For those of us who wouldn't dream of going on vacation without our pets, more and more lodgings are going the pet-friendly route. Be aware, however, policies vary from property to property, so call ahead to find out the particulars of your hotel.
None of the Disney resorts allow animals (except service dogs) to stay on the premises or have their own kennels (the only exception being Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, where you can have your pet at the full-hook-up campsites), but resort guests are welcome to board their animals overnight in kennel facilities at the Ticket & Transportation Center. If you only require boarding during the day, kennels are located at all four Disney parks. Universal Orlando & SeaWorld will board small animals during the day only.
Universal's three Loews-run resorts do allow pets on-site. In fact, "Loews Loves Pets" is a program that caters to pets and their families by offering such pet-friendly amenities as food, leashes, bedding, toys, and more. Pet walking, pet pagers, and door hangers to let the resort staff know that there is a pet in the room are also available.
An excellent resource is www.petswelcome.com, which dispenses medical tips, names of animal-friendly lodgings and campgrounds, and lists of kennels and veterinarians. Also check out www.dogfriendly.com, which features links to Orlando accommodations, eateries, attractions, and parks that welcome canine companions.
The Peripatetic Pet -- It is illegal in Florida to leave your pet inside a parked car, windows rolled down or not. The sweltering heat can easily kill an animal in only a few minutes. All of the major theme parks have kennel facilities available, so if you have brought your pet along, take advantage of them.
Make sure your pet is wearing a name-tag that includes your name and phone number, as well as the phone number of a contact person who can take the call if your pet gets lost while you're away from home.
