All resort non-smoking

[DVCconvert]

I do smoke in my house, on my porch, in my car, in a box with a fox....

while you eat lox?

 

[keys2kingdom]

An interesting thread. My two cents: One: it appears that many of the smokers (and several non-smokers) writing in this thread are, at heart, upset over the loss of control over what they feel is their home away from home. After all, Disney did not announce this new policy as ‘what a great business decision for us’, but more along the care and comfort of non-smoking guests. Using that reasoning, Disney may well impose new restrictions in future. For instance, one of the most potent allergies a person can have is to peanuts. Several airlines have stopped serving peanuts on flights since even the floating residue of a peanut can cause an allergy sufferer to have a very adverse reaction. Hence, Disney could, someday, ban peanut products into the DVC units, on the same principle as banning smoking. It can make one feel that they own nothing but the right to stay in a hotel room for a few weeks each year.

Second, about people who seem to want no smoking anywhere, anytime, even in designated areas: I am always a little suspicious about the true motives of people who complain about walking through a parking lot, or past the entrance of a hotel to go out to their car, etc., complaining about having to walk through a cloud of smoke, and claiming that this brief exposure affects their health and well-being.

Think about it: a rather common method of suicide is for a person to go into their garage, start the car (with the garage door closed, of course), and sit quietly until carbon monoxide causes death (I believe within 15 minutes or so). Now think about walking through the parking lot of Magic Kingdom, for instance. You are literally surrounded by fumes that, if concentrated enough, would kill you within minutes. Yet that same person will complain bitterly about passing within a few feet of a person standing outside smoking a cigarette in that same parking lot.

It does seem a little odd to me that Disney could not, at least, designate a certain number of DVC units as ‘smoking units’, preferably all in one wing of a unit building.

Finally, when DH and I visited New York City last December (just after the total smoking ban began for all hotels, restaurants, bars, etc) we stayed at a hotel on Times Square. My DH wanted to smoke in the room, since the ‘designated smoking area’ was out on the street, in the frigid air. I simply found the maid for our room and asked her if she could clean the smoke smell out of the room for $40.00 per night. She said yes indeed. Given her arsenal of cleaning weapons, I bet she did. Anyway, I imagine that bribery will be on the increase in Disney World in the near future.

I missed this last portion the first time around so I'll address it now, with the full quote referenced per your request. I doubt you'll find a lot of 'maids' who are willing to risk losing their job for a 40 buck a night bribe. This is sort of an elitist attitude don't you think? If you had been questioned about the smoking would you have mentioned your arrangement thereby ratting out the housekeeper? From the tone of this post I'm betting the answer is yes.

I don't think this policy is necessarily a perfect answer but paying off housekeeping to look the other way for your infraction isn't a commendable alternative either.

 

[dvc-NE]

* Is anyone *really* as shocked about this as they appear to be? I know the number of people being really open in their opposition here is a small number, so I'm trying to keep things in perspective. But come on--the writing has been on the wall for YEARS now. Entire states have all but banned smoking. WDW relegated smokers to "designated areas" almost a decade ago. Other hotel chains have gone completely smoke free, including Disneyland.

I guess it just surprises me to see so many people acting as if this came out of nowhere. QUOTE]



Thank goodness, the voice of reason. I think Disney made an informed and wise decision. Will it hurt business? NAW, Disney has too much money awareness for that. In fact, it is a good business move, IMO. Rooms that are not smoked in will hold up better, a good side effect. Thank you Disney.

 

[TiggerFreak]

Well I see that the dvc member who is a regular participant in our glorious legal system is planning to treat the new no smoking rules at WDW with the same respect they probably give the legal system.

Subversion, manipulation and utter disrespect for the spirit of the law.

Their stated intention of breaking the rule is no different than the behavior of a common criminal.

Hopefully DVC has the backbone to revoke membership/ownership for people like this.

 

[BroganMc]

From the talk in this thread (and recent news of multi-purpose refillable mugs), I guess we'll have a new DVC member police in force. Now smokers will be hunted down and evicted.

On the bright side, maybe Disney will someday build that smoker and pet-friendly resort nicknamed Junkyard Alley. Guests will be given complimentary clothespins to seal off their noses upon check-in.

 

[tjkraz]

You don't know me, so there's no possible way you could know if I would or wouldn't be willing to pay that fine. I have called to inquire and was told that it will be a one time fine, not daily. In fact, I specifically asked if the fine would cover the duration of my stay and was assured that it would.

And Disney would never DREAM of just arbitrarily changing a policy like that would they? Oh, wait-a-minit....weren't we just discussing a policy change???

