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The best pet-friendly hotels in Orlando for a theme park trip fall into three groups: Disney’s five dog-friendly resort options, Universal’s four Loews-run hotels, and a handful of off-site resorts near Disney Springs, Bonnet Creek, US-192 and International Drive that accept dogs (and sometimes cats) for a set fee.
The rules vary more than most travelers expect. Some hotels charge per night, others once per stay; weight limits run from 30 pounds to none listed; and a few hotels do not let you leave a pet alone in the room at all. That last point matters, because pets other than service animals are not allowed inside the Disney, Universal or SeaWorld parks.
Quick answer: To stay on Disney property with a dog, book Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (Art of Animation costs less, Yacht Club is the deluxe choice). At Universal, Loews Royal Pacific Resort combines a flat $150-per-stay pet fee with Universal Express Unlimited. Off-site, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area is the best value near Disney, Caribe Royale Orlando suits one larger dog up to 50 pounds, and Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort is the budget pick for Universal and Epic Universe.
How we chose: Every hotel here publishes its pet policy on its own website (or on Disney’s or Universal’s), sits a short drive or shuttle ride from the parks, and was checked in October 2026 for pet fees, weight limits, resort fees and park transportation. We do not invent scores or reviews. Fees are as published at the time of writing and can change, so confirm when you book and tell the hotel you are bringing a pet.
| Hotel | Area | Pets allowed | Pet fee* | To the parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney’s dog-friendly resorts (5) | Walt Disney World | Dogs only, max 2 | $50/night; $75 Yacht Club; $5 campsites | Disney transport (no dogs aboard) |
| Loews Royal Pacific Resort | Universal on-site | Cats or dogs, max 2 | $150/stay | Walk, water taxi; Express |
| Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | Universal on-site | Cats or dogs, max 2 | $150/stay | Walk, water taxi |
| Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | Universal on-site | Cats or dogs, max 2 | $150/stay | Water taxi, walk; Express |
| Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area | Disney Springs area | 2 pets, 80 lb combined | $50/night | Free Disney shuttle |
| Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace | Disney Springs area | 2 dogs, 40 lb combined | Ask hotel | Disney shuttle (resort fee) |
| Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek | Bonnet Creek | 2 dogs, 40 lb combined | $75–$125/stay | Disney shuttle (resort fee) |
| Caribe Royale Orlando | Lake Buena Vista | 1 cat or dog, 50 lb | $150/stay | Disney shuttle (resort fee) |
| Margaritaville Resort Orlando | Kissimmee (US-192) | Pets welcome; ask limits | $75/night, $300 max | Park shuttles (resort fee) |
| Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort | Universal / I-Drive | 2 pets, 80 lb combined | $50/night | Free Universal shuttle |
| Avanti International Resort | International Drive | 1 pet, 30 lb | $50/stay | Shuttles (resort fee) |
*Plus tax, at the time of writing. Service animals are not pets and are not charged pet fees.
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Disney World resorts that allow dogs
Walt Disney World has designated dog-friendly accommodations at five Disney Resort hotel options. Dogs are the only pets allowed, with a maximum of two per room, and they must be well behaved, leashed in public areas and up to date on vaccinations. Dog-friendly rooms sit on certain floors or sections, with access to outdoor walkways and pet-relief areas, and dogs receive a Pluto’s Welcome Kit at arrival.
| Disney resort | Type | Pet fee* | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | Value | $50 per night | Value-priced rooms |
| Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside | Moderate | $50 per night | Moderate-priced rooms |
| Disney’s Yacht Club Resort | Deluxe | $75 per night | Walking distance to EPCOT |
| The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | Disney Vacation Club cabins | $50 per night | Wooded setting near trails |
| The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | Campground | $5 per night (pet loop) | Waggin’ Trails Dog Park |
Disney’s resort pages say only that fees apply; the nightly fees above are those reported by Disney planning sites at the time of writing, plus tax, so confirm them when you book. Campers pay $5 per night plus tax for a pet-friendly loop (no pets in pop-up trailers or tents), and Fort Wilderness has the Waggin’ Trails dog park. Disney resorts are booked directly with Disney, not on Booking.com.
Two limits shape the trip. First, other than service animals, dogs are not allowed in the theme parks, water parks or resort common areas such as restaurants, pools and recreation spaces. Second, only service animals may ride Disney buses, boats and the Skyliner or visit Disney Springs, so plan on a pet sitter or Best Friends Pet Care (covered below) for park days.
