First pet guests sample VIP suites, ice cream treats and private dog park

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. –– Tails were wagging at Walt Disney World Resort today when Best Friends Pet Care opened the doors to its new, luxury pet resort. Phil Bernard, Vice President of Operating Participants for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Dennis Dolan, CEO of Best Friends Pet Care, were joined by Pluto to welcome the first guests.

The one-of-a-kind 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.

“Best Friends is thrilled to open the doors of this special facility,” said Dolan, “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. It incorporates the very best concepts from our other Best Friends facilities with some imaginative ideas that we think will delight and surprise our Walt Disney World clients.”

“Our pet guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations and a variety of different play areas here at Best Friends Pet Care Resort,” Bernard said. “Where else can vacationing dogs have their own water play park or bedtime stories? How many cats on holiday get to enjoy room-service treats like Tuna on a Ritz?”

The facility, which already has many pet guests booked for the Labor Day weekend, is able to accommodate as many as 300 pets for both daytime and overnight boarding. Dog owners can choose from a variety of accommodations, ranging from a standard 32 square-foot all indoor suite, to an expansive 226-square-foot VIP (Very Important Pet) suite with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yard. Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion — away from the dogs — in two- and four-room condos. There also is a special area for the boarding of pocket pets, small mammals and birds.

Best Friends Opens Pet Resort at Walt Disney World Resort 2

The facility offers a private dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends guests. It comprises a walking trail overlooking natural wetlands and several large areas of varying terrain for running and playing, including a 1,300 square-foot “canines only” splash-and-play water feature. There also are sitting areas where owners can relax and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secure from outsiders and is available for use after dark.

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.

Pet parents can 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. Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as cookies and milk or Tuna on a Ritz.
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.

Best Friends Pet Care resort at Walt Disney World Resort was designed by Mateu Architecture of Palmetto Bay, Fla. General contractor for the project was Synergy Group of Bloomfield, Mich., and Orlando, Fla.

About Best Friend Pet Care

Best Friends Pet Care Inc. (www.bestfriendspetcare.com), is privately held by Brynwood Partners of Greenwich, CT. Founded in 1991, Best Friends is a long-time leader in the U.S. pet hospitality industry, providing high-quality boarding for dogs and cats as well as day care, grooming, training and related services. The Company redefined pet boarding in 1996 with the opening of its first full-service pet resort in Norwalk, Conn. Since that time, Best Friends has expanded to more than 40 pet care centers in 18 states, always innovating and providing new offerings based upon the needs of pets and feedback from clients.

Contact:
Debra Bennetts
Best Friends Pet Care Joan Peabody
Walt Disney World Resort
203-979-7531
407-566-5414