(CLOSED) The Smoking DSA's @ Resorts Info Thread

[Smoothdancer]

Yes both the Swan and Dolphin are smoke free

 

[krbq]

How are the smoking areas around the Yacht Club? Any pics of the general location would be great. Thanks.

Here's a link to the map of the Yacht to use as a reference for the photos:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/YachtBeachMap.pdf

The DSA by the pool is under the little rotunda. I didn't go in close because someone was using it, but you get the idea. One bench, one ashtray.

This is the one by the door to the pool and tennis court area. It's just a green smoker's oasis, no bench, but at least it's a covered area. The ashtray is behind the double column on the right (sorry, you can barely pick it out in the photo).

Working counter clockwise on the map, the next 2 photos are of the first DSA out on the main boardwalk near the marina. One bench, one ashtray, no cover, but a nice area. Some foot traffic here, but not too bad.

The next 2 photos are of the DSA by the laundry room. Again, one bench, one ashtray, no cover. It's a nice area, though, with a moderate amount of foot traffic going by on the boardwalk.

This is the DSA outside of what is called the Yacht Club Galley on the map (but is now called the Captain's Table), by the children's end of Stormalong Bay. It is covered and has several seats, including rocking chairs. There is a fairly steady flow of traffic through here.

This is the DSA further down along the covered walkway along Stormalong Bay, outside of the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Sorry that I only have a night shot of it.

These next two shots are of ashtrays out on the dock around the lighthouse. It's not marked on the map as a DSA, yet there were 3 ashtrays out there. The CM's told us it's ok to smoke there. In the first photo it's the white smoker's oasis between the pilings, in the second there's one against the lighthouse and another between the pilings.

I didn't go over to the Convention Center so, sorry, no photos of those DSA's. Overall, I thought the DSA's at the Yacht were placed too far from the hotel and it would get old after staying there more than a couple of nights. That is, unless you could get one of those rooms right by the back door (in the second photo).

 

[DrmWvr1299]

krbq, thank you, thank you, thank you . Those areas look great!

 

[TroyE]

Are we allowed to smoke cigars also at these DSA's? I gave up cigarettes a few years ago, but I still love a cigar and this would be great at Disney.

 

[athenna]

Are we allowed to smoke cigars also at these DSA's? I gave up cigarettes a few years ago, but I still love a cigar and this would be great at Disney.

Yes, you are...I have seen quite a few people smoking cigars at the DSA's...My BF smokes the skinny cigars (they look like cigarettes) and he didnt have any problems...HTH.

 

[AlexTina]

Just back from SSR and was curious as to whether or not they are actually enforcing these rules. I posted back in May when we stayed at WL, there were folks smoking on balconies on both sides of us, however, when we checked into WL we were told that there was no smoking including balconies and that there would be a fine if you were caught smoking, they highlighted this information and then asked you to sign. When we checked into SSR on Friday we were never told anything about a smoking policy at all, nothing was highlighted, and we signed nothing. Again anytime we went out on the balcony there were other to the sides of us and under us smoking. Initially I was very good and went down to the DSA everytime, but once I realized I was the only one doing it I took a can out on the balcony and joined them all. Again when we checked in the smoking policy was not mentioned at all.

Tina

 

[krbq]

Just back from SSR and was curious as to whether or not they are actually enforcing these rules. I posted back in May when we stayed at WL, there were folks smoking on balconies on both sides of us, however, when we checked into WL we were told that there was no smoking including balconies and that there would be a fine if you were caught smoking, they highlighted this information and then asked you to sign. When we checked into SSR on Friday we were never told anything about a smoking policy at all, nothing was highlighted, and we signed nothing. Again anytime we went out on the balcony there were other to the sides of us and under us smoking. Initially I was very good and went down to the DSA everytime, but once I realized I was the only one doing it I took a can out on the balcony and joined them all. Again when we checked in the smoking policy was not mentioned at all.

Tina

I can't say whether the penalties are being imposed, but I did notice more people violating the rules on our trip in October (6 nights at GF, 7 nights at BCV). At neither resort were we told about the smoking policy at check-in nor did we see anything posted in the room or on the grounds about it, other than the DSA's marked on the maps. The GF had decent DSA's, but the BC did NOT. There were not enough for a resort of its size, the ones that did exist weren't convenient or adequately located, and it was there that I noticed the most flagrant and frequent violations. We didn't take any chances and always used the DSA's. I noticed a lot of violations in the parks, too. Epcot was especially bad because new maps were recently issued with fewer or relocated DSA's, but some of the DSA's have since been re-relocated or eliminated causing much confusion. Some people just quit trying to find them and light up anywhere. I took photos which I'll get around to posting soon.

