Bringing a dog to WDW resort?

[Beesley]

Hello. I spoke with a CM about the possibility of bringing our dog to DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins (we are not DVC members, in case that may be relevant), and I would be grateful if anyone could confirm that the information that I received is correct.

• Do I need to ask for a pet-friendly cabin or make a note on my reservation that I will be bringing my dog? The CM said that all cabins are pet friendly, and I can just show up with my dog. No advance notice or special arrangements are required. Is this correct?
• Do I pay the pet fee when I pay the balance for my trip? I was told that I pay the pet fee when I check in at Fort Wilderness.
• I was told that I need to bring my dog into the Reception Outpost when I check in. Is this correct?
• It is my understanding that there are unannounced room checks. I asked if a CM would do a room check if there is a dog in the cabin. The CM said that they had never heard of room checks, and there would not be a room check at the cabin. Is this correct?
• If there is a room check and a dog is alone, are there any recommendations regarding how to keep a dog safe? Is a dog required to remain in a crate when alone?

If anyone has any advice or suggestions about bringing a dog to DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins, we would be very grateful. Also, if anyone has had a negative experience bringing a dog to WDW, we would appreciate that viewpoint, too. Thank you.

 

[lanejudy]

I would think you need it noted on the reservation, though I don't have direct experience. This is the information about having a dog with you at the Cabins: https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.di...ort-wilderness/Pet-Policy_CARD_FW_1120-KM.pdf

Dogs do need to be restrained (leashed or crated) when you are absent, though mousekeepers will not come when the dog is unattended; they will schedule a time to visit your cabin when you can take the dog out.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Be sure to post how it went after your trip. We fellow dog owners would love to hear the plus’s and minus’s of doing Disney with your dog. We do a lot of resort only stays now and have been thinking a lot about this possibility.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Cash bookings of the FW cabins get mousekeeping every other day. In my experience they will still do a “room check” on the off days, often (but not always) taking out the trash when they visit (or you may never know they were there at all). Frankly I’m not sure how they handle the “checks” with a dog present - we don’t tend to get a ton of real world dog experience posts around these parts. My guess is it’s similar to housekeeping, they may make an attempt to schedule or coordinate with you in some way, but just not sure. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will come along and report in.

Enjoy the cabins - they have a few quirks but we really enjoy FW and our experience with the new cabins.

 

[focusondisney]

This has a number to,call

 

[Dave006]

Do I need to ask for a pet-friendly cabin or make a note on my reservation that I will be bringing my dog? The CM said that all cabins are pet friendly, and I can just show up with my dog. No advance notice or special arrangements are required. Is this correct?

No advanced notice is required but please re-think bringing your favorite pet dog with you on vacation. There are other options available.

Do I pay the pet fee when I pay the balance for my trip? I was told that I pay the pet fee when I check in at Fort Wilderness.

Normally the $50 per night plus tax pet fee is charged to your resort folio that is due at check-out.

I was told that I need to bring my dog into the Reception Outpost when I check in. Is this correct?

That is somewhat hit or miss but you are supposed to check-in at the Outpost when your are traveling with your dog. You will also need to have your dog's vaccination record available if requested. You will be given some information, and a Pet welcome kit with a door tag to indicate a dog is present in your cabin.

It is my understanding that there are unannounced room checks. I asked if a CM would do a room check if there is a dog in the cabin. The CM said that they had never heard of room checks, and there would not be a room check at the cabin. Is this correct?

Correct, Housekeeping will not enter your Cabin with a dog noted on your folio, and the door hanger on the cabin door.

If there is a room check and a dog is alone, are there any recommendations regarding how to keep a dog safe? Is a dog required to remain in a crate when alone?

Your dog is required to be in a crate or pet carrier for their safety when unattended for their safety, and other guests safety when you are not in your cabin to manage / control your dog.

If your dog is a loud barker that disturbs other cabins, you will be contacted to return to your cabin to check on your dog.


Dave

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hello. I spoke with a CM about the possibility of bringing our dog to DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins (we are not DVC members, in case that may be relevant), and I would be grateful if anyone could confirm that the information that I received is correct.

