Anyone have this happen to them?

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by ducklite
Non-Smoking IS guaranteed if it for medical reasons. I have asthma, and can not tolerate smoke. When I call the reserve, my reservation specifically states "non-smoking for medical reasons".

Anne

Interesting. The general consensus around the boards are that non-smoking for medical reasons takes priority over all else, but not guaranteed.

But, then again, I could be wrong...

MG

 

[kathleena]

The general consensus around the boards are that non-smoking for medical reasons takes priority over all else, but not guaranteed.

I have a genetic condition which puts me at risk for lung disease and as such my lawyers and genetic counselors have advised me that I am covered under the ADA. So, I should get a non-smoking room everytime, just like a handicapped room is guaranteed under ADA.

BUT when I talked with Jackie L about a non-smoking quarantee, she would not state outright that it was guaranteed, all she would say is around 95% of rooms are non-smoking and that medical reasons non-smoking would be pre-booked and booked second, right after handicapped.

So, MG, I agree with you - this is not guaranteed, just prioritized. Simple non-smoking requests are not prioritized like the medical ones.

Interesting that since my letter to DVC and talk with Jackie - that before I even state medical reasons with my requests now - some CMs have said it first, so it must be noted in my account. Because of my ADA status - I would have an absolute fit if I didn't get a non-smoking room.

But that's besides the OT - being told you should have checked in earlier is unacceptable - unless it was in the context of getting a non-smoking room that was not requested for medical conditions. I can see being told that all the non-s are gone and hopefully be told politely, that an earlier arrival would have been better in that case. But if medical reasons was stated - I think they should have gotten one.

Very sorry that the OP had this arrival experience.

 

[VickiVM]

Non-Smoking IS guaranteed if it for medical reasons. I have asthma, and can not tolerate smoke. When I call the reserve, my reservation specifically states "non-smoking for medical reasons".

Again, I think Disney does an exceptional job at meeting requests based on medical needs, but I don't recall that those requests are guaranteed. The message on the confirmation is probably there for the room assigner to try to accomodate them. But if on any given day there are X amount of non-smoking rooms available to check in and X+ number of people requesting them, someone is not going to get one. It may be just a case that on this particular day, they didn't have enough non-smoking to go around at that time. (Could be that one was not cleaned and good to go). I'm sure that medical justification is used often to get these rooms even though it may not be truly the case. Like I mentioned, I cannot stand to be in proximity of a smoker - even when they have exited the area, I still smell the smoke. I've never used a medical reason to give me an edge in getting a non-smoking room - but I've always been fortunate and have never been told that only smoking available. Luck of the draw, I guess.

 

[Dean]

NS is not guaranteed, just a high priority. I personally think it should be, but it is not.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
Interesting. The general consensus around the boards are that non-smoking for medical reasons takes priority over all else, but not guaranteed.

But, then again, I could be wrong...

MG

You are correct. While the notation on the reservation may read NS for medical reasons, you may still not get a NS room as this has happened to us many times. It simply means you will get priority if there is one available to give you. At times there are simply not enough NS rooms to give.

 

[anniet]

Scrufsmom didn't you have a problem with your room at the Boardwalk last year too? I seem to remember it wasn't what you had requested so they changed you 3 times.

So did they NOT have your ressie at all, or was it just not what you requested again?

 

[HookdonWDW]

I believe that "non-smoking for medical reasons" can be confirmed in some situations. I am asthmatic with many allergies, and WILL have an asthma attack if put in a smoking room. I have it in my file that I require non-smoking rooms. At some point, a couple of years ago, I was transferred to a special department which verified my medical information, and put a permanent notation in my file. As someone else stated earlier, I think that this does fall under ADA.

 

[Scrufsmom]

Originally posted by anniet
Scrufsmom didn't you have a problem with your room at the Boardwalk last year too? I seem to remember it wasn't what you had requested so they changed you 3 times.

OUCH!!!

By the way we did have a ressie and they had "NO" rooms available. While searching they finally came up with a Smoking room. Not acceptable since I needed a NS room. I fully understand that rooms are not guarenteed and very limited. But if I have a ressie then I should not have to come back a day later to confirm my room and loose my points etc. The CM wasn't rude to us, but just not accomadating. Yes, we were very upset but didn't cross the line by screaming for the Supervisor. The CM found us a room, but not a great one, but a room. We had to contend with a leaky faucet which leaked all over the floor between the bathroom and closet. Maintanence was called, never showed up. They couldn't get us another room because everything was filled. We wanted to get on with our vacation. Yes, I have written a letter to the powers that be. Will I get a response? All I can say is Stay Tuned!

In all do respest we have visited WDW and stayed at our beloved VWL three times. No problems with check in, CMs or our room. I don't complain unless the complaint is due. I hope that I haven't affended anyone, but answered all questions as asked.

 

[DebbieB]

I wonder if the new "room ready" policy could throw the non-smoking/smoking requests off. What if a smoker arrives early and they say only non-smoking rooms are available at the time. The smoker wants to get into a room, so they say they will take it (and hopefully not smoke in it). I think that is more likely to happen than a non-smoker taking a smoking room that is ready. Previously, they would have pre-assigned the smoking/non-smoking rooms, accomodating as many as possible. I would think though that non-smoking for medical reasons should be pre-assigned in any case. This was a high occupancy time, perhaps no non-smoking rooms checked out that day. Perhaps the room with the maintenance problem had been taken out of service but when they ran short of rooms, the original poster got it.

I think they have cutdown on the smoking optional rooms. I know OKW used to have more smoking buildings. I thought BWV used to have smoking rooms on both the 2nd & 4th floors, now it is only part of the 2nd.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by DebbieB
What if a smoker arrives early and they say only non-smoking rooms are available at the time. The smoker wants to get into a room, so they say they will take it (and hopefully not smoke in it). I think that is more likely to happen than a non-smoker taking a smoking room that is ready.