Universal Orlando: four Loews hotels allow pets
Universal’s official hotel FAQ lists four pet-friendly hotels: Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. All four list the same core terms at the time of writing: cats and dogs welcome, a one-time fee of $150 per stay, two pets per room in a pet-friendly room category, and proof of vaccinations. Club level rooms are excluded. The Loews pet pages list no weight limit, but Hard Rock’s Unleashed pet agreement mentions a 50-pound limit and says pets cannot be left unattended, so confirm with that hotel.
Pets get a welcome gift (tag, bowl and treat), and owners receive a guide to the pet room service menu, dog-walking routes, and local vets, groomers and pet shops. Pets are kept out of restaurants, pools and the fitness center. Loews’ pet agreement asks that pets be supervised at all times (with a $10-per-hour fee if an unattended pet must be removed), and the concierge can arrange outside pet sitters. Universal’s other hotels (Cabana Bay, Aventura, Endless Summer’s Surfside and Dockside, Stella Nova, Terra Luna and Helios Grand) are not on the pet-friendly list.
1. Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Royal Pacific is the most practical Universal pick for pet owners who want the biggest on-site perk. It is one of three Premier hotels that include Universal Express Unlimited, and its flat pet fee does not grow with a longer stay, which helps on a five- or seven-night trip.
- Why stay: Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, plus a lagoon-style pool with a sandy beach.
- Getting to the parks: walking paths and water taxis (about every 30 minutes) to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk; complimentary shuttles to Epic Universe and Volcano Bay. Early Park Admission is included.
- Good to know: Express is not valid at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay. Self-parking is $36 per night plus tax at the time of writing.
Best for: families bringing a dog or cat who want Express and a fixed pet cost. See our Loews Royal Pacific Resort guide for rooms and dining.
2. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Sapphire Falls has the same Loews pet program as Royal Pacific but does not include Express passes, which usually puts its room rates below the Premier hotels on the same dates. It still includes Early Park Admission.
- Why stay: on-site location and Loews pet amenities without paying for an Express-included room.
- Getting to the parks: walk or take the water taxi to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk; complimentary shuttles cover Epic Universe and Volcano Bay.
- Good to know: $150 per stay for up to two pets; pets are not allowed in the pool or dining areas. Compare Express options in our guide to Universal hotels with Express Pass.
Best for: pet owners who want to stay on-site at Universal for less.
3. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Portofino Bay is Universal’s most upscale hotel, built around a re-created Italian harbor, and it follows the same Loews Loves Pets policy. It tends to be the calmest of the three Premier hotels, and walking paths connect it with the rest of the resort, which suits early and late dog walks. Hard Rock Hotel, the fourth pet-friendly option, runs a similar program under the name Unleashed, also at $150 per stay.
- Why stay: Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a calmer setting, and a fixed pet fee.
- Getting to the parks: water taxi or walking path to CityWalk and the two original parks; complimentary shuttles to Epic Universe and Volcano Bay.
- Good to know: pet-friendly rooms include Garden View and Bay View rooms, and the walk to the parks is longer than from Hard Rock or Royal Pacific. Read our Loews Portofino Bay Hotel guide for rooms, pools and transport details.
Best for: couples and families who want a quieter luxury base with their pet.
4. Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Drury Plaza is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel about half a mile from Disney Springs, and it accepts dogs and cats. It has the most generous published size limit on this list: up to two pets with a combined weight of 80 pounds. The fee is $50 per room per night plus tax, which adds up on long stays, but the hotel offsets that with free extras.
- Why stay: free hot breakfast, the free 5:30 Kickback with evening snacks and cold drinks, free Wi-Fi, and no resort fee.
- Getting to the parks: a complimentary shuttle runs every hour to all four Walt Disney World theme parks.
- Good to know: self-parking is $28 per night at the time of writing. Service animals are free of charge.
Best for: value-minded families with a larger dog, or two pets, who want Disney shuttles. More in our Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando guide.
Check Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area prices on Booking.com
5. Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
This high-rise in the Disney Springs Resort Area is a 5 to 7 minute walk from Disney Springs and accepts up to two dogs per room with a combined weight of 40 pounds. The hotel says an additional pet fee is required but does not list the amount on its website, so ask when you book.
- Why stay: 30-minute Early Entry to any of the four Disney theme parks every day, float lagoon access, and an easy walk to Disney Springs for the humans in your group.
- Getting to the parks: a Disney parks shuttle is included in the daily resort charge; reservations are required.
