Hey Travellers,
We know that your pets are part of the family, but should you bring them on your Disney World vacation? If staying onsite, there are four pet-friendly hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort so you can bring your furry friend with you. It’s important to note that Walt Disney World do only allow dogs in their pet-friendly resorts.
There are some important factors to consider to make sure your dog can still have a magical visit too. Here is everything you need to know about taking your dog to Walt Disney World!
Service Animals Versus Companion Animals
All Orlando hotels, theme parks and attractions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act when it comes to service animals. While dogs are the most common service animals seen in the Orlando theme parks, other true service animals are welcome, including miniature horses. Your service animal can stay with you in your hotel, accompany you to most rides and destinations (roller coasters are an exception, due to safety restraint requirements) and go wherever you do.
While service animals are welcome everywhere, companion animals are not. Pets are not allowed at the theme parks, Water Parks, Disney Springs or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is for the safety of your pet and the enjoyment of everyone who visits the Walt Disney World theme parks and hotels.
Pet-Friendly Hotels at Walt Disney World
You have two options when it comes to staying on-site with a dog at the Walt Disney World Resort. You can book your on-site hotel at one of four pet-friendly locations and have your dog join you in your room each evening, or you can use a local boarding facility.
Dog-Friendly Hotels in Disney World
In 2017, Walt Disney World decided to make four of its on-site resorts pet-friendly. The policy only covers dogs — cats, reptiles and other pets will still need to stay home or at a boarding facility.
Dogs are welcome at the following Disney World hotels:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
There are also some restrictions you should be aware of when it comes to dogs at Walt Disney World. While these hotels welcome dogs, they do so on select floors only. To protect guests with allergies, a select number of rooms or cabins are available, so if you do want to bring your dog, you should book your stay as early as possible to avoid pet-friendly rooms selling out. There is a limit of two dogs per room. Each of these hotels has an additional pet cleaning fee if you bring your dog with you. The standard fee is $50 per night, per room (or cabin), though there are two exceptions: $75 per night at Yacht Club and $5 per night at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness. If you’re visiting the parks during the day, your dog is permitted to be left alone in the room for up to 7 hours.
Every dog that checks in gets a Pluto-themed kit to make your stay easy and fun. Pluto’s Welcome Kit typically includes:
- Pet identification tag
- Food mat
- Bowls
- Doggie bags and holder
- Map to walking paths
- List of pet policies and dog-friendly areas
- “Do Not Disturb” Door hanger
Rules for Dogs in Disney World Hotels
The room policy includes rules for keeping your pet on property with you. Keep in mind that these rules cover pets only. If you have a service animal, they are welcome in all resorts and theme parks in Orlando.
- You may bring up to two dogs per room; there are no breed restrictions.
- Dogs may not roam the grounds and must remain on a leash at all times. There are designated rest areas at each of the four resorts specifically for your dog, and the dog-friendly rooms are close to pet walking and rest areas.
- Dogs are not permitted in dining locations, shops, pool areas, fitness centers, ponds or fountains. At Fort Wilderness, dogs are not allowed in tents or pop-up campers.
- Dogs are allowed in all Minnie Vans on property as well as internal buses at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort.
- You’ll receive a special door hanger that must be placed on the dog alerting cast members that a dog is present. Housekeeping is only available when dogs are not present, so you’ll need to schedule a cleaning time.
- Dogs should not be left unattended for more than seven hours. (Your dog can still spend the day at the on-site Best Friends Pet Care for exercise, pampering, grooming and more, even if he stays in the room with you at night.)
Ready to book a magical visit to Walt Disney World with your dog? Click here to connect to an Academy Travel Agent today!
