Help! Want To Take Yorkie To Disney
 

LONG....

We reserved and paid for a trip to Disney for November. This was done in February when our little girl Nikki was ok. She had to be put to sleep last month. We adopted our little Nina a week later. My son with autism is enamored with her. He asks for Nikki and I have tried to explain that she is gone. I don't know how much he understands, but when the little has gone out he asks for her and worries. I guess he thinks she won't be back either. I have explained to Guest Services the situation and have asked the hotel which is in Disney property and they only allow "service dogs" in the rooms. I now know that Universal Studios has dog friendly room in their hotels. However, my son like all things Disney so that is why we won't change hotels. Leaving her in the kennel there is not an option. She can stay with my parents who will gladly dog-sit her. But I fear that my son will asks for her and we may have to come back earlier than expected. We paid for 5 days, 4 nights. Keep in mind this was before Nikki passed on. Any suggestions on what we can do??? Thanks!

hmm....will getting her certified as a therapy dog work?

is there any way to postpone the trip a couple months? he may be less attached when he gets used to having a new dog? I know with work/other arrangements it may be hard but i'm sure the hotel would be understanding if you explained your situation. Have you talked to them about the dog and your little boy's condition? Good luck I hope you figure it out soon!

I asked a YT member whose dog is a therapy dog and she told me that in order for her to be certified a therapy dog she must be 1 year old. Nina is only 12 weeks old. But that is something that after researching I am planning to do. Thanks...

Maybe you can sneak her in, and hide all the doggie stuff when you leave the room.

I hope you'll be able to work something out. What if you stay at a hotel outside of Disney. There's tons of them, and atleast some should be pet friendly.

I know you said your son loves all things Disney, but wouldn't it be worth it to just avoid the possible hassle and just stay offsite?

I was afraid someone was going to suggest this. It just isn't a smart thing to do. What is she supposed to for the longs hours when her family is at the park? What about housekeeping? It's just not fair to a 12 week old puppy AND other guests of the hotel, but those that could possible have to deal with a barking puppy and who have to others who have stay in the room where a dog has been.

Thanks, I did and even said I might have to cancell figuring that $$ talks, but they gave me the same response. Either put her in their kennell or if she is a service dog she is ok.
What I don't understand is that I have papers that show that he is mentally disabled. If they need a Doctors paper, I can also get that as proof. If they allow service dogs that means that there are rooms where "dogs" are allowed. I explained she is a baby and I can keep her in crate in the room and take her out for her necesseties. No go! Regarding the postponement. Unfortunately, he has a calendar and know we are going for his B-day in November, this would put him out of wack!

Thought of that. She cries when left alone, she would be heard. She could be stolen, then I'll really have a problem.:eek:

They do have kennels there and you can "check" on her during the day
 

Animal lovers who find it hard to say goodbye to "Spot" or "Fluffy" when going on vacation can take them along for the trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can board their pets at one of five Walt Disney World Resort Kennel Club facilities across property with one at each Walt Disney World theme park and one at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

While guests are busy meeting Cinderella or blasting off on the new high-thrill Epcot attraction, Mission: SPACE, their pets are well taken care of at the Disney kennels. "I feel like their grandmother, I love babysitting for them and am happy when they're reunited with their family," says Donna Martin who works at Disney's Animal Kingdom Kennel Club. Martin has spent 13 of her 19 years with Disney working at the kennels. "When they're here, the dogs and cats are like my babies...and I love caring for them."

The kennels offer overnight boarding for guests' cuddly pals, but aren't all "gone to the dogs." Accommodations are available for other critters, such as rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, birds and non-venomous snakes (provided guests supply a carrying case). All cats and dogs have to be at least 8 weeks old to be kenneled.

As a member of the American Boarding Kennel Association, Walt Disney World kennels require its furry boarders to have up-to-date vaccinations. Guests are also required to walk their dog at least twice a day. As an option to "walkin' the dog," the Epcot kennel offers a dog-walking service for $2.50 per walk.