In all seriousness, I have to give a hearty thanks to all of those who have so openly shared their willingness to violate the new rules regardless of the cost. Up until now I was actually feeling a bit conflicted about what I would do if confronted with, say, someone smoking on a nearby balcony or outside of a posted smoking area.

After reading many of the comments here, I'm happy to report that I've resolved my conflict. I will GLADLY call the front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, security and another other department at the resort that will record and act on the violation.

These rules are Disney's....not mine....not the family with the asthematic kids....not the family with grandpa on a respirator...not the family that arrives at 5pm and can't get in their room because the carpet is still wet. Nobody here can give you the satisfaction you desire. If you don't like the rules, communicate that to Disney and/or vote with your wallet.

To brazenly flaunt the rules is petty. It's small. It puts you in a group with line jumpers and those who claim a half-dozen pool chairs before heading to a theme park. All you care about are yourselves regardless of the impact on other rule-abiding guests.

If I am able to make the tiniest contribution to help keep such things from happening, I will gladly do so. And I only hope that Disney continues to re-evaluate and escalate fines and penalties assessed to people who are repeat offenders.

 

[Sammie]

The truly sad thing about these types of discussions is that for the most part those discussing are adults, at least by age.

And we worry about our future due to the mindset of our youth, with this group, I worry about the present.

 

[Pennyguy23]

I see you own at AKV. AKL does not allow smoking on the balcony of savannah-view rooms. I expect that policy would also apply to savannah-view villas in the new building at AKV. So if you had planned to stay in savannah view villas at AKV, you would have to abide by these same restrictions, even without this new nonsmoking policy.

Actually my wife brought this up to day when I told her about this policy. She was like well you can't smoke at AKV anyways because of the animals. She just said it out of common sense. Its to late right now for common sense

But its a very good point, I never thought of that but I bought for the Value rooms, I think the savannah rooms will be pretty easy to get once the new building opens up.

 

[Inkmahm]

You don't know me, so there's no possible way you could know if I would or wouldn't be willing to pay that fine. I have called to inquire and was told that it will be a one time fine, not daily. In fact, I specifically asked if the fine would cover the duration of my stay and was assured that it would. As for the fine, it's all a matter of perspective. For the record, we're talking about my shoe budget for a couple of months. That is NOT something I joke about. IMO the sacrifice will be worth it to enjoy my vacation. If the penalities are raised, at some point, I might have to reevaluate, but it will have to be substantially higher than it is now. As for letting my emotions speak for me, I rarely allow that since I spend most of my days in a courtroom. If given the option however, I will always choose a smoking room. Maybe you should hope I get that option back.

I hope for no such thing. I'm still overjoyed that Disney is making all rooms no smoking. It is no skin off my nose if you are independently wealthy and you want to waste your money spending it on cleaning your villas after you smoke in them. I can only hope that the penalties WILL continue to be raised until they are substantially higher for those who break the no smoking rule over and over.

 

[Lady V]

I suffer from allergy induced asthma and another lung condition that requires me to use oxygen at night. I have been known to sleep in the car when a "non-smoking" room at a hotel was smoked in before I arrived. It was either that or spend the night and a lot of money in the emergency room. I don't know how some of you can be so cavalier about purposfully breaking the non-smoking rule! [SIZE="5[COLOR="Red"]"]What makes your habit more important than my life???[/SIZE]

[/COLOR]

Thank you for saying that. I understand that people feel their rights are being taken away and I am sorry people feel that way......but my DAUGHTERS ASTHMA IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR SMOKING!! and to make it perfectly clear...if I detect ANY smoke at all in my room when I check in I will most certainly go straight to the front desk and get it reported right then. sorry...you break it (the rules)-you buy it(the fine)

 

[Lady V]

Yep. This will slow the whole process down!!!!!!


Hope it makes the Nicotine Nannies happy.

I know I'm happy!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

2princes2princesses

The issue is that there are people that feel rules do not apply to them and regardless of the smoking ban are going to still smoke in their room. Since Disney has banned smoking from all their rooms anybody checking in now will have to deal with some selfish idiot that decided that they would pay the fine and still smoke in their room.

It's time that they start thinking about their actions and stop living in their own little world.

We teach our kids to act responsibly and that there are consequences to their actions..but these so called "adults" still feel that they have the right to do whatever they want as long as they pay the fine. Who is going to determine what rules can be broken and which ones should be followed? What ever suits us individually? Get ready for chaos!

Here here!! Some of the folks on this thread sound more childish than a 2 year old. What has happened that so many people care nothing for anyone but themselves? Perhaps it's the same phenomenon that causes someone to "blame the world" for their woes and shoots up a university. None of it makes sense.

 

[Lady V]

However, I will say this, I will take a responsible kind smoker any day over a vindictive, mean spirited nonsmoker.

If the shoe fits may it pinch your toes.