- Good to know: the resort charge is $41 plus tax per night, and self-parking is $38 per night (valet $48) at the time of writing. The posted policy covers dogs only.
Best for: small-dog owners who want Early Entry and a walkable Disney Springs location. Compare its neighbors in our Disney Springs Resort Area hotels guide.
Check Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace prices on Booking.com
6. Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Signia sits in the Bonnet Creek enclave surrounded by Disney property and welcomes up to two dogs per room with a combined weight of 40 pounds. Its posted pet policy charges a one-time, non-refundable fee of $75 for 1–2 nights or $125 for three or more nights, a good deal for a week-long stay. Dogs get a bandana, bowls and a mat, and you receive a map of pet-relief areas.
- Why stay: a capped pet fee, resort-style pools, and waterfront grounds for walks.
- Getting to the parks: shuttle service to the four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs is included in the $50-per-night resort charge.
- Good to know: pets cannot be left unattended in the room, so book daycare for park days. Self-parking is $40 per day at the time of writing. Next door, Waldorf Astoria Orlando has the same size limits with a $125 (1–5 nights) or $250 (6+ nights) fee.
Best for: longer stays with a small dog. See how it compares in our Bonnet Creek hotels comparison.
Check Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek prices on Booking.com
7. Caribe Royale Orlando
Caribe Royale is an all-suite resort in the Lake Buena Vista area with a clear, flexible pet policy: one cat or dog per suite up to 50 pounds, for a one-time cleaning fee of $150 plus tax. Pets stay in assigned pet-friendly suites, so mention your pet when you reserve.
- Why stay: suites with separate living space, one of the higher single-pet weight limits on this list, and a fixed fee.
- Getting to the parks: scheduled motorcoach transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs is included in the resort fee.
- Good to know: you may leave your pet in the suite if you hang the pet door hanger and register your cell phone at check-in; the pet must be crated for housekeeping. The resort fee is $38 and self-parking $36 per night, plus tax, at the time of writing.
Best for: one medium-size dog and families who want suite space.
8. Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Margaritaville Resort Orlando, in Kissimmee about 10 to 15 minutes from Walt Disney World, calls itself a pet-friendly resort and charges $75 per night plus tax, capped at $300 per stay. The cap means nights five and beyond are effectively free for your pet.
- Why stay: hotel rooms or cottages (the resort says pet-friendly cottage units are available), resort pools, the Barkaritaville Dog Park, and Island H2O Water Park admission included with the full resort fee through October 31, 2026.
- Getting to the parks: complimentary shuttles to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, reserved through the concierge.
- Good to know: at the time of writing the hotel resort fee is $48 per night ($34.40 to $58.50 for cottages) and hotel self-parking $20, plus tax. The FAQ lists no weight or number limits, so confirm both, and whether the $300 cap applies to cottages, before booking.
Best for: groups that want a cottage and a capped pet fee on a longer stay.
9. Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort
This Drury near International Drive uses the same pet terms as its Disney-area sister: dogs and cats, up to two pets with a combined 80 pounds, for $50 per room per night plus tax. What makes it a strong budget pick is everything else that is free.
- Why stay: free hot breakfast, the free 5:30 Kickback, free Wi-Fi and free parking during your stay.
- Getting to the parks: a free shuttle serves all Universal Orlando theme parks, including Epic Universe; reserve your seat at the Universal ticket desk in the lobby.
- Good to know: the nightly pet fee makes week-long stays pricier than a flat-fee hotel, so do the math against the Loews hotels.
Best for: budget Universal and Epic Universe trips with a bigger dog.
Check Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort prices on Booking.com
10. Avanti International Resort
Avanti, at 8738 International Drive, accepts one pet per room up to 30 pounds for a $50 fee. Paperwork is stricter than elsewhere: you must request and return a signed Pet Agreement and email your pet’s recent vaccination records before arrival (bordetella, distemper and rabies for dogs; FVRCP and rabies for cats).
- Why stay: a low pet fee, a central I-Drive location, and a courtyard pool.
- Getting to the parks: scheduled shuttles to Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World theme parks and SeaWorld/Aquatica are included in the resort fee.
- Good to know: the $18-per-night resort fee (plus tax) also covers self-parking. Pets left alone must be crated or the Do Not Disturb sign displayed. Details in our Avanti International Resort guide.
Best for: small-pet owners on a budget who want shuttles to several parks.
