Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[dansdad]

According to you. So now we've entered a he said/she said situation. I will believe that dogs are limited to specific blocks when Disney officially confirms that in their policies.

If you say so. I'm not here to convince anyone to believe me. I'm just putting out information I know to be accurate.

I completely believe the poster you quoted above. However whoever they talked to gave them incorrect information.

 

[BaronLaw]

These are great questions to ask in an email. Let us know what the answers are.

WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com
And cc these folks too:
Robert.a.iger@disney.com
Robert.Chapek@disney.com
George.Kalogridis@disney.com

I sent an email with very specific questions on the dog-resort policy, including enforcement questions, a few days earlier. A woman named Sarah called and stated that she would reply in writing with the answers within a week. I'll advise on the answers if she gets back to me.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I have a question for the group. We've talked all about the responsibilities of dog owners at the resorts. Those responsibilities have largely been dismissed as invalid because of the possibility of a small sub-group of irresponsible dog owners and lax CMs.

What is the responsibility of people who have physical and emotional problems with dogs? I believe that they also have personal responsibility to avoid the source of their discomfort as much as they can since they are now aware there may be dogs in the vicinity.

Up until a few days ago the Walt Disney World Resort (apart from FW and service dogs) was a dog free area. Guests that have any problem with dogs up to and including just not liking dogs could have been planning their upcoming vacations for a year or more. Disney has not taken proactive action to inform guests at the 4 trial resorts of the trial and they cannot provide exact details of where the dogs will be located/what areas they will be limited to.

They have NO responsibility to avoid these resorts as when they booked they were not pet friendly.

 

[hunyb207]

First, they may not keep the trial going a full year. They've changed course before.

Second, it's 4 out of 20 but that doesn't tell the whole story.

Take AoA. It's the only value resort that has rooms for 5 people. It's also, arguably the nicest.

POR - shares facilities with FQ so I'm counting them as one. Also the only moderate that sleeps 5, and the only moderate resort not under construction at the current time. So if you have a large family, or just want to stay in a moderate resort not under construction, you're out of luck.

YC - shares facilities with BC, so count them as one. Best pool in WDW. Limited choices if you want to stay near Epcot.

20+ hotels technically, but if you combine shared facilities, and take out DVC, you end up with 16 (inclusive of Fort Wilderness cabins). So that's 25% of the options, and some of the best options IMO, off the table for people who don't want to be around dogs.

For me, my favorite hotels on property are AoA, POR/FQ, YC/BC, Poly, and GF. So that's 3 of my 5 favorites taken, and the only two remaining are pricier.

So what will you do if the dog policy stays? Stop going to Disney? I am genuinely curious.

 

[dansdad]

Can you ask your source to speak with Exec team etc. to start getting this communicated to CMs? Everyone is being told differently.

As far as they know, nobody on the executive team has spoken to any guest on this issue. It is being handled by Guest Services who have been given the correct information last night. But with the high volume of calls to be answered and returned on this subject, they've had to bring regular phone CMs in. They might be working off an old script.

 

[WDW1979]

The reality is Disney is going to test out dog friendly resorts for the next year. They may even decide to keep it permanently. I totally understand being upset for maybe a couple of hours (not including those with severe allergies or fear of dogs) but at some point it's best to adapt to the change or just not go at all. 4 out of 20+ hotels is hardly "going to the dogs". I just feel like if such trivial things would "ruin" my vacation then it would be time to reevaluate my priorities. Again, you can choose to be right or you can choose to be happy. If you aren't going to be happy seeing dogs at a dog friendly resort then stay somewhere else. I seriously don't understand *willingly* putting yourself in a situation where you are expecting to be upset or mad.

I think the poll speaks for itself. 85% "No". And I don't know why you are so concerned about other people's "priorities". And your smug "then stay somewhere else" and "not go at all" statements aren't any revelations to anyone.

 

[mikejs78]

Everyone, please can we STOP comparing Disney's "Dog-Friendly" policy with that of the VAST majority of other pet-friendly hotels and resorts. As has been mentioned previously on this thread, virtually all other resorts/hotels that allow dogs/pets do NOT allow them to be left UNATTENDED IN THE ROOM FOR 7 HOURS like Disney is allowing. Universal, for example, COMPLETELY prohibits dogs being left in rooms alone. That has 2 impacts: (i) most people don't bother with utilizing the policy because they aren't going to sit in the room all day when there are theme parks to explore; and (ii) dogs aren't left crying/barking/in distress because their owners are there with them.

