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Disney News , WDW Resorts · December 13, 2020

Experiencing a “Dog Friendly” Resort Stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort!”

We   have always been curious about the “Dog Friendly” elements of Walt Disney World, so we decided to check it out!

Once we completed our streamlined check-in via the “ My Disney Experience” app,  we stopped by the front desk to check-in with our Dog, Benji. You must do this to sign your doggie contract and get “Pluto’s Welcome Kit!” Yes, he was allowed in the lobby!

The Pluto’s Welcome kit included;

•2 Blue Disney Bowls

•”Pluto’s Pal” Tag

•Bag holder for leash

•Food and water mat

•Map of relief areas (the small dog relief area at the far end of resort has doggie bags and trash bin for your convenience!)

• A drawstring bag for all the items.  (I utilized the bag all week).

(Note: All items in Pluto’s welcome kit subject to change)

Here was my experience with the overall check-in process:

Firstly, you will be asked for proof of up-to-date shots and will need to provide a crate for your puppy to stay in when you are at the parks. You will receive a door hanger to alert housekeeping and security staff that a dog is staying with you. They will complete “safety checks” of the rooms every day, so they’ll advise you to call front desk when you plan a   longer walk for your dog. They may enter your room at that time.

Benji didn’t mind the process of check-in, he received plenty of attention from almost every cast member and other guests!

The Front desk will always provide detailed instructions at the check-in process,  informing you on the most up to date policies.

Note:  They asked us if our dog was “working” or “playing” as the protocols for service dogs differ . You can specify this at your initial check-in! 

We walked a lot, enjoying the resort property with Benji. Your dog is allowed pretty much anywhere on property with the exception of recreational areas   such as pools and tennis courts and wherever food is being served. He had genuine interest in all the colorful Holiday Decor and the amazing beauty of the Yacht Club!

Benji loved the puppy dog park/relief area adjacent to our section of the resort. When in the suite he then cuddled up in his crate (or as we call it, his “room”). Benji truly felt right at home with his family!   After returning, we all settled in for a long winter’s nap and the next few days he really did seem relaxed, comfortable and at home!

With any stay there are rules to follow. Here are some important policies to note;

• Dogs are the only animal permitted on resort property. They are assigned   specific rooms of the resort (2 dog maximum permitted per guest room)
• Guests are responsible for overall care, behavior and waste maintenance throughout resort.
• Your pets are not allowed on furniture.
• Your pet must remain on leash at all times when out of your guest room.
• No disruptive behavior allowed.
• Your pet   cannot be left unattended in guest rooms for more than 7 hours at a time.
• Housekeeping and security checks must be scheduled when your dog is not in the room. you call and set this up with housekeeping.
• Hang the “room occupied” door hanger to alert housekeeping of dog presence!
• Dogs are not permitted in Theme Parks, Water Parks, ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex or Disney Springs.

There  was a $75.00 fee per night for Benji’s stay   at the Yacht Club. The fee is   $50.00 per night at the other three Dog-Friendly Resorts; Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Fort Wilderness Cabins! You can find out more info on your dog’s resort stay here on My Disney experience

I’d like to note that we did end up at Disney Springs during the week. It’s no secret that Disney Parks have upped their game in pet merchandise. We ended up visiting the Co-Op where they have a section called “Disney Tails.” There’s merchandise galore and they frequently add to the collection including Seasonal items, Haunted Mansion, Mandalorian and of course Mickey Mouse! We bought Benji a monorail and he carries it everywhere now! 

Benji truly had a nice time relaxing while we went and did our thing in the parks. Our time spent with each other as a family made it that much more enjoyable!

If you are a dog lover and want to have a vacation including your dog, this was definitely an easy, enjoyable process and we felt the Disney magic with our fur baby!

To book your next vacation visit AcademyTravel.com 

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Pet and dog policy at Yacht club - are there Pet...

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• Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney's Yacht Club Resort Questions & Answers

Pet and dog policy at Yacht club - are there Pet only rooms? I've booked at the Yacht Club for a January stay. I just read that dogs are allowed at the Yacht Club Resort. I have allergies to dogs. Does anyone know if there are some rooms only that are designated for pets? If not I'll cancel my booking if there is a possibility that a dog has stayed in the room. Thanks for any advice here.

So sorry for your allergy! There are several properties that are limited “dog friendly,” including the Yacht. We were told it’s 4 rooms at each property... only those 4. At least 1 is on the concierge level. Dogs are welcome in hallways and elevators (to access rooms) and they do have a separate “dog relief station” near a side entrance. They also may be in the lobby or around the property...as has always been true for service dogs FYI. Since it’s just the 4 (Yacht, POP, Port Orleans Riverside and the Cabins) who permit personal pets, they won’t be in any other properties. However, remember service dogs do stay with their owners.

We have seen a couple family type dogs walking around the Yacht.

Disney will also deep clean rooms before you arrive in request.

Hope this helps.

Pets are only allowed in certain rooms and I think limited to first floor. you could probably ask at check in or call them to ask. The most recent time we went I asked if pets had ever stayed in our room (for same reason, allergies) and they were able to tell me that ours was not a designated pets room despite being on the ground floor.

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Complete Guide to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (w/ review)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is 1 of 8 Deluxe Resort hotels (not including Deluxe Villas) on Walt Disney World Property. It offers stunning views, popular dining, and a fan-favorite swimming pool that guests can’t get enough of. Yacht Club is also located right next to Disney’s Beach Club Resort , which is accessible just by walking.

Here’s everything you need to know about Yacht Club.

In this article

Pros and Cons

Pros:  Location is about a 5-10 minute walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk area, boat ride or walk to Hollywood Studios, close to Disney Skyliner Station , Stormalong Bay is the best on-site pool, Cast Members get higher praise than most other resorts, all rooms have balconies, dog-friendly

Cons:  Not as well suited for families with small children, shared buses with a few other resorts can mean long bus rides

Resort category:  Deluxe

Resort area:  Epcot

Address & Phone Number 1700 Epcot Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8407 (407) 934-7000

• View Yacht Club Resort Maps

Located in the Epcot Resort Area, Yacht Club isn’t just within walking distance of the Beach Club , but Epcot itself. There is a path that leads directly to the International Gateway. What’s better than that?

It’s definitely a pricier resort, but for good reason. Based on location, sharing several amenities with Beach Club, just a boat ride away from Hollywood Studios, access to the Skyliner at Epcot, and much more, Yacht Club has a lot to offer. 

Plus, the New England-style resort sits on the water and truly is a gorgeous resort right on property. Here’s everything you need to know.

Guest Rooms and Bathrooms

Yacht Club offers a variety of rooms that can sleep up to 6 people, depending on the type of room you book.

Each rooms offers your standard amenities, like a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a Keurig coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and a mini-refrigerator. Plus, there’s a range of views, including a view of the water, pool, garden, woods, rooftop, or parking area.

There’s even a selection of rooms that feature Club Level Service , which we go over in more detail below.

And, don’t worry, there are plenty of outlets and USB ports for charging all of your devices. Better yet, there’s plenty of storage for your belongings, including space under the bed, drawers, and closet space. 

The bathrooms have storage underneath the sink and vanity area, as well, which is also separate from the shower and toilet area. 

Let’s go through the types of rooms available to book.

Room Types without Club-Level Access

The are several types of rooms to book that include:

• Garden or Woods View
• Standard View
• 2 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access
• Standard View – Club Level
• Garden View – Club Level
• Water View – Club Level

Here is a further breakdown of rooms and what they include view and bed-wise.

Keep in mind that the day beds are not pull-down beds. Day beds are made for an adult, like a twin bed.

• Standard View : Views of Rooftop or Parking Area; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed

• Water View : Views of Crescent Lake or Quiet Pool; 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
• Garden or Woods View : Views of Garden; 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed

• King Bed : Room views vary; 1 King Bed

Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Access

These rooms and suites have the same amenities provided in the rooms above, in addition to Club-Level Service perks. They include:

• Evening turndown
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge (serves refreshments 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily)
• Complimentary fax assistance
• Club Level Concierge – Regatta Club
• Complimentary health club access
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge

Guests also have access to a DVD Player and Disney Signature Services for personal assistance with your trip.

Here are the rooms:

• Standard View Club-Level : Views of Rooftop or Parking Area; 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed

• Garden View Club-Level : Views of Garden; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
• Water View Club-Level : Views of one of the Stormalong Bay Lagoons; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed

• 2 Bedroom Suite – Club-Level Access : Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake; 2 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

You can check out room layouts below.

Pet-Friendly Policy

Yacht Club is pet-friendly , but there are certain conditions that must be met. First, there’s a limit of 2 dogs per room. In order to bring your dog with you, you’ll need to call (407) 939-7539.

There’s also a day and overnight kennel care at  Best Friends Pet Care  located on property.

Yacht Club Resort Room Options

Video: disney’s yacht club resort tour (rooms, pools, dining).

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The front desk is located in the lobby of the main building. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online  or by using MDE.

• Checking-In : After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to  unlock your room door .
• Checking-Out : Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

The lobby is a nice size, with plenty of seating. Ale & Compass Restaurant and Ale & Compass Lounge are nearby, along with the Crew’s Cup Lounge . 

The pickup and dropoff location for  Mears Connect  (which is the replacement for Magical Express) and the bus stop are also right outside the main lobby. As for Bell Services and  luggage storage , you can find that counter inside in the lobby.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

• Learn about how to get from the airport to Disney World

Package Delivery & Pick Up

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

• Learn more about how to get groceries at Disney World
• Learn more about shipping packages to and from Walt Disney World

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now  free  for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete  Walt Disney World parking  guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Yacht Club Building

Yacht Club rooms are located in one main building. As soon as you enter the lobby, you’ll see a sitting area, the front desk, and Bell Services.

There is a set of stairs, which you will climb to find your room. There is also a set of elevators.

Amenities And Shops

From gift shops, to on-site laundry services, to spa and fitness, there are several amenities offered to guests at Yacht Club.

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Beach Club Marketplace Gifts : An all-purpose shop with souvenirs, apparel, grab ‘n’ go food items, beverages, and more.
• Market at Ale & Compass : Find everyday essentials, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks.

• Laundry Services : There are 24-hour  self-service laundry facilities available near Admiral Pool.
• Dry Cleaning Services : Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.

• Movies Under the Stars : Watch complimentary Disney movies in the Solarium or on the lawn outdoors near the volleyball courts.
• Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness : Full-service exercise facility with fitness equipment and spa offerings.

• Childcare Services :  In-room babysitting  for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

Yacht Club has one main feature pool and two leisure pools. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying a Disney Resort pool .

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

Feature Pool

• Stormalong Bay : A sand-bottomed pool with a lazy river that also has a life-size shipwreck replica. It has one of the highest hotel waterslides. There’s pool covers three acres. Guests can also enjoy the pool bar and grill, Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill.

Leisure Pools

• Yacht Club : The Admiral Pool is located in the garden area near the tennis court. Located in the garden are
• Beach Club : The Tidal Pool is in the garden area near the volleyball court. 
• Beach Club Villas : Yacht Club guests are allowed to use the Beach Club Villas’ leisure pool, the Dunes Cove Pool.