Boarding a pet at a Walt Disney World kennel costs $6 per pet, per day. For overnight boarding, guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel save by paying $9 per pet per night. The cost for day guests is $11 per pet overnight.

Camping with pets is welcome at designated Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground campsites. Should guests choose for their pooch to "ruff" it, there is a fee of $5 per day, per campsite. Guests can specially request a pet site when making reservations at 407/W-DISNEY.

Kennel Locations and Telephone Numbers

For more information, guests may call the kennels located in the following areas:
Magic Kingdom -- 407/824-6568
Epcot -- 407/560-6229
Disney-MGM Studios -- 407/560-4282
Disney's Animal Kingdom -- 407/938-2100
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground -- 407/824-2735

I would call back and ask to speak with a supervisor. Ask if a letter from his doctor would be ok and then if nothing I would contact americans with disabilities and see what options they have for getting your puppy certified. Good luck

The hotel is already paid for. I can't afford to lose the money and rent somewhere else.

Had I known about Nikki, I would had planned ahead.

I wanted to edit a mistake or two in my previous post but I exceeded the time limit.

I also wanted to say that you won't lose your deposit if you cancel your room reservation. You can just transfer the $200.00 to park tickets.

Some areas of the Fort Wilderness Campground allow dogs if you wanted to RV (:eek:). Not sure if that is something you would be interested in.

Thanks!!! That is an idea. I can also call Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities.:thumbup:

I googled pet friendly hotels for Orlando, check these out one might be decorated. http://orlando.hotelscorp.com/index....ll_hotels_list

Heres the actual link, http://orlando.hotelscorp.com/index....FRqsOAodQjWCRQ

I saw that the sports, music thats on Disney property, but it didn't say if it was pet friendly, but it was in the list of pet friendly places. I have stayed in the movies, music, and sports, they are nice! HUGE pools

Maybe if it isn't too late to cancel your hotel reservations you could rent a house close to Disney. This is what we do when we go to Orlando and most of them have pools. They are also usually much cheaper than renting a hotel room. The houses in Kissimee are the closest to Disney.

www.homeaway.com

www.villas2000.com

Sneak the dog into the park too!:Puppy2:

just the mention of either of them should have the superviser's searching for someone to ok your trip. I have used the kennels at disney world before. The staff are really good to the dogs and the outside looks really cute....but it is a kennel where the dogs stay. The smaller dogs and cats stay inside in kennels like the ones at a vet office. but the bigger dogs stay outside in kennels that look like the pound. They are watched at all times and have access to food and water. I use to bring my great dane with us every weekend a couple of years ago. They would pile blankets for the dogs for beds ...they were great.

I would not suggest sneaking the puppy in. you will most likely get caught and probably loose your tickets and reservation. They do not take too kindly to rules being broken.

OMG.. I MUST know..what did u mean by "the mention of them should have the supervisor searching for someone to ok your trip"

If anyone KNOWS SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT THE DISNEY PARK...pm me..
I am desperate!!!!!

Wow! That's a great price on the kennel! We took both of our dogs with us to Disney Land because we were driving from Alaska to Georgia and Disney was just one of our planned stops along the way. Well, I say took them to Disney what I really meant was we had a hotel room just accross the street from the park that allowed dogs. They stayed there with the TV on and the do not disturb on the door. We went back to the room when we wanted to to walk them. It was perfect! I would have used the kennel had the hotel not worked out.

You have a few options:

1. try to get your deposit back. I would think this should be pretty easy considering the time still before your trip. I would also talk to a supervisor and explain the situation. Just tell him about your son's condition and say that he becaomes quite distressed without the dog and if they cannot accomadate you than you simply must find a hotel that will and you must have your deposit back. Then find a close hotel that will take your puppy. There are many that will.

2. Go to your son's doctor and explain the situation with the dog and ask him to provide you with a note saying the boy cannot be seperated from the dog for medical reasons. Then call the hotel and speak to a supervisor and explain what you have and see if that's helps.