Also most other dog friendly hotels have a specific block of rooms for dogs. It doesn't appear like Disney does.

 

[LSUmiss]

Everyone, please can we STOP comparing Disney's "Dog-Friendly" policy with that of the VAST majority of other pet-friendly hotels and resorts. As has been mentioned previously on this thread, virtually all other resorts/hotels that allow dogs/pets do NOT allow them to be left UNATTENDED IN THE ROOM FOR 7 HOURS like Disney is allowing. Universal, for example, COMPLETELY prohibits dogs being left in rooms alone. That has 2 impacts: (i) most people don't bother with utilizing the policy because they aren't going to sit in the room all day when there are theme parks to explore; and (ii) dogs aren't left crying/barking/in distress because their owners are there with them.

But many of us have said that doesn’t mean that pet owners will do this. It’s not like they’re requiring you to leave them in the room for 7 hours. And if they’re quiet WHO CARES??!! And if they’re not, that’s against policy & you can complain. It’s that simple. Ppl have argued what if they don’t get back in 30 min. Then call the front desk again! The same you would if any other guest was being disruptive & not following rules. Who cares if WDW evicts them or not, if they get the dog quiet. It’s no different than being disturbed by any other guests breaking the rules. If the dog destroys the room quietly & doesn’t disturb anyone else, that’s between Disney & the guest. I don’t typcially worry about what ppl are doing in their rooms if they’re quiet.

 

[mikejs78]

According to Andre who runs portorleans.org and both Port Orleans FAQ threads here, who has actual contacts at POR, the original plan changed. Now the dog friendly rooms are only in building 24.
My source confirmed the same for YC, one area only.

Even that's not fully accurate. Andre said they would try to limit it but if someone came and had booked another room category, they would honor that. So effective policy is a dog can be anywhere.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I sent an email with very specific questions on the dog-resort policy, including enforcement questions, a few days earlier. A woman named Sarah called and stated that she would reply in writing with the answers within a week. I'll advise on the answers if she gets back to me.

Thanks so much! We will be very interested to read the response to your questions.

 

[oceanscape]

But many of us have said that doesn’t mean that pet owners will do this. It’s not like they’re requiring you to leave them in the room for 7 hours. And if they’re quiet WHO CARES??!! And if they’re not, that’s against policy & you can complain. It’s that simple. Ppl have argued what if they don’t get back in 30 min. Then call the front desk again! The same you would if any other guest was being disruptive & not following rules. Who cares if WDW evicts them or not, if they get the dog quiet. It’s no different than being disturbed by any other guests breaking the rules. If the dog destroys the room quietly & doesn’t disturb anyone else, that’s between Disney & the guest. I don’t typcially worry about what ppl are doing in their rooms if they’re quiet.

It's WDW. I'd guess 95% of guests stay in WDW Resorts to visit the theme parks. Where dogs are prohibited. These guests are not going to pay the $75/night dog fee at YC to have the dog in the room and then, on top of that, pay for kennel fees whilst they are at the parks. They're going to leave Fido in the room. On his own. In an unfamiliar environment. Probably causing mess. Getting distraught from kids running down the corridor, vacuums in the hall way and all the other noises that occur in a busy WDW resort.

 

[hunyb207]

I think the poll speaks for itself. 85% "No". And I don't know why you are so concerned about other people's "priorities". And your smug "then stay somewhere else" and "not go at all" statements aren't any revelations to anyone.

Then continue to whine about it. I'm not the one who is going to have a stroke over a Disney vacation. Complaining about this for DAYS is silly. I still stand by what I said...stay somewhere else or don't go.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

But many of us have said that doesn’t mean that pet owners will do this. It’s not like they’re requiring you to leave them in the room for 7 hours. And if they’re quiet WHO CARES??!! And if they’re not, that’s against policy & you can complain. It’s that simple. Ppl have argued what if they don’t get back in 30 min. Then call the front desk again! The same you would if any other guest was being disruptive & not following rules. Who cares if WDW evicts them or not, if they get the dog quiet. It’s no different than being disturbed by any other guests breaking the rules. If the dog destroys the room quietly & doesn’t disturb anyone else, that’s between Disney & the guest. I don’t typcially worry about what ppl are doing in their rooms if they’re quiet.

Because room destruction is such a quiet thing

And when there are disruptive guests in the room making noise it can be quickly addressed because *shocker* there are people in the room for management or security to speak to. However if there is just a dog it cannot be quickly addressed unless the guests are still at the resort. If they are anywhere else on Disney property it takes upwards of 45-90 minutes using Disney transportation to get back.