All of the leisure pools also have steaming whirlpool spas. Guests can also rent pool cabanas , which are exclusively for Yacht and Beach Club guests.

Some other recreational options include:

• Lafferty Place (arcade games)

• Motorized Boat Rentals

• Jogging Trails
• Campfire to roast marshmallows

There are also specialties for an additional price, including:

• Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf : Two 18-hole miniature golf courses inspired by Fantasia .
• Pirate Adventure Cruise : For those 4 to 12 years-old. The pirate adventure follows clues to discover hidden treasures.

Restaurant & Dining Options

Yacht Club has a variety of dining options. You can find Quick Service and Table Service options, along with lounges.

The Market at Ale & Compass offers Mobile Order, while Ale & Compass Restaurant offers Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

Ale & Compass Restaurant also has Table Service To Go, which allows guests to Mobile Order and take their meal back to their room.

Yacht Club is also located within walking distance to Beach Club, meaning guests have access to even more dining, including the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, a popular place to snag some delicious ice cream.

You can read more about the dining options at Yacht Club below.

Quick Service

Although you don’t need reservations to dine at the Quick Service locations at Yacht Club, you may want to consider using Mobile Order where available.

The Market at Ale & Compass

This is a grab-and-go spot for those who want a quick breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find a range of items that aren’t too out-of-the-box, like eggs, breakfast sandwiches, Mickey-shaped waffles, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches.

Location type:  Grab-and-go Type of food:  American Meals served:  Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• Link to breakfast menu
• Link to lunch and dinner menu
• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
• Pros:  Plenty of grab-and-go options and specialty coffee plus bakery cases and Coke Freestyle machines for drinks and refills, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
• Cons:   Limited selection and no outdoor seating

Table Service

Table Service locations typically require Advanced Dining Reservations. You can make those online or inside of the Disney Experience app.

Ale & Compass

Here you can enjoy New England comfort food and classic seafood dishes in a coastal-inspired restaurant.

Location type: Casual dining Type of food:  American Meals served:  Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• Link to lunch menu
• Link to dinner menu
• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
• Pros:  Reasonably priced, food appeals to many people
• Cons:  Difficult to get to using Disney transportation unless you are staying in the Epcot resorts area

Crew’s Cup Lounge

In addition to beverages, you can also order dinner here between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., including a wedge salad, a prime rib, lobster bisque, and more.

Location type:  Lounge Type of food:  American Meals served:  Dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
• Pros:  Specialty drinks available (in addition to standard drink options), good appetizer options, usually pretty quiet
• Cons:  Disney Dining Plan not accepted

Yachtsman Steakhouse

A New England-style steakhouse serving premium steaks, fresh seafood, and more.

Location type:  Fine/Signature dining Type of food:  American, Steakhouse Meals served:  Dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
• Pros:  Amazing service, fantastic food
• Cons:  Expensive

Everything Else

Looking to grab a snack or maybe just a cup of hot coffee or even a cocktail? Here’s where you can do that:

Ale & Compass Lounge

This lounge serves both cocktails and appetizers beginning at 4 p.m. daily. Food is only available until 10 p.m.

Location type:  Bar and lounge Type of food:  American Meals served:  Drinks and appetizers

• Link to lounge menu
• Pros:  Contemporary design with a cozy and intimate setting, good appetizers and drinks
• Cons: Small seating area, limited food options

VIDEO: 6 Dining Options at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort

How to get from Yacht Club to anywhere at Disney World

You can choose from several forms of complimentary Disney transportation at Yacht Club, including buses (takes you to all the parks and Disney Springs), the Disney Skyliner at the International Gateway (walk the Epcot path), and a boat to Hollywood Studios (you can also take a 20-minute walk here). 

The bus stop is right outside the main entrance. All of the different ways to get from Yacht Club to anywhere in Disney World is detailed below.

Scheduled Refurbishments

None scheduled right now.

• Check all known refurbishments
• Yacht Club Resort Maps
• Pros and Cons of on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Yacht Club Trip Reports

• Christine from Hawaii’s WDW Trip Report – PREP309
• Kat from Australia’s 3 week adventure – PREP300
• Amanda’s Long May Trip – PREP278

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Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Guide

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, 32830 Phone: (407) 934-7000 Fax: (407) 934-3450

Deluxe Resort Classification Located in the Epcot resort area Check In: 3:00 p.m. / Check Out: 11:00 a.m.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe Disney resort, located within easy walking distance of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance and of the BoardWalk’s entertainment and dining venues. The Yacht Club Resort is elegant, with nautical theming reminiscent of the Nantucket in the 1880s. Most importantly, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is appealing to the Old Salts among us, as well as those landlubbers who just enjoy a stroll along the beachfront. The floors are hardwood, the decor is brass, and comfy chairs abound- add in a sand-bottom pool that really is a mini-water park, and you’ve got the makings of a great vacation

Check our Rehabs and Closures schedule for any refurbishments or work taking place at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during your visit.

How to Make Room Requests

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Rooms

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort’s 621 rooms have standard, garden or woods, pool or water views. Standard rooms have either two queen beds and a daybed OR one queen bed and a twin sleeper OR  one king bed  OR  one king bed and one daybed

Twenty suites range in size from junior suite to Presidential suite. All rooms have either a balcony or a patio. Disabled accessible rooms available.

Each room has: Alarm Clock Ceiling Fan Coffeemaker & setup, tea setup DVD player (in suites) Hair dryer In-room wall safe Iron and ironing board Refrigerator Telephone with voice mail Flat Panel TV – ABC, Disney Channel, Check the  TV channel guide  for more Complimentary wireless Internet (WiFi)

Resort amenities include: Self-service laundry facilities near the ‘quiet’ pool Valet laundry service Salon/Barber Services Valet parking

Available upon request, subject to availability Bed Boards/Rails Crib: Pack ‘n Play Microwave

See Current Resort Rates

Business Center – At the end of the main hall in the Convention Center, providing fax, photocopy, mail, and computer services, including Internet access (additional fee applies) for Resort Guests.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is also participating in a pilot program to allow dogs to stay with their families in select Disney World Resort Hotels.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Dining

Ale & Compass Restaurant table service location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yachtsman Steakhouse Signature Dining location is open for dinner. Hurricane Hanna’s pool bar serves quick-service meals and snacks. Ale & Compass lounge serves drinks and snacks. Crew’s Cup lounge serves drinks and snacks. In-Room Dining is available 24 hours a day:

Beach Club dining options: Cape May Cafe is a Table Service buffet-style restaurant that hosts a character breakfast in the morning and a clam-bake-themed dinner in the evening. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is a casual Table Service location at the Beach Club. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop To Go Menu Beach Club Marketplace sells Quick Service meals, snacks, and a limited selection of groceries. Martha’s Vineyard

BoardWalk dining opportunities are within easy walking distance: Big River Grille & Brewing Works brewpub Flying Fish (Signature Dining location) BoardWalk Deli BoardWalk Pizza Window AbracadaBar BoardWalk Ice Cream Belle Vue Lounge Pizza Window Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas The To-Go Cart Leaping Horse Libations Trattoria al Forno The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers– coming soon! Refillable mugs are available for purchase at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop , Beach Club Marketplace , and  Hurricane Hanna’s Grill .

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Recreation

Stormalong Bay – a three-acre water park comprised of three sand-bottom pools with zero-depth entry, and a water slide (also open to Beach Club and Beach Club Villa guests- resort ID/MagicBand required for use) A ‘quiet’ pool Seven whirlpool spas (hot tubs) Children’s playground Lafferty Place Arcade two lighted Tennis courts Bayside Marina: Boat rentals Water cruises Fishing Volleyball  (Beach Club) Jogging trail around Crescent Lake Tennis Volleyball Nightly Campfire Sing-a-long Disney Movies Under The Stars Disney’s Pirate Adventure (children ages 4 to 12) Ship Shape Health Club

For a fun and more relaxing way to spend a day during your visit to Walt Disney World, each resort hosts Poolside Activities each day from 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool. Activities and programs are subject to change. Although the activities vary by day and by resort, examples of what you might find include trivia, arts and crafts, dance parties, games, bingo, and more.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Shopping

The Market at Ale & Compass stocks Disney character apparel and souvenirs as well as Yacht Club logo merchandise and general sundries. Beach Club Marketplace at the Beach Club is another shopping option, and the BoardWalk has numerous shopping venues.

Look at all your vacation photos by visiting the  Photopass  page. These professional pictures can make a great souvenir for home!

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Transportation

Complimentary Overnight Self-Parking

Transportation Times Between Yacht Club Resort and Disney Destinations

Disney’s bus service is available to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as Disney Springs and the Disney water parks. Water launch transportation is available to the Epcot International Gateway entrance, to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and to the BoardWalk. The Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Epcot’s International Gateway entrance are within walking distance.

The bus stop is located to the left of the main lobby, as you exit the front of the building. Also, the water launch stop is on the dock as you exit the main lobby toward Crescent Lake.

These times are approximate and provided to give you an idea of average travel times. Please plan on up to a 20-minute wait for Disney transportation in addition to walking time to resort or theme park transportation stops.

Magic Kingdom – 19 minutes by bus, 35 minutes by car (with transfers) Epcot International Gate – 8 minutes walking, 18 minutes by boat, 16 minutes by car (to front gate) Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 20 minutes walking, 18 minutes by boat Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 24 minutes by bus, 19 minutes by car Disney Springs – 20 minutes by bus, 11 minutes by car Blizzard Beach water park –22 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car Typhoon Lagoon water park – 20 minutes by bus, 9 minutes by car

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Childcare

While not an on-site child care facility, however, Kid’s Nite Out, in-room child care, is available at all resorts for children 6 months to 12 years old. Reservations may begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and/or may begin as late as 11:00 p.m., Services are available 24/7.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin will still offer a Children’s Activity Center option and you do not have to be a guest at that resort to use the Children’s Activity Center. Camp Dolphin

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort VIP Top Tips

While room requests are not guaranteed , at the Yacht Club ask to be closest to the lobby to limit the amount of walking needed to the pool area and transportation to the Theme Parks.

The Yacht Club has a beautiful wedding gazebo in its gardens. From the balconies of some of the Garden View and Water View rooms, you can overlook this area and glimpse a Disney wedding.

At Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , all rooms have a full balcony or patio.

Enjoy the close proximity to Epcot’s World Showcase . While there is a boat launch available at Epcot, you can get there faster by walking.

You can access Disney’s Hollywood Studios by boat. You may also enjoy a brisk walk around the BoardWalk down to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In general, you may find the boat ride shorter than walking to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

These resorts offer one of the best pools on Walt Disney World property. While separate, the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts share the pool area. There is a “shipwreck” that offers the entry point to the main water slide. Some areas of the pool have a sandy bottom.

These resort hotels are located near the BoardWalk, offering a short walk to additional restaurants and nightlife that do not require park admission.

