BWI smoking WV - no such thing!

[lulu71]

I have a waterview room at the BWI reserved for Nov.-Dec. and requested a smoking room. Based on info I read on another thread about waterview rooms at the BWI possibly facing the green space in front of the lobby entrance on the boardwalk side (yuck...I want to be over the boardwalk and not crane my neck around to actually view the water) I called the BWI to find out what's what.

They said, yes, a water view room could face the grassy area. Not a biggie, I could fax a request and take my chances. I then asked where the smoking rooms are since that's what I requested and was told that none of the water view rooms are smoking. The CM told me that smokers who request waterview should smoke on the balcony! I objected, stating that others around might be affected by this and chances are they will be using their balconies having paid for a waterview room and get this...she said it's outside so it's OK!

Not wanting to offend others, I guess my only options are switching to standard view or switching resorts. Problem is, I have a great comeback rate that I booked in March and don't want to cancel and wait for AP rates that may or may not come.

Any advice/suggestions? I refuse to smoke on the balcony around others who request nonsmoking. Thanks!!

 

[lmhall2000]

But can I just say you WARMED my heart saying what you said!!!! I have two children who are asthmatic and we had non-smoking at AKL- and of course you want to enjoy the balcony with a savannah view especially the little guys (children)- well guests on either side of us routinely chain smoked and threw their butts down on the savannah!! Actually the fence was probably 15 feet out from the balcony but still- they threw it down! Anyway- one child had a horrible asthma attack- that smoke gets sucked in due to the way the air systems work and it took only one time and we were spending a full day at the emergency room and another 2 days trying to get him well enough to walk without laboring while breathing (he was 6 at that time)....my heart breaks for him and it tends to rile my husband when he realizes our vacation is really a hospice for half of it.... so thank you for having the attitude you have- maybe you could switch to another hotel that would give you a view- the Poly or Grand Floridian?? Hoping you the best- you've got a great generous spirit!!
Tara

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Wow, Tara, that's awful! I'm positive I read somewhere that AKL does not allow smoking from ANY of their balconies -- be they attached to non-smoking or smoking rooms -- I suppose because they don't want the animals having to breathe that in.

 

[Mrs.A]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you could quit smoking, and not have to worry about it, you'll have the view that you want.

The money you would spend on cigarrettes, you could save to spend at Disney. I did that and have lots of extra spending money for our Aug trip.

Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[DebbieB]

Do water views at BWI also include quiet pool view? One of the reasons I didn't want to spend extra for a water view is the possibility it could be of the pool.

 

[franw]

lulu 71 - I also appreciate your consideration of non-smokers. Sorry you got a lecture on smoking as you sound like a really kind and concerned person. I think there would be a lot less animosity between smokers and non-smokers if we all respected one another. I think a lot of people from overseas visit WDW and don't realize the attitudes are different here. The biggest problem we have ever had at WDW is getting a non-smoking room that smokers have occupied. I am glad to hear that you are putting courtesy for others over your own needs for a nice view. Thanks.

 

[Virgo10]

I had a similar experience during my trip last week. The room I had at the AKL had a terrible view. I asked them if I could switch to a room that looked out over the large savannah. They offered me a non smoking room and told me I could smoke on the balcony. Huh?? I said thanks but no thanks. Keeping in mind that for some smoke is more than a simple annoyance and can make them really ill, this is something I would never do. My goodness, it's like offering a person who's allergic to nuts a piece of cake with them on top and then scraping them off.

Another FYI... I also understand that you can't get a smoking room in conceirge at the AKL that has a savannah view. It would seem to me that if smokers make up 25% of the population a quarter of the rooms should be put aside for us. Just MHO.

Roberta

 

[Virgo10]

I'm positive I read somewhere that AKL does not allow smoking from ANY of their balconies -- be they attached to non-smoking or smoking rooms -- I suppose because they don't want the animals having to breathe that in

That is not true. I asked that specific questions when I checked in. The CM behind the desk looked at me like I was kidding her. I told her that this was something we were hearing online and she said that smoking on the AKL balconies has never been a problem there. The animals are far enough away so that any whisps of smoke would be long gone before it reached them. Actually I thought it might have something to do with a dropped cigarette reaching them. You'd have to have a pretty good throwing arm for that to happen.

Roberta

 

[ducklite]

Actually Roberta, your math is not quite on for WDW. If you take the average family of four, two children, two adults, then 25% would mean that one person in each family would smoke. That's not at all the case.