 

[dansdad]

Even that's not fully accurate. Andre said they would try to limit it but if someone came and had booked another room category, they would honor that. So effective policy is a dog can be anywhere.

Sure, anything is possible. Although unlikely.

 

[mikejs78]

So what will you do if the dog policy stays? Stop going to Disney? I am genuinely curious.

If they expand it to all resorts, probably. If they keep it in just the 4, will probably still go, but not nearly as often as I otherwise would have.

 

[alicecooper]

This insane thread is adults mostly complaining, arguing and debating etc. So I thought I would provide some kids thoughts.

The kids 5 and 7. I mentioned to them that there might be dogs on some of the busses and in the hotel on our next trip.
I asked them if they still wanted to go to WDW. Both said "no" and that they" didn't want to go anymore."
So I am off to find a new family friendly destination. Farewell to this insane thread and and for now WDW.
For our family WDW has literally gone to the dogs.

 

[jrmasm]

This insane thread is adults mostly complaining, arguing and debating etc. So I thought I would provide some kids thoughts.

The kids 5 and 7. I mentioned to them that there might be dogs on some of the busses and in the hotel on our next trip.
I asked them if they still wanted to go to WDW. Both said "no" and that they" didn't want to go anymore."
So I am off to find a new family friendly destination. Farewell to this insane thread and and for now WDW.
For our family WDW has literally gone to the dogs.

Do you not encounter dogs in your daily life? The reason I ask is because in my daily life, I see tons and tons of dogs. I'm not seeking them out and I'm not talking about going to a dog park. They're just everywhere.

 

[LSUmiss]

It's WDW. I'd guess 95% of guests stay in WDW Resorts to visit the theme parks. Where dogs are prohibited. These guests are not going to pay the $75/night dog fee at YC to have the dog in the room and then, on top of that, pay for kennel fees whilst they are at the parks. They're going to leave Fido in the room. On his own. In an unfamiliar environment. Probably causing mess. Getting distraught from kids running down the corridor, vacuums in the hall way and all the other noises that occur in a busy WDW
It doesn’t mean pet owners cannot adjust their touring style to what they need to take care of. Ppl with infants do it all the time. And if 95% of the ppl are there to visit the resort, then who will be present to hear the dog barking?? And you can absolutely leave some dogs in a room for a few hours without any problems. That’s up to the owner to decide how their dog is. And if they break the rules, there is recourse. You don’t need a policy to state that explicitly. Ppl are acting like this will be ppl’s first time out the house with their dogs. It would stand to reason that if you bother traveling with your dog AND paying an extra $75/night that your are committed to it’s care & well-being & will adjust your schedule accordingly. Doubtful ppl are gonna show up with a Great Dane & stop it off in a room & got the parks. It’s just not realistic. And, in my opinion, these are exaggerations & assumptions ppl are making to make their cause seem more valid & altruistic.

 

[LSUmiss]

This insane thread is adults mostly complaining, arguing and debating etc. So I thought I would provide some kids thoughts.

The kids 5 and 7. I mentioned to them that there might be dogs on some of the busses and in the hotel on our next trip.
I asked them if they still wanted to go to WDW. Both said "no" and that they" didn't want to go anymore."
So I am off to find a new family friendly destination. Farewell to this insane thread and and for now WDW.
For our family WDW has literally gone to the dogs.

And you could ask another group of the same age & they would be thrilled. Depends on the child. Did you explain that you could stay on a different location & continue to never see them? To say that it’s not “family friendly” is an exaggeration.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This insane thread is adults mostly complaining, arguing and debating etc. So I thought I would provide some kids thoughts.

The kids 5 and 7. I mentioned to them that there might be dogs on some of the busses and in the hotel on our next trip.
I asked them if they still wanted to go to WDW. Both said "no" and that they" didn't want to go anymore."
So I am off to find a new family friendly destination. Farewell to this insane thread and and for now WDW.
For our family WDW has literally gone to the dogs.

Well Disney is still a family friendly destination (resorts are just one component of a Disney vacation-there's theme parks, water parks, golfing, shopping, etc). You have never been required to stay onsite nor at a particular resort so I would say that your statement perhaps is coming from all around stress-understandable-but still.

Doesn't matter what either 'side' you're on we all have the right to change our vacation destinations and I respect your choice to decide WDW is no longer the place for you rather than continue to go and feel more stress than you want nor need to. Hopefully you are able to find another vacaton destination you all enjoy