Trial Run for Dogs in Resort Rooms

[Sara Peters]

I suggest emailing guest services along with iger and george. A cm will call you and try to pacify your worries. They are easier to deal with and you can have them take a deeper look for you as far as room availability. I was successful getting a non dog building at our resort and an upgraded room for no charge. She would have switched my resort if I had asked. Some people have been switched to the contemporary and beach club from the yacht club.

Ok, thank you. I did email them yesterday after becoming very frustrated after being on the phone for two hours. I have not heard back yet though. But what is iger and george???

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So, now that this new policy has started, is Disney treating dogs that enter the theme parks any differently? Are they actually asking people if the dog they are bringing in is a Service Dog?

How do they plan on keeping the pets (non-service dogs) out of the theme parks, I wonder?

Yes, but are they asking?

________________________________
Truthfully neither question has much to do with the new policy. It was before and will continue to be Disney's responsibility in ensuring pets weren't being brought in. Prior to the new policy someone could have tried to take their dog into the theme parks and it would have been Disney's responsibility to advise them they are not allowed. This doesn't change with the new policy.

But you can always ask Disney if they are increasing their awareness due to the the new policy. Much like security became more of process for getting into the theme parks I'm sure it's a possibility they have taken the new policy and could have adjusted their current procedure for when a guest approaches with a dog.

 

[LSUmiss]

Hi. I just want to share a little more from the allergy/anxiety side and of the fence. My son has autism and fears dogs ever since one knocked him down when he was two. Dog people tell me that with the right exposure, he'll get used to dogs. Ummm,, not so much. As for me, I sincerely like the idea of dogs. If I see you walking your dog, I am likely to smile and say how cute it is from a safe distance. I bear dogs no ill will. I loved the idea of the dog parade at the GF during the hurricane because it meant people and their pets were safe and having fun. But, if I'd been there, I wouldn't have been so pleased with the dogs. I just can't breathe and be around them at the same time. Even Portuguese water dogs cause me some asthma, though not the full out rash, asthma, eyes so swollen the blood vessels burst combo a more furry dog can cause. I always have Benadryl and an EpiPen around and mostly, I avoid dogs, but I realize that sometimes I will encounter them. When I do, I expect employees of wherever I am to respect my health and work with me to avoid dog proximity .

A few years ago, I was on a flight with a dog. The dog owner was supposed to place the crated dog under the window seat in front of her. For whatever weird reason, she decided that placing him under my seat, which was an aisle,would be more comfortable for the dog. I told the flight attendant that I couldn't tolerate having a dog under my seat. The dog owner's companion piped up, "She paid $200 to bring that dog!" The flight attendant said, "Yeah, she paid $200 to bring that dog!" My husband said, "She didn't pay $200 so that the plane can make an emergency landing in Baltimore when my wife can't breathe!" My point is that just because dogs are allowed and someone has paid extra doesn't mean those of us with allergies should just suck it up and have to suffer. Dog owners are paying extra for the room cleaning, not for pet impunity So much of WDW is walking and I can't walk if I can't breathe.
I am disappointed to have to cross YC and POR off of my potential resorts list. These two are the ones we would have been most likely to visit; we aren't a big enough family for AoA and the FW cabins aren't to my taste. But I get it: the pro-dog contingent has what they want. I'm fine with that as they respect my health and boundaries. PS we were eventually moved to the front of that plane.

I can certainly appreciate your frustration. However, it’s comments like the “pro-dog contingent has what they want” that makes some of us less sympathetic. It’s the pro-$ execs at WDW to blame. As far as I know, there are no “pro-dog” groups who lobbied for this. It’s all about $$! And to take a jab at ppl who choose to take advantage of a legit policy is not fair. And there was always the possibility of advice dogs so it’s a new exposure.

 

[Kay123456]

They are the CEO and president. You should use your MDE email as they will look you up that way. Here are the emails.

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

Ok, thank you. I did email them yesterday after becoming very frustrated after being on the phone for two hours. I have not heard back yet though. But what is iger and george???

 

[Sara Peters]

They are the CEO and president. You should use your MDE email as they will look you up that way. Here are the emails.

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

DONE. Thank you so much!!!

 

[MellyBeans]

I mean, I have a dog, I love dogs. I do not want to vacation with my dog. If I'm spending that kind of $$, he can stay home with friends or family, or go to a kennel if need be. I don't need that added responsibility when I'm dropping thousands for my Disney fix. It's enough that I have to bring and take care of my kids on vacay as it is.