Sometimes Disney’s bus transportation may share buses with the other resort hotels in the Epcot area around the BoardWalk. If you find yourself stopping at multiple stops, you may want to get off at the first stop and just walk the rest of the way. This is sometimes quicker than stopping at each resort hotel if the bus loop is being shared with multiple resorts.

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Are Disney’s Hotels Going To The Dogs? A Review.

In October 2017, Disney announced that for the first time ever, four of its hotels on property would have dog-friendly rooms. As with just about every announcement Disney makes, the reaction online tended to skew towards “the sky is falling” mentality. Despite only separated areas at four resorts ( Art of Animation , Port Orleans Riverside , the cabins at Fort Wilderness , and the Yacht Club) would accept dogs, you would have thought by the reaction that every Disney hotel at WDW would be turning into a Petco. Even the SATURDAY SIX had a little fun with some of the  over-the-top reactions to the announcement .

Fun aside, as a pet owner myself, one of the reasons my family has preferred staying onsite at Universal versus Disney over the years is because most of Universal’s properties are pet friendly (only Cabana Bay doesn’t allow animals.) Our dog Sebastian is now 17, and we prefer not to board him anywhere. We decided to use the on-site Best Friends Pet Care  to board Sebastian during a family trip in September. While we were more than satisfied with the location, amenities, and staff on Best Friends, we still didn’t like being away from our smallest family member for so long.

When Disney made the dog-friendly hotel announcement, we knew it was time to book another trip to The World.

Because the dog-friendly policy is so new, I expected there to be a lot of openings at the hotels. In my mind, not many people can adjust their Disney World vacation to include their pet. However, when I went to book the date I wanted, I found out all the dog-friendly rooms were booked. So I tried a different date. Same thing. A third date found the same results. My fourth date option finally had a room available at Disney’s Yacht Club. At Universal, the “pet fee” is $50 a night, but that fee is capped at $150 for length of stay. At Disney, the pet fee for AoA, POR, and the cabins at FW is $50 a night, but at Yacht Club it is $75. I do not believe that the price at Disney is capped at any point.

With the room booked, it was time for a road trip!

The weather could not have been better for our trip to Orlando.

As a superstitious person, being able to get one of the first couple spots in the Self Parking Lot seemed like a very good sign. While I personally had never stayed at the Yacht Club, I had family from New Hampshire who stayed at the hotel during Hurricane Irma. In fact they stayed an extra three days at the Yacht Club because the Orlando airport closed, keeping them in Florida. When the storm passed, we drove up to spend a day with them at the hotel, and I was defintely impressed.

We parked the car and it was time to head in with Sebastian. Normally when I stay at Disney, I just check in early and go enjoy the parks until I get an alert that my room was ready. With Sebastian, that wasn’t an option, so instead I timed our arrival to the hotel at 3PM, hoping that would be late enough for a room to be ready upon check-in.

The good news was that a room was immediately ready (I told you that parking spot was lucky.) The Cast Members at the front desk did a great job checking us in fast and getting us all the information we needed to know.

Here are the official dog policies of Walt Disney World.

You may have to click on the map below to expand it in order to see the circled area where our room was. It was a surprisingly long walk from the lobby. The only thing even close to our rooms was a quiet pool, so if we wanted to do or see anything at the resort, it took another long walk back to the main hub.

MagicBands worked, another good sign.

We thought the room was fantastic. I’m not exactly sure when these rooms were refurbished, but it couldn’t have been that long ago as everything looked fantastic and there were electrical outlets and USB ports all over the place.

Sebastian approved of the beds.

Here is a panoramic look at our view from outside the room. While it’s a little hard to see in the picture, we were really close to the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel.

Here is a view of the dog-friendly rooms taken from the side of the building. We were in the third room if you are counting down.

Upon check-in, guests are given “Pluto’s Welcome Kit.” This yellow bag contained a pamphlet for Best Friends Pet Care, two pee pads, food dish, water dish, placemat, bandana, and a pet waste dispenser filled with bags. No food was included. One thing Universal has available as part of room service is a Lowes Loves Pets menu, where you can order dry food, canned food, and even “hot canine entrees” (like I could make that up!) I did not see anything available for pets on the Disney room service menu.

One other thing that was included in the Pluto Welcome Kit was this special Do Not Disturb sign that specifically tells Cast Members that a dog is in the room.

Here is the Dog Relief Areas map. The location is near the dog-friendly rooms and is directly next to the quiet pool.

This is the view from the main Yacht Club door leading out to the quiet pool. The Dog Relief Area is found by following the walkway on the left.

The Pet Relief Area map shows two areas labeled, one on the right side of the walkway and one on the left. Here is a view of the area on the right side of the walkway. In the background you can see a container of dog waste bags.

Standing at the container, here is a view of the left side of the walkway. As you can see, there  is no way your pets can access the grounds from this area. The walkway going to the left in the picture solely leads to a door that is closer to the dog-friendly rooms.

Maybe the marker on the Pet Relief map means that the large area in front of the rooms is also an all-access pet relief area. There is no signage in the room or outside saying that you can’t use the large area in front of the rooms, but there is also no designated path to get to it either.

While we did bring dog food for Sebastian, one of the things we wanted to try on this trip was the newly opened Ale & Compass restaurant at the Yacht Club. Sebastian’s mommy felt he would like “the 16 ounce t-bone steak.” Yes, you read that right.

She also ordered him some fries.

SURPRISE, he liked it. I think I need to leave a Cast Compliment to the chef, but I’m not sure if I post it on Twitter or Rover.com .

– We had a great time at the Yacht Club. The room was clean and looked tremendous, the staff was exceptional, dinner at Ale & Compass was a big thumbs up (the deconstructed apple pie dessert was a huge hit), and – above all – Sebastian enjoyed his stay. We never encountered any other dogs during our time at the hotel, which is pretty much the same thing we find when staying at Universal. For all the outcry about how pets will ruin the experience at hotels, it truly is Much Ado About Nothing. Your odds of having an personal experience with a dog, or being in an area that a dog was recently in, is probably 10 times larger at the parks or Disney Springs (if not even higher) than it is at a dog-friendly hotel. Service dogs, both the real ones along with the increasing amount of fake ones, are now a regular part of the Disney experience, much like strollers and ECVs. You will NOT be put into a dog-friendly room unless you specifically ask for one. The rest of the hotel is canine-free.

We’re looking forward to taking Sebastian back with us up to WDW in the near future. Hopefully we can try out one of the cabins at FW, as that’s something I’d like to check off my Disney Bucket List (it would also give me an excuse to book another dinner at Trail’s End, like I needed one. ..)

To compare prices, for Sebastian to stay a night in an inside standard room at Best Friends Pet Care it costs $44 ($41 if you are staying onsite at Disney.) An indoor/outdoor room is $49 ($45 if staying on-site.) Best Friends will provide food, but you can also bring your own. There is no welcome kit of any kind.

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40 thoughts on “ Are Disney’s Hotels Going To The Dogs? A Review. ”

Sorry to hear that, Sidney. We are staying at YC later this month. I don’t mind dogs in hotels, but they have to behave and that means NO barking. We travel quite a bit, and I used to talk to my hotel neighbors before calling the desk if there were noise issues, dog or otherwise, but people can be so crazy these days that I don’t do that anymore. I call the desk. I talk to the manager. I complain and complain and complain until they do something; either comp my room or quiet the noise or both. I expect the same from WDW.

I am currently staying in room 1022 at the Yacht Club and your post has confirmed my worst fears that I am staying in a designated dog area. I am not a dog lover at all and disappointingly now find myself surrounded by barking dogs. The dog in the opposite room had been left alone 2 days ago while his owner went to the park. The dog barked continuously for hours and that was all we could hear in our room. I complained to reception but it appears that apart from a brief apology there was nothing they could do. Just this morning we were woken up at 06:30 by a barking dog … this time by a dog in the adjoining room. Looking out of our patio doors in the morning all we can see are owners taking their dogs for a poop on the grass ….. not great if you want to relax on your patio. So it may seem all very pleasant for all dog lovers to bring your pooches on holiday but spare a thought for everyone else. I do not want to pay thousands of dollars to listen to your barking dog at all times of day , or to think that you may have had your pet on my bed or to have dogs pooping by my patio area . Disney need to keep their non dog living guests away from the doggy area and dog owners must somehow make sure that their pooches do not impact on others (non dog loving) hard earned vacations . ☹️☹️

Found this article while researching hotels. Thought these comments about dogs on beds and Disney snake attacks were meant to be funny but I guess you all are serious. Thanks for reminding me why I should never read internet comments. #StopTheInanity

Well, I’m a little late to this post but I just gotta say. Derek, I love ya, you write my favorite articles on this blog… but this article is off the mark. “For all the outcry about how pets will ruin the experience at hotels, it truly is Much Ado About Nothing.” Oh really? It’s clear that *your* experience (as a dog lover bringing his dog to the hotel) wasn’t ruined, but how can you speak for everyone else?

Others have commented on this already, but may I reiterate, your willingness to break the rules right off the bat is exactly why people are opposed to this new policy. We who don’t own dogs have pretty strong insight into the fact that the vast majority of dog owners are 100% blinded by their love for their dog. Too many assume everyone else will love their dog; too many assume no one else minds their dog’s behavior.

As it happens, my family will be visiting Yacht Club later this month; part of the reason we like Yacht is because it has a more sedate, lower-key atmosphere than many other hotels on property, which works well for an autistic member of our family. That family member also happens to have a fairly strong fear of dogs, so we were a little blindsided by the sudden implementation of this new policy. We’re going ahead with our booking, but with trepidation. I sincerely hope other dog owners at the hotel know how to follow the rules.

That is one spoiled pup! 🙂

First, Ditto Kelly. Second, I actually stopped reading after I saw the photo of the dog on the bed. While I can appreciate others’ love for their animals, I don’t see how they can expect other’s to share it. I for one don’t want to sleep where a dog has been, That just grosses me out and I feel very disrespected by you allowing your dog on the furniture. If you want your dog on your bed, that’s your business and I have no right to judge, but let’s be clear, that’s not your bed. That’s why I’m NOT happy with the new policy, because others will not see their actions as an imposition on other people, as clearly seen here. These rooms are designated ‘pet friendly’, but that doesn’t mean only guests with pets will be staying in those rooms. Disney wants to fill them with or without pets.

I was under the impression that several policies are in place: 1. Rooms set aside for pets will NOT be given out to other (non-pet-owning) guests. 2. If pets make noise when left alone in the room, their owners will be contacted immediately and expected to return to quiet the pet within a short period of time (45 minutes?) 3. Pets must be on leash in public areas. As long as they stand by these policies, there should be no issue. Unfortunately, policies are not in place to manage poorly-behaved children (with entitled parents) and drunk college students. So far, those are my only negative experiences on Disney property.

As an owner of two dogs & a dog LOVER…I am so disappointed in this new policy. I don’t want my young children to share an environment with strange dogs. Disney cannot guarantee the temperament of the dogs staying there. As a dog owner, I’ve witnessed my fair share of irresponsible dog ownership..& no doubt this will happen here too. In fact, the greatest irony of this whole article is that you highlighted your own irresponsible behavior & broke the rules. You state “One of the dog policies is that dogs must be ‘leashed or restrained’ while on property and as you can see in the picture, Sebastian is off leash. Sebastian’s mommy was holding his leach and was never farther than 3 feet away. If another guest had been anywhere in the vicinity we would have immediately put him back on the leash.”

