Ehh...  Not too keen on the idea.  Keep the parks for the humans.

But if they go ahead with it, they could use the release of Bolt next November to start promoting it.  Maybe get Michael Vick as a the spokesperson.

//Well, you know WDI. It's the place where supposedly no good idea ever dies.//

Except...at least from where I'm sitting...this doesn't seem like a particularly good idea.  Just imagining the potential...err...messes that could arise, it seems like it could be better in theory than in practice.

Plus, those stand-alone attractions haven't exactly been hits, now have they?

Umm... some of them have been successful.  Especially ESPN zone.  1 in Cali, 1 in Florida, 1 in NY, as well as LV in NewYorkNewYork Hotel.

Sounds like a dumb idea to me.

I remember reading somewhere that spending habits associated with pets don't seem to be as affected by economic slumps.

I think a pet park would be a tough sell, particularly if the prices are up there., which is likely with insurance (doggy fighting and loving) and maintenance (particularly if the park is low on grassy areas).

If it existed, I'd probably give it a chance though. I'd love to be able to take Fluffy to a Disney park. http://geocities.com/rammanluvsmanefaces/molasses/fluff.jpg

Here's hoping they build it and then it immeadiately burns to the ground.

I actually think it's a good idea.  As long as the custodial team is prepared (if they'd be anything like the ones at WDW, then they probably wouldn't be...I'm shocked by how much trash I see on the ground there), then I saw go for it.  Dog parks already exsist, but they're just parks.  I bet those who already pamper their pets (Georgette from "Oliver and Company" comes to mind), if they're already planning a Disney park trip, would go to Pluto's Playland.  As long as they would have some things for humans to do (Jim did mention the Disney movie screenings), then even non-pet owners (or non-dog owners) would go to the park.  I would check it out if it opened at WDW, even though I don't yet have a dog.

too strange. no thanks.

I don't have a dog, but I definitely can tell that pet spending is going up.

The days of the kennels for taking care of your pets is gone.

Near the Columbus International Airport about a year or so ago, they opened up Pet Palace -- a complete spa and resort for your dog (maybe other animals, too?).   Nice building, crappy neighborhood...   but it's a perfect place for people to leave their pets when they're in town with their dog and staying at a hotel near the airport that doesn't allow dogs or when you're on a trip and have nobody to watch after your dog.

This could be one of the best ideas Disney ever had for the resorts *if* they have an option of using it in place of the current kennels as well.  A place to have fun with your dogs, but also a place for your dog to have fun  while you have fun in the no-dog zones.

This would be a huge hit among the vacationers...     and probably more appealing than sticking them in a cage all day.

I'm really confused by one establishment, though...    why is it called Oliver's?   Oliver was a cat...    Moreso, why does it say Oliver's and have a picture of Dodger?

I never undesrtood why there aren't more stuff at the parks for Lady and the Tramp, Aristocats and Fox and the Hound. But a park for dogs? That's as smart as that bit on "Scrooged" where the guy wants to plan TV programs for pets.

This is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard. What's next? Bring your goldfish to interact with Nemo? How about an area for pet rocks? Although I will say this: It would be much easier to please the dogs then their owners!

It may sound crazy, but I'd bet there's a market for this. There are a lot people out there that are very devoted to their pets. I should know - I'm engaged to one of them.

I know someone whose biggest complaints about WDW are that they can't really bring their pets with them unless they want to stick them in the WDW kennels (which are pretty nice as kennels go, but they're still kennels) or rent an RV and take up one of the limited spots at Fort Wilderness where pets are allowed. Disneyland also doesn't allow pets to stay in their resorts, and their kennel is strictly for day use.  That means a bunch of Disney fanatics are taking their pets and their money and staying in non-Disney hotels or are coming home from vacation a little early so they can get back to their pets.

