Disney World Now Welcomes Dogs At Select Hotels

Disney Parks

Have you ever planned a trip to Walt Disney World and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving your dogs behind? Well, pack your puppy’s suitcase, because Disney has rolled out the welcome mat!

Last week, Disney World officials announced select resorts on their property will allow dogs to stay in the room with guests.

Before this trial began, only the Campgrounds at Disney’s Fort Wilderness allowed pets on property. Disney guests with pets had the option to take their animals to the Best Friends Pet Care for either boarding or day care services. Best Friends Pet Care sits right across the street from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

art of animation resort photo
Flickr | jared422_80

Disney’s Dog-Friendly Hotels

According to the park’s official blog, as of Oct. 15, four resorts are now pet-friendly. These include:

  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resorts

Disney Pet Rates And Perks

Rooms have a two dog limit. Near each block of pet-friendly rooms, guests can take their furry friends on a stroll along a pet walkway. The resorts also have green spaces for the doggies to do their business.

And Disney World plans to make their four-legged guests feel as special as their humans. During check in, each dog receives “Pluto’s Welcome Kit.” This includes a mat, bowls, an ID tag, plastic disposable bags, puppy pads and dog walking maps. Also tucked in to the kit is a “Do Not Disturb” door hanger. This alerts hotel staff that dogs are in the room.

Guests will need to pay an additional fee per night for each room that has a pet. Disney charges $50 per night, per room on top of their regular rate at the Art of Animation, Port Orleans Riverside and Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Disney’s Yacht Club charges an extra $75 per night, per room for pets.

Disney plans to use these resorts as a pilot program and potentially expand it resort-wide. However, it is important to note that only service animals (including dogs) are allowed into Disney theme parks. The new dog-friendly resorts will not change the theme park policies.

disney pluto photo
Flickr | Jennie Park Photography

Do Dogs Belong At Disney?

As with many Disney announcements, the new, pet-friendly policy met with a wide range of reactions.

Some families could barely contain their excitement at bringing their pooches along on vacation.

“I will ABSOLUTELY be planning a trip to Disney because of this! Our dog is like our child and this is the perfect opportunity to vacation and not worry about having to leave him behind,” commented Tracy on Disney Parks Blog. I cannot express how thrilled I am to hear this news!!”

As Mariana mentions, not everyone has cuddled up to this idea.

What do you think about Disney World deciding to welcome dogs, even on a limited basis? Excited? Worried? Let us know!

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About the Author
Marie Rossiter
Marie is a freelance writer and content creator with more than 20 years of experience in journalism. She lives in southwest Ohio with her husband and is almost a full-fledged empty nest mom of two daughters. She loves music, reading, word games, and Walt Disney World.

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