The grand opening of Disney World’s newest resort happened today! And while this resort is just as luxurious as Disney’s other hotels, it’s nowhere you or I will be staying; it’s dedicated to pets!
This morning, Dennis Dolan of Best Friends Pet Care and Phil Bernard of Walt Disney World Operating Participants joined Mickey and Pluto to officially open the doors of this long-awaited pet resort.
Done up in true Disney style, the pet resort offers 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, and a 25,000-square-foot dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends clients and their pets, which includes a 1,300-square-foot “canines only” splash-and-play water feature.
The resort can accommodate up to 300 pets for daytime care and overnight boarding. Owners can choose from many levels of accommodations, from a standard indoor suite to a VIP suite (the size of a human hotel room!) complete with television and private outdoor yard. Owners can also 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.
Cats will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion – away from the dogs – in two- and four-room condos and a play area with climber and toys. Owners can choose to pamper their cats with private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as “Cookies and Milk” or “Tuna on a Ritz.” There also is a special area for the boarding of pocket pets, small mammals and birds.
Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets, and two 1,100-square-foot camp rooms for play group and doggy day-camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard.
Best Friends Pet Care resort is located across from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-Riverside at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 32830. Pricing and other details are available at wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com or by calling 877/4-WDW-PETS.
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