My guess is that maybe around 5-10% of guests at WDW are smokers, so the percentage of rooms set aside for them is about right--maybe even high.

Anne (who was THRILLED to actually go to a nightclub in NYC last week and not have to use her inhaler all night due to the new smoking ban!)

 

[lmhall2000]

When we were there they had signs and the check in desk told us that it was no smoking on the savannah for fear of a fire or such- the savannah can be pretty dry and even if you drop a cigarette butt down on the pavement there is still plenty of hay like material that could be a hazard. And I guess it depends on who you ask about the balconies being non-smoking- I've heard CM's say both sides.

And I think Europeans have a much more relaxed view to smoking- both our "neighbors" at AKL were European if that made any difference.

Tara

 

[finnie48]

Waterview -

Hi lulu71,
We have stayed (twice) in the rooms overlooking the grassy area between the villa side and the inn side and the view is just great . The buildings are angled so that neck craning is not necessary. We were on the 5th floor, directly over the Bellevue Lounge. We will be staying there again July 4-11, and are requesting the same area. In regards to the smoking, I would have a few on the balcony with my coffee in the morning, but only if other people were not in the area, and the door to the room closed, of course. Did not find this to be a problem, but, as you say, it is nice to be considerate. Fortunately I don't have to think about smoking any more. Have a great trip!! Bob

 

[LvsTnk]

Thank You for your kindness!! We had the experience of being next to a smoker at the BWI last Christmas. My DH was furious since her room was non-smoking. Our rooms were in an alcove waterview, above the Bakery and the hall filled with smoke and when we went on the balcony she smoked there as well. We were in the ER on our last trip with DS(special needs) because of the smoke and I thought my DH was going to come un-glued. I explained that I was sure they had been told it was O.K., and I just sprayed a ton of Lysol all around her room and kept it out on the balcony to spray while she was out there. She got the hint and no words were exchanged.

We have had awesome views on the other side of the resort looking at Epcot and the fireworks.

We were at the Grand Californian at DL and at check-in we had to sign that we would not smoke in our non-smoking room.

 

[lulu71]

Thanks for everyone's kind words and suggestions. My husband and I talked it over last night and I'm calling CRO to see if they will switch us over to YC waterview. It's the same price so I can't see where they will have a problem doing this, especially since the smoking policy is so nebulous. Famous last words, right??

I was looking forward to BWI again (we've stayed in a standard view before), but the silver lining is we get to try out another resort. I understand that YC actually has smoking waterview rooms. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks again!!

 

[Threehearts]

What a NICE thread. I used to smoke and it is horribly difficult to quit but smoker's like the OP who are so mindful of others who do not smoke get an A for consideration. I recently read on another thread(? where on DIS) how there are certain areas within a resort where smoking is more welcome. The areas listed were public areas with ashtrays and seemed a bit off from the general resort traffic. It would be nice if WDW is telling people to smoke on their balconies that these rooms would be cohorted together. Good luck if you are trying to quit. I once weighed over 200 lbs and keeping my hand out of the fridge was as difficult as quitting smoking, I think. Lastly, I congratulate this group of respondents who kept the tone civil and offered helpful suggestions.

 

[lulu71]

Update:

As much as I thought it wouldn't be a big deal to switch to YC, I just have to stay at BWI! So, we decided to forego the water view and fork out a few more bucks (they honored my old BAQ code) to stay concierge, where there are smoking rooms. It will be a room over the quiet pool, but I know for sure I won't be over the parking lot or walkway to the bus, which would have been a possibility if we downgraded to standard view. I'm actually quite excited about this now, I must admit!

Thanks again for all of your help!!

 

[lmhall2000]

now that's what I call a solution to a problem!! I felt similar when I informed my dh that since our youngest is now 4 and would verbally oppose a playpen for a bed that we were locked out of most resorts except for the "deluxes" because we are officially a full family of five. And since POR/POFQ is the only moderate that suits five and is booked solid the time we're going we had to settle for the Poly. I tried to think of another reason to up to concierge but it would have been $900 extra for the week- and that's our food budget for the week- so that wouldn't work. But I'm awfully excited for you!!! Now you can sit back, relax and have concierge plan the rest of the trip for you- you'll have a great view and stay where you wanted to- see good things happen to good people!!
Have a great stay and thanks for being a dearie about the whole situation!!
Tara

 

[franw]

Hey, congratulations on staying at the BWI. I just got back from there May 4 and had the best time. Sometimes you just have to go with your heart. Have a great time.