Kennels At Universal Studios

We were first-time users for the Universal Kennels.

The first representative that helped us in the morning was great. I called him ahead of time and asked if we were able to provide electronic copies of our dog's vaccination records. He was kind and helpful at the front desk and made us feel at ease.

We came back to the kennel mid-day to walk our pet and let him run around on the grass area adjacent to the facility.

Now, the pick up is why I am giving this kennel service a 1-Star rating.

Per the the contract, we had to pick up our dog at 11:00PM. This was no issue as the parks closed at 9:00PM and we wanted to get a bite to eat afterwards at CityWalk. After we already ordered, my husband called the kennel at 9:05PM and make sure we had until 11:00PM. The last representative on-duty said he was heading out EARLY. My husband asked "if we don't make it in time, will we not be able to get him?" and the rep said YES. Absolutely no heads up - wouldn't have known if we hadn't chosen to call FIRST. So in panic, we had to pay now and get our food to go.


Disloyal to the contract and a total inconvenience.


I bolted back to the kennel, and found that the door was locked at 9:24PM. As a pet owner, you can imagine the feeling. A sign was placed on the front desk that the representative was "checking on our dog or out back cleaning"..... to which neither was true. Our dog was completely unattended. I called the kennel line and the security line multiple times provided on the phone outside and got no answer. After waiting and waiting, the representative came up on a golf cart, entered the facility through a side door, and unlocked the front door from the inside. He then walked away as if we didn't see me the whole time. He did not try to explain himself or apologize - instead rudely asked me "pick up name?". I got my dog and got out of there. We will not be returning.

This is the official kennel for Universal Studios Orlando located on the ground floor of the Jaws parking garage in the far back corner of the lot. The specific kennel information regarding costs and shot records can be found on their www site so I won't go into those details in this review.

When you arrive at the guest parking garage to pay for parking tell them you're going to the kennel and they will direct you. You'll also need to tell the lot attendant just past where you paid because they don't normally let cars go back there as it's in the bus parking lot so they will try to direct you to other parking. It's best to just leave your vehicle parked at the kennel while you enjoy the park. It's about a 20 minute walk. If you chose to park in the other lot you will have to exit and re-enter at the main gate so there's 15 minutes right there. Drive all the way to the end of bus parking lot and you will see a sign for the kennel. The kennel is located on the left.

The kennel is hospital sterile clean and it shows. The main lobby is spacious and clean with a bench or two for your friends and family to sit on while waiting you for you to check in. Check in time takes about 8 minutes and you will then follow the attendant to the back with your pet. The attendant will grab a bucket for water and fill it for your pet. Small pets are housed inside in the air-conditioned kennels and large dogs are outside in the shade with fans on. You can keep multiple pets in one cage for both small and large pets.

You will put your pet in the cage and they will shut the door and lock it with a padlock. I threw some toys and a bed in there and hung the leash for my dog on the cage so it was there when I returned to walk my dog. You can leave food as well but they do not feed them that is your responsibility.

When I returned later in the day to walk my dog it took about an hour for me to walk there and back from the park including the 20 minutes I spent walking my dog so plan 1 hour to be safe. If you time your visit back to the kennel right just pack your lunch and leave it in a cooler in your car and save $15/person on food and beverage by eating at your car after you walk your dog or check on your cat.

There's a mulch covered area about 50' x 50' right outside the kennel door that's in the shade and protected from the elements that you can walk your dog or you can go behind the kennel to a huge grass area with tons of space. There are poop bags located in the covered area but not in the grass area so grab one on your way over to the grass. Trash cans are located near the entrance to the kennel.

The attendant will not walk your pet or remove them from the cage but the attendant that was working when I was there said he does give them attention throughout the day as he works his shift. No one under 18 is allowed in the kennel area. The staff if very friendly and helpful even regarding details of the park. There is an attendant on site from 7:30 am to 10 pm. After 10 pm you call a number they provide and someone will come assist you. You can leave your pet there until 3 am.

