Pet friendly?? About This Page:

[TessieA]

My family is visiting Universal for the first time this summer. We are actually great WDW fans, but thought we would try something new. Also, we can bring our dog to Universal.

We are staying at Portofino Bay. Has anyone brought a pet to Universal and how was the experience?

Thanks!

[mcneasn]

to the boards!

I have never traveled with pets, so I cannot provide first hand experience. You can go here, LOCATION & INFO - Loews Hotels ,to see the hotel's policies on pets.

[HiddenMickey]

I don't have a dog to travel with, but I've read some reports that give the Universal hotels high marks on allowing their animals and providing space for walking them at the resorts. I'm sure you'll be happy.

I took my family to Universal last year for the first time. (I'd been with my sister previously). We'd done Disney many times without stepping off property before. We really had a great time at US/IOA and look forward to doing it again. My kids asked to go back this year (not this time....decided to add waterparks and more to our WDW tickets instead).

I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel when I went with my sister. I was on a floor that did not have pets, so I only saw a couple outside or in the lobby.

[RobinKay6573]

Traveling with a pet can be very stressful. My dog is my child so I will never risk anything happening to her. Yes a hotel might be "dog friendly" however...there are always restrictions. Call your resort and have them fax or mail you a sheet with theirs. Alot of hotels do not allow your dog to be unattended in the room (that puts a major damper on travel plans) and those that do require the dog to be crated or out of the room for house keeping. I ALWAYS bring my dogs crate, she gets really excited and has a hard time sleeping in a strange place (too many smells). Also bring water from home. Some dogs will not drink "strange" water...it might seem fine to you but dogs can taste/smell alot better then we can. ALWAYS clean up after your dog and walk him on "unbeaten" paths. Ask for a map (if they don't give one to you) of dog walking areas Most hotel also require you to stay on the first few floors and in smoking rooms. Some require a cleaning deposit and/or a per night fee. If you don't plan on including your dog in your daytime plans please consider leaving him at home. There is a doggie daycare in Orlando and a ton of pet sitters in the area.

Check out this website:

DogFriendly.com's Travel Guide: Portofino Bay Hotel

[BarryH]

All the onsite Universal hotels are pet friendly. I was once at the Royal Pacific Resort and I saw guests walking all sorts of dogs.

[disneyfan2183]

The Universal resorts are extremely pet friendly. They do not make you crate your dog, or force you to stay in a smoking room. No hotels we've experienced have done this, and my husband and I never travel without our dog. I would just take the dog out of the room in the morning when housekeeping is present, and then come back afterwards to drop him off. Universal is very good with this... they treat pets, and their owners, like royalty! I always thought it was a lot better to bring my dog along and leave him in the hotel than to leave him boarded or with a random pet sitter. You'll be fine. Have fun!

[RobinKay6573]

Originally Posted by disneyfan2183

The Universal resorts are extremely pet friendly. They do not make you crate your dog, or force you to stay in a smoking room. No hotels we've experienced have done this, and my husband and I never travel without our dog. I would just take the dog out of the room in the morning when housekeeping is present, and then come back afterwards to drop him off. Universal is very good with this... they treat pets, and their owners, like royalty! I always thought it was a lot better to bring my dog along and leave him in the hotel than to leave him boarded or with a random pet sitter. You'll be fine. Have fun!

Apparently you took offense by my comments...that was not my intention. I travel with my dog as well and I have done a great deal of reading on traveling with dogs. Many hotels do require you to stay in smoking rooms and (even as you suggested) the dog must be out of the room when house keeping comes.

As far as your comment on "random" pet sitters. I am a pet sitter and I am part of a pet sitting network. I (like most pet sitters) care about my clients as much as their owners do. I treat them like they are mine. There are many boarding options available...including a wonderful dog daycare in Orlando. Shouldn't your pet have as much fun on vacation as you do? I do cage free boarding here in Lansing. My dog goes to "doggy camp" for a week. She probably has more fun then I do! That is much more fun then sleeping in a strange hotel room.

Sorry if I offended you. I am only speaking from broad experience. I am glad you have had good luck with your pet friendly accomodations, I have as well....but I have heard from many who have not.

[disneyfan2183]

Originally Posted by RobinKay6573

Apparently you took offense by my comments...that was not my intention.

No, not at all! I'm sorry if I offended YOU. It just came off the wrong way, I was just relaying my experiences. No harm done!