Walt Disney World Resort opens luxury resort for pets

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Pet lovers visiting Walt Disney World Resort can now plan to board the family pet in fun, luxurious new accommodations. Reservations are being accepted for pet boarding stays at the new Best Friends Pet Care Resort.

The one-of-a-kind resort comprises more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas and an expansive private dog park exclusively for the use of pet resort clients and their dogs.
The facility will accommodate up to 270 dogs and 30 cats for both daytime and overnight boarding. A wide selection of suite choices for dogs includes air-conditioned indoor rooms, 48-square-foot, indoor-outdoor suites, and four expansive VIP (very important pet) suites with television, raised bedding, and private outdoor yards.

Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion – away from the dogs – in two and four-room condos. All suites and condos are designed to provide comfort and privacy and will be cleaned daily with hospital-grade disinfectants.

“Best Friends has long been the industry leader for boarding, and this will be our crown jewel. We’ve taken the ‘best of breed’ in every category to create the perfect environment for pets,” said Dennis Dolan, president and CEO of Best Friends Pet Care. “Our goal is to ensure that pets staying with us have a fun, action-packed vacation – just like their families vacationing at Walt Disney World.”

The resort’s exclusive dog park features a fenced walking trail bordering the natural wetlands around the park. Inside the trail, guests can choose from a variety of different play areas, including a 3,300-square-foot area covered in artificial turf, a 4,500-square-foot area with shade trees, and a 1,300-square-foot “canines only” water park. There are several large areas for owners to sit, relax, and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secured from outsiders and is illuminated for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets; two 1,100 square-foot “camp rooms” for play group and doggy day camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard; and a special facility for the boarding of “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff. Additional amenities and upgrades include ice cream treats, bottled water, and premium/orthopedic bedding. Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as cookies and milk or tuna on a Ritz cracker.

The pet resort is located across from the Port Orleans Resort at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Pricing and other details are available at www.bestfriendspetcare.com or by calling 877-4-WDW-PETS.