You admit to not following the rules, & believe me you won’t be the only one. An incident is going to happen between two dogs or a dog & a child…& someone is going to get very hurt. Can’t believe they would open themselves up like this after the alligator attack. Terrible idea. For the future, pls be a responsible dog owner & follow the rules you agreed to.

This is exactly what I thought of too. My dog is perfect so it’s ok if I don’t follow the rules. Funny thing is that is how many pet owners feel and the exact reason why so many guests don’t want pets at the hotels.

We have to echo Kelly’s comments. No matter where we go where dogs are supposed to be on a leash (beach, public parks, etc), we normally see a least one, usually several dogs off-leash. While we don’t see a dog the size of Sebastian as any sort of threat to us, we often see much larger dogs off-leash, dogs which could do serious harm. When called on it, dog owners invariably say “my dog isn’t aggressive”. Yeah, right. I’m sure the woman who was recently killed and partially eaten by her pit bulls thought that too, right up to the point they attacked her while she was walking them. If you can’t follow the rules, don’t bring your dog. Period.

Totally agree. Too many owners feel that their dog is an exception to the rules and regulations and therefore not subject to any of them. If a simple rule like “leash or restrain” or your dog is so easily and casually broken, it is laughable that Disney thinks its other rules (like “you will be called to address the noise within 30 minutes”) are somehow enforceable.

Thank you for highlighting the leash portion of this review. This can be a really serious issue. People are absolutely crazy about their own dogs and can develop strong blind spots.

Sebastian may be the best dog ever, but there are random things that happen in a Disney environment: a firework or loud noise might suddenly scare him and cause him to run off. There are guests with dog phobias and allergies who don’t want to be surprised. There are alligators and poisonous snakes all over the resort just waiting for nice snacks.

Please people, (and I include my dog loving self) KEEP YOUR PETS LEASHED ON PROPERTY.

“There are alligators and poisonous snakes all over the resort”…..I am amazed we all survive a single day there!!

You’re making fun, but the fauna at WDW can be dangerous for dogs; especially the ones of Sebastian’s size. I’ve encountered gators and snakes (and, yes, bunnies and mice and ducks) just walking the trails.

And (sadly) not everybody has recently survived with the alligators. They can be dangerous.

I think the point still stands that leashes are a good idea.

Exactly my thought as I was reading and saw the dog was off the leash. Disney can have all the rules in place they want, but if people don’t follow them, what’s the point. Just because a dog may be well behaved at home, doesn’t mean they will be a Disney where there can be a loud noise or a screaming kid or a running kid, pop up in the blink of an eye and unexpected and the dog take off. I don’t believe there is any fear from this dog, but other dogs . . . yes. And no matter the size, some kids (and adults) are terrified of them and have allergies to them. No matter how close, if a dog got startled and took off running, the owner wouldn’t be able to catch them. I think Disney made a huge mistake with their dog policy at hotels.

I think the Kefuffle that was going to be happening was not just badly behaved dogs but dogs that are left in the room from 8 AM to 10 PM when people go to the parks. How did that get handled?

Thanks for the good review. I do have a curiosity question about the “do not disturb” sign in your Pluto kit, which seems to be in conflict with the new Disney policy to replace do not disturb signs with Room Occupied, and their policy change to have a cast member enter each room once per day. While that policy is not yet at all resorts, we expect it to be before long. Did any cast members say how that policy would be handled with the rooms that have dog occupancy?

Thanks so much for your review! We have booked a cabin at Fort Wilderness and are bringing our dogs this coming spring. I’m glad to hear it went so smoothly! The reactions this issue gets never cease to amaze me.

We bring our dogs (now just one) often to the Fort, though we own an RV. Have NEVER had an issue with other dogs…either at our site, walking them, or at the dog park. And you will encounter dogs on every loop.

You mention multiple visits to Fort Wilderness. I’ve stayed in the cabins, but never camped there. Do you have any suggestions for a small party with a humble little tent? Obviously we’d prefer to be away from RVs that would dwarf us. Can you recommend a loop or spot we should ask for? Thanks.

There is a meadow specifically for tent camping, however, you will not have any amenities. If I were tent camping, I would get a partial or full site. Not a Premium as these are fully paved. With any other site, you will have a driveway to park on, so your car is at your site, your own water and electricity. You obviously don’t need the sewer but having the other will make your stay easier. You will also have your own bbq grill and picnic table. In the meadow, these are first come, first serve. Don’t feel you will be surrounded by RV’s. There is decent separation between sites with trees and bushes. Many people who bring RV’s also put up tents. The comfort stations are all withing walking distance and well kept. Don’t worry about what other people are camping in…it’s Disney and everyone is there for a good time. Enjoy!

…the only worry is the loud sound many RVs emit all nite, hampering our rest. If the RVs are so prevalent that they are audible all over – which is true in *some* campgounds – we’d skip camping and stay in a hotel. Not sure what that noise is but it can really carry. Maybe at Disney the heavy foliage blocks it. In Utah it was a dull roar all nite –

The Disney resorts have allowed service animals for years and years without segregating them at all, and it has not impacted anyone’s vacations that I’ve ever heard of.

No comparison

Service animals are subject to long and rigorous training. They are specifically chosen for their temperament and ability to handle stressful situations, strange locations, and distractions. I know a lot of perfectly sweet dogs who have ‘flunked’ service training, because the requirements are stringent.

A ‘therapy’ animal or your average pet has not received this training. And moreso, an actual service animal is a requirement for a person’s daily life. I might be afraid of dogs, but I’m not going to demand a blind person or a person prone to seizures leave their trained animal behind. But that’s not what this is. This is just ‘I didn’t want to leave my pet at home.’

How do we know? Because she freely admits to breaking the rules, because why should the rules apply to her? But don’t worry, ‘mommy’ will put the leash back on if someone’s there to see her.

With all due respect, hotels have been allowing dogs for years. Nice hotels like the Ritz and the Waldorf allow them without this huge kerfuffle. Dogs impact a stay as much or as little as people do. Have crying children woken me up in the morning? Yes. Have youngsters running through the halls seemingly unsupervised bothered me? Yes. Honestly, I have been disturbed by pets almost never. Compared to human travelers’ disteutiveness, pets win. I have always traveled with my dogs and never had a complaint. If you don’t like it, stay at the hotels that don’t allow them. Most do not. This is simple. I have not visited Disney as much as I would like, due to their lack of pet friendly options, and I am going to book a visit soon. It is a small allowance that Disney sees their customers want and is providing. I am thrilled.

The entitlement is strong with this one. I’m sure your dog will love it when you bring them to Disney and leave them locked up in the room all day. Truly living the dream. There are dog appropriate places to go on vacation. A location where you’ll be spending 90 percent of your waking time in the parks where you cant bring your dog is not one of them. When we were down there somebody near us had a dog that barked incessantly allllll day. Front desk couldn’t figure out which room it was so they couldn’t do anything. Never had a problem with a baby doing that.

You could take a walk over to Epcot or Hollywood Studios for a couple of hours. Not a big deal. They also have Best Friends day care for dogs nearby, so you’re not locking your dog up all day. I think people should stop judging and just mind their own biz–so long as no one is bothering you.

I own two Sebastian’s and they are great. But I have a problem with allowing my pets to influence perhaps a not so good stay for the next guest who stays in that room I just stayed in. There’s a good chance the the average dog will be experiencing anxiety and be upset and get sick in that room not to mention the shedding and dander that’s created (allergies). After all they are still animals, and that’s why they walk on fours and not two legs. It’s unfair to put the onus on the next guest or the guest next door. If there was a Resort for just animals and their owners then this would make sense, but all’s it takes is for one guest to experience a bad visit due to another guests pet and once that hits the internet Disney will have bigger issues with rumors and guests not returning. Resort stays are very expensive and guests demand top level service. You know the old saying “Don’t poop where you eat”.

Rooms set aside for pets will NOT be given out to other (non-pet-owning) guests

“For all the outcry about how pets will ruin the experience at hotels, it truly is Much Ado About Nothing.” Your short stay in one of the pet friendly resorts is hardly enough experience to justify this statement. Unfortunately, I had a very different experience at Riverside. For the record, I was thrilled dogs were allowed until seeing firsthand how it could possibly ruin the experience for other guests.

Yes. I enjoyed reading this review, but Touring Plans should know better than most that it’s risky to draw broad conclusions based on a few good or bad anecdotes. You would really need to survey many more guests to find out how frequently problems arise, and to judge whether the benefits outweigh the costs and whether the policies could be improved.

Could you please elaborate? We have a dog (her brother recently passed away) and we always took our RV to Fort Wilderness if we wanted to bring our furry friends. We see a lot of other dogs there. We’ve stayed at Universal and only seen a couple of other dogs during our stay. How was the experience ruined by dogs being at the resort?

I’m curious what your negative experience was, too. It seems to me that Disney has done quite a bit to distance dog-friendly areas of the hotel from the rest of the resort, so I would’ve thought they’d addressed the complaints about dogs running riot all over the resort and leaving litter in common areas or triggering allergies in rooms previously rented out to pet owners.

I agree. This was written from a very specific perspective, and the language used put me off from the start.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting your review. Phenomenal! A few questions: What is the limit for the number of pets per room? What is the weight limit on each pet (preferably in pounds)?

There is a limit of two dogs per room. I did not see a weight maximum.

Does the dog enter the park itself? Or hang all day in the room or what?

Only service dogs are allowed in the parks. I think there is a 7 hour maximum that you are allowed to leave the dog unattended in the room, though of course Disney have no way to measure or enforce this.

Dogs can stay in the room, or get dropped off at the Best Friends kennel for daycare.

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Complete Guide To Bringing Dogs and Other Pets To Disney World

Have you always dreamed of traveling to Disney World, but worry about leaving your furry family members at home?

Well you can have the best of both worlds! There are ways to travel to Disney and enjoy your vacation while bringing along your family pets, and we’re giving you all the details you need to know to pull it off without a single hitch.

Service Animals vs. Companion Animals

There are different rules for companion animals (or normal pets) versus qualified service animals. All Orlando hotels, theme parks and attractions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act when it comes to service animals, so you can trust them to follow these guidelines. However, Disney World considers pets as well as emotional support dogs to be companion animals, so they are welcome in some but not all locations. Certain Disney resorts are dog-friendly, but all four Walt Disney World theme parks only allow service dogs inside the front gate.

Dog-Friendly Disney Resorts

If you are looking forward to staying at a Disney resort but want to bring your pet along with you, there are actually several you can choose from! In 2017, Disney World updated its long-standing pet policy to permit dogs at four of its on-site resorts. The policy only covers dogs — cats, reptiles and other pets will still need to stay home or at a boarding facility.

• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

There are some additional rules you will need to familiarize yourself with before arrival:

• There are no breed restrictions
• You will need to provide proof of your pet’s vaccinations upon check-in
• Dogs may not roam the grounds and must remain on a leash at all times. There are designated rest areas at each of the four resorts specifically for your dog, and each of the dog-friendly rooms are close to pet walking and rest areas
• Dogs are not permitted in Food & Beverage locations, shops, pool areas, fitness centers, ponds, or fountains
• Dogs are allowed in all Minnie Vans on property as well as internal buses at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
• You’ll receive a special door hanger that must be placed on the handle outside your door alerting Cast Members that a dog is present. Housekeeping is only available when dogs are not present, so you’ll need to schedule a cleaning time during which you can accompany your dog outside of the room
• Dogs should not be left unattended for more than seven hours. During your time in the parks, your dog can spend the day at the on-site Best Friends Pet Care for exercise, pampering, grooming and more
• Dogs should not be overly vocal or aggressive. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests and Cast Members, you should consider boarding your dog if it is known to bark or howl a lot, or is aggressive to other dogs or people

Packing For Your Pet

As you’re packing up your Mickey ears and walking shoes don’t forget all of the necessities for your pooch, too! These are some basics you’ll want to ensure you bring:

• Sturdy leash and collar/harness
• Current and valid ID tags
• A favorite item/bedding/toy
• Food, food dish & water dish
• Doggie “waste” bags to clean up after your pet
• Any vitamins/supplements/medication they may require

Bringing familiar items from home can help make your pup feel comfortable in this new environment.

Best Friends Pet Hotel Boarding

If you would prefer to board your dog nearby or are bringing a pet that isn’t a dog (they’ll even watch your reptiles!), you can use Best Friends Pet Hotel, an on-site boarding option. This is located across from Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, and prices range from $56-$302 per night depending on the dates selected. As mentioned earlier, you can also use Best Friends for daytime boarding when you will be away from your resort room for 7 hours or longer.

This spot is almost like Disney World for your pets! It has 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, plus a 25,000 square-foot dog park. Amenities include luxury suites, ice-cream breaks, grooming, and cuddle time with trained pet care providers. Transportation is available for $25 at Fort Wilderness and Yacht Club, with pick-up and drop-off times varying depending on location.

Whether you choose to cuddle with them every night or board at Best Friends, you can enjoy your Disney trip and rest easy knowing your beloved pet isn’t far away (and might even be having as fun a time as you!). Bringing your family pet to Disney World is possible, and hopefully this guide provided helpful information for your next trip!

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If your dog could come with you into the parks, which attraction would be their favorite? Comment below!

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What section of the Yacht Club resort allow dogs - want to avoid those rooms due to allergies. Thank you ”

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Walt Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort

ANCHORS AWAY…. We’re setting sail towards Disney’s Yacht Club Resort!

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Walt Disney World offers three Resort hotel levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe Resort located near EPCOT .

Disney’s Yacht Club

Deluxe amenities, fun Resort activities and unique options for recreation, a wide range of dining options , a pool that is actually more like a hidden water park,  and much more make up Disney’s Yacht Club.

Disney’s Yacht Club Atmosphere

New England-style yacht clubs serve as the inspiration for Disney’s own Yacht Club Resort. 

Disney’s Yacht Club Lobby

Deep blues and rich woods help to establish the classic nautical setting.

The Yacht Club is the sister Resort to the attached Beach Club Resort .

Yacht Club Outdoor Walkway towards the Beach Club

And it’s all literally just steps away from EPCOT !

Yacht and Beach Club signage

Guests can take a quick stroll from the Yacht Club to EPCOT’s International Gateway (between the park’s United Kingdom and France pavilions).

Yacht Club Dining

Guests at Yacht Club have a wide array of dining options to enjoy, from a Signature steakhouse to Quick Service restaurants to relaxing lounges , and beyond!

Table Service Restaurants

Yachtsman Steakhouse delivers a Signature Dining option to Yacht & Beach Club guests.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

This craftsman-inspired dining room caters to all tastebuds with a variety of dishes, incredible sides, and amazing, cut-in-house steaks.

Ale & Compass Restaurant   is the  table service  component of the Ale & Market dining concept in Disney’s Yacht Club, which also includes  The Market at Ale & Compass  along with the refreshed  Ale & Compass Lounge .

Ale and Compass Restaurant

The atmosphere offers a  gastropub ambience while comfort food (New England-inspired) is featured  on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Counter Service Dining

Simple convenience is the name of the game, with a focus on grab-and-go items at The Market at Ale & Compass .

The Market at Ale & Compass

However, hot sandwiches, specialty desserts — and even a coffee bar — round out the options nicely.

Bars and Lounges

Ale & Compass Lounge is located just off the lobby of the Yacht Club.

Ale & Compass Lounge

It’s an ideal spot to relax with a night cap while winding down for the evening, or to grab a bite or two from their substantial appetizer menu.

Crew’s Cup Lounge is a favorite cozy spot of ours!

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Along with a full-service bar (featuring a wide selection of Single Malt Scotch), guests can also order select items from the full Yachtsman Steakhouse menu.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill is the Pool Bar for Stormalong Bay!

Hurricane Hanna’s

Thankfully a few substantial entrees (like burgers and chicken nuggets) are on the menu along with the drinks, because you won’t want to leave this amazing pool area!

And remember, all of the restaurants at Disney Beach Club Resort are easily accessible to Yacht Club guests ! These include:

• Cape May Cafe (featuring buffet dining and a Character Breakfast)
• Beaches and Cream (classic diner eats and MAMMOTH ice cream sundaes!)
• Beach Club Marketplace (Quick Service options)
• Martha’s Vineyard (evening Lounge)

Click HERE for our Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts!

Wonderful world of wine.

A dining experience unique to the Yacht Club is the Wonderful World of Wine which is held at the Yachtsman Steakhouse every second Wednesday of the month at 3PM. Participants sample and learn about wines from vineyards throughout California, Italy, France, Chile, Australia and more.

A small tasting plate paired with the day’s chosen wines is included. The cost is $45 per person and can be booked by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939 3463) .

Take a FOOD TOUR of the dining options at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club with our DFB YouTube Video !

Guest Rooms

Disney’s Yacht Club features standard guest rooms with either 1 King Bed OR 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed OR 2 Queen Beds OR 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed,  as well as  Club Level Rooms  (up to a 2 Bedroom Suite which sleeps up to 6 adults).

For standard rooms, guests may choose a Standard View, a Water View, or a Garden or Woods View.

Amenities, Activities, and Recreation

Welcome to Stormalong Bay ! This 3-acre water recreation area is available exclusively to both Yacht and Beach Club guests.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

Stormalong Bay is a destination all its own. This pool complex is practically its own mini-water park, with sand at the bottom, a lazy river, 3 whirlpool spas, and a tanning deck!

Stormalong Bay

Kiddos (and adults) can take on the 230-footlong ‘shipwrecked’ themed water slide, while Shipwreck pool with its own mini waterslide is available just for the little ones.

Stormalong Bay Shipwreck Waterslide

Guests who prefer a little more quiet can take advantage of any of the 3 additional leisure pools.

The Front Desk will provide you with information about current Resort Activities which may include options like Movies Under the Stars , Pool Parties , evening Campfires , and additional activities for a nominal fee such as Arts and Crafts that you can take home.

Yacht and Beach Club Activities Board

More opportunities for fun and fitness include the Lafferty Place Arcade and the 24-hour Ship Shape Health Club .

Lafferty Place Arcade at Beach Club

Additional recreation options include boat rentals at the Bayside Marina ,  bike rentals, jogging trails, and volleyball and tennis courts.

Yacht & Beach Club Marina

2-hour and 4-hour Guided Fishing Excursions may even be booked by calling (407) 939-FISH or (407) 939-3474.

Additional amenities for Resort guests include lobby concierge service, daily housekeeping, complimentary Wi-Fi, currency exchange, self-service laundry rooms, mail services, and online check-in .

Additional Benefits

More theme park hours.

Guest staying at Disney’s Yacht Club have access to ADDITIONAL hours in the Disney World theme parks !

Welcome to Magic Kingdom

Early Theme Park Entry  allows guests  to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early  to get a head start on their day in the parks!

This benefit is available for  ANY theme park  every  day.  Please note that  guests need a valid theme park ticket AND a  Park Pass reservation   for the park they’re planning to visit in order to gain early access.

The Disney World Parks also offer  Extended Evening Theme Park Hours  for select guests,  giving them  extra hours in the parks at night! Guests at Disney’s Yacht Club qualify for this benefit, as it is exclusively to guests who are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay. 

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth at Night

Guests attending Extended Evening Hours need a valid ticket and Disney Park Pass for that theme park. Alternatively, they may visit with a Park Hopper as long as they scanned into their Park Pass-reserved park at some time earlier in the day.  Click HERE to see the schedule for Extended Evening Hours !

Find out more about EXTRA Theme Park Hours for Disney Resort hotels guests HERE!

Disney genie and lightning lanes.

Disney Genie  is a new service available through the  My Disney Experience app  which offers  both free and optional paid-for features which will help guests maximize their time in the parks . The two optional paid-for features —   Disney Genie+  and  Individual Attraction Selection  — launched in tandem with the  FREE standard Disney Genie.

Disney Genie Brochure

For guests wishing to ride Disney’s most  popular  attractions — such as  Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance  — without a wait,  Individual Attraction Selection  allows guests to select return times  to  bypass the standby line  and instead enter the  Lightning Lane  for a  maximum of two specific, more popular attractions.  Individual Attraction Selection is a  pay-per-ride option.

All guests have the ability to buy Individual Attraction Selections. Guests staying offsite are able to get their first one when the park opens. But those  staying at Disney-owned and operated hotels are able to make their first Individual Attraction Selection at 7AM each day .

Click HERE to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection!

“hey, disney”.

“Hey, Disney!”   offers  “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World!

“Hey, Disney!”

This complimentary service, which  works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning,  and  weather info … AND it brings along LOTS of  extra Disney MAGIC  to make all of these things a lot more FUN!

Click HERE to learn MUCH more about “Hey, Disney!”

Dog-friendly resort.

And guess what? Fido can enjoy a stay at the Yacht Club, too! This hotel is one of Disney World’s Dog-Friendly Resorts (a limit of two dogs per room, restrictions, and fees apply). Pet owners interested in learning more may call  (407) 939 – 7539 .

Disney Dogs Food Bowl

Additionally, Best Friends Pet Care — a pet care center on Disney World property — offers a service to guests staying at the Yacht Club. They will pick up and drop off your pup to take them to doggy daycare, overnight boarding, or even grooming! Pet owners interested in learning more  about Best Friends Pet Care services during your stay (877) WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738 , or visit bestfriendspetcare.com.

Of course, you’ll want to grab a souvenir (or ten 😉 ) to remember your Walt Disney World trip and your stay at the Yacht Club.

And for that, you can stop by The Market at Ale & Compass ! This is a shared space, as it also neighbors the Yacht Club’s primary Quick Service dining location.

Yacht Club Stein

Look for items unique to the Yacht Club along with other Walt Disney World souvenirs.

