Have you ever dreamed of taking a vacation at one of Disney’s resorts? Just imagining the rides, characters, and amazing decorations can make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
But what if you don’t want to leave your beloved pet behind? Is it even possible to bring your furry or feathered friend with you to experience the magic of Disney?
Are pets allowed in Disney Resort Hotels?
Yes, Disney World resorts do allow pets in some of their properties. Currently, there are four pet-friendly resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Campsites or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The pet friendly Disney resorts have designated floors, sections, and blocks of rooms for guests staying with pets. Each resort charges a nightly fee, with fees ranging from $5 to $75 per night plus tax.
But what are the restrictions?
What documentation do you need to have?
What pets are allowed?
Where are you allowed to go?
What locations are you not allowed?
However, in order to make your ultimate dream vacation come true while keeping both your four-legged companion and other guests safe, it’s crucial to know what the guidelines are for Disney Resorts so you can make sure you’re abiding by all the rules so you can enjoy this special extra bit of magic for your stay.
Before we get started, if you’re a fan of all things Disney and love discussing theme parks and planning Disney vacations, then I want to announce the launch of my new private Facebook group, the Disney Park Advisor Community. This is a place where Disney fans can come together to share their love of all things Disney, ask questions, get advice, and make new friends. Click the link to request membership. I can’t wait to see you in the group!
Pet-Friendly Resorts at Disney World
Disney World now offers several pet-friendly options for guests who want to bring their furry friends along on their vacation. Currently, there are four resorts that allow dogs, with no other pets such as cats, reptiles, or pocket pets being permitted at this time. These resorts include Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. In each of these pet-friendly Disney resorts, there are designated floors, sections, and blocks of rooms that are pre-assigned for guests traveling with pets.
| Resort Name | Pet Cleaning Fee per Night | Limitation on Number of Dogs | Vaccine Records Required | Pet Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | $50 + Tax | 2 dogs per room | Yes | Yes |
| Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside | $50 + Tax | 2 dogs per room | Yes | Yes |
| Disney’s Yacht Club Resort | $75 + Tax | 2 dogs per room | Yes | Yes |
| The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | $50 + Tax | 2 dogs per room | Yes | Yes |
| Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | $5 + Tax | 2 dogs per room | Yes | Yes |
Note: Only dogs are permitted as pets, no cats, reptiles, or other pocket pets are allowed. Guests are responsible for bringing their own dog food and treats. Doggy Day Camp at Best Friends Pet Care is available for pet owners who don’t want to leave their dogs at the resort all day.
Guests who bring their dogs to these resorts will appreciate the easy access to outdoor pet relief areas and designated walking trails. Additionally, these resorts are located in convenient locations for pet owners.
Each resort that allows pets imposes a nightly fee for guests with dogs. Stays at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will incur a fee of $50 per night plus tax. Stays at Fort Wilderness Resort’s Campsites are only $5 per night, while those staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort with dogs will have to pay $75 plus tax per night.
To ensure the safety and comfort of both pets and hotel guests, pet owners must provide up-to-date vaccine records for their dogs at check in. Also each pet owner will be required to sign a ‘Pet Agreement’ agreeing to abide by all resort policies. For your convenience, upon arrival you’ll receive Pluto’s Welcome Kit which includes; a feeding mat, bowls, plastic disposable bags, ID tag & puppy pads – just remember that dog food is not available on Disney World property so make sure you bring enough! Don’t forget also included in your kit is a special Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger so he/she can rest easy while you’re out exploring all that Magic Kingdom has to offer.
When visiting pet-friendly resorts, no more than two dogs are permitted per room and majority of common spaces exclude pups except for service animals. To help guide you through the resort grounds, they provide a map that marks areas suitable for walking your pup or taking care of business. As far as entering Disney theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs; only service dogs can enter with their owners while all others remain outside these places.
Additionally, only service animals are permitted to use Disney World’s monorails and watercraft like the friendship boats. The policy for Disney’s Skyliner is not official, and it is believed that only service animals may be able to ride.
As a pet owner, it is important to remember that you are not leaving your dog unattended for more than seven hours throughout the day. If your pup starts barking too much and causing a disturbance, then there’s a good chance the hotel will call you back to your room to settle your pup down.
If you would rather have someone else look after your pup while you enjoy all that Disney World has to offer, then Best Friends Pet Care is perfect for you. This full-service animal facility offers playtime and overnight retreats. Prices start at $30 per day for doggie daycare and $47 per night for overnight boarding but can vary depending on the length of stay and size of the pet. All services provided by the staff come with guaranteed safety, supervised activities, and lots of affection. With plenty of space to explore inside and outdoor runs available, your pup will be having so much fun they won’t want to leave!
