Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[BK2014]

Disney has a duty to ensure the safety, health, well-being and comfort of ALL GUESTS staying at its resorts. This new policy endangers all of those and will damage your relationship with your customers in the long run beyond the worth of any temporary financial gain.

I am curious, on what are you basing these conclusions?

 

[JACKNAG]

I figured as much. I was wondering if they would require people with service dogs to only book at dog friendly resorts. I guess not.

They cannot require that.

Why can't they? There is a new precedence. Is there a law?

 

[Madame]

Disney doesn't enforce rules or worry about harmony between guests, whether at park or hotel, if it means they have to engage with a guests who is creating the negative situation.

This. This is the problem. Entitled guests & no enforcement of the rules.

 

[skyp4WDW]

So let's do the dog math. You could have to 2 yapping dogs on either side of you in your resort room plus 2 more above you and 2 more below you. So that 8!!!. Plus all the dogs who will have a problem with you walking down the hall/walkway past THEIR rooms. Wow... Thanks Greedy Disney.

 

[Evil Queen 2]

I haven't read all 25 pages yet, but will.

I know these questions may have already been asked but here are just a few I have to start with.

Is Disney going to do a deep clean to a room after a dog has stayed there?

Will the family and dog be able to use Magical Express for transportation to the resort?

How will Disney monitor/restrict the dog not going into the Food Court area?

Will housekeeping be able to service a room when the dog is left during the day? What if the dog gets out?

Will they only use certain buildings within the resort for pet rooms?

Will they honor requests for rooms in buildings where no dogs are or have stayed? Even if they are handicap accessible rooms?

How are they going to handle complaints/problems regarding dogs during your stay? Relocate you to a different area/resort? Discount your room costs?

I think this is a HUGE mistake on the part of WDW.

 

[loves to dive]

I don't know a thing about fleas. Is that something I can get/bring home without even owning a dog?

You can get fleas on you without ever owning, seeing or being near an animal. They live in the grass. We live in Georgia and spray our yard and treat our dog so no fleas. I picked some up going in my mothers yard while getting the house ready to sell. I picked them up and brought them home where they got on our dog. They were in the grass, got on my pants legs, nothing to do with an animal. Took us two weeks to get them out of our house and off our dog. Disney sprays their properties, that is why you don't get as many bug bites as one might think they would considering it's in the middle of a swamp. I have a dog, my son has two and that is the only time fleas have ever been near us. Thankfully, his dogs didn't come over until we got them out of our house. Again, they did not come from any animal, they came from the grass onto me. I've stood under trees here in Georgia and had ticks fall off the trees onto me.

 

[OHmomof2]

Here's a copy of the email letter I sent to guest services (I edited out my name and address). If I get any type of response I'll post it here.

WDW Guest Services,
I would like to express my displeasure at your new dog policy starting at select resorts. My family has stayed at Port Orleans Riverside the last few times we have gone, and were looking forward to staying there October 2018. Although we will still be going, we do love WDW, we will be booking at another WDW resort.

Your pet policy states that dogs need to be "well behaved, leashed in public resort areas and properly vaccinated." What is the recourse for dog owners who do not follow the rules? Will they be required to leave? What if a dog is accidentally let out of a room and gets loose? What if a dog owner cannot control their pet when out in public? Will there be extra staff to help with dog "droppings" that owners will inevitably leave and not pick up? What will guest services do for those staying on property who have to listen to continuous barking? Will they be moved to a different room? Are these designated rooms non-carpeted? Can a guest request a room far from the designated dog rooms and be guaranteed said room? And what if, in the unlucky event, someone gets injured by a dog?

I do understand the need for service dogs. I am also a dog lover and owner of two "well behaved, properly vaccinated dogs", but understand that other people/families spend a lot of hard earned money to come to WDW to enjoy themselves without any preventable annoyances. This new dog policy just makes no sense for all the issues you will face with non-compliant owners and issues that will inevitably arise with non-dog WDW resort guests.

Just my two cents, for what it's worth.

Thank you,





Sent from my iPad

 

[dansdad]

I haven't read all 25 pages yet, but will.

I know these questions may have already been asked but here are just a few I have to start with.

Is Disney going to do a deep clean to a room after a dog has stayed there?

Yes.

Will the family and dog be able to use Magical Express for transportation to the resort?

Yes, if the dog is in a carrier.

How will Disney monitor/restrict the dog not going into the Food Court area?

CMs.

Will housekeeping be able to service a room when the dog is left during the day? What if the dog gets out?

Yes. Don't know.

Will they only use certain buildings within the resort for pet rooms?