Transportation

Yacht Club guests have access to several types of Resort transportation.

Yacht Club Walkways

A rare perk is that, from the Yacht Club, guests have a very short walk to get to EPCOT’s International Gateway (between the park’s United Kingdom and France pavilions).

International Gateway Sign

Guest can also walk to the connected Beach Club Resort, to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels , and to all of the dining and shopping along Disney’s BoardWalk .

Guests may also walk along Crescent Lake to Disney’s Hollywood Studios ; however, due to the longer distance to Hollywood Studios, another form of transportation to Hollywood Studios is provided.

Friendship Boats

Guests may take a Friendship Boat down Crescent Lake to Disney’s Hollywood Studios !

Cresent Lake Friendship Boat

The Friendship Boat also makes stops at EPCOT, BoardWalk Inn, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Disney Skyliner

The International Gateway hosts EPCOT’S Disney Skyliner Station. From EPCOT, the Skyliner goes has a stop at Disney’s Riviera Resort and continues directly to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (which serves as the Skyliner Hub).

EPCOT Skyliner Station

From Caribbean Beach, guests can then transfer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (or to Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts ).

Disney Bus Transportation

Guests also have complimentary access to  Disney Bus Transportation  to and from  Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom,  and  Disney Springs .

To learn more about what it’s like to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club , please watch our video from our DFBGuide YouTube channel below!

Considering a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club? Get the Magic started and complete a request for a price quote. An agent will review your travel preferences and provide you with a no-obligation quote along with their phone number so you can talk with them.

Our favorite people over at small world vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all , money, when you book your disney trip or cruise..

Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you — they’ve literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU ! (They’re DFB’s recommended travel agency, and you can see why here !)

So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today , and let them know DFB sent you 🙂

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Vacation packages may be available. Select this hotel to view package prices. For room-only prices, call (407) 939-1936.†

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Four seasons resort orlando at walt disney world resort.

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Select this hotel to view package prices, including potential vacation packages. For room-only prices, call (407) 934-7639.†

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The Palouse Region's premiere choice for dog training, behavior modification and service dogs

It's about the whole picture.

A healthy, happy dog has balance - nutritionally, mentally, and physically. Behavioral issues often arise when one of your dog's core needs is not being met. We specialize in creating individualized wellness plans that address all of your canine's core needs. Contact us today to set up an initial consulation - we would love to help you address any issues you may be experiencing.

& rehabilitation

We specialize in creating custom training programs to meet the individualized needs of your dog. We do everything from basic obedience to behavioral modification for the most problematic behaviors, including anxiety, biting, aggression and resource guarding. We offer several options ranging from group classes and private lessons to residency. Click the training Link above fo additional information. Feel free to call us with any questions or to set up an appointment for assessment.

custom service dog training

Prana K9 trains custom service dogs for autism, PTSD and general assistance. Some of the tasks we can train include: anxiety alerts, panic attack and nighmare interruption, deep pressure therapy, turning off and on light switches, opening doors, picking up dropped objects, finding lost objects, and bracing. An exhaustive list of task can downloaded on our service dog page. Please contact us with an questions you might have or to inquire about available dogs.

Needs assistance training your own service dog? Ask us about our train-your-own-service dog program

Downloadable List of Available Service Dog Tasks

Humane Society  of the Palouse

"helping those who cannot help themselves.", meet our adoptable pets, if you're looking for a specific type of pet, please give us a call at (208) 883-1166 . we can add you to our pet wish list and contact you when or if a pet matching your description becomes available for adoption.  if you're looking for a working barn cat to assist with the rodent population in your shop or garage, please visit our barn buddies page to check if there are any available barn cats. .

Interested in meeting any of our adoptable pets? The shelter is open for walk-in visits between 1:00-6:00pm Monday through Saturday. Dog kennels close for public viewing at 5:00pm each day. We encourage y ou to stop by and see if we have your new best friend! HSoP is located at 2019 E White Ave Moscow, ID 83843.  If you have any questions about our adoptable pets, our adoption process, or anything else, please reach out! You can call us at (208) 883-1166 or send us an email at [email protected] Pets are adopted and become available for adoption nearly every day. We do our very best to keep this page up to date, but cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. Kittens are rarely adoptable for long enough to make it to the website. So be sure to visit! It's the best way to see all of our lovable friends who are looking for homes.

Palouse River Kennels

Premier boarding facility, gun dog, and obedience training on the Palouse!

Set on a ridge overlooking the scenic Palouse River is Southeast Washington’s most spacious and inviting dog training and boarding facility.

Located just two miles from the Idaho border, Palouse River Kennels is the kennel of choice for people who love their family pets. And while we’re just 20 minutes from the towns of Moscow ID, Pullman WA, and Colfax WA, we have regular and loyal customers from Lewiston, ID, Orofino, ID, Clarkston, WA. and Pomeroy WA who trust us with their dog boarding needs.

Situated on 30 acres, our facility includes a pond, expansive training grounds, and a large, fenced exercise yard. Our indoor and outdoor dog runs are spacious, stretching a full 7 X 20 feet long. They are heated in the winter and cool in the summer. Your dog’s comfort and peace of mind is our mission.

Owner and trainer, John Sykes, has been a professional dog trainer for over 20 years. His expertise includes pointing dogs, retrievers, and behavioral modification for the family pet.

We can’t wait to talk to you! Give us a call at:

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Disney's Yacht Club Resort

View Gallery  View an image gallery of Disney's Yacht Club Resort- Opens Dialog

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner Transportation

This gondola system offers a bird's eye view as it whisks you and your family away to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland. Read More

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland.

Climb the mast and zip down one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort. Catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river, unwind in one of 3 whirlpool spas and relax on the elevated tanning deck. Children can wade into the main pool from a gentle slope and splash about in 2 kiddie pools—including one with a miniature waterslide.

Prefer a more tranquil experience? Explore 3 all-ages quiet pools—each with a whirlpool spa—located throughout Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Learn more about recreation at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Savor mouthwatering steaks, seafood and more at this sophisticated, family-friendly restaurant.

Ship Shape Health Club

Enjoy a workout or indulge in a massage at this full-service fitness center.

Dog-Friendly Accommodations

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Read More

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we know that dogs aren’t simply pets—they’re members of your family. And since family is at the heart of everything we do, for a limited time, your furry friends are welcome to join you at select Disney Resort hotels. Let the tail wagging commence!

Note: Limit 2 dogs per room. Restrictions and fees apply.

How to Book Bring your dog along on your upcoming visit by calling (407) 939-5277. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Services for Guests with Dogs During your stay, Best Friends Pet Care can provide assistance with day care and other pet services (fees apply). For details, please call (877) 4-WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit bestfriendspetcare.com . Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Some restrictions on certain pets may apply. Before you arrive, be sure to download the official dog policy PDF .

Need More Room?

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms. Read More

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms.

When you stay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas , you’ll enjoy the same benefits offered at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort—along with spacious Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations. It’s an outstanding home base for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Discover the Villa Difference Disney’s Beach Club Villas and other Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts offer accommodations with just-like-home touches that go beyond the traditional hotel room.

Choose from 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas—as well as Cabins and Bungalows at select Resort hotels—with the following features:

• A full kitchen , so you can prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa
• Spacious living and dining areas where your family can share even more quality time together after you return from the parks
• Separate bedrooms that offer space, privacy and tranquility – so it’s easy to rest, relax and recharge your spirit after each exhilarating vacation day
• A washer and dryer , so you can pack lightly and avoid airline baggage fees

A little more than you need? Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts also feature Deluxe Studios, which feature a kitchenette and sleeper sofa—a great option for smaller travel parties and shorter stays.

Reservations and Rates Check availability and nightly rates at Disney’s Beach Club Villas.

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

The "Hey Disney!" voice assistant experience features tons of character fun plus a helpful host, who can order you extra towels and answer lots of your park questions.

The Wonderful World of Wine

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Read More

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Sip and swirl your way through some of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions—no passport required.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse invites Guests to explore the wonderful world of wine every second Wednesday of the month. Sample the liquid legacies of some of the finest appellations and vineyards throughout California, Italy, France, Chile, Australia and more—and learn about their flavor profiles, winemaking techniques, and soil and climate conditions. This engaging class also includes a small tasting plate paired to go with the selected wine offerings.

The cost is $45 per person and the wine tasting begins at 3 PM on the second Wednesday of each month. Guests interested in attending can call Disney Dining at (407) WDW-DINE.

All Attendees must be 21 or over with valid ID; no discounts accepted.

Disney Signature Services

Guests staying in Club-level rooms and suites are eligible for personalized vacation-planning support.

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app. Read More

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app.

Be sure you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app to enjoy these handy features during your stay.

Check In and Check Out with Ease

Enjoy a simplified arrival at your Disney Resort hotel! Use the app to begin the check-in process , view your room number and even unlock your door .

At the end of your stay, there’s no need to stop by the Front Desk if you have a valid payment card on file or a zero-dollar balance on your account. Instead, check out of your room via the app by visiting My Reservations or your Hotel Account.

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

There are many more ways to enhance your stay! With the app, you can:

• Make vacation plans during your stay—and review existing plans
• Enter the theme parks (with a valid park reservation and valid admission) using Disney MagicMobile service
• Order food and beverages with mobile order service
• Check park schedules
• Get directions
• Explore transportation options
• View your Disney PhotoPass photos

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc .

Easier Trip Planning – Like Magic!

Once you’ve settled in, let Disney Genie service summon the attractions, entertainment and dining experiences you love the most. Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel guest get early access to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for up to two different attractions each day.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Check Availability

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The Billionaire Taking on Disney Just Wants Some Respect

The longtime corporate agitator feels misunderstood. Maybe his fight with Disney could change that.

Nelson Peltz, 81, has been battling the Walt Disney Company over its corporate strategy. Credit... Ahmed Gaber for The New York Times

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By James B. Stewart and Lauren Hirsch

• Published March 16, 2024 Updated March 19, 2024

At age 81, with over four decades of dealmaking and corporate cage-rattling under his belt, Nelson Peltz would seem to have pretty much everything.

He’s a billionaire. Until the hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin came to Palm Beach, Fla., Mr. Peltz had the largest property tax bill in town, with an oceanfront estate estimated to be worth $334 million. His 130-acre property in Bedford, N.Y., known as High Winds, has its own helipad, indoor ice rink and waterfall. He has use of his company’s jet. (But so far, he owns no yacht — he rents one instead.)

He also has an undeniably full life apart from his business: He has two children from his first marriage. He also has eight children (including two sets of twins) with his wife since 1981, the former model Claudia Heffner. His eldest child from that marriage, Matt, is a partner and co-chief investment officer at Mr. Peltz’s Trian Partners.

His photogenic younger children have thrust him into the tabloids and onto the Hollywood red carpet. Nicola, an actress (“Bates Motel,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Welcome to Chippendales”), married Brooklyn Beckham, son of David and Victoria Beckham, in a splashy wedding at the Peltz Palm Beach estate in 2022. Will is also an actor (“Unfriended,” “Euphoria,” “Manifest”). Brad played hockey for Yale and was drafted by the Ottawa Senators.

