exactly do people do with their dogs.?? Not enough room at the doggy day care place for them all and if the owners have to stay with them what is the point in it?
Its strange but my sister and I are complete opposites she is pet crazy with 2 dogs and 1 cat and I’m just not into animals at all and yet we both agree this scheme is madness. Me because of noise, dirty smelly rooms, poo not picked up etc. Her because she thinks it’s utter cruelty to leave a dog alone in a hotel room for any length of time. If none dog people and responsible dog people think it’s a bad idea who thinks it’s a good idea, maybe just the irresponsible owners which is everyone’s biggest nightmare.

With all due respect, that’s just 2 opinions. You & your sister don’t represent all ppl with or without pets. Ppl keep getting hung up on this 7 hours. Y’all are making it seem like WDW is requiring you leave your pet for 7 hours. Ppl are adults & can have responsibility to know their own pet. If their pet can be left alone for 7 hours with no issue, it’s fine. If not, if they don’t act responsibly, the dog will bark. Then ppl can complain. Dogs sleep like 15-20 hours a day. If a dog is quietly sitting in a room for 7 hours, it is not is distress. And it’s probably sleeping.

 

[MuppetFan418]

Because their choice to have a dog and accept what comes with being a dog parent doesn’t mean that their emotional happiness come at the expense of the other.

Yup.

 

[Gryhndmom]

EXACTLY. One more thing that I haven't heard anyone say yet: Since this thread opened on Friday, many dog owners have expressed sentiments along the lines of, "I own a dog [or two, three, etc.] and love him but I don't want to vacation with him."

I've got to ask the "pro-dog at WDW" camp: If many dog owners do not want to vacation with their own animals imagine how strongly people who don't own dogs feel about vacationing with them. Many of us don't own dogs for a reason--we don't want to live with them; on vacation or off.

I get it..many of us don't have children for a reason--we don't want to live with them; on vacation or off.

Talking with friends today about this policy and the questions brought up about dogs being on beds and damage to carpets, one brought up what I think is a good point....she worries about what "intimate relations ", incontinence , sickness etc. has happened on the beds and carpet from adults and kids. Along with what people have done with the towels....hmmmm...

 

[Candlelady]

I cannot put into words how strongly I feel dogs should not be allowed in the resorts or resort areas. I've been taught how to knee a dog that tries to jump on me and I won't hesitate to knee any dog at Disney that tries.
Wish Disney built a new hotel / DVC complex just for dogs and their owners. Pools, playgrounds, spa, day care, doggie character meals, etc. Up charges galore depending on your budget. Then EVERYONE will be happy.

 

[MuppetFan418]

But how is it at your expense? I really don't understand. I have said in pp that I am not talking about ppl who are b/c affected b/c WDW just implemented this w/ no warning. But, otherwise, how is it?

That's easy. I'll give you a few examples:
* Dog barking wakes me/my family up (or prevents us from being able to sleep in the first place)
* Dog poop ruins my sneakers (or my teetering one-year-old niece's clothes.)
* Rooms/hallways smell like dogs
* Allergic reactions
* Anxiety
All of these come at the expense of my (and hundreds of other guests') ideal vacation. The one we reserved months ago and understood to be pet-free when booking. Personally, while I don't hate dogs, I'm not at all fond of them and, frankly, I find them kind of dirty.

 

[MuppetFan418]

I get it..many of us don't have children for a reason--we don't want to live with them; on vacation or off.

Talking with friends today about this policy and the questions brought up about dogs being on beds and damage to carpets, one brought up what I think is a good point....she worries about what "intimate relations ", incontinence , sickness etc. has happened on the beds and carpet from adults and kids. Along with what people have done with the towels....hmmmm...

Not apples to apples. Children have always been allowed at WDW. You KNOW what you're getting into when you book a WDW vacation: LOADS and LOADS of children. I'm sick of people comparing children to animals. Walt Disney World has always been a child-friendly destination. It has not always been a dog-friendly destination.

 

[LSUmiss]

EXACTLY. One more thing that I haven't heard anyone say yet: Since this thread opened on Friday, many dog owners have expressed sentiments along the lines of, "I own a dog [or two, three, etc.] and love him but I don't want to vacation with him."

I've got to ask the "pro-dog at WDW" camp: If many dog owners do not want to vacation with their own animals imagine how strongly people who don't own dogs feel about vacationing with them. Many of us don't own dogs for a reason--we don't want to live with them; on vacation or off.

I don’t want to vacation with my current dogs & I have options for them now. But, I can appreciate why someone would want to. And it’s not required that you vacation with anyone’s dogs.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I always make sure we are booking a no pet hotel. First is allergies. We all have to take allergy meds if we go to family's house that have dogs. Second is smell. I do not want to smell someone else's dog when I am on vacation. I don't see how they can really clean a room to eliminate smells and dander. Imagine 2 large dogs enjoying the Florida sun then spending the whole day and night in a 300sq foot room.Times that by maybe a week. Third is barking. I know people are noisy, kids are noisy but a barking dog is a special kind of noisy. I imagine the rooms will have dog food and water bowls. What is dog food gets under the bed and missed by housekeeping? Let's talk about enjoying the resort's grounds. Watch out! Little Puggy did a turdy and the owner didn't notice. Dodging dog poo is not adding to the magic. Jumping dogs- I dont like that either and I am uncomfortabke if it is a large dog. We can also be honest and realize someone will bring it to the pool or the dining hall. Will the CMs enforce the rule or will everyone be so enamored of the 4 legged fur ball that all sense goes out the window? I know service dogs have been allowed but I have never seen one on vacation. It is my feeling that a lot of dog owners will think it is a really good idea to bring doggy to Disney. I am all for Disney building an all pet resort. It would be a win win for everyone.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I cannot put into words how strongly I feel dogs should not be allowed in the resorts or resort areas. I've been taught how to knee a dog that tries to jump on me and I won't hesitate to knee any dog at Disney that tries.
Wish Disney built a new hotel / DVC complex just for dogs and their owners. Pools, playgrounds, spa, day care, doggie character meals, etc. Up charges galore depending on your budget. Then EVERYONE will be happy.

People keep saying this and I honestly don't get it

Why would this a new resort be better? Is it just because it would be only one resort and not multiple resorts?

 

[LSUmiss]

That's easy. I'll give you a few examples:
* Dog barking wakes me/my family up (or prevents us from being able to sleep in the first place)
* Dog poop ruins my sneakers (or my teetering one-year-old niece's clothes.)
* Rooms/hallways smell like dogs
* Allergic reactions
* Anxiety
All of these come at the expense of my (and hundreds of other guests') ideal vacation. The one we reserved months ago and understood to be pet-free when booking. Personally, while I don't hate dogs, I'm not at all fond of them and, frankly, I find them kind of dirty.

It was said in that conversation that you are referencing that my comments exclude those who are already booked. I agree 100%. But, otherwise, it’s not at anyone else’s expense b/c there are other resort choices.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Not apples to apples. Children have always been allowed at WDW. You KNOW what you're getting into when you book a WDW vacation: LOADS and LOADS of children. I'm sick of people comparing children to animals. Walt Disney World has always been a child-friendly destination. It has not always been a dog-friendly destination.

The point I was making is children can be just as messy as dogs even more. And yes I know children have always been allowed at Disney, I went as a child. Walt Disney world also didn't allow alcohol and does in three parks and I am sure if there had been social media back then we would have heard about how allowing alcohol would make guests drunk and ruin other guests vacation.