Posted by Erin Ballinger
The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida may be “The Most Magical Place on Earth” for many humans, but how does it stack up for our four-legged family members? The editorial team at BringFido put our resident Pluto and Goofy on the case to find out!
Before embarking on a trip to Mickey’s house, you’ll need to plan ahead, and that is especially true if you plan to bring your dog because only four Walt Disney World Resort hotels allow pets to stay in guest rooms on the property.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort allows you to share this magical experience with Fido. Four-legged guests receive pet amenities like mats, bowls, waste bags, a door hanger, and a map directing pet owners to the resort's four pet relief areas. Human guests can take a dip in the largest pool at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and relax in rooms decorated with characters from four favorite Disney animated films. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is also convenient for parkgoers, as it is adjacent to the Disney Skyliner, which transports passengers to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can bring dogs of any size to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for an additional fee of $50 per night.
Located a short distance from the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Disney Port Orleans Resort Riverside welcomes pooches with an array of goodies in its Pluto’s Welcome Kit. The property also features a designated pet park and exercise area and provides guests with a dog walking map. Two-legged guests will feel like they’ve been transported to the Louisiana Bayou while they take advantage of the resort’s five heated swimming pools, boat and bicycle rentals, and horse-drawn carriage rides. You can bring two pets of any size to Disney Port Orleans Resort Riverside for an additional fee of $50 per night.
Modeled after the sophisticated seashore hotels in Martha's Vineyard, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a pet-friendly waterfront resort with nautical-themed rooms. Canine guests will be greeted with Pluto’s Welcome Kit and be assigned to Garden, Water View, or Water View Club rooms for easy access to the resort’s walkways and green spaces. Human guests can soak up the Florida sun on the white-sand beach of Stormalong Bay, break a sweat with a personal trainer, indulge in a massage and sauna session, and dine at one of the many restaurants onsite. You can bring two dogs up to 75 lbs to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for an additional fee of $75 per night.
Furry friends are welcome at select RV sites and cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, but not in tents or pop-up campers. Upon arrival, Fido will receive a Pluto’s Welcome Kit with all the essentials and a map of the many dog-friendly paved and grassy walking trails. The resort boasts its own dog park, Waggin’ Trails Dog Park, where pets can play off leash under their owners' supervision. Campers have access to two outdoor pools, tennis courts, kayak rentals, nightly sing-alongs with Chip and Dale, and outdoor viewings of classic Disney films. You can bring two dogs of any size to select RV campsites and cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for an additional fee of $5 per night in campsites, and $50 per night in cabins.
Other than the four hotels listed above, no other Walt Disney World Resort hotels allow pets. However, you can find other nearby pet-friendly hotels outside of the Walt Disney World Resort. Only service animals are permitted at the following Disney properties:
Even if your dog’s name is Pluto or Goofy, he’s not getting into the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom only permit service animals to enter through their gates. The same goes for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. However, you can find several nearby dog-friendly activities, outdoor restaurants, and pet services to make your dog’s vacation as much fun as possible.
Although the Walt Disney World Resort welcomes dogs at four of its hotels, pets are not allowed in the Disney Springs shopping and entertainment complex. Nor are dogs welcome to ride on the Disney Skyliner, buses or water taxis. Pets are also prohibited at all Disney shops and restaurants, as well as the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Only service animals are permitted in these areas.
Because dogs are not permitted in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, water parks, or entertainment complexes, guests with pets should consider making a reservation for Doggy Day Camp at Best Friends Pet Hotel, located within the Walt Disney World Resort. While you have fun at the parks, your pups can play and make new friends at the 25,000-square-foot dog park and chow down on snacks. When canines need to beat the heat, there’s 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space for Fido to explore. In addition to Doggy Day Camp, Best Friends Pet Hotel offers professional dog grooming and overnight boarding services. All pets visiting Best Friends Pet Hotel must be up-to-date with vaccinations, and pet owners must provide written proof from their vet. Best Friends Pet Hotel conveniently opens an hour earlier than the theme parks and remains open until one hour after the last park closes for the day.
Although pets aren’t allowed in most areas of the Walt Disney World Resort, you can still have a great time bringing Fido along on the family vacation at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney Port Orleans Resort Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, or Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Guests can expect the same high standard of service that “The Most Magical Place on Earth” is known for, with the added perks for pups like Pluto’s Welcome Kit and nearby pet waste stations. While you explore the parks, Fido can play at Best Friends Pet Hotel.
Start planning your pet-friendly Disney vacation, check rates and get the most up-to-date pet policies at all Walt Disney World Resort Hotels locations on BringFido’s website or mobile app. Remember that when you book with BringFido, you enjoy the benefit of our Pet Friendly Guarantee, and you’ll never pay a booking fee. When you're ready to make a reservation, save time and book online or call us at 877-411-3436 to speak to one of our friendly agents. Either way, our service is free.
Banner photo by @maya.the.dood.
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