So, you’re headed to the Most Magical Place on Earth, but you’ve got a dog. Or a cat. Maybe even a pocket pet like a hamster. You can’t exactly bring a Golden Retriever onto Space Mountain, and leaving them in a hot car is obviously out of the question (and illegal). If you’re looking for the Walt Disney World kennel situation, things have changed a lot over the last decade. It isn't just a row of concrete cages behind Magic Kingdom anymore.
Most people don't realize that Disney actually outsourced their entire kennel operation years ago. You won't find a Disney-run facility at the gates of every park like you used to in the 90s. Now, it’s all about Best Friends Pet Hotel. It’s located right across from Port Orleans Riverside. Honestly, it’s a massive facility, but it’s the only official spot on property. If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you’ve got two choices: pay for a dog-friendly room or book a spot at the kennel.
The Reality of Boarding at Walt Disney World
Back in the day, you could drop your dog at the Transportation and Ticket Center and check on them between rides. Those days are gone. Now, if you want your pet on property but not in your hotel room, they go to Best Friends. It’s a 25,000-square-foot complex. It's huge. They handle dogs, cats, and "pocket pets," though you have to provide your own cage for the small stuff like birds or rabbits.
One thing that trips people up is the pricing structure. It isn't a flat fee. You're looking at different tiers like Indoor, Indoor/Outdoor, and the "Villas." The Villas are basically tiny hotel rooms for dogs with TVs and raised beds. Do dogs actually watch TV? Best Friends seems to think so, or at least they know owners like the idea of it. It’s pricey. You can spend $40 a day for a basic spot or over $100 for the luxury suites.
What about the "Dog-Friendly" Resorts?
Disney opened up a few hotels to dogs a few years back. Art of Animation, Port Orleans Riverside, Yacht Club, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. But there's a catch. You can't just leave your dog in the room all day while you go to Epcot. Well, you can, but if they bark and disturb neighbors, Disney will call you. You have to be back within 30 minutes. If your dog has separation anxiety, the hotel room is a gamble. That’s why the Walt Disney World kennel at Best Friends is usually the safer bet for park-heavy days.
📖 Related: The Gwen Luxury Hotel Chicago: What Most People Get Wrong About This Art Deco Icon
The "Pluto’s Welcome Kit" you get at the hotels is cute—mats, bowls, bags—but the actual logistics of walking your dog in a crowded resort at 11:00 PM after fireworks can be a nightmare. Fort Wilderness is the best for pet owners because of the trails, but the other resorts have very specific, sometimes out-of-the-way "pet relief areas."
Daycare vs. Overnight Boarding
A lot of guests use the kennel just for "Daycare." This is a smart move. You drop the pup off at 8:00 AM, go hit the parks, and pick them up after dinner. It keeps them in the A/C. Florida heat is no joke. If you've ever walked across the EPCOT parking lot in July, you know it feels like the surface of the sun. Your dog feels that tenfold.
- Daycare hours: Usually opens an hour before the parks and stays open an hour after.
- Requirements: You absolutely must have proof of vaccinations. No exceptions. Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella are mandatory. For cats, it’s Rabies, FVRCP, and Feline Leukemia.
- Ages: Pets must be at least four months old.
If you're doing overnight boarding, you can bring your own food. Actually, you should bring your own food. Switching a dog's diet suddenly while they are already stressed in a new environment is a recipe for an upset stomach. Best Friends provides "premium" kibble, but don't risk it.
The Logistics Nobody Tells You
The location of Best Friends Pet Hotel is convenient if you have a car. It's on Bonnet Creek Parkway. If you are relying on Disney's bus or Monorail system, you are out of luck. Disney transportation does not allow pets unless they are service animals. This is a huge hurdle for international travelers or those flying in and using rideshares. You'll have to take a Minnie Van (if available) or a specific "Pet-Friendly" Uber/Lyft to get your animal to the kennel.
👉 See also: What Time in South Korea: Why the Peninsula Stays Nine Hours Ahead
Then there’s the "Ice Cream Break." It’s an add-on. They literally give your dog a scoop of dog-safe ice cream. Is it necessary? No. Do people buy it? Every single day. It’s part of that Disney "upsell" culture that has bled into the pet side of things.
Nuance: Is it Worth It?
Let's be real. Boarding your pet is stressful. Some dogs thrive in the social environment of doggy daycare, while others spend the whole time shaking in the corner of an indoor run. Best Friends is a high-volume facility. They handle hundreds of animals. If your dog needs 1-on-1 snuggles for three hours a day, they probably won't get that there unless you pay for "Playgroup" or "Personal Play" sessions.
There are off-property options too. Areas like Kissimmee and Winter Garden have local sitters and smaller boutique kennels. Often, these are cheaper. However, the convenience of being "on-property" is why the Disney kennel stays booked months in advance. If you have an emergency or the parks get to be too much, you’re only 10 minutes away from your pet. That peace of mind is what you're really paying for.
Common Misconceptions
People think Disney employees run the kennel. They don't. Best Friends is a private company. While they follow Disney's general "vibe" and customer service standards, they have their own corporate rules. Another myth is that you can just "walk in." During peak seasons like Christmas, Spring Break, or the Food & Wine Festival, they sell out.
✨ Don't miss: Where to Stay in Seoul: What Most People Get Wrong
Also, don't expect a "pet spa" experience for the base price. The basic indoor/outdoor suite is exactly that—a climate-controlled inside area with a small outdoor run attached via a doggy door. It's functional, not fancy. If you want the fancy stuff, you have to upgrade to the Club suites which include webcam access. Being able to see your dog from the queue of Haunted Mansion is a weirdly modern luxury.
Actionable Steps for Pet Owners
If you're planning to use the Walt Disney World kennel facilities, you need to move fast. It's not a last-minute decision.
- Book early. As soon as you have your hotel reservation, call Best Friends at (877) 4-WDW-PETS. Don't wait.
- Vaccination records. Get a digital copy from your vet. Best Friends is strict. If you show up without proof of a Bordetella shot given within the last year (sometimes six months depending on their current policy updates), they will turn you away at the door.
- Trial run. If your dog has never been boarded, try a local kennel at home for one night first. Disney is loud—fireworks happen every night. Even at the kennel, dogs can hear the distant booms of Harmonious or Fantasmic.
- Pack a shirt. Put a t-shirt you've worn in your dog’s bag. The scent helps them stay calm in a loud, unfamiliar kennel.
- Check the weather. If you book an Indoor/Outdoor run and a hurricane or tropical storm is rolling through, they may keep the doggy doors closed for safety.
Managing a pet during a Disney vacation is a lot of work. Honestly, it's sometimes more work than it's worth. But if you can't bear the thought of leaving them at home, the Best Friends facility is the most professional, high-standard option you're going to find in the Lake Buena Vista area. Just be prepared for the bill at the end. It's Disney; nothing is cheap, not even for your dog.