Yes.

Will they honor requests for rooms in buildings where no dogs are or have stayed? Even if they are handicap accessible rooms?

They will do their best.

How are they going to handle complaints/problems regarding dogs during your stay? Relocate you to a different area/resort? Discount your room costs?

Yet to be seen.

I think this is a HUGE mistake on the part of WDW.

Agreed.

 

[anniemae]

Isn't there a kennel on Disney property?

 

[dansdad]

Isn't there a kennel on Disney property?

Yes.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Anyone considering moving offsite because of this, please check the pet policy at whatever hotel you pick....many hotel chains have pet-friendly policies now.

Yes, this. This thread got me curious so I did a quick google of pet friendly hotels in the Orlando/ Kissimmee/ Lake Buena Vista area and there are far more than I would have thought. And, they run the range from budget hotel chains to high end such as The Four Seasons.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Although there is obviously a strong objection to the policy change on this thread, the majority of what I am seeing on Facebook and IRL is quite the opposite.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Isn't there a kennel on Disney property?

Walt Disney World® Resort Pet Boarding/Kennels
While the family is away, pets can stay at this charming retreat offering first-rate accommodations and activities.
A Resort for Pets


Best Friends Pet Care offers peace of mind to Guests traveling to Walt Disney World Resort with pets. With the exception of service dogs, pets are not permitted in the theme parks, Resort hotels or on theme park buses.
Best Friends Pet Care includes

• 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space
• 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas
• 25,000-square-foot dog park

The staff—made up of 45 highly trained pet care providers—are animal lovers, first and foremost.

Hours
Best Friends Pet Care is open one hour before the theme parks open through one hour after closing.




Overnight Accommodations
From the casual sleepover to a week-long retreat, luxurious accommodations are available to provide your pet with privacy and comfort. While the facility can accommodate up to 300 dogs, cats and small pets, reservations at Best Friends Pet Care are suggested.

Dogs

• VIP Luxury Suites
  This 226 square-foot suite package includes 2 potty walks, 2 playgroups, a flat-screen television, webcam, bedtime story and, after a 3-day stay, a bath.
• Vacation Villas
  This 72 square-foot suite package includes one potty walk, playgroup, a flat-screen television and a turndown biscuit.
• Indoor/Outdoor Suite
• This 32 to 48 square-foot suite package includes one potty walk.
• Indoor Suite
  This 36 square-foot suite package includes 2 potty walks.

Cats

• 2 Level Condo
• 4 Level Condo

Pocket (Small) Pets
Guests must provide an enclosure for smaller pets, including birds, reptiles and rodents. Rates are based on the size of the enclosure (small, medium, large and extra large).

Please note that Best Friends Pet Care cannot accommodate venomous pets or primates. Native wildlife or exotic species are not allowed inside the facility.

For more information, prices or to make an appointment, call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit the Best Friends Pet Care website. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.




Day Care
Pet day care is available to pets looking for the ultimate day-long getaway. Drop off your pet in the morning and pick up your pet later in the afternoon. Pets will enjoy the same luxurious suites and condos as overnight Guests, as well as the same great amenities and services.

For more information, prices or to make an appointment, call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit the Best Friends Pet Care website.




Activities
From one-on-one playtime and social group interactions to bedtime stories and special snacks, activities at the Best Friends Pet Care are the cat’s meow.

Dogs

• Playgroup
• Playtime
• Cuddletime
• Walk & Explore
• Bottled Water
• Bedtime Story
• Ice-Cream Break
• Holiday Meal
• Premium Bed

Cats

• Playtime
• Cookies & Milk
• Tuna on a Ritz
• Activity Toy
• Deluxe Kitty Bed

For more information, prices or to make an appointment, call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit the Best Friends Pet Care website. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.




Grooming Salon
Pamper your pooch with a shampoo and style cut or a flea treatment, pedicure or skin treatment. For more information, prices or to make an appointment, call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit the Best Friends Pet Care website. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.


Required Documentation
All pets visiting Best Friends Pet Care must be up-to-date on their vaccines. Written proof is required from a veterinarian. Please bring a copy with you to present at check-in, or you may ask your veterinarian's office to fax it to (203) 840-5266 before you arrive. For information on vaccine requirements, please call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.




SHAREBeginning of tooltip contentEnd of tooltip content

 

[jarestel]

When dealing with change I understand the impulse to let imaginations run freely and the inclination to picture worst case scenarios (and certainly a little hyperbole never hurts when arguing for or against a policy). Fortunately, things don't usually turn out anywhere near as bad as we imagine. I have no position yet on the dog policy, I'm thinking I'll wait and see the actual impact of having dogs at Disney before I work myself up over a bunch of possibilities that may never happen.

