Heya, hiya, Aamirah! Thanks for stopping by planDisney! It's wonderful to hear from a fellow dog lover—as a proud dog dad myself, I completely understand wanting to include your furry family member in your vacation plans. Let's just say my phone's camera roll is mostly photos of my pups, with Disneyland Resort pictures coming in at a close second!
Unfortunately, I don't have the paw-fect news you were hoping for. To ensure the safety and comfort of all Guests and the well-being of the working animals within the parks, the Disneyland Resort has a policy that only allows trained service animals inside the theme parks. They must also be on a leash or in a harness and accompanied by their handler at all times. This means that pets, even if they are contained in a stroller, carrier, or other method, are not allowed. I understand this may not be the news you were hoping for, Aamirah.
However, all hope is not lost! While your dog may not be able to join you inside the theme parks, there are other options to consider so that he can still be close to the magic while you're having fun at the parks!
I'm happy to share that there are several pet-friendly hotels nearby, including many Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels! They're located conveniently close, sometimes even less than a mile from the resort. This might be a great option if you don't live within close enough proximity to the Disneyland Resort to check on your dog throughout the day. You could check into the hotel the night before your park visit, then enjoy a day at the parks while stopping by your hotel throughout the day to visit your furry companion. Many of these hotels also offer amenities specifically for pets! Here’s a list of
Good Neighbor hotels offering pet-friendly amenities. Some Good Neighbor hotels even offer Disneyland vacation packages, which can be found
here.
Beyond pet-friendly hotels, the area surrounding Disneyland also has a number of dog sitting and daycare services. These services can provide your dog with companionship, care, and even walks while you're in the parks, and might be a good option if your dog needs more personalized attention.
I know it's tough leaving our furry friends at home, Aamirah—I always miss my pups when I'm at Disneyland! One way I like to feel connected to them, even when I'm in the parks, is to bring them home a little piece of the magic. The Disneyland Resort has a great selection of pet souvenirs. You can often find adorable dog bowls, fun Disney-themed chew toys, and even stylish bandanas and collars to make your furry friend feel like an honorary Disney character. (I “might” have purchased a matching Spirit Jersey for my dog recently. And, yes, I “might” have also purchased a Mickey bow tie for my four-legged fashionista!). Keep an eye out for these special items in many of the shops around the Disneyland Resort. I recently found some merchandise for my pups over at
World of Disney in the
Downtown Disney District! Disney California Adventure Park also usually has a great selection of dog merchandise in the shops along Buena Vista Street.
I understand that it's disappointing when our furry friends can't be with us every step of the way, Aamirah. I sincerely hope one of these alternatives will work for you and your beloved companion! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask! We at planDisney are here to help make your vacation as magical as possible, for both you and your furry friend. Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Cody