And yet Mr. Peltz yearns for something that continues to elude him: the respect from the corporate elite, which he craves and feels he deserves. Could admittance to the inner sanctum of one of the best-known and most respected companies in the world — the Walt Disney Company — deliver that?

On and off for almost a year and a half, Trian Partners has waged an intense corporate fight by controlling a $3.5 billion stake in Disney and pushing for two board seats and influence over the company’s strategy. Mr. Peltz’s ammunition is a barrage of criticism of Disney’s management and board: The stock has plunged; costs have spiraled out of control; a string of big-budget film flops has raised questions about the company’s creative engine — problems that Mr. Peltz says he can reverse with his operational skills and strategic insight. While he concedes he has no experience in entertainment, his opinions, he says, are informed by his children and their high-powered friends, including Elon Musk, who has been critical of Disney.

The proxy battle has pitted him against Disney’s chief executive, Robert A. Iger, one of the media industry’s most powerful executives and someone Mr. Peltz once considered a good friend. Mr. Iger and Disney’s board have pushed back hard, even enlisting the support of the Disney family , including Abigail Disney, who has long complained about Mr. Iger’s lofty compensation. The increasingly bitter contest is hurtling toward a climax on April 3, when Disney will hold its annual shareholder meeting and proxy votes will be counted.

That this fight is over far more than a couple of board seats, or even a multibillion-dollar stake in the company, was abundantly clear in a series of interviews with The New York Times at Trian’s offices on Park Avenue and in Palm Beach, and over the phone.

During the interviews, Mr. Peltz — who has had numerous similar run-ins with corporate giants such as Procter & Gamble, Heinz and Unilever — repeatedly lamented his reputation as a provocateur and “activist” investor, a thorn in the side of chief executives and their boards.

He hates being mentioned in the same company as a rogues’ gallery of activists, buyout operators and corporate raiders, as he often is. He thinks he should be compared to someone he admires and tries to emulate: Warren E. Buffett.

“Does Nelson feel misunderstood? He probably does,” said Arthur Winkleblack, who was chief financial officer at Heinz when Mr. Peltz waged a successful proxy contest there in 2006 and joined the board. “Not all activists are the same. There are activists who are not nice people. There are activists who are.”

Whatever label is attached to him, there’s little chance that Mr. Peltz will be embraced by the august members of the Business Roundtable, the Washington-based lobbying group of elite chief executives, given his long track record of public criticism of boards and chief executives, and his efforts, when rebuffed, to elbow his way into America’s boardrooms.

Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase and a former chairman of the roundtable, recently came out against Mr. Peltz in the Disney proxy fight, citing the disruption that activist investors can bring to a board. JPMorgan is advising the company in its proxy defense. Disney has paid JPMorgan over $160 million in fees since 2014 as a client, according to LSEG, a financial data provider.

One measure of Mr. Peltz’s continuing notoriety is the reluctance of many people who have worked with him to speak on the record — even people he counts as friends and admirers, some of whom he recommended The Times interview for this article. That’s especially true in the midst of the Disney fight; several people said they didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire between Mr. Peltz and Mr. Iger, let alone Mr. Dimon. Both chief executives cast long shadows in the entertainment and business worlds.

“He’s like the uninvited guest who crashes a dinner party,” said Charles Elson, a former director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. “No matter how charming, he’s not going to be welcome.”

Ski Bum Turned Billionaire

Mr. Peltz can be funny and self-deprecating: He recently told The Times that he was the only person he knew who had gained weight while taking Ozempic, which seems to be popular in his Palm Beach neighborhood (The tanned, fit-looking Mr. Peltz shows no obvious need to lose weight.)

Mr. Peltz, who was born and grew up in Brooklyn, traces his social skills to his student years at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was president of his hard-partying Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. “Classes screwed up my day,” he said.

He left Wharton before graduating to pursue a passion for skiing, but en route to a job as an instructor at Oregon’s Mount Hood, he was pressed by his father into a two-week stint at the family’s small Bronx-based frozen food distribution company. He was soon brimming with ideas for building the business, investing in the stock market and staying. (He also shaved off his beard at his father’s request. He sports a neatly trimmed beard again today.)

In the decades that followed, Mr. Peltz’s career mirrored the history of modern dealmaking. His successful effort to buy out the notorious corporate raider Victor Posner from National Can in 1985 was the first all-junk-bond tender offer, using the low-rated, high-yielding bonds once shunned by conservative investors. It was also the start of Mr. Peltz’s relationship with the junk bond pioneer Michael Milken. (Mr. Peltz balked at Mr. Milken’s initial invitation, for a 5 a.m. meeting in Beverly Hills; Mr. Milken grudgingly moved the appointment to 6.)

Mr. Peltz forged a close friendship with another controversial raider, Saul Steinberg, who introduced him to Mr. Milken and whose own hostile run at Disney ended with a much-criticized greenmail payment in 1984. (Greenmail is a payment to a corporate raider in return for dropping a hostile takeover bid.)

After the National Can deal, Mr. Peltz’s Triangle Industries swallowed the rival American Can’s packaging division in 1986. He then sold Triangle to France’s Pechiney for $4.2 billion in 1988, including debt. The deal was widely acknowledged as one of the most successful leveraged buyouts, or deals largely funded by debt, and it established a model subsequently embraced by a generation of financiers.

Suddenly wealthy beyond his wildest dreams, and only 46, Mr. Peltz considered an early retirement. But he was quickly bored by golf. He went on to a series of other leveraged acquisitions, buying Snapple from Quaker for $300 million in 1997 and then selling it and some other brands three years later for $1.45 billion. (Mr. Peltz’s success at Snapple is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study .)

“He would often suggest new flavors — and he would push us to come up with different forms and different bottles,” said Ken Gilbert, who was Snapple’s chief marketing officer at the time. “We were spinning out new products every month — it was crazy. And he loved it.”

Mr. Peltz helped found Trian in 2005 to pursue businesses that “weren’t well run but were too big for us to buy,” he said. He and Peter May, his longtime partner, his friend and a former public accountant, courted outside investors and embraced a lucrative compensation model, taking both a management fee and a percentage of the fund’s gains, a model that soon swept the world of alternative investing and that has minted numerous billionaires.

A Builder, Not a Breaker?

For all Mr. Peltz’s business and financial success, not to mention longevity, his early associations with people like Mr. Posner (who pleaded no contest to tax evasion and fraud in 1988) and Mr. Milken (who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies in 1990 and was pardoned by President Donald J. Trump in 2020) no doubt tainted his reputation, fairly or not.

Even before then, he was turned down by the co-op board when he tried to buy an apartment at 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan, and not because he couldn’t pay in cash. The building, on the Upper East Side, is a residential haven for the corporate elite: His friend, Mr. Steinberg, lived there. And Blackstone’s Stephen A. Schwarzman subsequently bought Mr. Steinberg’s apartment, once home to John D. Rockefeller Jr. (The board later approved a purchase by Mr. May, Mr. Peltz’s partner and the president of the New York Philharmonic.)

On more than one occasion Mr. Peltz, who is Jewish, has encountered what he considered at least a whiff of antisemitism. He recalled that his arrival in London in the 1980s was greeted with a tabloid profile headlined “The Wild and Rocking World of Nelson Peltz.” The first sentence, he said, called him a “Jewish boy from Brooklyn,” and the British business establishment closed ranks against him.

Mr. Peltz, long a fierce critic of antisemitism, said he stepped down from his role as chairman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in December because after 40 years in the position, it was time for a change. But The Wall Street Journal reported that he left after the center called for a boycott of Ben & Jerry’s. The center had deemed posts by the company’s chairman to be pro-Palestinian after the Hamas attack on Israel. Mr. Peltz is a board member of Unilever, the owner of Ben & Jerry’s.

His fellow billionaire Henry Kravis, the buyout pioneer, is one of the few Jewish members of Palm Beach’s old-money Everglades Club, but not Mr. Peltz. Mr. Peltz said he had “refused to set foot” in the club until it had a Jewish member and, now that it does, has had lunch there several times. (Mr. Peltz belongs to the Palm Beach Country Club, which has long accommodated members excluded from more restrictive Palm Beach clubs.)

Mr. Peltz’s reputation as a corporate troublemaker also cost him his longtime relationship with his Manhattan law firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. In 2019, the firm cut ties with him even though he had been one of its biggest clients for decades. Paul Weiss handled his estate planning and other matters; a Paul Weiss partner left the firm to become his general counsel. But after Paul Weiss expanded its elite corporate practice in recent years, the firm told him that it could no longer represent activist investors, including him.

Mr. Peltz countered that he wasn’t an activist, he was a “constructivist” — someone who worked with management, not against it. He had never mounted a hostile takeover, he said, or even fired a chief executive. Paul Weiss was unpersuaded. “They dropped me like that,” Mr. Peltz said. “I was probably their oldest living client.”

Vitriol for Disney

Mr. Peltz’s argument that he’s not an activist has also fallen on deaf ears at Disney.

Before the proxy fight, Mr. Peltz had breakfast with Mr. Iger at the Beverly Hills Hotel on occasion when Mr. Peltz was in Los Angeles, and Mr. Iger visited Mr. Peltz in New York. Disney’s pension fund also invested in Trian.

When Elliott Management, led by the activist investor Paul Singer, took a stake in AT&T in 2019 and agitated for change, Mr. Iger asked Mr. Peltz to address the Disney board. Topics on the agenda, according to records reviewed by The Times: “What made AT&T vulnerable?” and “Who will be the winners and losers” as big technology companies move into entertainment and media content production?

But early last year, after Mr. Peltz bought roughly $1 billion in Disney shares and threatened a proxy contest for a board seat if Disney rebuffed his proposals, Disney attacked Mr. Peltz, saying he did “not understand Disney’s businesses and lacks the skills and experience to assist the board in delivering shareholder value in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem.”

Even though Mr. Iger and the Disney board had seemed eager to tap Mr. Peltz’s expertise in 2019, Mr. Iger only grudgingly gave him 45 minutes on Jan. 10 last year to present his plans. Mr. Peltz’s reception was frosty — only Mr. Iger asked a perfunctory question.

Little more than a month after Mr. Peltz started his campaign, Disney pledged $5.5 billion in cost reductions (later raised to $7.5 billion) and said it would resume paying a dividend. Mr. Peltz said the changes aligned with Trian’s goals, and he backed off the proxy fight.

By December, he was back. Frustrated by the ensuing slide in Disney stock— from over $110 a share in February 2023 to below $80 in October— and what he deemed Disney’s failure to follow through with its pledges, Mr. Peltz and Trian renewed their campaign.

This time, Mr. Peltz increased the pressure by allying with two Disney veterans with intimate knowledge of the company: Ike Perlmutter and Jay Rasulo.

Mr. Rasulo, a former Disney chief financial officer and theme parks head, was considered a potential successor to Mr. Iger until he was passed over for the chief operating job in 2016. Mr. Rasulo and Mr. Peltz are Trian’s nominees for the Disney board.