 

[Kay123456]

Has anyone been successfully moved to a different resort due to allergies??? Specifically from the Yacht Club to somewhere else? Where did they move you to? The only resorts available for our stay are Floridian, Animal Kingdom (which we don't want) and "possibly" the beach club the CM said. He wanted to "try" and move us to the beach club. But he could not tell me if there were 3 rooms available there until I agreed to move. He was in guest services and he was RUDE. I don't want Beach Club. It shares the same lobby, pool area etc. with Yacht Club and from what I understand the dog relief area is right by the pool. My 2 yo is petrified of dogs and my nephew is severely allergic. We just want to be away from them so we don't run into any issues at all. And Disney doesn't seem to care at all. They just want more money to move us to the Floridian. We cannot afford more money. We are already paying $15,000 for these 3 rooms/tickets/dining! It is not our fault that you spring this new policy on us with no warning a month before our visit.

Oh and just so you know, they are saying that the preferred rooms at yacht club will not have any dogs (unless its a service animal). So you will probably have the best luck trying to switch to one of those. However you would still see dogs in the lobby most likely. Seeing dogs around the resort was not an issue for us, just sleeping in rooms where they are allowed due to allergies.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Ok, thank you. I did email them yesterday after becoming very frustrated after being on the phone for two hours. I have not heard back yet though. But what is iger and george???

Bob Iger in CEO of the Disney Corporation
George Kalogridis is President in charge of Walt Disney World Resorts
Their emails are in post #3164 above. You should get swift results if you email them.

 

[Jafar30]

Is Bob Iger really responding to people's emails?

 

[Sara Peters]

Bob Iger in CEO of the Disney Corporation
George Kalogridis is President in charge of Walt Disney World Resorts
Their emails are in post #3164 above. You should get swift results if you email them.

Thank you. I emailed just a minute ago. We will see!

 

[Sara Peters]

Oh and just so you know, they are saying that the preferred rooms at yacht club will not have any dogs (unless its a service animal). So you will probably have the best luck trying to switch to one of those. However you would still see dogs in the lobby most likely. Seeing dogs around the resort was not an issue for us, just sleeping in rooms where they are allowed due to allergies.

Thank you. I guess that would be ok. But they told us that dogs would be allowed in all rooms and they couldn't guarantee us a dog free room. I guess with all of the confusion we would rather just be moved. Not to mention my 2 year olds fear of them.

 

[Kay123456]

Is Bob Iger really responding to people's emails?

Obviously not. Although when needing to switch resorts/buildings for upcoming vacations it seems to give you better luck.

 

[Kay123456]

Thank you. I guess that would be ok. But they told us that dogs would be allowed in all rooms and they couldn't guarantee us a dog free room. I guess with all of the confusion we would rather just be moved. Not to mention my 2 year olds fear of them.

Yes its the confusion thats really irritating. It was on another thread but it appears they have recently changed the policy as far as the preferred rooms. The CM will be able to tell you more when they call you. I think some cals to the regular number are subbed out and they dont know whats really going on.

 

[Jason2015]

I get it that Disney doesn't value me as an individual customer and that if I choose to stop our vacations there, others will fill the void, however for me, I don't necessarily think of it as voicing my complaint to accomplish a goal, rectify a situation, etc. This is a trial period, so one would imagine customer feedback, both positive and negative, would simply be part of the data they are collecting. Then you have revenue, costs, complaints, and whatnot to also throw in the mix to decide how to adjust, expand or whatever. My statement reflects that Disney considers this an actual trial period - I'm just taking as stated. So, currently in my situation, if I reach out to express my thoughts/concerns, I feel like I'm providing customer feedback but not necessarily trying to change an outcome for my current situation. Clearly customer feedback seems to be resulting in them tightening up their policies.