• Do I need to ask for a pet-friendly cabin or make a note on my reservation that I will be bringing my dog? The CM said that all cabins are pet friendly, and I can just show up with my dog. No advance notice or special arrangements are required. Is this correct?
• Do I pay the pet fee when I pay the balance for my trip? I was told that I pay the pet fee when I check in at Fort Wilderness.
• I was told that I need to bring my dog into the Reception Outpost when I check in. Is this correct?
• It is my understanding that there are unannounced room checks. I asked if a CM would do a room check if there is a dog in the cabin. The CM said that they had never heard of room checks, and there would not be a room check at the cabin. Is this correct?
• If there is a room check and a dog is alone, are there any recommendations regarding how to keep a dog safe? Is a dog required to remain in a crate when alone?

If anyone has any advice or suggestions about bringing a dog to DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins, we would be very grateful. Also, if anyone has had a negative experience bringing a dog to WDW, we would appreciate that viewpoint, too. Thank you.

You must call ahead of time to let them know you are bringing a dog and pay the nightly fee. You are given a sign to hang on the door so others know there is a dog in the room.

• Mousekeeping will not service guest rooms unless human guests are in the room with their dog(s). Guests will need to dial Housekeeping from their in-room phones to request services.
• Dogs are not to be left alone in excess of seven hours.

 

[Dave006]

You must call ahead of time to let them know you are bringing a dog and pay the nightly fee.

Sorry but there is no rule, policy or even a recommendation to call ahead if you are bringing a pet dog to the Ft. Wilderness Cabins.

Dogs are allowed in any cabin. You are required check-in at the Outpost, get your pet kit, and you may be required to present your pet's vaccination records. There is a number published for more information (407) 939-5277 but it is just a General Reservation number.

Dave

 

[Mle8308]

And if you don't disclose you have a dog, they will find out once a housekeeper enters your room/cabin for the daily room checks.

 

[Rescue Mom]

Hi Beesley,

We have been taking our dogs to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness since 2021 (4-5 trips per year), and we have nothing but positive experiences to report! First, you do not need to request a dog-friendly cabin -- as Dave006 said, all cabins are dog-friendly. You can note your dogs on your reservation when you do online check-in, or you can call in advance and note that you have dogs. You are allowed up to two dogs per cabin, and the cost is $50 total per day (I think it's less if you are DVC, but we're not), which is charged when you check in -- not in advance. You do need to stop by the Outpost to get your dog kit and sign your dog papers. You don't have to bring your dog inside the Outpost, but they do have a cute photo opportunity for you and your dog if you wish! You can also sign the papers online, but again, you need to go into the Outpost to get your kit.

Your dog kit is a bag which contains a dog dish, poo bags, a cute placemat for your dog, and most importantly, a special door hanger. You will put that special hanger on your door, and it signifies to cast members that you have a dog in the cabin. They will NOT enter your cabin with your dog inside. Also, you do NOT have to have your dog crated while inside the cabin. Each day, housekeeping needs to do a safety check, but they will not do it while you're away from the cabin. You can call to schedule that at a time that is convenient for you. You will take your dogs outside on a leash while a cast member does a quick check of your cabin. It literally takes a couple of minutes. Housekeeping will also take trash at that time if you desire.

Fort Wilderness is a wonderful place for dogs, and you will see many, many families enjoying the resort with their furry family members! There is a dog park with sides for both big and little dogs. Our dogs love to go there and play with new friends! There are also many paths for walking your dog. We take our dogs on a long walk to tire them out in the morning before heading to the parks. We then return mid-day and take them on a golf cart ride to the dog park to tire them out again before heading back to the parks for a few hours. We have a camera to watch them while we're gone, and they typically sleep the entire time!

I recommend bringing a gate to use for the deck. We have one,and we see many other families do as well. It's nice to sit outside in the morning and evening with our dogs, enjoying the peaceful surroundings! I also highly recommend renting a golf cart -- it's so convenient and entertaining for both the humans and dogs!

I hope this information helps you in your decision. Our dogs absolutely love our cabin vacations, and we're so grateful that Disney gives us the opportunity to vacation with our whole family! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Dave006]

I also highly recommend renting a golf cart -- it's so convenient and entertaining for both the humans and dogs!

Great informative post from a dog parent, and the Fort. Just one additional item, for anyone considering a Golf Cart rental. You need to make a reservation in advance for a Golf cart.

Officially they allow walk-up rentals but there are almost never availability without reserving 1 in advance.

Dave

 

[Beesley]

Thank you so very much for the helpful advice. The information that you have provided is wonderful---thank you!!

