While dogs and other pets aren’t allowed in most theme parks, that doesn’t mean you have to leave them at home. Select theme parks across the US offer on-site pet kennels for your furry friend to stay at while you ride roller coasters. And when you need a break from the park, you can check in with them at the kennel for some playtime and a walk.
As a new-ish dog dad, I was curious which parks in the US offered pet kennels. Below is a list of the amusement parks and theme parks that offer on-site pet kennels for dogs and our other beloved creatures (children excluded).
Disclaimer: This list is not an endorsement of any of these facilities. Please contact these parks directly to confirm that boarding or kennels will be available on your scheduled visit. And of course, never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle or anywhere outside of a park. Also, just as you should with any kennel or boarding facility, conduct your own research before checking in your animal.
Busch Gardens Tampa Pet Kennels
According to the Busch Gardens Tampa website, “on-site kennels are located at the front of the main parking lots across from the first tram stop.”
The air-conditioned facility is staffed from park opening until park close. As of this posting, boarding cost $25 per day ($10 for pass members, excluding Fun Card hoders).
“Park guests are required to bring pet food and to walk their pets during the day. You may bring a blanket for the pet’s comfort, and a current shot record and rabies tag is required.”
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Pet Kennels
Information on Busch Gardens Williamsburg pet kennel is located in the park’s “England” parking lot. Owners are responsible for feeding and walking their pet. “Pet Care Team Members will only provide water throughout the day.” It is purchased as an add-on when buying tickets online. The facility is climate-controlled. As of this posting, it cost $13 per day.
Fine print: “This amenity can be changed or cancelled once for free as long as the change is 24 hours in advance of the reservation date, but there are charges for changes made within 24 hours or for more than one change. Rebooking or cancellation requires at least 24 hours’ advance notice.”
Cedar Point Pet Kennels
Cedar Point’s “Pet Check” facility is located near the Bay Harbor Restaurant, across from the preferred parking lot. Staff do not handle, walk or provide special care to the animals. Pet Check opens one hour before park open, and pets must be picked up by closing time. Kennels are first come, first served.
Dollywood Dog Boarding and Pet Kennels
Dollywood offers on-site dog boarding at Doggywood, which is located next to guest services at the front gate. Doggywood offers two sizes of kennels — 12 4′ by 6′ foot kennel runs and four 5′ by 5′ cottages. Dog owners must provide vaccination records and food. There is an enclosed walk area at the rear of the kennel (Dollywood employees cannot walk the dogs).
Doggywood opens 30 minutes prior to park opening, and dogs must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the park closes.
Note that space is limited, and reservations are highly recommended. Reservations can be made on the park’s website.
Holiday World Pet Kennels
Holiday World’s “Holidog Inn” offers air-conditioned indoor kennels for $25 per day and outdoor kennels for $15 per day, with a $10 charge for additional pets in the same kennel (as of this posting). Kennels are first-come, first-served during park hours.
Guests must provide their animals’ proof of current rabies vaccination, and staff provide water, check on pets, and assist with supervised access but do not remove pets unless in emergencies. Owners must bring pet food, walk pets and clean up with provided litter bags.
Kings Dominion Pet Kennels
Kings Dominion offers a Pet Care Center located outside of the front gate during park operating hours. A $20 fee is required (at the time of this posting).
Knoebels – Pets Allowed Inside the Park
While Knoebels does not offer an on-site pet kennel, pets are welcome inside the park, which is very rare:
We welcome well-behaved pets at our park, and trust the owners will be responsible for, control and clean up after them as well as be responsible when deciding how their pet would react to an amusement park environment. Pets require to be kept either on a leash or in a carrier at all times. We reserve the right to ask you to leave the park if policy is not adhered to. With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed in any covered dining areas or pool area.
Lagoon – Dogs Allowed but no Kennels
While Lagoon does not offer on-site pet kennels, the park’s website does state that “animals may be permitted” at the park. “Animals must receive proper care, must be leashed by a maximum 6-foot leash at all times, and may not be left unattended. Animals may not be tethered to Park fencing, ride queues, or be admitted to board rides, devices or attractions. Animals will not be admitted to Lagoon A Beach or the Robert E. Freed Memorial Interactive Fountain. Animal owners are responsible for the care and clean-up of their animal’s waste. Lagoon is neither in control of nor responsible for the behavior of a guest’s animal, including any damage or injury resulting from a guest’s animal.”
SeaWorld San Antonio Pet Kennels
SeaWorld San Antonio’s pet kennels are outdoor, unattended, open-air and covered. They are provided free of charge and are located off the main guest parking lot. Guests can bring food, snacks, a blanket for comfort, etc. The park provides bowls and a water hose. Locks and keys are provided. pets are not allowed to stay overnight.
SeaWorld San Diego Pet Kennels
Sea World San Diego offers guests a pet facility for $25 per day (as of this posting) operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not available. Kennels are approximately 4-foot by 8-foot and are outside “under some coverage.” Guests must bring their own bowls and food, while water is available on-site. The kennels are located to the left of the park lot tool booths. Pets must be picked up within 30 minutes of the park closing.
SeaWorld Orlando Pet Kennels
SeaWorld Orlando’s pet kennel is located outside of the park’s main entrance to the right of the entry plaza. The facility has 31 kennels ranging in size from small to extra large. As of this posting, kennels are $15 per day and $10 for pass members.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Pet Kennels
Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ website states that the park offers kennel facilities located to the right of the main entrance. Pets cannot be kept overnight and must have current vaccinations and registration tags. Aside from that, information is very limited.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Dog Boarding and Pet Kennels
According to Six Flags Magic Mountain’s website, the park offers a free pet kennel — the “Dog House:”
Pets are not permitted in the park, with the exception of service animals. Although you can’t bring your four-legged family members into the park with you, we do offer a convenient pet kennel. It is located right in the main parking lot and you can board your pet free of charge! While you are inside the park, DO NOT leave your pet in or tied to an unattended vehicle. Los Angeles County requires proof of rabies vaccination in order to board your pet, so be sure to bring all documentation with you to the park.
Six Flags St. Louis Pet Kennels
Six Flags St. Louis offers a free on-site kennel facility, “Park-a-Pet,” which is located in the parking lot past toll plaza. The Six Flags St. Louis website instructs guests to see a toll plaza attendant to reserve a kennel for the day. Pets must have current vaccinations and registration tags.
Walt Disney World Pet Boarding and Kennels
Best Friends Pet Hotel at Walt Disney World Resort offers day and overnight boarding, grooming, and playtime, for dogs, cats, and small pets. The facility features indoor and outdoor spaces, luxury suites, and special activities like bedtime stories and holiday meals. Vaccination records are required for all pets. The facility opens an hour before the theme parks and remain open until one hour after closing.
The facility is located west of the Port Orleans resort and northeast of Epcot. More details are available at the official Best Friends Pet Care website.
Wild Adventures Pet Kennels
Wild Adventures offers free pet kennels on a first-come, first-served basis. The kennels are air conditioned but not staffed. Guests will check in their pets at the Guest Services office and must bring their own lock or use one of the park’s for a refundable $5 deposit. Guests are expected to provide food, bowls, toys and other supplies for their pets. Guests are also responsible for walking, feeding, checking on and cleaning up after their pets.
If we left off any parks, Please let us know in the comments section below.
Has your pet stayed in any of these facilities? What was their experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
So sad Carowinds decided to shutter theirs a few years ago with no notice. I didn’t feel as guilty about going when I could go out several times a day to check on my special needs pup.