Disney's smoking ban could be relieved a bit

[LibertySq100]

Just spoke w/ my cousin whom has been a Disney employee since the mid-eighties. He works currently as a guest relations manager at one of the parks.
I spoke to him at length about the smoking ban at the hotels. Indeed, he confirmed that discussions have been on-going about relaxing the complete ban on smoking in the rooms and balconies of rooms. The preliminary idea would be to have a majority of the kid friendly resorts remain non-smoking (Pop, All-star,AKL etc) however the more business and upscale hotels would quietly start offering smoking rooms again. Hotels with the annex's would be most preferred he said like GF, CRB, CR (Garden Wing). The discussions have been primarily on the concept that an annex could be a smoking annex. The Swan could also be apart of this due to the convention activities and heavy European/Asian tourism that comes through.
He also confirmed that some of the guests he talked to that have severe disabilities which requested smoking rooms have been shifted to SOG based upon availability so they may use the balconies to smoke.

I wouldn't be surprised seeing that the occupancy rate is low! If I hear anything else from him, I'll let you know.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

That is such a step in the wrong direction. We both have asthma. I was thrilled to see the smoking ban placed on the resorts. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to our health. I liked the peace of mind in knowing that our room would not smell like smoke and require us to go ask for another room.

If they do choose to make any building or annex of a resort smoker friendly, then they need to publically announce this to EVERYONE and not let unsuspecting guests walk into a room that might well be one that could make them sick.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I do hope Disney does not go in the direction of allowing smoking on any balcony or resort walkway (i.e. outside the rooms at mods and values).

It would be good for all guests if a section of each resort was smoking only and smokers could smoke inside or outside, but to allow smoking on balconies of non-smoking rooms means non-smokers will not be able to use their balconies or walk to their room without walking through smoke (when smokers are there).

Second hand smoke has been proven to cause cancer and other illness, guests with severe allergies can be in in danger of becoming very ill; Disney would put guests in harms way when they could avoid it by simply setting aside a block of rooms in every resort. This would be fair to all, not some (as a total ban is not fair for smokers).

 

[LibertySq100]

I'm sorry if I did not make it clear, so I'll clarify: The idea is to have certain sections of certain Resorts offer smoking rooms such for example:
Grand Floridian Big Pine Key annex or Trinidad North section of CRB. The possibility of allowing smoking on the balconies would be limited to certain sections as well (last 4 rooms at the end of a corridor of CR). Again, these are just ideas being kicked around per my cousin, as they get numerous complaints from disabled and foreign travelers about the inability to smoke. Many complaints also stem from the locations of DSA's currently which many people gather like bus stops and walkways.
Personally, as a smoker, I would pay extra for the ability to smoke in my room or balcony just like the extra charge of a "view" room.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm sorry but there are several parts to the original post which make absolutely no sense at all.

One is that Disney has no control over policies at the Swan (or Dolphn). Those Resorts are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels (Sawn is Westin, Dolphin is Sheraton) and Starwood has their own smoking policies.

Another is that Disney cannot put Guests into SoG. Not only is there a very long-term lease which takes SoG out of Disney's control, but the number of rooms for disabled access at SoG is very limited, as well as SoG normally overflows to the regular Disney Resorts.

And someone in Guest Relations, even a manager, at a Park would not have any input; this sort of thing is determined at the highest corporate levels.

 

[colonialtinker]

As a smoker who is trying to quit. I like the fact that I have to go to a designated area to smoke, it cuts down on the # of cigarettes I smoke. Although smoking on a balcony would be a treat, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this unless the whole wing was smoking.

 

[doconeill]

Another is that Disney cannot put Guests into SoG. Not only is there a very long-term lease which takes SoG out of Disney's control, but the number of rooms for disabled access at SoG is very limited, as well as SoG normally overflows to the regular Disney Resorts.

Actually, I believe SoG is fully owned by AFRC now, and no longer leased, which makes it even LESS likely Disney could place guests there...

 

[LibertySq100]

I'm sorry but there are several parts to the original post which make absolutely no sense at all.

One is that Disney has no control over policies at the Swan (or Dolphn). Those Resorts are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels (Sawn is Westin, Dolphin is Sheraton) and Starwood has their own smoking policies.

Another is that Disney cannot put Guests into SoG. Not only is there a very long-term lease which takes SoG out of Disney's control, but the number of rooms for disabled access at SoG is very limited, as well as SoG normally overflows to the regular Disney Resorts.

And someone in Guest Relations, even a manager, at a Park would not have any input; this sort of thing is determined at the highest corporate levels.

First, you are correct about Swan and Dolphin. Both chains are owned by hotel corporations that have independent policies about smoking rooms. When my cousin mentioned "upscale and convention hotels" they were first to my mind.
Second, I can confirm on a few occasions he has arranged some people with severe disabilities to be moved to SOG as well as DTD "Good Neighbor Hotels". I personally do not know the amount of disabled rooms at SOG (I can ask him via email, but I doubt he knows), but I would suspect it would be a good amount seeing it caters to veterans. These requests do not come easily especially to SOG due to limited availability and the restrictions of the resort. He said most get moved to the Hilton @ DTD or Doubletree if physically going outside is nearly impossible for the disabled traveler.