Now in my personal situation, here's my update. Group trip for my daughter's dance studio to POR in Jan. I think the group thing is interesting in all of this since there's less wiggle room. Can't change resorts since it's a group package. I went to put in another check for the trip last night at the dance studio. I had been assured by the TA that's handling our trip that she would let people know about this policy change at the resort. To be clear, not speaking to whether I or anyone in the group should agree or disagree with the policy, or even care. But since we're relying on the TA to organize things, some people may not know and they should be making an informed decision if they still want to participate, since it is a change that for some could be of significant concern. The TA didn't want to do it by email since she'd be at the studio on Thursday, she told me she'd tell people then, but it was just a drop off thing, not a meeting about the trip. I was late so didn't run into anyone there, but no one I texted today was informed last night. In fact, when I asked her about it, I discovered that not even the studio owner was aware! She works for a Disney travel agent, so I am hoping this isn't a take the $ and then apologize later situation, but there you go. My guess is that no one would change their plans, but it's still good customer service to be informed, and could prepare if needed.

My guess is its a not going to make a mountain out of a mole hill type of thing. The organizer properly realizes it isn't the big deal people on this thread are making it. Of maybe she fears if she tells than some in the group will want to bring their jobs. Most people don't have the fear and paranoia of dogs that is being shown on this thread.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Is Bob Iger really responding to people's emails?

No, but using his name seems to get you a phone call from a CM.

 

[toodycat]

I can certainly appreciate your frustration. However, it’s comments like the “pro-dog contingent has what they want” that makes some of us less sympathetic. It’s the pro-$ execs at WDW to blame. As far as I know, there are no “pro-dog” groups who lobbied for this. It’s all about $$! And to take a jab at ppl who choose to take advantage of a legit policy is not fair. And there was always the possibility of advice dogs so it’s a new exposure.

I'm not taking a jab at anyone, and I'm confused as to where you see that. I'm not saying that anyone aggressively lobbied on this issue, but clearly there must be some dog lovers---who are pro-dogs in resorts---because Disney is marketing this to them. The execs wouldn't pilot the policy if they didn't stand to make money from people with dogs, right? The whole point of my post is that I am fine with dogs at WDW as long as people respect my health needs.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

My guess is its a not going to make a mountain out of a mole hill type of thing. The organizer properly realizes it isn't the big deal people on this thread are making it. Of maybe she fears if she tells than some in the group will want to bring their jobs. Most people don't have the fear and paranoia of dogs that is being shown on this thread.

I don't have fear or paranoia about dogs (despite being snapped at yesterday by a loose dog on my porch!), as I said, I just think people should be told of the change. If you look at what you said about people taking their dogs, it wouldn't afford them that opportunity either, although with the dance stuff that might be tough anyway. It just seems like a professional approach to me, since she's arranging our booking. In my experience, Disney has always notified me by email when there's been something going at a resort where I'm booked, like with construction and the like. I mentioned yesterday I stayed at the YC last spring during the construction. We were notified of the construction after we booked, thought about changing resorts but decided to stay, but at least we knew about the possible disruptions.

ETA: Come to think of it, originally we were supposed to have the trip in November at Coronado Springs, but then we were notified about construction there - I don't know the details of the construction but the organizers must have thought it would be too disruptive because they decided to change to POR, and I'm guessing the move is one of the reasons the trip was delayed. Maybe no room until January? don't know...

 

[scrapquitler]

Bob Iger in CEO of the Disney Corporation
George Kalogridis is President in charge of Walt Disney World Resorts
Their emails are in post #3164 above. You should get swift results if you email them.

I emailed George Kalogridis on Wednesday night and got a voicemail from someone in his office on Thursday afternoon wanting to speak to me about my concerns. Unfortunately I've been playing phone tag with him today. Hopefully Monday I'll actually be able to speak to someone. I was very happy to see that they reached out to me so quickly, and I hope it means that they are really listening to our concerns.

 

[LSUmiss]

I'm not taking a jab at anyone, and I'm confused as to where you see that. I'm not saying that anyone aggressively lobbied on this issue, but clearly there must be some dog lovers---who are pro-dogs in resorts---because Disney is marketing this to them. The execs wouldn't pilot the policy if they didn't stand to make money from people with dogs, right? The whole point of my post is that I am fine with dogs at WDW as long as people respect my health needs.

It was the comment that the pro dog ppl get what they want implying that it’s b/c ppl demanded it that I was referring to. But I can 100% respect that you would expect ppl to respect your health issues. In the airline example you gave, was the lady breaking the rules? I wasn’t sure in your post?

 

[Gryhndmom]

I believe everyone sending in an email pro or con is getting calls and emails back from disney execs. We sent in a pro email and got calls and emails back. It is nice disney is doing this for both sides.