A reader named Tabatha reached out after her Pawprints submission about staying near Disney with her dog Oakleigh. She asked if I had recommendations for Orlando — specifically somewhere close to the parks that actually welcomes dogs without crazy restrictions.

I haven’t personally stayed in Orlando with Ansel yet (it’s on the list), but I spent a few hours digging into this one because it’s such a common question. Orlando has over 600 pet-friendly hotels according to Booking.com — but most of them have weight limits under 50 lbs, charge $150+ in pet fees, or are so far from the parks that you’d spend half your trip in traffic.

Here’s what I landed on.

My Pick: Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando at Flamingo Crossings

Why this one?

It checks all the boxes for dog travelers:

This is a Home2 Suites, which is Hilton’s extended-stay brand. That means every room has a full kitchen — fridge, microwave, dishwasher, the works. Super helpful when you’re traveling with a dog and don’t want to eat every meal at a restaurant.

Why Not the Fancier Options?

I looked at the Loews hotels at Universal (they have a “Loews Loves Pets” program), but they charge $100-150 per stay and have a 50 lb limit at some properties. The Four Seasons at Disney is technically pet-friendly but… it’s the Four Seasons. Not exactly a points redemption most of us can swing.

The Grand Bohemian downtown is beautiful but caps dogs at 40 lbs and charges $150 per stay.

Home2 Suites hits the sweet spot: reasonable pet fee, 75 lb weight limit (Ansel would fit!), and it’s a Hilton property — so you can book it entirely with points.

The Pet Policy Details

I dug into this because pet policies can be inconsistent even within the same brand:

• 75 lb weight limit — Confirmed on Hilton’s site and multiple third-party sources
• 2 pets max — Dogs or cats
• No breed restrictions — At least not at the corporate level
• Pet relief area on property — They have a designated dog area with waste stations
• Pets cannot be left unattended — Standard Hilton policy

One thing I noticed in reviews: a few guests mentioned the pet relief area is on the smaller side. If you have a dog who needs more space to stretch, plan to drive 10-15 minutes to a proper dog park (more on that below).

How to Book It Free

This is a Hilton property, so you can book it with Hilton Honors points. Rates vary by date, but expect somewhere in the 30,000-50,000 points per night range.

The math:

• The Hilton Surpass card has a 155,000 point sign-up bonus
• That’s 3-5 free nights at this property
• You’d only pay the $75-125 pet fee out of pocket

If you book 5 nights with points, you also get the 5th night free — so you’re really only “spending” 4 nights worth of points for a 5-night stay.

👉 Full breakdown of Hilton cards

Dog Daycare While You’re at the Parks

Look, I’ve lived in Florida my whole life. I’ve been to Disney more times than I can count. And the one thing that always bugged me once I got Ansel was that I couldn’t bring him with me — no dogs allowed in the parks, period.

So if you’re spending a full day at Magic Kingdom or hopping between parks, you need a plan for your pup. Leaving them alone in the hotel room all day isn’t an option (and most hotels don’t allow it anyway).

Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World

This is the official Disney option — a 50,000 square foot facility right on Disney property, across from Port Orleans Riverside. I’ve driven past it a hundred times before I ever had a reason to care about it.

They offer daycare, overnight boarding, grooming, and even “Vacation Villas” with webcams so you can check on your dog from your phone. Dogs must be current on Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella — bring written proof from your vet.

The convenience factor is huge. You can drop off your dog in the morning, spend all day at Magic Kingdom, and pick them up after fireworks. No rushing back to the hotel mid-day, no guilt about leaving them alone.

Other Options

PetSuites Winter Garden — About 10 minutes from Flamingo Crossings. Chain facility with daycare and boarding.

Hugs and Whiskers (Winter Garden) — Smaller, more personalized option if your dog doesn’t do well in big facilities.

What’s Nearby for Dogs

On your non-park days (or if you’re like me and you’ve done Disney enough times that you’d rather just hang out), there’s still plenty to do with your dog:

Dog Parks

Dr. P. Phillips Community Park — About 15 minutes from Flamingo Crossings. Separate areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, water stations, and plenty of shade. This is probably your best bet for letting your dog run off-leash.

West Orange Dog Park — In nearby Winter Garden, about 10 minutes away. Well-maintained with separate sections by dog size.

Lake Baldwin Park — A bit further out (25-30 minutes) but worth the drive if you want a dog beach. Over 23 acres with an off-leash swimming area. One of the highest-rated dog parks in the Orlando area.

Dog-Friendly Dining

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar — About 10 minutes from the hotel in the Hamlin area. Yes, it’s literally called Lazy Dog. They have a patio and a dog menu.

Rock & Brews — Also in the Hamlin/Flamingo Crossings area. Dog-friendly patio.

Downtown Winter Garden — About 15 minutes away. Walkable downtown area with several dog-friendly patios and a nice trail along the West Orange Trail.

Other Options I Considered

If Home2 Suites doesn’t work for your dates, here are the runners-up:

Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando at Flamingo Crossings — Literally next door to the Home2, same pet policy (75 lbs, $75-125 fee). Also bookable with Hilton points. The main difference is room layout — Homewood has more traditional suite configurations.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nearest Universal Orlando — If you’re more focused on Universal than Disney. IHG property, so bookable with IHG points. Pet fee is $75-125, accepts dogs of any size.

Residence Inn Orlando at Flamingo Crossings — Marriott property if you’re in that ecosystem. Pet-friendly, but Marriott pet policies vary more by property so call ahead to confirm weight limits.

Quick Reference

The Bottom Line

If you’re heading to Orlando with your dog and want to stay near Disney without paying cash for the room, Home2 Suites at Flamingo Crossings is the move. The 75 lb weight limit covers most dogs, the pet fee is reasonable, and you can book it entirely with Hilton points.

Just don’t expect to bring your pup into Magic Kingdom. Plan some dog park visits, find a good patio restaurant, and enjoy the fact that you’re staying for free while everyone else is paying $200+ per night.

Have you stayed here with your dog? I’d love to hear how it went — leave your pawprint or email me at woof@thepointspup.com.

This is part of my Destinations series — one hotel pick per city, plus how to book it free with points.

Read next: Best Credit Cards for Dog Travelers | Hilton Pet Policy 2025 | More Florida Destinations