Could the DVC do this?

[baileybrad]

There was a recent post about Westgate Vacations Villas changing all of their units to non-smoking. I am not sure if this segment of Westgate is a timeshare property or not. Also, the Sheraton Vistana Village resort that is a timeshare property supposedly changed all of their units to smoking optional.

My question is this (FYI we are non-smokers but think that it would be inherently wrong to not make smoking accomodations available to folks who bought a timeshare that had smoking units in existence when their purchase was made), we know some things can be changed by the DVC ie., pool hopping, discounts, etc., could the DVC eliminate smoking in all of their units? Could they make them all smoking optional? I do not think that they would, but I don't remember anything being written in stone on this issue like it is for occupancy limits.

 

[ncligs]

I hope DVC does do this. All smokers would have to do is walk a few steps and smoke outside the Villas(and not on the balconys).
You would never have a problem with MS when you make your ressies.DVC would all be non-smoking.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think the writing is on the wall for all Disney resorts to go non-smoking.
In many ways, this is already happening. We just got back from a stay in a VB cottage, and when we requested a non-smoking cottage, we were informed they were all non-smoking.
Also, a couple of months ago we were looking into a stay at AKL concierge and we requsted anon-smoking room. Were informed that smoking rooms are pool view, and non-smoking were savannah view.
It looks like if you want to smoke in your room, there is a price to be paid by sacraficing the "better" accommodations.
These are just a couple of examples where it looks like Disney is poo-pooing smoking in any Disney resort rooms.

 

[lovesdisney]

Whilst I am a non smoker, my DH is. I feel it would be unfair to make all DVC units non-smoking. I find that people on both sides of the argument regarding smoking have strongly held views, so I will not start a debate here, but it would certainly lead us to sell.

If other smokers feel the same, perhaps the economic implications of this will lead Disney to decide that marinalising smokers in this way is not a practical idea.

 

[Dean]

There's no legal or contrctual reason they couldn't make this change but I doubt they will.

 

[Regina]

I'd love it, but you know that it wouldn't stop smoking in the rooms. As it is, every once in awhile, you can tell that someone smoked in your non-smoking room.

We can always dream that they would enact this policy.

 

[mb168]

maybe they'll just make them all parking lot view but charge more points for a smoking room. Turn the standard BWV rooms into smoking and up the points for them. Could you imagine the guides selling then? "when do you vacation, how many people, how often, do you smoke, and I need a urine sample. This will help determine the number of points you need to buy"

I don't smoke either and personally I wish they all were non. But I also hate the places where smokers hang right around the door where you have to walk through the fog to get to the non smoking building. Probably a debate that DOESN'T need to get started here.....

 

[sgtpet]

With the cost of cigarettes in the NY Metro area I don't know how anybody afford to keep up the habit, let alone purchase more DVC points.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I think that making the all non smoking is as foolish as making them all smoking optional. As it is right now, there are very few buildings at OKW that are smoking, so I find it difficult to believe non smokers have a problem getting a unit that suits their needs.
AKL has smoking view Savannah, Pool and Standard rooms. The room we had there was a double Savannah view and smoking optional.
I am sure that we would all like things to be "our way" only, like adult only buildings, all close to the main building, all near a bus stop or pool, some would like pets to be allowed, etc. but, in fairness to all members, it cannot be that way, nor would it be possible.
Non smokers, please let smokers live in peace as long as they are out of your face.
Smokers, PLEASE, exercise some common courtesty and observe smoking rules. The more obnoxious you are the more ammo you give the non smokers.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Wesgate Vacation Villas are a timeshare.

I'm sure CFI's decision to make them non-smoking is financial. There is an expense associated with "de-scenting" a room where a smoker stayed (and smoked)...there is an expense associated with replacing furniture and carpets with burn marks. And I know they have had that happen because I own there. CFI chose to put in leather sofas in the vacation villas so repairing & replacing that has got to be an annoying expense.

And more to the point smoking means you have uncontrolled fire sources in the room. Burn marks and smoky scents are the least of what can happen.

Sure people will smoke in the rooms anyway just as they bring their pets anyway. But fortunately some are responsible enough not to do it.

However I will say I think people should be able to smoke on the balconies...even though I find it annoying I don't think they should have to go all the way outside for what is essentially a private habit.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by doubletrouble_vb

However I will say I think people should be able to smoke on the balconies...even though I find it annoying I don't think they should have to go all the way outside for what is essentially a private habit.

If three people are smoking on the 2nd floor balcony (of a non-smoking villa), and the 3rd floor balcony has DVC members enjoying coffee in the morning, is that a "private habit" then?

