Dog Days of Disney….You can bring your furry friend!

When it comes time to take a family vacation, you really want to include the entire family, and that means your canine companion, too.  While some of you may already know about Disney’s Fort Wilderness allowing dogs at the campsites, they’ve now extended that to the cabins.  What you may not realize is, there are a few more resorts that have now implemented the pet policy!

There’s one from every resort category!

Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, and Disney’s Yacht Club each have select rooms and floors for canine-friendly accommodations up to two dogs per room.  The dog-friendly policies at these resorts have been in place for about a year now, but are still listed as, “for a limited time.”  At Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground sites, the charge is $5 per night. At the cabins, Art of Animation, and Port Orleans Riverside, the added charge is $50.00 per night, and at Yacht Club it is $75.00 per night.  Current vaccination records must be available upon request, so have a copy of those documents with you at check-in. Also, be sure to ask for your “Pluto’s Welcome Kit” upon check in which includes a Pet ID tag, a mat, doggie bags, bowls, and a dog-walking map! Also included is a “Do Not Disturb sign” indicating a pet is in the room.

Now before you get too excited envisioning your furry companion lounging by your side at the pool, or strolling along with you through the Magic Kingdom, let’s explore some of the rules.  First, your dog must be well behaved and well trained.  While in the room, they are not allowed on furniture and must be kept in a carrier or on a leash while outside of your room.  With the exception of service dogs, they are not allowed in the Theme  Parks, Water Parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports or Disney Springs, pool areas, Clubs, Lounges, Fitness Centers or Food and Beverage locations.  However, there are designated areas around the Resort to walk and play with your furry friend. If you’re staying at Fort Wilderness, be sure to check out Waggin Trails Dog Park! There’s lots of room to toss a ball or throw a Frisbee and your dog will get a chance to socialize with other dogs. After all, it’s their vacation too!

Waggin Trails Dog Park at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

When considering bringing your pooch, you must practice good dog parenting skills.  Dogs cannot be left alone in your room for more than seven hours, and housekeeping will not enter your room when your dog is present as long as you leave your provided “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.

As for transportation options, you can use either Disney’s Magical Express, Disney’s Minnie Vans to get to, from, and around the Resorts, but your pet must be kept in a carrier during the trip.  Dogs are not permitted on any other Resort transportation, including the monorail.  Of course, you can always use your vehicle or RV, if you have one!

If all of this seems like you may be limiting the enjoyment of your vacation, your fur-ever baby can be pampered at Best Friends Pet Care (bestfriendspetcare.com) for a fee.  Here, you can send your pooch to be pampered in luxury accommodations or Doggie Day Camp while you are out for the day.  They are located about five minutes from Fort Wilderness and even offer doggie cams so you can check in and chat with your pet!  They open one hour before Park opening and are usually open until 1:00am.

Best Friends Pet Care
Looks pretty comfy!

I think we can all agree that it would be a true family experience if we could bring our furry children with us on a Disney vacation!  However, like parents know their children, dog owners know the personality and limits of their pets.  Consider their temperament, their ability to be left alone for six or seven hours, or even if they may feel stressed while in transit.  All of these things must be considered first for the love, care and sake of our pets.  If you feel they would be best left with a sitter or boarded at home while you are away, you can always shop for the new Disney pet merchandise to bring home for them as a souvenir! It’s adorable!

Disney Pet Souvenirs are in most gift shops!
Cassie modeling her Minnie Ears!
Debbie Benson

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