 

[Smoothdancer]

Back from the Dolphin with my smoking experience...

First off when we checked in I was told that the hotel was smoke free but smoking was OK outside. There was no mention of smoking on balconies not allowed and had I not read it here I would not of known.

Anyway we chose a room on the ground floor for easy access to smoking areas. At the Dolphin the 1st floor is two floors below the lobby and turned out to be a great choice. Easy access to smoking areas as well as resturants which are also on the 1st floor. Our rooom 1186 was the first room on the floor and I could simply walk out of my room to the outside doors and there was a smoking area right there. I actually did not like this location as this door also lead to the lake and pool, heavy traffic by kids in this area. I felt a bit uncomfortable smoking there, although I could.

I could also step outside our balcony door and follow a walkway to another smoking area which did not have heavy traffic. Overall, I found it really easy to find places to smoke at this hotel. I think it was the easy access that explained why no one was breaking the rules and smoking on the balcony.

I walked over to the Swan and on the ground floor there is access to a lovely patio with fountains. One side had ashtrays on all of the tables, looked like a nice place to have a cup of coffee and a smoke.

I did not know what to expect with this smoke free hotel, and it turned out to be such a non issue.... I would definetly pick the ground floor again should I return.

 

[misscues]

Hi all,

Well, we had a wonderful stay at the Sheraton Vistana and will be going back there for sure as they are smoker friendly. However, Disney is in the blood (so is the dining plan and Soaring, ) so mom wants to go back and stay at the Yacht or Beach Club. Which has better DSA's? I did see a posting someway back that shows some of the YC DSA's that might not be too bad if you're on the ground floor. We would like to do the BC though and worry about DSA's there. Any help or photos would be greatly appreciated.

I am so happy for this board ...having to worry about the DSA's is such a pain
You all make this much, much better.

Thanks DisFriends,

misscues

 

[krissy2803]

Hi guys!
Got home last night.
Wanted to do a quick report on the DSA's.
CBR was just like last year. GREAT DSA's in the courtyards and around the lake. Very easy from pretty much anywhere at CBR!
Magic Kingdom was the same as last year. Great DSA's near the Dole Whip stand and behind the Christmas shop(my favorite).
DHS same also..Easy to find,probaly because I remember them. But they are easy to find from the maps as well. And well off from the main traffic.
DAK, well I didn't spend too much time in there. One near EE still there. There used to be one right outside Dinasour, but it is gone now.
Now for EPCOT.. WHAT THE HECK!
Taken away is the one in England and the one by the fountains in future world. I had a hard time finding one in future world.
World Showcase is horrible for smokers now. There are still a couple of decent ones..the one in China and there is one right when you enter the WS near the twin shops. But most are right on the walking path. I am a curtious smoker and there was NO WAY I could smoke there comfortably. Not with kids walking by..no way!
Well that's all folks..Hope my info can help.
Krissy

 

[ChelleinNC]

Hi guys!
Got home last night.
Wanted to do a quick report on the DSA's.
CBR was just like last year. GREAT DSA's in the courtyards and around the lake. Very easy from pretty much anywhere at CBR!
Magic Kingdom was the same as last year. Great DSA's near the Dole Whip stand and behind the Christmas shop(my favorite).
DHS same also..Easy to find,probaly because I remember them. But they are easy to find from the maps as well. And well off from the main traffic.
DAK, well I didn't spend too much time in there. One near EE still there. There used to be one right outside Dinasour, but it is gone now.
Now for EPCOT.. WHAT THE HECK!
Taken away is the one in England and the one by the fountains in future world. I had a hard time finding one in future world.
World Showcase is horrible for smokers now. There are still a couple of decent ones..the one in China and there is one right when you enter the WS near the twin shops. But most are right on the walking path. I am a courtious smoker and there was NO WAY I could smoke there comfortably. Not with kids walking by..no way!
Well that's all folks..Hope my info can help.
Krissy

We got back 2 weeks ago and I mostly agree, but wanted to add a few things.
DHS: the DSA outside of RnRC is gone. I spoke with 2 different people that walked over there and lit up out of habit and were told by CM's that it was no longer a smoking area.