Where your pet stays on park days
Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World (2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway, Lake Buena Vista; now branded Best Friends Pet Hotel) is the main option near Disney. It offers overnight and day boarding, group play, grooming and space for up to 300 dogs, cats and small pets, and it opens one hour before the earliest Disney park opens and closes one hour after the latest one closes. Proof of vaccinations is required and reservations are suggested. Its van service picks up and drops off at four select Disney resort locations; Best Friends lists it at $25 round trip at the time of writing.
Universal Orlando does not advertise a public kennel. The former kennel in the parking garage has been reported closed since 2021, so ask your Loews concierge for its list of local pet sitters or book daycare in advance.
SeaWorld Orlando has a pet kennel at the front entrance, on the right side of the entry plaza, with 31 kennels from small to extra large. At the time of writing it costs $25 per day ($20 for Pass Members), credit cards only.
How to choose a pet-friendly Orlando hotel
- Price the whole stay, not one night. For seven nights, Drury’s $50 nightly fee is $350, Disney’s is $350–$525, Margaritaville tops out at $300, and the Loews hotels and Caribe Royale stay at $150.
- Read weight limits carefully. Drury’s 80 pounds and the Hilton-run hotels’ 40 pounds are combined totals for two pets; Caribe Royale (50 pounds) and Avanti (30 pounds) allow only one pet.
- Plan park days first. Signia, Waldorf Astoria and, under its pet agreement, Hard Rock Hotel do not allow unattended pets, and the other Loews hotels ask for supervision, so budget for daycare or a sitter.
- Add resort fees and parking. At Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, the resort charge and self-parking add up to $79 per night plus tax before any pet fee.
- Think about transportation. Disney transportation carries service animals only, and hotel shuttle rules for pets vary, so if you plan vet visits, daycare drop-offs or dog-park trips, a car helps. Our list of Orlando hotels with free Disney World shuttles shows the other options.
- Pack the paperwork. Carry vaccination records; the Universal hotels ask for proof, and Avanti requires them before arrival.
Near Universal: see pet-friendly hotels near Universal Orlando, fees and weight limits compared.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring a dog to Disney World?
Yes, to five Disney resort options, but not into the parks. Dogs are allowed in designated rooms at Art of Animation, Port Orleans Riverside, Yacht Club, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and pet-friendly Fort Wilderness campsite loops ($5 per night extra), up to two per room. Only service animals may enter the theme parks, water parks or Disney Springs or ride Disney transportation, so most guests use Best Friends Pet Care during park days.
Which Universal Orlando hotels allow pets?
Four: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Each welcomes up to two cats or dogs in pet-friendly rooms (not Club level) for a one-time fee of $150 per stay at the time of writing. Cabana Bay, Aventura, Endless Summer, Stella Nova, Terra Luna and Helios Grand are not on Universal’s pet-friendly list.
Is there a kennel at Universal Orlando?
Not one Universal currently promotes. Its old parking-garage kennel has been reported closed since 2021. If you stay at a Loews hotel, the concierge can share local pet-sitting services, and Best Friends Pet Care near Disney is another option if you have a car. Call Universal Guest Services before your trip in case anything has changed.
Can I leave my dog alone in an Orlando hotel room?
It depends on the hotel. Signia by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hard Rock Hotel (per its pet agreement) do not allow pets to be left unattended, and the other Loews hotels ask owners to supervise pets. Caribe Royale allows it if you hang its pet door hanger and register your cell phone, and Avanti requires a crate or a Do Not Disturb sign. Always check the current rule before a park day.
Do Orlando hotels charge pet fees per night or per stay?
Both. Disney ($50–$75), Drury ($50) and Margaritaville ($75, capped at $300) charge per night, while the Loews hotels, Caribe Royale and Avanti charge once per stay. Signia’s fee is $75 for one or two nights and $125 for longer stays. For trips of four nights or more, a flat-fee hotel usually costs less in pet fees.
Are cats allowed at pet-friendly hotels in Orlando?
At some. Disney’s resorts accept dogs only, as do Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Signia and Waldorf Astoria. Cats are welcome at the four Universal Loews hotels, both Drury hotels, Caribe Royale (one cat or dog per suite) and Avanti, which requires FVRCP and rabies vaccinations. Best Friends Pet Care near Disney also boards cats.
Sources checked in October 2026: Walt Disney World – Best Friends Pet Care and dog-friendly resorts, Universal Orlando hotel FAQs, Loews Royal Pacific Resort services and amenities, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, Caribe Royale Orlando FAQ.