Have you ever been checking off your packing list, getting ready for a magical time at Walt Disney World, only to be stopped by those puppy dog eyes your favorite canine companion gives you when you pull out the suitcase?
Or had a dog sitter tell you they can’t come after months of planning on leaving your dogs at home with a friend? Or perhaps you planned a last-minute getaway but can’t find a place to safely leave your dogs?
Well, great news, you don’t have to choose!
Disney has several dog-friendly resort accommodations that allow you to bring your dogs so they don’t have to miss out on the magic of Walt Disney World!
We recently experienced bringing our own two dogs with us to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and had a wonderful time. Here are some tips on how to make your trip with your pets the best trip ever!
Which Disney World Resorts Allow Dogs?
There are four Disney Resort hotels with designated dog-friendly accommodations at different budget levels:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
You can also bring dogs to eligible campsites at Fort Wilderness, under a separate pet-friendly campsite policy.
For an overview of resort choices, explore BOGV’s Walt Disney World resort information. Dog-friendly rooms are designated and limited, so confirm availability and any additional fees before booking.
Disney World Dog Policies: What to Know Before You Go
There is a maximum of two dogs per guest room, and they must be well-behaved, leashed in public areas, and up to date on their vaccinations. Additional restrictions and fees apply.
When we checked in, we visited the front desk to complete the dog registration process, confirm the pet fee, and pick up our Pluto’s Welcome Kit!
Our Pluto bag included:
- Doggie bags
- A mat for their food and water
- A water bowl
- A map of dog-friendly waste stations
- A special room-door sign for when the dogs were inside
We also coordinated with housekeeping so they could clean our room while we were out with the dogs. Ask your resort about its current housekeeping and pet procedures when you arrive.
Before your trip, review Disney’s official dog-friendly resort guidance for current restrictions and accommodations.
Can You Leave Your Dog in the Resort Room While Visiting the Parks?
Disney’s dog policy includes limits on how long dogs can be left unattended in the room. We planned our park days around returning to check on Baymax and Finn, and I recommend confirming the current unattended-dog time limit directly with your resort before traveling.
When we did our day of park hopping, we drove to each park and went back to our resort in between every park.
This allowed us to not only fill up their water bowls, but also:
- Refill our backpacks with snacks
- Drop a sweatshirt off at the room
- Reapply our sunscreen
- Give our pups some much-needed attention!
When we stayed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios longer than we meant to, my husband went back to the room to check on them while my daughters and I played games in line for Slinky Dog Dash. He came back right as we reached the front of the line, hopped on, and didn’t miss a thing!
If you’d rather not interrupt your park day, consider Best Friends Pet Hotel, which offers daytime and overnight pet care near Walt Disney World. Disney lists its operating hours as one hour before the earliest theme park opens until one hour after the latest park closes. Confirm availability, pricing, and hours before your visit.
Where Can You Walk Your Dogs at Disney World?
You’re allowed in designated outdoor areas at the resorts that welcome dogs.
At Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, we walked the river path toward French Quarter, sat at a bench outside, and enjoyed beignets while the kids played at the park.
We also explored other areas of Walt Disney World property with our dogs. While they are not allowed in the theme parks, we were able to park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with them and walk toward Disney’s BoardWalk area using the walking path.
One important thing to remember: our experience on a particular walkway does not mean every area is dog-friendly. Check designated pet areas and current access rules with Cast Members before exploring beyond your resort.
Where Are Dogs Not Allowed at Disney World?
Pet dogs are generally not permitted in:
- Disney theme parks or water parks
- Disney Springs
- Resort pool areas
- Restaurants and other dining locations
- Fitness centers and recreational areas
- Disney transportation, including buses, the Disney Skyliner, and the monorail
These restrictions apply to pets, not qualifying service animals. See Disney’s official property rules for the distinction and current policies.
What Should You Pack for a Disney World Trip With Dogs?
While you don’t need much beyond the essentials, there were some things we brought that were extremely helpful! Here’s what we packed for Baymax and Finn:
- A kennel: For our own peace of mind, we packed my 2-year-old dog Baymax’s kennel since he still sometimes thinks books are the best chew toys. It fit right behind the door of our standard room and doubled as my own little side table! We fed him here so he could have his own space from Finn.
- A familiar dog bed: My older dog, Finn, we trusted to sleep all day without us, so we brought his dog bed from home, which is where he slept.
- Favorite toys: We brought some toys from home so they’d feel comfortable.
- Harnesses and AirTags: We invested in good-fitting harnesses and attached AirTags before we left for extra peace of mind on walks. An AirTag is an added precaution, not a substitute for identification tags or a microchip.
- Food and treats: We brought bags of their regular food and some of their favorite treats.
- Extra leashes: We packed a double leash in addition to single leashes so we could easily walk them together or separately.
I would also pack vaccination documentation, medications, waste bags, and anything that helps your dog settle into an unfamiliar room.
What I Learned From Bringing My Dogs to Disney World
The Cast Members at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside were wonderful and so friendly. Everyone we passed smiled at our dogs, and kids were petting them constantly. There were trash cans conveniently located on most corners for dog waste and signs with extra bags spread out on property.
I was shocked by how well they fit into our days on vacation!
It felt seamless and easy to navigate our time with them, and every evening we were able to continue our nighttime tradition of (literal) dog pile snuggles all together, a Disney show, and a deep Disney sleep with our whole family in the room!
I think in an ideal situation, we’d have a suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or a cabin at Fort Wilderness to better separate our space. One room with five people and two dogs felt crowded pretty quickly, but overall, people and dogs alike were happy and comfortable for the week.
In the end, I’m so glad we brought them on our trip and made magical memories with our very own Disney pups!
Add Baymax and Finn to the list of Disney-loving members of this household!
Ready to Bring Your Pup Along for the Magic?
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation with your four-legged family members comes with a few extra details, but that’s where we come in!
At Be Our Guest Vacations, our Travel Advisors can help you explore Disney’s dog-friendly resort options, understand the policies, and find accommodations that work for your entire family, paws included!
Ready to start planning? Connect with a Be Our Guest Vacations Travel Advisor and let’s make some magical memories together!