I have one more concern, if anyone would be able to help us. It is my understanding that the owner will be contacted if the dog is barking. Our dog does not excessively bark, but he may bark to alert us if he hears someone near our home. Are the cabins close enough that he would hear other guests? Are guests walking on paths close to cabins? Has anyone that brought along their dog been contacted by the resort because their dog was barking? If the resort is intolerant of any barking, then I would not bring our dog since it is possible that he could bark.

Thank you again for helping us with this decision.

 

[Rescue Mom]

Don't worry about barking -- it's not an issue at the cabins, at least not in our experience. We typically hear dogs bark as we walk our dogs by other cabins on our way out of the loop on our walks, and it's not a problem at all. Dogs sense other dogs, and it's their way of communicating. It's natural for dogs to bark, and that's expected. The cabins are nicely spaced, so someone in a neighboring cabin won't hear your dog bark from inside their cabin. I've honestly never heard any excessive barking at all, and it really seems like a very high percentage of cabins have the dog hangers on doors. The cabins are very popular with dog families!

In addition, we always converse with our cabin neighbors as well as other dog parents at the dog parks, and I've never heard of anyone being contacted about their dog barking. It would have to be an excessive situation to warrant a call.

There is a popular YouTube vlogger, Paging Mr. Morrow, who has a recent video of a vacation he took at the cabins with his dog Gracie. Watching it could give you an idea of the experience of having a dog at the cabins. I don't know if linking a video is allowed here, so I won't try, but you can search Paging Mr. Morrow Fort Wilderness in the YouTube search bar and it pops up.

 

[Beesley]

Thank you so much, Rescue Mom! The information was very helpful!!

 

[rosie5189]

I know this is about keeping your pup in your cabin, but if you need doggy day care or overnight sitting we had a really great experience with best friends pet care on property. Our rescue has anxiety and is nervous, and she did WONDERFUL there. The staff was amazing.

Additionally, Once Upon a Nanny (which we have used for our human toddler), also does dog sitting and visits at your resort if you don't want your pup to get lonely!!!!

 

[rere37]

Just FYI I just had an incident today where we were at dinner and dogs were left in the cabin. We got a call saying our dog was loose in the house and they couldn’t do inspection so we needed to come back so they could inspect the cabin. First one dog was in a crate(only a year old) but our other dog (9yrs old) was not because crates are NOT mandatory. Now I will say my older dog is large and has a deep bark but I don’t think anyone should be entering a cabin with dogs when we are not notified. We received a thing to put in the door saying there were dogs in here( dumb if they are going to ignore it). My dog would not have known this person and someone could have gotten hurt. Just wanted to make everyone aware so you know to crate your dogs. I found this sooo crazy but they have the right to come in I understand but if your not calling or giving a specific time then make it mandatory to crate the dogs.

 

[Dave006]

Just wanted to make everyone aware so you know to crate your dogs. I found this sooo crazy but they have the right to come in I understand but if your not calling or giving a specific time then make it mandatory to crate the dogs.

The published policy for dogs is that they must be in a crate or a pet carrier when you are not present in the Cabin. It should have been on the paperwork that you received at the Outpost. Since you had the Occupied tag for your door you checked-in at the Outpost.

Housekeeping needs to be arranged, which is only very other day since they will not service your cabin with a dog present. You are required to take to dog out of the cabin. I would suggest stop by Outpost to get this confusion resolved. Room Inspections can't be scheduled, that is likely why someone tried to enter your Cabin.

Dave

 

[Rescue Mom]

Hi Rere,

I'm sorry this happened to you. Just to confirm -- housekeeping did not enter your cabin while you were out -- correct? That's why they called you. My guess is that they stopped by earlier in the day to do the inspection and then again in the evening. When you didn't answer the door, they called. They have to complete an inspection each day at all WDW rooms, so that's probably why they asked you to come back and take your dogs out for them to be able to enter the cabin. I've attached the WDW Pet Policy card for reference. If I were you, I'd call early tomorrow to schedule a time so you don't have a repeat of today.

You can call housekeeping to schedule the inspection at a time that's convenient for you. What we do is call housekeeping to come do the inspection when we are around during the morning or during our mid-day break. It's very easy to take the dogs outside while they perform the inspection. They will ask you at that time if you need any supplies or need trash removed.

The reference to crating or leashing your dog is when the dog is outside of the cabin (see bullet point 5). That is to prevent people from walking their dogs off-leash.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your Fort Wilderness vacation!