What Pets Are Allowed At Disney Resort Hotels?
At this time, only dogs are allowed at the pet-friendly Disney World resorts. This is more than likely due to the fact that dogs are more commonly kept as pets and are easier to accommodate in a hotel setting. In most cases (though certainly not all!), dogs are generally better trained and better behaved than other common pets such as cats or reptiles, making them a safer and more practical choice for a hotel environment.
It makes sense that cats are not permitted in Disney World resorts due to the prevalence of cat allergies. Furthermore, cats may be difficult to restrain and could potentially cause harm by ruining furniture or other items in a hotel room. Additionally, other animals like reptiles and birds might also prove challenging to manage, especially if you’re out of the room, and can create danger not only for themselves but also for both guests and cast members alike.
Certain pets, such as reptiles, can put the wellbeing of other guests, cast members, and hotel premises may pose a risk to the health and safety of other guests, cast members, and the hotel environment.
Accommodating pets other than dogs may be complicated due to certain logistical considerations. For instance, cats or reptiles could necessitate specific facilities or equipment in order for them to feel comfortable while staying at a hotel; unfortunately, this might not be feasible for some hotels to provide.
While only dogs are currently allowed at Disney World’s pet-friendly resorts, this policy could possibly change to accommodate other types of pets in the future. Disney is known for constantly evolving and updating its policies and offerings to provide the best possible experience for its guests. If the demand for pet-friendly accommodations for other types of pets becomes high enough, Disney may consider changing its policy to allow for a wider range of pets in the future.
Pet Cleaning Fee
When selecting a pet-friendly resort, be aware that there is a nightly fee associated with each property. At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, the cost is $50 per night plus tax. Staying at Fort Wilderness Resort’s Campsites offers a more economical option for pet owners, at only $5 per night. If you choose to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the fee is $75 per night plus tax.
This fee helps keep the resort clean and comfortable for all guests who stay there – including those with pets – so it’s important to factor it into your overall budget. This way you can plan accordingly and make sure that you are prepared with enough money to cover the entire cost of your reservation. Remember that these fees will be added on top of any other charges associated with booking a room or campsite at one of these pet-friendly resorts, so plan ahead.
Rules for Pet Owners at Disney World
As a pet owner at Disney World, there are certain rules you need to follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend.
Firstly, it is important to have up-to-date vaccine records for your dog. This will ensure the health and safety of all guests at Disney World. Before checking in, you will be required to sign a “Pet Agreement” which states that you will follow the hotel’s pet policies.
While Disney World Resorts will provide you with a Pluto’s Welcome Kit at check-in, which includes items such as feeding mat, bowls, plastic disposable bags, ID tag, puppy pads, dog walking mat, and a Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger, it is your responsibility to bring your own dog food and treats.
Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed into any of Disney’s theme parks, water parks or Disney Springs – the only exception to this policy is, of course, for service animals. If you have a service animal with you, then they can use Disney World’s monorails and its watercraft such as the friendship boats as well. You also have the option to use some of Disney’s transportation services with your pet dog – such motor coaches are all air-conditioned and provide a safe and comfortable ride for both you and your furry friend. However, please bear in mind the rules about bringing your pet onto the property when traveling to and from these locations.
Keeping Your Dog at the Disney Resort
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World and want your dog to come along for the ride, there are a couple ways to make sure your pup is taken care of while you explore the parks.
If you think your dog will be calm and content to wait in the resort room while you enjoy the attractions, this could be a great option. However, keep in mind that if your pet is prone to barking or howling, the hotel may call you back to manage them while they are unattended. Also, it’s best not to leave them alone for more than seven hours at a time. Housekeeping staff won’t come by when you’re out, but they can schedule a visit when you return and can take care of managing your pup during their stay.
If leaving them at the resort all day isn’t an option for you, consider bringing them to Best Friends Pet Care: a full-service animal facility located within Disney World where pets can get pampered with lots of Disney-style fun!
Doggy Daycare starts from $30 per day and gets cheaper depending on how long of a stay you book. Overnight boarding begins at $47 per night and goes up to $109 per night for extended stays. For more detailed information about this service as well as prices and availability, feel free to give the staff a call at (877) 4 WDW-PETS or you can actually take a virtual tour online.
Nexts Steps
The next step is connect with other Disney fans. Join the Disney Park Advisor Community group to connect with other Disney fans and get tips and advice on planning the perfect Disney vacation. This private Facebook group is the perfect place to share your love of all things Disney and get insider knowledge from other Disney enthusiasts. Simply click the link below to request membership and become a part of our community.