I'm writing this for anyone who, like I was, is on the fence about using the kennel service at Universal. I definitely recommend!
It's a pretty easy and streamlined process to board your dog here for the day. Once you pay for parking and enter there are signs labeled "kennel" directing you where to drive. The kennel is located in the far corner of the Jaws parking garage on the first floor. You must bring physical copies of all current vaccination records. They require DHPP, rabies, & bordetella. If you don't have the proper proof then there's nothing they can do. They also take a copy of your ID for proof of ownership upon pickup. It's pretty inexpensive at only $15 for the day. Once you check in they have you bring your dog to their designated kennel and set them up with plenty of water. Like others have stated, this is a hands off kennel so the staff does not ever physically interact with your dog. This means you are in charge of making sure they get walked through out the day. That's the only downside because it is a bit of a walk to get to the park from the kennel. You are allowed to leave your car next to the kennel though which was nice.
I think this is a great service that the park offers and awesome for people like me who enjoy traveling with their dog.

$15 per day
Make sure to bring your vaccination paperwork - required!

Small dogs get air conditioned metal kennels indoors, large dogs get large outdoor kennels with fans. Everything was very clean.

Staff do not walk your dogs, so you will need to plan to come back mid day to walk your pup. (In my opinion this beats returning to your hotel!)

Staff were super friendly and check in on the dogs once every 15 mins. They have your cell # and will call you with any problems.

Location is a bit hard to find. It is on the first floor of the JAWS parking garage, all the way in the back corner. If you're walking from hotels over on major boulevard, please see the map I provided. We cut across the grass and went through a parking garage exit and saved ourselves a lot of walking!

The staff seem to know where the kennels are, but there are no signs whatsoever.

Definitely worth $15 just to know my dog was safe in a cool kennel, not causing trouble at the hotel.

We left our dog there today. the kennel was clean and the staff was nice. Now for the not so good. it is over a mile from the kennel to the entrance of the park. You must walk. While there are people movers that help if you are not pushing a stroller or wheel chair but if you are using a stroller or wheel chair you have to walk the entire way, if you go at lunch to walk your dog you again walk from the entrance to the kennel a mile plus each way. This is not like Sea World, Disney or Busch gardens where the Kennel is right at the main gate. Very convenient. That also helps with your parking so you are not having to park at the far end of the park. Bottom line if you are visiting Orlando with your pet go anywhere other than Universal. Whoever designed this was obviously NOT a pet owner or was just plain stupid.

Very nice. Very thorough staff. The kennels are covered and have fans for the larger pups. Smaller pups are indoor in smaller kennels. They give them water and are otherwise kept in the kennel all day. You have to come and walk your animals which we don't mind because it gave us a chance to check in on him.

These guys were amazing. They check on your pup about every 15 minutes to talk to them and calm them. MAKE SURE to bring a copy of your shot records. They have to have them- it's state law ( and your responsibility NOT theirs)
My pups were happy and calm when we came to walk and feed them. Still happy and calm when we came to pick them up.
These guys really look after your pups. If you call ahead they will tell you exactly what you need and give you so much helpful information for staying at universal with your pups.
Great kennels and great guys that work there !!!!

I'm updating the review from a 1 to 3 stars. I contacted Universal's Guest Services department and have been apologized to.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out Universal Studios Orlando provides kennel services! I would've never guessed! On the second day of our trip we dropped off both our dogs. It was a simple process. They need to verify all their shots (Rabies, Bordetella and DHPP) are all up to date. Larger dogs stay in the larger cages outside but are well air ventilated and with fresh water. You can come at any time to walk or feed your pets. You can also leave them any toys, blankets, etc. Pets can be put together (if they already live together) or not. It is $15 a day per pet and they are open until late. Overall a way better option than having them crated in the hotel all day.

I left my 7 pound Maltipoo for the day while visiting the parks. The kennels are exceptionally clean and the staff is very friendly. They took the time to answer all my questions. I would highly recommend leaving your dog here. Butch and Mike did a great job.