Pet Kennels at Walt Disney World

Effective January 10, 2008, the kennels at Walt Disney World converted to management by Best Friends PetCare Inc., a leading provider of pet hospitality in the United States.

The company currently has 44 locations in 18 states and will build a full-service, luxury pet "resort" at Walt Disney World to open on Bonnet Creek Parkway in mid-2009. The new "resort" will provide a full range of services including dog and cat boarding, day care and grooming services as well as doggy day camp.

Best Friends' prices are roughly double with Disney resort guests getting a discount on the overnight fee (see Cost section below); operating hours will remain the same. The kennels at the Transportation and Ticket Center and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Kennels will convert first, then on January 24, the Epcot Kennels, then on February 7, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Kennels. There are no plans for Disney to begin allowing pets to stay in resort rooms, but don't miss the information on the pet friendly services at Fort Wilderness.

Warning! It is against Florida law to keep pets in a car during the day. The car WILL be broken into to remove the pet(s) and the person will be fined $5000. Pets in campers with the air conditioning running are not included under this law.

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Does your vacation family include your 4-legged friend? If so, you're not alone! Walt Disney World has 4 overnight kennels available. There are also designated areas at Ft. Wilderness Campground where your pet can stay at your site too! (Read more about Fort Wilderness' pet friendly services here!)

Walt Disney World is a member of the America Boarding Kennel Association.

Reader Reports

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Locations and Notes for the Kennels
All kennels offer overnight boarding for pets.

Magic Kingdom/Ticket and Transportation Center - Kennel is open one hour prior to park (Magic Kingdom) opening to one hour after park closing. 1-407-824-6568

Epcot - Kennel is open one hour prior to park opening to one hour after park closing. 1-407-560-6229

Disney's Hollywood Studios - Kennel is open one hour prior to park opening to one hour after park closing. 1-407-938-2100

Disney Hollywood Studios no longer has kennel parking nor do they always allow kennel guests to use the Diamond or AAA parking. However, they will ask the guests to take their pets with them on the tram. Many guests love this as a special treat, including the ones riding on the tram! But to be considerate, please do the following when bringing pets on the tram.

Move to the last row of the tram. Ask the Cast Member in the back if they are comfortable with the pet being there before boarding.

If the back row is full or the whole tram is almost packed, wait for the next tram if it's not too hot (remember, dogs will be standing on the hot blacktop and shouldn't be made to wait for long. It will hurt their paws and dehydrate them quickly.). Most likely, some guests on the tram will make room for pets and their families. Again, make sure no one nearby is allergic or afraid of pets.

Seat pets in the middle of the row. The cast member will even point this out in the announcement.

Be prepared for lots of attention! Pets are always very popular with their fellow guests! If your pet isn't comfortable with strangers, politely let those approaching know about it before petting them. Otherwise, prepare for a wonderful way to enter the park and to leave it at night!

A cast member entrance is right inside the kennel lobby, so please be considerate and allow them room to enter and exit. And it'll give them a nice chance to start or end their shift by saying hi to your pets!

Disney's Animal Kingdom - Kennel is open one hour prior to park opening to one hour after park closing. 1-407-824-2735

Animal Kingdom is the only place where the kennel is inside the entrance. Pets will have to go through security with their people. The security cast members will most likely ask for dogs to be taken through the stroller entrances. Also, pet owners should be aware that they will have to take their pets past all the guests entering the park, including those in line to meet characters. Keep them close so they do not frighten guests who are not comfortable or are allergic, but also be prepared for many people to ask to pet them. If your pet isn't comfortable, politely let those approaching know about it. Otherwise, prepare for a wonderful way to enter the park!
Another special benefit for this location: families and their pets have the opportunity to have access to Disney's Photopass Photographers! It's the only time that everyone in the family can get into the photo. Even for one in front of the Christmas tree! Also, if pet families enter or leave at off times when the characters are out, they will also love to pose for pictures! What can be better than having Pluto pose with your dog for a great momento of the trip?

Photopass photos with pets

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground - 7:30am - 8:00pm 1-407-824-2735

Services Provided

Boarding of guest pets
Feeding is available, but you are advised to walk and exercise your own pet.
No veterinary services are offered. You will be referred to an Orlando animal clinic if a problem arises.

Cost

These costs are for the TTC, Fort Wilderness, and Epcot Kennels. The kennel prices at these three locations include 2 potty breaks per day and up to 2 feedings per day for verified, non-aggressive pets. Pets which have unverified vaccines or which are aggressive must be cared for by the owner. The kennel staff will not feed, walk or provide extra services to unverified pets (see the Requirements section below).

	Dogs	Cats & Small Animals
Day Rate: Non-Resort Guests	$15	$10
Day Rate: Disney Resort Guests	$15	$10
Overnight: Non-Resort Guests	$20	$15
Overnight: Resort Guest	$18	$13

The following options are offered at the above locations:

These costs are for the Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom kennels. The prices at these two locations do not include any walks or feeding. All guests are required to walk their dog at least once in the morning and once in the evening (twice a day). Dogs less than 1 year of age must be walked three times a day.

Day Rate: Non-Resort Guests	$10
Day Rate: Disney Resort Guests	$10
Overnight: Non-Resort Guests	$15
Overnight: Resort Guest	$13

Requirements

Dogs must have proof of the following vaccinations given by a licensed veterinarian: Rabies, DHP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza), Parvovirus, Bordetella.

Cats must have proof of the following vaccinations given by a licensed veterinarian: FeloVax Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia (aka Feline Distemper)

All dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to be kenneled.

Absolutely no wildlife or exotic species are allowed in the kennels.

Kennel Sizes

Small Pet Kennel: 25.5" x 20" x 23.3"
Medium Pet Kennel: 34" x 34" x 34"
Large Pet Kennel: 55" x45" x 36"
Outside kennels (available upon request) are large kennels and size does vary slightly.

The large, multi-dog kennels are no longer available.

Please note that Florida State Law now requires that pets be brought inside during the peak heat hours in the Summer and may not be left in outside kennels overnight.

Pet Sites

Camping with pets is welcome in select Full Hook-up campsites for an additional charge, based on availability at Disney's Ft. Wilderness Campground.

Pets are NOT permitted in Wilderness Cabins or in NON-designated loops.

When making your reservation, you must request a pet site.

There is a $5.00 per day charge (not $5 per pet) for having a pet at the designated camp loops.

Pets MUST meet the vaccination requirements outlined above.

Fort Wilderness guests may also leave their pets at the kennel during the day per the pricing as noted above.

(Read more about Fort Wilderness' pet friendly services here!)

Photos

Animal Kingdom Kennel Club
Disney's Hollywood Studios Kennel Club
Magic Kingdom Ticket and Transportation Kennel Club

Epcot Kennel Club - Coming Soon