 

[Sara Peters]

This is awful. My family is staying at the Yacht Club next month. There are 10 of us and some of us have severe allergies!! Not to mention my 2 year old is petrified of dogs other than our own (that stays outside). We are paying $440 a night per family which in all equals a small fortune, to stay in a dog kennel now!!!! Come on Disney!!! We called them last night and even the cast member said she could not believe they were doing this at the Yacht Club. She thought it was a joke when she first was told. She said the Yacht Club is only one building, so the dogs cannot be secluded from other guests at all. And there are NO other rooms available anywhere when we go, so as of right now there is nothing they can do. If this was going to happen, guests should have been given much more notice about it than this! They announced and are starting DAYS later. No preparation time for anyone at all that would like to be moved. Not a good choice Disney. If we had not just paid for our flights we might cancel the trip.

 

[anniemae]

This is awful. My family is staying at the Yacht Club next month. There are 10 of us and some of us have severe allergies!! Not to mention my 2 year old is petrified of dogs other than our own (that stays outside). We are paying $440 a night per family which in all equals a small fortune, to stay in a dog kennel now!!!! Come on Disney!!! We called them last night and even the cast member said she could not believe they were doing this at the Yacht Club. She thought it was a joke when she first was told. She said the Yacht Club is only one building, so the dogs cannot be secluded from other guests at all. And there are NO other rooms available anywhere when we go, so as of right now there is nothing they can do. If this was going to happen, guests should have been given much more notice about it than this! They announced and are starting DAYS later. No preparation time for anyone at all that would like to be moved. Not a good choice Disney. If we had not just paid for our flights we might cancel the trip.

I wonder where they will put the area for dogs to relieve themselves? They will have to walk through the hotel. It is easier in resorts with outside corridors I would think.

 

[North of Mouse]

Resorts are already well booked. It will be months before enough pet owners are able to plan trips and get reservations for us to have any idea how this will pan out.

Duh! So, they are already well booked? What's to keep people from now adding Fluffy to their current booked reservation??

Disney hotels are not your normal average hotels - they are in a huge resort which has many walking paths, etc. etc. which will be impacted. Most places that accept overnight pets are not booked for days, and their pets are not left alone for long periods.

 

[Sarahraegraham]

I am curious, on what are you basing these conclusions?

My conclusions were in regard to safety, health, well-being, comfort, financial gain/loss
Animals (pets specifically, not service dogs) exposes all resort guests to the possibility of animal attack and the transmission of dander and pests, thereby aggravating allergies, i.e. safety, health and well-being. For those with an aversion to and/or a fear of dogs, well-being and comfort. Financial loss/gain: over a 5 night stay at POR with a pet, Disney would earn an extra $250, less the expense for the courtesy pet items and cost of their “deep cleaning”. This is less than a 1 night stay at rack rate. In return, they will lose another family’s stay entirely, let’s say $1250 for a 5 night stay. That’s a $1,000 loss per trade off.

In addition, the bad publicity that will come when someone is inevitably bitten. The resorts are larger. This isn’t a Hilton where you walk down a hall in a building and maybe hear an animal or see them once and that’s it. Pet owners will inevitably break the rules, take their dogs all around the resort for a walk, to get photos in certain spots with them, etc.

Those of my non-financial whiz thoughts.

 

[shoreward]

Resorts are already well booked.
I suspect this thread is much about nothing. I don't see very many guests bringing Fido. The trial is one resort in each category. Book a different resort if you have an issue.

As you say, resorts are already well-booked. There is practically no availability to switch to another similar Disney resort at a comparable rate, sometimes at any rate, for the rest of the year. Most trips are booked well in advance - flights and rooms.

 

[Sarahraegraham]

Duh! So, they are already well booked? What's to keep people from now adding Fluffy to their current booked reservation??

This. They mentioned nothing about having to tell them in advance that you’d be bringing a dog with you. That’s what will happen. People will show up and add them at check in.

 

[Madame]

I don’t think this is fair to say. Guests who take advantage of an allowed WDW policy should not be made to feel bad. I completely understand not agreeing with this policy change, but that should be taken up with WDW like many are doing. A guest who takes advantage of this is not doing anything wrong unless they violate the rules.

Meh, people complain constantly about smokers on the DIS. Not only about rule-breakers, but the fact that smoking is allowed at all. Smokers are shamed regularily. Neither smoking nor dogs are a vacation necessity.