Everything You Need to Know About Bringing Your Pets to Disney World!

Have you ever dreamed about bringing your ENTIRE family to Disney World?

Pluto at Epcot’s 2020 Flower and Garden Festival

You know, your grandparents, your spouse, the kiddos, and even the furriest members of your family?

That’s right — we’re talking about not just the human members of your family, but ALSO man’s best friend! Did you even know bringing your pet to Disney World was possible!? Well, IT TOTALLY IS!

Disney World Monorail

Let’s explore all the options you have for bringing your pets along on your next trip to Disney World — we can just see their little furry faces right now lighting up with the thought of coming on your next trip with you instead of waiting back at home! 😉

Ever wanted to wear a matching Spirit Jersey with your pet? Now you CAN!

Some Disney World Resorts Allow Dogs!

Currently, there are four pet-friendly resorts at Disney World that permit guests to room and board with their doggos only (sorry, no cats, reptiles, or other pocket pets are permitted at this time). They are:

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

These resorts have special floors, sections, and blocks of rooms that are pre-assigned for guests staying with pets.

Port Orleans — Riverside

You’ll find they’re located with easy access to the outdoor pet relief areas and designated walking trails!

If you’re a Disney dog-lover, you gotta see this Dooney and Bourke collection!

Pet Cleaning Fee

Each Disney World Resort that allows pets charges a nightly fee. If you are staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, it’s a charge of $50 per night plus tax. If you’re staying at Fort Wilderness Resort’s Campsites, it’s only $5 per night (it IS a campsite in the woods, after all).

Welcome to Fort Wilderness!

Guests with dogs staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will be charged $75 per night plus tax.

Check out these adorable Disney snack-themed accessories for your pet here!

What Rules Do We Need to Obey?

Now that you know which Disney World resorts you and your dog are welcome to book, there are some rules for pet owners to know before they go!

Must Provide Up-To-Date Vaccine Records

Your dog must be current on its shots in order to stay at Disney World. Make sure you bring all the necessary health records and documentation from your vet with you in case Disney needs to see it.

Hey There, Pluto!

You’ll also be required to sign a “Pet Agreement” stating you’ll follow the hotel’s pet policies.

Check out some of our favorite Nightmare Before Christmas-themed dog toys here!

Bring Your Own Dog Food

While dog-friendly Disney World Resorts will provide guests and their furry companions with Pluto’s Welcome Kit at check-in (which includes a feeding mat, bowls, plastic disposable bags, ID tag, puppy pads, dog walking mat, and a Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger — contents may vary), pet owners are responsible for bringing their own dog food and treats.

DogEatz Treatz

Check out Disney’s newest line of dog and cat treats now available at the parks here!

We’ve seen a few places around Disney World where dog collars, accessories, toys, and treats are sold, but a Cast Member confirmed for us dog food isn’t available for sale on the property, to their knowledge. If you don’t want to pack your dog’s kibble in your suitcase, you can always have some delivered to your resort ahead of time instead!

Lady and the Tramp Dog Bowl

You can have packages delivered to your resort up to a week before you arrive. Many popular dog food brands are available on Amazon, or you can order them from any major pet supply retailer. If you want, you can also choose to have them brought to you using a delivery service such as Instacart.

Learn more about sending a package to your Disney World resort here!

Other Doggy Rules

Only two dogs are permitted per room, so if you’re rollin’ with more than that, some of your poochies might need to stay back at home. Another thing to keep in mind is that the majority of common areas at the resorts (even at the pet-friendly resorts we mentioned above) are off-limits to dogs except for service animals.

Art of Animation Lobby

Only service animals are allowed through lobbies, pool areas, restaurants, or guest hallways. Instead, each hotel has several designated areas for pets such as walking trails as well as green spaces for “pet relief.” These will be designated on your resort’s map.

Cars Building at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Check out these adorable leggings for Disney dog and cat lovers here!

And with the exception of service animals, dogs aren’t allowed in any of the Disney theme parks, water parks, or Disney Springs. While pet dogs are allowed to use some Disney transportation services such as air-conditioned motorcoaches, only service animals are permitted to use Disney World’s monorails, and watercraft like the friendship boats.

Friendship Boat

Learn more about Disney World’s transportation systems here!

We inquired about Disney’s Skyliner and were told there isn’t an official policy on whether or not dogs are permitted onboard. If allowed, the Cast Member we spoke with thought only service animals may be able to ride.

Disney Skyliner

S0…what should you do with your Pluto while you’re out-and-about?

See how to spoil your fur babies with Monsters, Inc. accessories here!

Keep Your Dog at Your Resort

You know your dog’s temperament better than anyone so if you know your dog will be happiest (and quiet) back at the room while you’re out exploring the parks, this solution could work for you.

Fort Wilderness

But…if your dog can’t handle long stretches of being left alone (especially in an unfamiliar environment) you might receive a call from your hotel asking you to return to your room and calm your doggo down if he’s barking a lot. You’ll have 30 minutes to return to your room and quiet your dog down. Disney also recommends not leaving your dog unattended for more than seven hours at a time.

Mickey dog harness

Housekeeping will not come by while you’re away (you must schedule them to come when you’re back at your room and can manage your dog while they work). Don’t worry — there’s another option if you need your dog watched while you’re having fun!

Doggy Day Camp

If you don’t want to leave your dog back at the resort all day, you can choose to board him or her for the day at Best Friends Pet Care, a full-service animal care facility at Disney World. They also allow cats and other small animals to stay there, too!

©Best Friends Pet Hotel

Their services include everything from playtime for a couple of hours while you’re out at the parks to full overnight retreats with LOTS of Disney-style pampering! Doggie Daycare starts at $30 per day and gets slightly cheaper the longer you book. Boarding starts at $47 per night and goes up to $109. For more information about Best Friends Pet Care including, prices, call (877) 4 WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738 or visit their website here to take a virtual tour!

Should I Bring My Dog to Disney World?

Even though bringing Fido to Disney World sounds like a really neat idea, it will present some new challenges. We think it would certainly make for a memorable trip if your dog is well-behaved — and the worst part of going to Disney World for you is leaving your furry friend behind each day! 😉

Disney Dogs Loungefly backpack

You will, however, have to factor in how you’ll get them there (which might change whether you’ll be flying or driving to Disney World) as well as how much it will cost you to bring them along since you might incur additional costs than if you’d boarded them back home.

Check out the deets onTHIS adorable new Disney Dog Loungefly Backpack (there’s one for Cat peeps too!)

Either way, it IS possible to have your Disney World vacation AND have your dog, too! We hope we’ve given you and your best pal something to chew on for your next trip to Florida!

Have you ever traveled to Disney World with your dog before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!