Another reason DVC resorts will eventually go totally non-smoking in the near future. This will clear up a LOT of the problems.

P.S Remember this is Florida

not Alaska

. Smokers can just take a few steps and go outdoors to

.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I agree with Nick that they will go totally non smoking. I also predict that they will stop taking requets (like floor and view) in the future because they get so many people who are unhappy that requests have not been met.

HBC

 

[Dean]

Error, sorry.

 

[colleen costello]

I also thought "non smoking medical" was guaranteed. What are they thinking? An asthma/allergy person assigned to a smoking room is no different than a wheelchair guest assigned to floor three of a non-elevator building. It simply won't work. Why is it that Disney still doesn't realize that smoke is a HAZARD to some people?

When we were at WVL in June '03, I had only ONE complaint. I was in a non-smoking room (as requested) but I was surrounded by smokers. Thye were below us as well as on one side, and I also think above us. It seemed like every time I went out on the balcony, someone came out on theirs and began smoking. Immediately I'd have to go back inside. I was truly disappointed that I couldn't enjoy the balcony, especially since I always call my parents when they are not with us and the only place my cell phone worked was on the balcony!

When is Disney going to realize that the only was to keep smokers and non-smokers happy is to TRULY separate them?

 

[Stimpy]

I'm a little confused now about requesting NS for medical reasons. I also have bad asthma and need a non-smoking room for medical reasons. I always have it noted on my confirmation for the "regular" Disney resorts and have only had a problem once or twice when checking in. When making those reservations I was told both "yes it is guaranteed" and "no, we don't guarantee for medical reasons.

When I made our reservations for our first trip "home" to BCV in December, I requested Non-smoking for medical reasons. The CM at MS told me that they could NOT guarantee it but would do their best. I haven't received my written confirmation yet so I don't know if it's printed on there. I did ask each day if it was requested and verified it stated "FOR MEDICAL".

Should I be worried now? Should I bring a note from my doctor or something?

 

[wilderness01]

To OP, I am sorry your vacation started out rocky. We also were put in a smoking room at VWL and we have 3 asthmatics in our family. A smoking room is NOT AN OPTION. They moved us to OKW, or really we moved ourselves. We waited and waited for the room, and continually were told to wait in the lobby at WL because the room would be "ready any minute". I stressed I had a sick 2 year old and that above and beyond the flu he was asthmatic and we needed the nonsmoking for medical reasons. I had extended our stay the night before (I asked for and was given a medical guarantee reservation) because we had a sick child and were supposed to depart from BC but couldn't be on the road in his condition. I needed the washer and dryer in the room because of our "flu" kid and the mess from that. We ended up waiting for 2 hours and then were assigned a smoking room. I was very upset. I did demand to see a manager once the CM said sorry there was nothing she could do. The CM said there was not one nonsmoking room in the place and that she checked and the rest of the resorts were booked as well. Well after requesting the manager they came up with the nonsmoking 2 BR villa at OKW within minutes. This worries me because we are taking extended family later this year for the first week of December. I can definately get medical notes as to our asthma that I would like to go on file. Where did anyone send these notes. It is very definately compared to putting a handicapped person in a non-handicapped room. Smoke puts us in an asthma attack immediately. I do not feel we should have to take extra medicine to prevent this and then if exacerbated enough a trip to the hospital would need to be made. I do feel if for true medical reasons that this does fall under the ADA and should be treated as such. If anyone knows the address and to whom I should send the medical note to, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[lenshanem]

They need to just make all rooms no smkoing. That sure woudl simplify that.
Hubby still sneaks cigs (I don't allow him to smoke in front of the kids, plus my daughter has trouble with asthma from tiem to time.), but if he was with hsi Dad I know he wodul be totally fine stepping out onto the porch to smoke if they didn't ahve non smoking rooms anymore.
He does that now at hoem even.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by wilderness01
I can definately get medical notes as to our asthma that I would like to go on file. Where did anyone send these notes. It is very definately compared to putting a handicapped person in a non-handicapped room. Smoke puts us in an asthma attack immediately. I do not feel we should have to take extra medicine to prevent this and then if exacerbated enough a trip to the hospital would need to be made. I do feel if for true medical reasons that this does fall under the ADA and should be treated as such. If anyone knows the address and to whom I should send the medical note to, please let me know. Thanks.

I wish that I could tell you who I sent the information to. As I said, it was a couple of years ago. They took information by phone, and I gave them some info. I also faxed a note from my physician to the CM. All I remember though, is that it was a male. It may be a seperate department that handles medical requests , because I remember that they had to transfer me somewhere. Wish I could be more helpful...

 

[ripleysmom]

I disagree with making all the rooms nonsmoking. Why should someone have to go outside to smoke? Whether it is cold or warm, they should still have the option of lighting up in their room if they choose to.

 

[jaysue]

I do not think smoking should be allowed at DVC or other hotels for that matter - why should someone have the right to pollute an enclosed space that is not their private 100% owned all year round non-public access space?

Anyways, that is my $0.02 on whether DVC rooms should be smoking or not

thanks
jaysue

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure that ADA applies to allergies and asthma. I also know for certain that the ADA does not fully apply to private resorts including timeshares. Whether the fact it's Disney and booked through CRO (part of the time) will affect this, I don't know. I own at a Marriott in HH that has instituted a policy with services animals of requiring proof of insurance, a deposit and prior arrangements. Many of the Marriott's have this policy though I don't know how much or variably it's enforced. The policy actually came from the Marriott lawyers who suggested it to the resort so I'd be willing to bet it's legal in spite of what anyone here would think (including any lawyers that might be on the BBS).