Now, imagine if they built this thing somewhere on the DLR or WDW property and allowed pets to stay in hotel rooms at one of the resorts nearby (it wouldn't necessarily have to be the entire resort - say, one building).  I could totally see some folks going to Disney and adding a day or two more for quality time with Fido (and spending a bit of money on him/her to boot).

It's not a horrible idea, I just can't see anyone paying admission for it.  You'd be competing against other dog parks, which are free, and it doesn't sound like they came up with enough one-of-a-kind attractions to justify the cost.  What do you think the gate price would be--$10?  $20?  $30?  You'd almost certainly spend that much once you figured in snacks, souvenirs, and other service costs--that's a pretty hefty chunk of change for a few hours' fun, especially considering the average dog owner only spends $90 ("$55 per year on treats and $35 on toys") on their pets all year.

I agree with pschnebs, though--it could totally work as part of a pet-friendly resort on property.  Scale it back a bit, make it free, and the extra guests you bring in, plus the merchandise/refreshment sales, will totally make it worthwhile.

Wow.  I thought I knew a lot about Disney until I read this article.  A Disney doggy park has got to be one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard of, but this is the reason I love this site even though it sometimes gets a little deep in the numbers-crunching.  Thanks for bringing us the obscure and ridiculous Disney as well as the popular and profitable Disney, Mr. Hill!

And sorry to double-post, but I agree with pat and pschnebs.  As part of a pet-themed and friendly resort, and scaled down, it could be a winner.  

I agree with a few others here that it would work at the existing parks, in place of or addition to the existing Kennels. I don't currently have a dog but I bet it would be popular with pet owners. Just keep the entrance fee afordable! Either that or replace DCA with this. Hee Hee Hee. Sorry, just had to add that LOL

Okay... I'll say it.  Worst idea ever.

And Dravano's comment made me laugh!

I don't see it happening, but as a pet pamperer myself I'm intrigued by the idea.  I'd suggest simply upgrading the current Disney resort kennels and allowing overnight stays.  I always fly to the parks, so taking my dog wouldn't be a viable option, but I'd bet that plenty of visitors who drive there would love to have their dogs nearby. A big drawback to the plan that I see is allowing snacks in the park.  Dogs flock to food like, well, like dogs to food.  I can just see the begging, whining, and fighting that dogs will inflict on anyone holding a tasty snack.  At our local dog park my pug, Mushu, once upended a lady's peach frapaccino all over her while trying to steal a sip.  It was pretty funny, though.

How about starting small .... like opening a... fully functioning ... fully staffed ... OVER NIGHT PET KENNEL.

I think the idea of a whole theme park for dogs is obsurd. How about just allowing the dogs at the hotel resorts?  

A dog is happiest when he can run around freely in some big grassy field, or when playing fetch by paddling out into a lake to retrieve a stick or frisbee on a hot summer day. No self-respecting dog is going to get any additional pleasure out of wandering around in some silly theme park full of oversized, colourful fiberglass props. Maybe his silly master will, but is that really worth the price of admission? I think this Disney dog park idea is a waste of time, money, and artistic effort, all of which could be better utilized on more substantial creative projects.

Surely this is a joke - it can't be serious!  That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!

O.O

That's all that came to mind when I read this: that strange face. It's probably the one I had, but I don't have a mirror near me to check.

This is the stupidest idea I've ever heard of, and I can't see it happening. I don't own a dog. In fact, I'm terrified of dogs. I had a bad encounter with one when I was a kid and now I perfer just to stick with my cat.

Speaking of cats, they're getting cheated out of Disney fame. After Aristocats the cat phenomena seemed to die down. I can't think of another Disney movie starring a cat. Oliver and Company had a cat, but it also had a lot of dogs.

But really, back to the topic, a Disney dog park sounds idiotic to me. I know a few dog fanatics that would leap at the chance to pamper their precious little varmits there, but the majority of the people I'm aquainted with would laugh and walk off. Hopefully this idea will just...die. Even if it's not supposed to...