3. The kennel is a definate option if all else fails. They sound pretty good, they are right near so you and your son can go and see him as much as you need to throughout the day and if you really can't leave him overnight you could pick him up and take him (quietly) back to the hotel with you for the night and drop back off at the kennel during the day. Ooops sorry, did I say that? We stayed in over 20 hotels over a period of 50 days while traveling from Alaska and then purchacing our house when we got here in Georgia. Most were good about the dogs but we did get stuck at a few along the way that gave us no choice but to sneak. We never had a problem. Whenever we left the room (dogs allowed or not) we would put the do not disturb sign on the door as I wouldn't want maids or any other strange people coming in and out with my dogs while we weren't there.

Just some thoughts,
Kim

My son works there, but there isn't anything he could do as far as getting them to let you have the dog there.

Go to this site. Maybe you can get a certification for her as a therapy dog.

http://www.affluent.net/sara/sara1.htm
http://www.affluent.net/sara/saraapp2.html

i agree with the post from myteddybear!!! I think if you can get your full deposit back then you can move to a pet friendly hotel and still enjoy your trip..Let the hotel manager know your story and you definetly have documentation to show the time frame from the loss of your first pet and disney arrangements and new pet and your son's attachment..heck that alone should make them be customer friendly and give you your deposit back so you can move on ,,,If you have to contact the corporate office of the hotel change ..it is definetly early enough they won't lose any money heck they will probably have your rooms rented out as soon as they agree to give you back the money!!! Good Luck and keep us posted

I really understand your problem. I live a half hour from Disney. I would gladly watch your baby for you. You could visit everynight if you had too. I only have sawyer, he is a year old. My husband and I live in a gated community, and your little baby would be very welcome. I know how hard it is to enjoy places without worrying about your fur baby. Just let me know if there is anything I can do to help.:)

What an awesome thing to offer!! You should go for it!!

Otherwise use the Disney Kennels..they sound great too...either way you are covered..

Dawn

a therapy dog is not considered a service dog so please do not even go through the involved process......besides both are respectable occupations and should not be abused....I would go w the Disney Kennels...I worked there yrs ago and I know they have high standards set for their employees (ok besides the fact they hired me...lol)....I've done my share of "sneaking" but I don't think this is a good situation for that....this is your vacation to enjoy time w your son and you don't need the stress....stay calm and I know you will come up w the perfect solution...say hi to Mickey!!

I know for a fact Disney will refund your money. We had to cancel our trip over the summer and they were very nice about it. It was a very smooth process. I'd try the kennels at Disney. I wouldn't suggest sneaking her into the room or the park. The big crowds in the park would be enough to scare her. If that doesn't work out I would try a different hotel. There are plenty of hotels in Orlando. :)

Thank you and let me explain...long
 

I appreciate all the ideas given. Specially the furbaby mommy who would babysit. That is awesome of you. If it wasn't for my son's mental disability (autism) a lot of these solutions would work. He is 15 years old but because of his disability he is mentally around 5 years old. He is not as rigid as "rain Man" but he does not take changes easily. His birthday is Nov. 14th and that is why that is the date we are going. He has a calendar where he writes activities, dvd's that are coming out and outings. He's know since Feb. that he is going to Disney, so it's hard to push back the date. The reason we are sacrificing (paying a lot more) and staying inside the Disney property is because when we went 2 years ago he showed a lot of bad behaviors. At that time we stayed in a hotel outside the park and many times we had to leave the park when he had behaviors and couldn't go back or go at night. Because he has two brothers and it is not fair that they miss their vacation we are staying inside and if he has bad behaviors, either my hubby or I can go with him to the hotel so he can calm down and either of us and the other boys can stay at the parks. Hope you ALL understand. THANKS.:thumbs up

Thank you that is an awsome offer. If it because of us we would take your offer before you changed your mind. It is just that my son won't want to leave her there and it not easy to make him understand.
God bless you..:thumbs up