Epcot: Thankfully since June they did put the DSA between the Land & Imagination Pavillion back. Biggest complaint with it, it was very rarely cleaned up and the ashtray was overflowing all week.

AK: the DSA on the side walking path/trail (not the main "road" but off to the side) between Asia & Africa is no longer there.

We spoke with quite a few smokers over the week and all agree that they want to follow the rules but Disney is making it very difficult by changing & removing DSA's that have been around for years.
No one else said anything, but I was very annoyed by the ashtrays overflowing everywhere. It wasn't just Epcot, it was at all the parks & OKW as well. I remember the days when the ashtrays were cleaned & emptied all the time, but I guess this goes with all the rest of the cost saving cuts Disney has made. Nothing was cleaned up as much/often as it used to be

 

[bess]

Good rules, I'd say, only if they would be respected by everybody. I wish everything work fine, by following those rules.

 

[JUDYKN]

We stayed at SSR the second week of December and my husband found the DSAs to be fine. We did see some guests smoking on the balcony. But like another post had noted nothing was mentioned to us at check-in.

There were a few less smoking areas in the parks but it didn't seem to be a problem for DH, which I was very happy about

We had a great week and have started planning for the next trip

Judy

 

[ken skellington]

Ok - so I looked through about half of the pages here and also looked at the AKL map for DSAs. Does anyone have any info. on their experiences smoking at AKL? Where are the best rooms (i.e. the ones closest to the DSAs)? According to the map, there are only 3 DSAz and they are all near the front or by the pool. We haven't stayed here before, but AKL looks pretty big and most of the rooms look far away from the DSAs. We stayed at POFQ last year and access to the DSAs was not a problem, but it looks like it may be at AKL. Does anyone have any info.? We are staying at AKL at the end of January 2009.

 

[englishrose47]

Haven'tstayed at AKLbutI seem to remember one by the entrance when I ate at Boma !!

 

[jamstew]

Ok - so I looked through about half of the pages here and also looked at the AKL map for DSAs. Does anyone have any info. on their experiences smoking at AKL? Where are the best rooms (i.e. the ones closest to the DSAs)? According to the map, there are only 3 DSAz and they are all near the front or by the pool. We haven't stayed here before, but AKL looks pretty big and most of the rooms look far away from the DSAs. We stayed at POFQ last year and access to the DSAs was not a problem, but it looks like it may be at AKL. Does anyone have any info.? We are staying at AKL at the end of January 2009.

I think there are only two now--one near the entrance and one past the hot tub. I was on the total opposite end of the building, and yes, the place is huge. It was a really big hassle, and I won't be staying there again (for a variety of reasons).

 

[jjohnson]

As stated above there are only 2 now. It would be best to request a room near the main elevators.

 

[TinkerbellsMom0923]

We were at All Star Sports in June 2008 and they had very few smoking areas. We are going next week to Pop Century and I wonder how the smoling areas are there. It looks like there are more by looking at the map. Thanks

 

[englishrose47]

We were at All Star Sports in June 2008 and they had very few smoking areas. We are going next week to Pop Century and I wonder how the smoling areas are there. It looks like there are more by looking at the map. Thanks

They have a Large DSA near the lobby back entrance !! Please be mindful of staying away from entrance as I have seen posts complaining about it ! There is also one near Petals Bar and the pool and pretty much all of the pathway by the Lake is !! There are actually ashtrays along the route but I have been told that anywhere is fine . Be responsible and pick up your BUTTS we don't want to loose what we have !! Where were the DSAS at AlStars in particular Sports as I may be staying there in Sept.???

 

[lisalonglash]

For anyone wondering about staying at the ASSp, we just got back last night. There are three smoking areas at the hotel - one behind the main pool, one in the middle of the resort at middle circle with the Mickey statue and one behind the hedge at the bleachers behind the baseball pool.

If you can get pool-front rooms at building 1 or 6 (the Surf's Up buildings), the main smoking area behind the main pool is within view. We stayed at Bldg 6 and I had no trouble keeping an eye on our room door (my husband was in the room with our boys, but I'm paranoid LOL).

There were a lot of really nice people at the smoking areas - my 9yo son even has a new pen-pal with a girl in Indiana now

Here you go, EnglishRose