Walt Disney World Trip Planning
Topic: Your stay at the Yacht Club

#	Author	Message
21	t1lersm0m Tue 5/23/2006 6:02p	<<Per Security at AKL there are certain animal deseases that can be transferred from domestic animals to wild animals and that is why they do not allow service animals at AKL. In fact, we picked up our cat from the AK boarding facility then drove to AKL to pick up my parents and they wouldn't let us even drive onto the property in case she should escape. >> Sorry, but per laws in this country, service animals are supposed to be allowed to go anywhere people can go. Also, if I recall correctly, beamerdog was allowed to take her service animals to DAK, where animals are also present.
22	beamerdog Wed 5/24/2006 2:58p	Okay, here's the story again for those who didn't hear it: I spoke repeatedly with managers at AKL to book a room on the third floor Zebra Trail Savannah view near an elevator near a small grass/mulch area on the ground floor where I could safely walk a 5 month old puppy. The lobby in the hotel is quite large (I had eaten at Jiko several times (with dogs), so I know that I'd be taking my chances in the mornings with a small puppy. I was assured that the room would be mine, in fact a "lock" had been put on it as central reservations was unable to make a change that I wanted later on. When we got to the hotel they made up wait for 4 1/2 hours in the lobby while they hemmed and hawed and denied us the 2nd floor room as they said that the zoo keepers would not have the dog close to the animals. They put all service dogs in the wing adjacent to the parking lot and provide a walking area that was very far for me to walk (I actually had a handicapped sticker and used an ECV in the parks at this point) and was full of construction debris, nails and broken glass. Our room would have had no view to speak of. They then offered me a room far far away from outside access - I believe that they knew I wouldn't take it because of the age of the puppy. When things got absolutely ridiculous, they finally found a room at the YC. That was just fine with us, but we essentially lost the latter part of the afternoon and we were too exhausted to go out that night. As I stated before, everything was great at the Yacht Club. They put us near an elevator (they offered a beautiful handicapped room right off the front gardens with a water view) which we declined as I don't need a walk-in shower, etc.) and everything went just fine. The manager at the Yacht Club was very upset with AKL and called them (we know because we got a very apologetic call when we got home - the woman said that she got a call from that manager). He also said that the next time we come, just book a garden view room and he would upgrade us to concierge. My dogs are all vaccinated with much more that what a normal "pet" would get. In fact, I'm always afraid that *he'll* pick up something from an exotic zoo animal. And yes, we've been to the National Zoo, Wilmington Zoo and the Philadelphia Zoo with dogs. Yes, we've been to AKL many times with service puppies right up close to the animals and no one has ever said a word. We've even been on the safari ride (ah, name escapes me now...). And anyone who has stayed at AKL knows that the third floor is pretty far away from any of the animals. I was even out on the observation rock with Beamer one year and no one said a word. Okay, I'm starting to rant now. Sorry. I still think that they lobby and restaurants are wonderful and will continue to visit, but not stay. tm0m is correct - service animals are allowed anywhere the general public is invited. No exceptions.
23	beamerdog Wed 5/24/2006 3:14p	Re: favorite room. Any room on the upper floors on the wing that juts out to the water walkway. Get one facing Epcot. Best if you can get one at the end of the building. Then you have a view of the mini lake, the pool and the Epcot skyline and you can watch some of the fireworks at Epcot if your in the room and also see Mickey/Minnie weddings at the gazebo on the left of your room. It's a bit away from the pool, but you can take the elevators at the end of the hallway, take the short hallway facing the pool and exit from the door right there. It's a very short walk to the pool from there. My kids also liked to feed the ducks - they might still have little bird feed hoppers where you can buy a handful with some coins. Downside of the location is that it is that it's not right close to the lobby and restaurants of the hotel and a little walk to the parking lot. We never minded it and we loved the walk around to the Dolphin, Swan and Boardwalk hotels.
24	Coachbagfanatic1 Wed 5/24/2006 5:56p	beamerdog, Thanks for all this great info. It will make booking the room a lot easier. We don't mind walking at all and I think the stroll around BW, Swan and Dolphin will be great as well. The view sounds wonderful. I always thought that service dogs were allowed anywhere. I have seen several service dogs during our many visits to the World.

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