Mr. Perlmutter is the sometimes irascible former chairman of Marvel Entertainment, which Disney bought in 2009 for $4 billion in cash and stock, making him one of Disney’s largest shareholders. He remained chairman of Marvel Entertainment after the deal, but Mr. Iger sidelined him in 2015 by revamping Disney management. Mr. Perlmutter was unceremoniously laid off last year and has since been a vocal critic of Mr. Iger.

Mr. Trump introduced Mr. Peltz to Mr. Perlmutter in 2016 at Mar-a-Lago, where Mr. Perlmutter usually commands a prime dining room table next to Mr. Trump’s. Mr. Perlmutter has been a prominent financial backer of Mr. Trump’s presidential campaigns. Mr. Peltz, too, was a Trump supporter and raised $10 million for him at his Palm Beach estate in February 2020. But the two stopped speaking after Mr. Peltz went on CNBC and denounced Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and incite violence on Jan. 6, 2021, as a “disgrace.” His antipathy has only grown since, and Mr. Peltz said he would not raise more money for Mr. Trump.

Still, the falling-out hasn’t dented Mr. Peltz’s friendship with Mr. Perlmutter.

Mr. Perlmutter has entrusted Mr. Peltz to vote his Disney shares, inflaming tensions with the entertainment company. In its defense against the Trian campaign, Disney accused Mr. Perlmutter of bearing Mr. Iger “personal animosity” and blaming him for being fired.

Disney has also suggested that Mr. Peltz is motivated by a grudge against Mr. Iger, a claim that Mr. Peltz has vehemently denied. The company recently told investors that the men were never close friends, and that Disney ended its investment in Trian in 2021, angering Mr. Peltz, because the fund had underperformed the S&P 500 on an annualized basis over eight years. A spokesman for Mr. Peltz and Trian said they didn’t comment on client matters.

Lacking the information that he’d be privy to as a board member, Mr. Peltz doesn’t purport to have a novel solution to the streaming losses that have bedeviled Disney and other media companies trying to make the difficult transition to the direct-to-consumer digital era. He has been frank about his lack of direct experience in entertainment — something Disney has highlighted. But he said experience wasn’t everything. “They just put out five movies in a row that were big losers,” he said.

In Disney, he sees a company with great assets. But he also believes it’s a business crying out for greater operational accountability, more efficiency and better board governance. He considers Disney to be not that different from consumer-facing companies that he has helped turn around, like Heinz and Procter & Gamble.

Mr. Peltz also has better visibility into Disney’s operations than most of his past targets thanks to his alliance with Mr. Rasulo. Many were surprised that Mr. Rasulo would go up against Mr. Iger, his former mentor, in such public combat.

But Mr. Rasulo said in an interview that Mr. Iger’s abrupt departure in 2020 and the choice of the little-known Bob Chapek to replace him left him (and many others) mystified. So did Mr. Chapek’s sudden ouster and Mr. Iger’s return in 2022. Streaming losses soared, and Disney stock plunged.

“I was always a Disney guy,” said Mr. Rasulo, who spent three decades at the company, and the decline was painful to witness. “Something obviously went radically wrong.”

Mr. Rasulo didn’t know Mr. Peltz when they met for breakfast in Los Angeles a year and a half ago, but he said he had liked what he heard. He conducted his own interviews with people who had dealt with Mr. Peltz, and his research bore out what Mr. Peltz had emphasized — that he was a long-term investor looking to fix the company, not break it up.

Mr. Rasulo said he had no ambition to take Mr. Iger’s place as chief executive. He said he believed he could be an objective “voice of clarity” on the board as well as someone with intimate familiarity with the company’s operations and legacy. (Disney has countered that Mr. Rasulo left eight years ago and is out of touch with a radically changed media landscape.)

Mr. Peltz, too, said he looked forward to working closely with Mr. Iger if he gained a board seat. But that hasn’t stopped him from publicly criticizing Mr. Iger’s leadership. Waging his campaign on CNBC, in other media and in a recent whirlwind of visits to major shareholders, Mr. Peltz has argued that Disney grossly overpaid for 21st Century Fox assets in 2019, a $71 billion deal that saddled the company with enormous debt; that Mr. Iger and the board have repeatedly bungled succession planning; and that Mr. Iger has overseen an alarming decline in quality and financial results at the company’s core Disney animation, Pixar and Marvel entertainment units.

“The fact is, the emperor has no clothes,” Mr. Peltz said.

There have been no invitations from Disney to address the board this time.

In a statement for this article, a Disney spokesman said Mr. Peltz “has failed to demonstrate that he comprehends Disney’s strategic position in the modern media business, or to offer any compelling ideas, and we believe his presence in the boardroom would be disruptive and destructive.”

History as a Guide

A recurring issue in the Disney proxy fight will be Mr. Peltz’s investment record, which remains a closely guarded secret. Various academic studies have found that activist investors, on average, don’t generate superior returns over time.

Trian maintains that federal rules prohibit it from publicizing its results. But the firm said that from the time Mr. Peltz joined a company’s board — 11 in all — through the end of 2023, Trian’s investments in those 11 companies generated a 17 percent annualized rate of return. The S&P 500 has returned an annualized 9.5 percent since 2005, when Trian was founded.

Trian said it used that measure — from the date Mr. Peltz joined a board to the present — because the fund took a long-term approach and often continued to own shares after Mr. Peltz or one of his Trian partners left a board. If returns were measured until the date they stepped down, the returns would be slightly higher, it said.

Annualized returns in those companies range from 47 percent (Legg Mason, acquired by Franklin Templeton in 2020, a year after Mr. Peltz joined the board) to 3 percent (Unilever, which was Trian’s most recent investment before Disney and whose board Mr. Peltz joined in 2022).

Trian argues that these returns are what’s relevant to shareholders of the target companies, including Disney. Trian’s own investors haven’t reaped annualized gains that large, in part because the fund isn’t always fully invested and holds cash and shares in other companies.

One investor said Trian gained 12 percent in 2023 (well below the S&P 500’s 24 percent rise) and lost 10.6 percent in 2022 (when the S&P dropped over 18 percent). Disney said Trian’s annualized returns for its pension fund trailed the S&P 500 by 500 basis points, or 5 percent, over eight years. (Trian said that it offered multiple investment and fee options, and that individual investor results therefore varied.)

Still, many investors have been satisfied: Trian’s assets have gone from less than $1 billion when it was founded in 2005 to over $10 billion. Mr. Peltz attributes his investment success to his operational skills and long-term perspective.

“We’re not activists,” he insisted. “We’re not private equity. We’re not looking to just leverage up a business and sell. We’re looking to build a business over the long term. That’s what’s fun.”

Mr. Peltz noted that the average holding period for a Trian position was six years— long by activist standards, though about the same as private equity funds. Some holdings, like Wendy’s, have been much longer.

The Times interviewed a dozen former executives at companies targeted by Mr. Peltz, and all said he had bolstered results, even those who said they had no particular fondness for him and declined to be quoted.

Mr. Winkleblack, who orchestrated Heinz’s defense in the proxy contest, thought it possible, even likely, that he’d be fired once Mr. Peltz gained a board seat. On the contrary, he stayed in his role after he met Mr. Peltz one on one.

“We fought a good fight,” Mr. Peltz told him. “Now let’s go make money for shareholders.” That, in essence, is Mr. Peltz’s philosophy, Mr. Winkleblack said.

After an extensive listening tour, Mr. Peltz backed Heinz’s chief executive, William Johnson, and his turnaround plan. Mr. Peltz subsequently proposed Mr. Johnson, whom he now calls a “great friend,” for the PepsiCo board, and Mr. Winkleblack now serves as a Trian representative on Wendy’s board.

Mr. Peltz’s battle against DuPont was in some ways the beginning of modern-day activism: evolving into a full-blown fight in which an influential proxy firm, ISS, sided with Mr. Peltz while index funds, decisively, sided with the company’s management.

Though Mr. Peltz lost the proxy fight in 2015, DuPont’s chief executive, Ellen Kullman, stepped down not long after. Her successor, Edward D. Breen, developed a warm relationship with Mr. Peltz and embraced much of his strategy.

Mr. Peltz said Trian intended to remain a major Disney shareholder and keep up the pressure even if it lost the proxy battle, and pointed to DuPont as a precedent.

Procter & Gamble put up a spirited defense to Mr. Peltz’s proxy campaign but, after a narrow loss, reluctantly welcomed Mr. Peltz into the boardroom in 2017. Two years later, Mr. Peltz and the company’s chief executive, David Taylor, were heaping praise on each other.

“We’d rather be rich than right, and David has that same attitude,” Mr. Peltz said at a conference sponsored by CNBC and Institutional Investor. “That’s why we’re getting along so well.”

Several executives who have faced Mr. Peltz’s attention said they saw a common theme: He accelerated existing recovery plans, and then reaped credit for the success. Chief executives who get along with him have to swallow their egos — something that might prove difficult for someone as prominent as Mr. Iger, especially given all the recent vitriol.

Many also said that the care and feeding of Mr. Peltz was time-consuming. After Mr. Peltz joined the board of the snack food maker Mondelez International, then-chief executive Irene Rosenfeld created a new executive position to handle some administrative duties while she dealt with Mr. Peltz and other activist shareholders. Still, Mondelez shares rose an annualized 11 percent while Mr. Peltz was on the board, Trian said.

No one The Times interviewed could recall Mr. Peltz’s arriving on a board with bold ideas that no one else at the company had ever thought of.

“He’ll offer thoughts. He’ll have a thesis,” as one former chief executive said. “But the reality is no one can come from the outside and really know a well-managed company. They’re not going to walk in and tell them something they’ve never thought of.”

Still Rocking the Boat

Which is why, when all is said and done, Mr. Peltz may never escape the unsavory reputation that still dogs him, at least in some quarters, and why it’s unlikely he’ll ever be mentioned in the same breath as Mr. Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway acquires companies only in friendly deals.

Mr. Peltz seems oblivious that even when he is invited onto a board, it’s often under duress: better to have him on the inside, with a director’s duty to shareholders, than on the outside waging a proxy war.

Mr. Peltz “may be a very smart investor and a very savvy operator, but he rocks the boat,” Mr. Elson the governance expert said. “People who rock the boat are naturally going to cross swords with the establishment.” (Mr. Elson’s family is also a pillar of Palm Beach high society; his father, Edward, was U.S. ambassador to Denmark in the 1990s, and his mother, Susie, was chair of Palm Beach’s Society of the Four Arts.)

“No one likes to be told you’re doing something wrong. That’s just human nature,” Mr. Elson continued. “When that happens, you’re viewed as a dissident, an irritant. Irritants aren’t loved.”

Loved or not, Mr. Peltz has Mr. Elson’s admiration, he said, even if he doesn’t always agree with Mr. Peltz’s approach. “Irritants,” he said, “are important to the proper functioning of a capitalist society.”

A previous version of this article misidentified Charles Elson. He is a   former director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, not its director.

How we handle corrections

James B. Stewart has been a reporter and business columnist for The Times since 2011, focusing on the human drama of the business world and the struggle for corporate power. More about James B. Stewart

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch

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