.

oh-I agree!! and based on what I am seeing on this thread I would definately say it goes the other way as well!! So far I have heard of unresponsible ,mean, vindictive smokers wanting to whine with every post and then say they will still smoke in the room. I bet their little toes are getting all pinched up right now!!!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

[/B][/COLOR]

Thank you for saying that. I understand that people feel their rights are being taken away and I am sorry people feel that way......but my DAUGHTERS ASTHMA IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR SMOKING!! and to make it perfectly clear...if I detect ANY smoke at all in my room when I check in I will most certainly go straight to the front desk and get it reported right then. sorry...you break it (the rules)-you buy it(the fine)

But why does this policy HELP?? Before 6/1, you would ask for a nonsmoking room and most likely get it.

Why does Disney getting rid of smoking rooms change that?

THAT is what I am not getting. I understand the balcony thing...it will help because no smoke wafting on the balcony.

There should have been no smoking in no smoking rooms before. You obviously would not have stayed in a smoking room before the change. So why does the abolition of smoking rooms do anything for you??

Again, I think it is going to create MORE of a problem. I think the institution of fines for smoking in nonsmoking rooms and on balconies, while keeping the smoking rooms would have been more beneficial to most nonsmoking members.

And I am a smoker. I have never smoked in the room or on the balcony. Or in my car or my home. Or anywhere else it annoys people or is not allowed. But I have a feeling, I will be leered at as I sit in the designated area in September by someone thinking "HA! She is probably all bent that she has to be there." And it will be assumed that I am whiny and inconsiderate, apparently. Very nice.

 

[Pennyguy23]

If you think about it how often do you go out on your balcony and see someone else on there balcony. We go to WDW at very busy times of the year and I truly have see maybe 2 or 3 people out on there balonies. I am almost always the only one out there. I don't see smoking on your balcony to be any harm now or after Jun 1st. Smokers will just have to look around to see if there neighbors are out, If have at it.

 

[marcybear]

Just my two cents, but I think when a smoker can't go on his patio or balcony to smoke because someone might see him and report it, they will probably smoke in the room instead and try to prove it was them

 

["Got Disney"]

I do smoke in my house, on my porch, in my car, in a box with a fox....

in the dark on a rollercoaster? Sorry but couldnt resist

I am a reformed smoker and we are the worse. I hate the smell of smoke and think it looks terrible having a cigerette hanging our of your mouth...told you we were the worse

Glad to hear that they turned all non- smoking. It will help people live longer. To those of you that smoke, I understand your grief and hope that this decision does not make your vacation aggrivating.

Look at it this way if you don't smoke as much think of all the $$$$ you will save to buy Disney gifts for all your friends at home

 

[tjkraz]

Again, I think it is going to create MORE of a problem. I think the institution of fines for smoking in nonsmoking rooms and on balconies, while keeping the smoking rooms would have been more beneficial to most nonsmoking members.

As others have pointed out, the driving force behind this move is likely financial. The most immediate impact is likely to be a savings on property insurance premiums. Home owners who are smokers often pay higher rates due to the increased risk of fire and I'm sure that disparity is compounded in an 800+ room hotel where smoking is permitted. This would also explain why smoking on balconies is outlawed. If they condone smoking on balconies, the structure is still at risk.

Other factors could include increased maintenance needs for smoking rooms and dealing with guest dissatisfaction if the resort is forced to give a smoking room to someone who requested NS due to high occupancy. Some have even speculated that the risk of getting a smoking room (NS has always been a request, and not just at DVC resorts) has completely alienated some guests and all but forced them to book elsewhere.

If we assume that Disney will properly address instances where guests have smoked in a NS room, the impact on other guests can be minimized. The listed fines should be more than just a token deterrent to guests. If a room is discovered to have been smoked in by a guests, the linens will have to be replaced, carpet shampooed and so forth. It will be more of a challenge at DVC resorts due to limited room servicing time between guests, but appropriate planning can minimize problems. For instance, if they were to perform quick room checks at 11am, they should be able to identify any rooms that may need extra attention and re-allocate staff accordingly.

 

[BroganMc]

But I have a feeling, I will be leered at as I sit in the designated area in September by someone thinking "HA! She is probably all bent that she has to be there." And it will be assumed that I am whiny and inconsiderate, apparently. Very nice.

Yeah, that doesn't sound the least bit paranoid at all.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Electronic equipment malfunctions, those detectors could easily send a false alert (just as traditional smoke detecters go off from while cooking). Plus, depending upon the airflow in the room, they may not work at all. You would still need some sort of manual verification...sending a CM to check the unit. Why spend DVC members dues to install those units?

You are correct but when the CM shows up at the door they will know if it was smoking or burnt toast etc.