All resort non-smoking

[Horace Horsecollar]

And what about all the DVC owners who bought DVC thinking they could smoke? That's a lot of money to drop only to find out now you aren't welcome in your "home away from home."

Smokers are welcome. Smoking in rooms is not.

Smokers will still be able to smoke, but not in hotel rooms and timeshare rooms. Smokers can no longer smoke in restaurants, lobbies, and most other interior spaces either.

What about all the people who made vacation plans a year ago, only to find out that now, THEY don't have a smoking room LIKE THEY WERE PROMISED?

There is nothing in the DVC POS that promises smoking rooms.

In fact, there has been such a small percentage of smoking rooms (at WDW and elsewhere), that smokers have routinely been put into non-smoking rooms. So, for many years now, smokers never knew whether or not they would get a smoking room.

I hope that Disney puts in comfortable, pleasant smoking areas at all Disney resorts. Smokers should have nice places to smoke, and others should not have to smell active smoke or stale smoke residue.

Next, the Moral Majority around here won't let you have wine in your room or on your balcony, because "it's a family place."

As soon as wine starts to leave a lingering presence in rooms and on balconies, somehow forcing guests the following week to ingest alcohol, then I would agree with banning wine in rooms and on balconies. But that's not the case.

There was a time when people could smoke almost everywhere. That's no longer the case. Smoking is increasing being confined to private homes and designated outdoor areas. It's happening throughout the United States and increasingly even in much of the rest of the world. It's not just happening at Walt Disney World.

I'm honestly not trying to debate smoking itself (and I urge others not to debate smoking in this thread either).

 

[childsplay]

I applaud this move and hope they enforce it vigorously from the beginning.

 

[pilferk]

Yes, I'm sure that's what all those smokers thought when they forked over 20 grand....that they wouldn't even be able to smoke on their own balcony.

Whether they thought it or not doesn't mean Disney doesn't have the right to do it. They do...spelled right out in the declaration (or, in the case of hotel guests, in the rental info/contract you get when booking and again when checking in).


Now purchasers can decide to deal with the change or sell their ownership interest.

It may not be what they want to hear, or what they'd LIKE to happen, but...well...those really are their only options. That, or face some sort of fine or punative action against them (or their ownership interest) for violating the rules.

 

[ammo]

I agree. And what about all the DVCers who bought, thinking they'd be able to procure a smoking room, LIKE DISNEY PROMISED THEM!

I have no idea what "promises" were made to smokers, but I suspect they were no stronger than the promises made to nonsmokers. Many nonsmokers have allergies and asthma that are affected by smoke and have found themselves forced to stay in rooms that smell smoky due to limited room availability. In contrast, there are no negative health implications for nonsmokers who are stuck in a nonsmoking room. As long as Disney provides reasonable accommodations for smokers on property, this is not going to be the end of the world.

 

[Inkmahm]

You saved me the trouble of finding the happy dance smilie. Yay!!! No smoking is perfect!

And now we can all make OTHER requests for our rooms without wasting a request on a non-smoking room.

 

[ammo]

As soon as wine starts to leave a lingering presence in rooms and on balconies, somehow forcing guests the following week to ingest alcohol ...

I tried a version of this story on my DW once to explain my lack of restraint -- she's not buying it!

 

[MrsNick]

I personally think this was the smart move. For both health reasons, and maintenance fee reasons.

I agree that this is only part of a growing trend to protect people's health and lives from tobacco smoke. People can be very resistant to change, even when it is in their own best interest. But, it is kind of short sighted to think that just because things have "always been done a certain way" that they should continue to be done that way even when it is evident that there is a better way.

For example, it used to be common practice for people to lay babies on their stomachs to sleep. That is no longer the case. Now, we all know that babies should sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS. So, are people going to insist on putting their babies to sleep on their tummies just because that's how it was done before? It makes no sense. Why cut off your nose to spite your face?

Hey, domestic abuse used to be acceptable, too ("it wasn't anyone else's business"). Child labor used to be acceptable in our country. It used to be okay for companies to dump toxic waste into our rivers and streams. Lots of things that used to be done in our society we no longer do. Why? Because as we have become more well informed and better educated, we learned that these things weren't good for us. So we stopped. We learned that too much exposure to radiation was harmful, so we took protective measures, like wearing a lead vest when getting dental X-Rays.