Finally, as a guest relations manager he does have regular meetings w/ Upper management, where he can relate complaints from guests. His primary function is handling large groups visiting his park. Although he directly has no say in the policy, the overall impression he is getting is this might be a direction they are going in. Again, it's just a rumor, as the thread indicates.

 

[bonzarella]

Do you have any info regarding DVC units?

 

[LibertySq100]

Do you have any info regarding DVC units?

No i don't sorry, at least from my initial conversation from him. I can also ask him next time we speak if he has heard anything on that front, but I'm guessing no because his focus is guest relations at a park.

 

[Loverly]

Well you've only been a member for 9 days here -so I'll keep that in mind on believing this rumor.

 

[Magic Mom]

He also confirmed that some of the guests he talked to that have severe disabilities which requested smoking rooms have been shifted to SOG based upon availability so they may use the balconies to smoke.

This is highly unlikely. SOG is not open to the general public, and is owned by MWR, not Disney.

 

[crashbb]

First - Swan and Dolphin are owned by Starwood and they do not allow smoking on any of their US properties under the Westin, Sheraton, or Four Points by Sheraton names (Swan/Dolphins are Westins).

Second - I don't understand the comment about moving people with disabilities? If the resorts are non-smoking (as they are now, correct?) why would having a disability get you moved to another hotel? The ADA ensures that people with disabilities can get the same accommodation as those without (e.g. the resort may give them a second room free if the only accessible room accommodates 2 people and they are traveling with 4 people). Since no one can smoke at a WDW resort, I don't get it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And if he is a Park Guest Relations Manager he would have nothing to do at all with lodging of Guests.

 

[LibertySq100]

And if he is a Park Guest Relations Manager he would have nothing to do at all with lodging of Guests.

Yes, he simply relates the situations to the guest services managers at the specific hotels/resorts.
One extreme situation he handled was a child with one parent with partial CIPA syndrome(the inability to feel pain) that was apart of a group. The parent smoked, and leaving the room was a Designated Smoking Area was unsafe, so he notified guest services and learned they arranged a move to SOG due to the circumstances.

Again, this is why this was placed in the "Rumor" section, this is what he hears and just passing it along.

 

[yitbos96bb]

That is such a step in the wrong direction. We both have asthma. I was thrilled to see the smoking ban placed on the resorts. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to our health. I liked the peace of mind in knowing that our room would not smell like smoke and require us to go ask for another room.

If they do choose to make any building or annex of a resort smoker friendly, then they need to publically announce this to EVERYONE and not let unsuspecting guests walk into a room that might well be one that could make them sick.

I'm fine with the room bans... the balcony bans are totally unacceptable. Of course, that is a matter of opinion.

My guess is that if they do, it will be because of the number of European travelers.

 

[crashbb]

Yes, he simply relates the situations to the guest services managers at the specific hotels/resorts.
One extreme situation he handled was a child with one parent with partial CIPA syndrome(the inability to feel pain) that was apart of a group. The parent smoked, and leaving the room was a Designated Smoking Area was unsafe, so he notified guest services and learned they arranged a move to SOG due to the circumstances.

Again, this is why this was placed in the "Rumor" section, this is what he hears and just passing it along.

Except that SOG is also non-smoking, according to those who have stayed there. So, what did moving them there do? And why was a PARK person rather than a RESORT person dealing with it?

 

[yitbos96bb]

First, you are correct about Swan and Dolphin. Both chains are owned by hotel corporations that have independent policies about smoking rooms. When my cousin mentioned "upscale and convention hotels" they were first to my mind.
Second, I can confirm on a few occasions he has arranged some people with severe disabilities to be moved to SOG as well as DTD "Good Neighbor Hotels". I personally do not know the amount of disabled rooms at SOG (I can ask him via email, but I doubt he knows), but I would suspect it would be a good amount seeing it caters to veterans. These requests do not come easily especially to SOG due to limited availability and the restrictions of the resort. He said most get moved to the Hilton @ DTD or Doubletree if physically going outside is nearly impossible for the disabled traveler.

Finally, as a guest relations manager he does have regular meetings w/ Upper management, where he can relate complaints from guests. His primary function is handling large groups visiting his park. Although he directly has no say in the policy, the overall impression he is getting is this might be a direction they are going in. Again, it's just a rumor, as the thread indicates.

I'd like to see some proof on SOG moves... I don't believe that for a second. They do NOT let anyone in unless they are military... end of story.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Well you've only been a member for 9 days here -so I'll keep that in mind on believing this rumor.

Agreed.... I call bull.

 

[crashbb]

http://www.shadesofgreen.org/booking.htm

If you scroll to the bottom you will see:

Smoking: Shades of Green is a smoke-free resort.