 

[RobDoc]

The purpose of this thread was to question whether DVC could eliminate smoking optional villas.

If we feel the need to debate smoking in general, please do so on the Debate Board. Posts which contain further discussion of that nature here will be removed from this thread entirely.

Thanks!

 

[yasuern]

OK for the record myself and DH are nonsmokers - I insist on a nonsmoking villa when we are at WDW because my dgt who has a well contrlled astma will go into a full blown attack if she is exposed for any length of time ie: overnight to the dust that cigarettes leave behind the residue and even if the best housekeeper in the world cleans the unit - unless they wash the furniture walls closet doors etc she will and has had an attack and it is one of the most frightening things to awake to your child gasping for air AND I am a nurse! (happened at ASmovies). I think there should be dedicated smoking units and dedicated nonsmoking units and if you smoke and your DW/DH doesn't and you choose to stay in a nonsmoking unit then there should be designated areas for you to smoke - not on the patios or decks - not near an entry way but actual spots away from the units - like a courtyard with a roof over it. 3 out 6 of my dearest friends smoke and it is each persons choice to or not to - but if I am in a nonsmoking unit it should be that wether I am inside or out on the patio. I do not wish to get people upset but it would be like being in a smoking unit and being told you couldn't smoke - its not what you asked for. JMHO

 

[drusba]

Getting back to the original question, Dean's post above is correct. The DVC management could make the resorts non-smoking without the consent of the members. I would say it is highly unlikely it would do so for now but the obvious trend throughout the US is to attempt to eliminate smoking by banning it in buildings. Unlike those other timeshares, DVC units are also rentable resort units by Disney. I would guess it is not likely to be banned at the DVC units until it is banned at the resorts generally by Disney. The hotel industry is still generally smoking allowed, and wants to stay that way particularly for any hotel business that has a lot of foreign travelers using their facilities. Nevertheless, if the banning trend continues you are likely to see it happen eventually at WDW; it is just a question of when.

As to making all the rooms "smoking optional" they could also do that without members' consent but I place that possibility lower than my Cubs ever winning a World Series.

 

[robinb]

I certainly hope they don't eliminate the smoking optional rooms and I am a non-smoker and always book non-smoking rooms. I think that smokers should be allowed to be just as comfortable in their rooms as I am in mine. Being able to smoke in the comfort of their own timeshare is not too much to ask. Plus, I think if all units became non-smoking there would be a greater incidence of smoking in the room anyway and on the balcony.

 

[Denine]

I don't think there is anything that could stop Disney from changing the smoking rules, however, I don't think they will, at least not for a while.
I personally hope they don't, and I am a non-smoker. If you couldn't smoke in the room, but could on the balcony, that prohibits me from using my balcony. I literally can't breathe with cigarette smoke around. I have asthma.

 

[KNWVIKING]

If a "smoker" purchased DVC knowing he/she was going to be able to smoke in a designated room,then I don't see how DVC can take that away from him. What if DVC decided to ban alcohol in the rooms.Or no R or X rated videos allow to be played. I understand DVD can make changes to the physical property, but we're talking about human rights,not sofas or pools. Personally, I don't care one way or the other. I'm a non-smoker but cig smoke doesn't bother me in the least. I just think there would be some legal issues if a smoker want to go to court.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I think they should go non-smoking in the villas. I would be more concerned with Disney's very poor record of enforcing their own rules. I am constantly amazed by CM's who observe guests smoking in the parks in the non-smoking areas and do not address it. There is very little value to prohibiting something then not enforcing it.

 

[Jen D]

An above poster is correct-- ban smoking in all the buildings, and you get those little clouds of smoke outside every exit where smokers congregate. Blech. Then you get to wear it on your clothes all day!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
If a "smoker" purchased DVC knowing he/she was going to be able to smoke in a designated room,....(snip)......I just think there would be some legal issues if a smoker want to go to court.

Smoking or Non-smoking is a request. There is no guarantee that either will be honored.

I did a search of the documents (Multi-Site Public Offering Statement, Disney's Boardwalk Villas and Component Site Public Offering Statement) that I received when we purchased BWV in late 1999 (opted to receive them on a CD). There wasn't even one mention of "smoking" in any of the documents.

If someone did sue, I don't think they would have much of a case. Even if someone "won" the case, how much "damages" would be awarded for the inconvenience of having to walk outside to smoke? Of course, I am not a lawyer or an expert of any kind on juries, LOL!

Personally, even though I am not a smoker, I also hope Disney does not eliminate the smoking rooms. It wouldn't stop inconsiderate smokers from smoking in the rooms anyway, and that might cause problems for those with breathing/health problems.