For people who think this new non-smoking initiative is a bad thing, just be glad that you don't live in one particular township in New Jersey. Forgot the name of it, but the town council voted to ban smoking in any vehicle (private vehicles included) if any minor was in that car. So, if you went to the supermarket with your kids and were caught smoking in your own car, you would be penalized.

 

[ransom]

Well, I don't know if there are any other people in my boat or if I'm rowwing alone, but....

Hi, my name is Lisa and I'm a non-smoker. I feel mixed emotions about this announcement and here's why...I have family who smokescared1: ). They've always abided by whatever the current rules were at the time regarding where they were allowed to smoke. And now that all the hotel rooms are non-smoking they will abide by that as well. Where my quandry is, is that this is my family and I love having them on my trips to the world and what I hope is that the "designated places" to smoke are atleast conveinent.

I understand all sides, and from an owners standpoint, non-smoking will also reduce some of the wear and tear the rooms would otherwise endure. From a non-smokers standpoint, I understand all the health and surrounding issues. But, on the other side, , I don't want my family to feel like outcasts being banished to the furthermost regions of the property to smoke. And let's face the reality of things, the harder it is to follow a rule the more likely it will be broken.

Anyone else in the boat with me ? Life jackets will be provided.

I'm in the same boat. I'm on the verge of buying into DVC, and a big part of the appeal to me (as I explained in another, now closed, thread on this topic) was that I would be able to take relatives every couple of years if I just bought a few extra points. The thought of reconnecting with them over the coming years really made the large up-front cost of DVC go down better.

But, now, I have to wonder how many will want to go. If I cross out every related family sub-unit with at least one smoker in it, I run out of people to bring pretty quickly!

I understand the arguments for this, and I understand that Disney believes that this is in their best financial interests, but it still is going to affect my plans - and I resent that.

On the other hand, I don't know anyone who smokes in their own home any more, so perhaps it won't be that big of a deal. But I doubt the smoking areas are going to be as convenient as the family garage . . .

 

[crk1971]

Let me be the bearer of bad news! For the record I am not now nor never have been a smoker, but i am sympathetic to their diminishing rights, this is America of course!

We stayed at SSR 4/15-4/21 and obviously the rooms are non smoking as well as the stated areas above. The room next to us, they were smokers. Not only did they smoke on the balcony, they smoked in the room as well and a little known fact is that some of the vents are connected causing my room to have smoke in it as well. I called MS and was told that they can not police everyone all the time and that violations will happen. A couple of things!

1 Wrong Answer, I felt the smoking police at disney should have appeared and dragged this person thru downtown disney and he should have been pelted with rocks.

2 If your a smoker you are usually oblivious to the smell so be aware u will be noticed and caught.

3 Dont be ignorant and have consideration for the other guests, I have preemie daughters and smoke is detrimental to their health, if you dont care about yours care about others.

4. All it takes it one bad smoker to spoil for the whole pack!

This being said, please adhere to the guidlines in place we know anyone smokers or non would not want to cause health issues for anyone.

Thank you!

 

[Inkmahm]

I really can't imagine friends or family turning down a trip to Disney just because they can't smoke in the room. That's the trend for the major hotel chains, too- no smoking in any room. Unless they want to find a mom and pop place that may still allow smoking, their travel lives will be very limited in the future. THAT would be a true cut off your nose to spite your face kind of move, to limit your own travel because of not being able to smoke.

 

[Laurabearz]

This will not stop smokers from smoking in rooms... think about it

As WDW decreased the amount of smoking rooms availible the amount of people complaining that someone smoked in their non-smoking room went UP.

 

[jarestel]

But, now, I have to wonder how many will want to go. If I cross out every related family sub-unit with at least one smoker in it, I run out of people to bring pretty quickly!

That is a dilemma faced by smokers practically everywhere today and has nothing to do with Disney.

Transportation to a vacation destination... no smoking.
Dining at a vacation destination... no smoking.
Staying in a room with children or non-smokers... no smoking.

It's not our fathers' world anymore. One can resist (though as we all know, resistance is futile) or adapt. As the number of smokers decreases all the time, it would appear most are choosing to adapt. And with ever dwindling numbers will come more and more restrictions. Fair? I don't know. But it is inevitable.

 

[Connor' Dad]

I personally think this was the smart move. For both health reasons, and maintenance fee reasons.

I agree that this is only part of a growing trend to protect people's health and lives from tobacco smoke.

This decision has nothing to do with health reasons or a trend to protect people's health. It is purely an economicly related buisness decision. Decisions like this are driven by Disney's actuaries projectioning long term changes of revenue.

 

[MrsNick]

This decision has nothing to do with health reasons or a trend to protect people's health. It is purely an economicly related buisness decision. Decisions like this are driven by Disney's actuaries projectioning long term changes of revenue.

I'm sorry. Not to be obtuse, but could you explain how this affects revenue?

 

[ransom]

This will not stop smokers from smoking in rooms... think about it

As WDW decreased the amount of smoking rooms availible the amount of people complaining that someone smoked in their non-smoking room went UP.

That will only happen if Disney declines to enforce a stiff penalty for smoking in one's room. Once they start handing out $500 fees for smoking in a room (or even on a balcony), only those who can afford to pay the fee will be doing it.

 

[Connor' Dad]

I'm sorry. Not to be obtuse, but could you explain how this affects revenue?

The vast majority of people would prefer a non-smoking room. Smoking is, as you pointed out, a health risk. By Disney going to a non-smoking policy and tightening is restrictions on where smoking will be allowed, the business ($s) will follow. Conusmers want these changes, Disney recognizes it, and this will lead to greater consumer demand, which would create more profit.

As the news release stated the request for smoking rooms has been the decline for a number of years. It would make sense for the Mouse to convert these rooms to non-smoking so they could be filled.

P.S. And the only thing obtuse around here is my figure.

 

[DVCconvert]

It may not be what they want to hear, or what they'd LIKE to happen, but...well...those really are their only options. That, or face some sort of fine or punative action against them (or their ownership interest) for violating the rules.

There maybe other aspects to this.

1- The "good guest" (or member) who never smoked in a non-smoking room, or who put consideration of other guests on ajourning balconies ahead of their own desires and didn't smoke on a balcony or patio when someone was nearby; may elect to stay or own elsewhere.

2- The "not so good guest" (or member) without threat of lost of title (if owner) or $1000 plus fine and eviction (if paying guest) will basically go on as they have been. Thus giving TWDC 'bragging rights' to upholding 'industry standards'.

If such enforcement is carried out how long would it be before the first broadcasts show the crying 5 yr old daughter of the family who DVC reclaimed their contract "Daddy said Mickey won't let me visit anymore because at 2:30 AM daddy smoked a cigar on the patio!"

Or, possibly, again while being able to thump it's corporate chest and shout "we're on-board" with the current social mania - perhaps it's just policy to give TWDC the ability to take action in the event of a problem guest/member?

Imagine the phone rings at the front desk - 'this is room 101, the people in room 102 just smoked a cigarette on their patio - I saw them thru my window! I demand action!'....The front desk pushes a pre-recorded phone message to room 102 'cease and desist!' - the problem arises when the person in 102 saw the person in 101 reporting them - after a few drinks either party to that could act in a very un-disney way towards the other.

I think the most likely outcome of all this is that it gives cover for Disney, if needed, to responsed to complaints, contact the "offender" and remind them of the policy - oh, and also to tack on an additional charge. I would also predict that some members/guests upon check in may very well say 'how much is the fee? I'll pay it now'.

 

[pilferk]

And now we can all make OTHER requests for our rooms without wasting a request on a non-smoking room.

Funny, that was my thought, too.

My wife is allergic, so it's always the first request, and noted as "medically necessary". It'll be nice not to have to put that up first, and be able to put a location request up front.

 

[MrsNick]

The vast majority of people would prefer a non-smoking room. Smoking is, as you pointed out, a health risk. By Disney going to a non-smoking policy and tightening is restrictions on where smoking will be allowed, the business ($s) will follow. Conusmers want these changes, Disney recognizes it, and this will lead to greater consumer demand, which would create more profit.

Agreed. Two sides of the same coin. IMO, the trend to protecting health against tobacco smoke is causing the increased demand to which you refer. So, perhaps your assessment of Disney's motive is correct, although my personal stake in this as a DVC owner is of course, my health and my wallet (maintenance fees not being used to clean up rooms that are damaged over the long term by tobacco smoke).

 

[DVCconvert]

By Disney going to a non-smoking policy and tightening is restrictions on where smoking will be allowed, the business ($s) will follow. Conusmers want these changes, Disney recognizes it, and this will lead to greater consumer demand, which would create more profit.

Just curious, do you know of anyone who wanted to visit WDW, and stay on property, but decided not to because this policy was not in place ?