First trip home-probably my LAST!

[Mark099]

I think that's really hard to know....will most people go to the trouble, even in a trip report, to post that they asked for a nonsmoking room and the request was met? I doubt it. The need to vent when upset (or shout from the rooftops when something was spectacular) is a lot stronger than the need to report that everything was OK, i.e., I got my nonsmoking room request.

I think non-smoking requests need to be guaranteed. The health risks associated with smoking and second hand smoke are well documented.

If the tobacco companies can be held liable for damages from smoking rated illnesses, then why not companies that deliberately expose workers and customers to smoking and second hand smoke?

In addition, how many non-smokers have burned furniture, carpets, floors, tables, countertops or started a fire with a cigarette?

 

[jarestel]

I think that's really hard to know....will most people go to the trouble, even in a trip report, to post that they asked for a nonsmoking room and the request was met? I doubt it. The need to vent when upset (or shout from the rooftops when something was spectacular) is a lot stronger than the need to report that everything was OK, i.e., I got my nonsmoking room request.

I think the vast majority of members do receive their smoking preference, but that's not much of a consolation when it's you that gets stuck with the smoking room.

 

[JoEllen]

and Debbie,

That doesn't seem right. There must be a way to get our requests without adding to our expense. Granted, getting a $50 a night hotel off-site is probably more cost effective, but it defeats the purpose of DVC ownership.

Agreed, but it's not that much of a hardship for us. I don't like to waste points for a late arrival anyway.

Another strategy we've used is to rent a studio our first night then check into our 1 bedroom the next morning. That way you're still at your preferred DVC resort but just have to make a room change.

JoEllen

 

[Mark099]

Agreed, but it's not that much of a hardship for us. I don't like to waste points for a late arrival anyway.

Another strategy we've used is to rent a studio our first night then check into our 1 bedroom the next morning. That way you're still at your preferred DVC resort but just have to make a room change.

JoEllen

That's a better idea.

 

[gppnj]

I was wondering: It's only maybe the past 10-15 years that there has even been such a thing a nonsmoking hotel rooms. Before this, did people with medical reasons for requiring nonsmoking rooms simply not ever travel anywhere?

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]Another strategy we've used is to rent a studio our first night then check into our 1 bedroom the next morning. That way you're still at your preferred DVC resort but just have to make a room change.

JoEllen

We fly in from Phoenix, and this is what we do. However, we often get the Studio at another DVC resort. It's usually not a problem to get a Studio for one night, and it's a great way of sampling the other DVC resorts. We did this last May - first night in a VWL Studio - and had a great time simply walking the grounds, riding the ferry boats and enjoying the scenery; we even saw something space-related (shuttle?) in the night sky.

I'm not sure if any of the proposed solutions I've seen (assigning a room when the ressie is made, etc.) are really workable. I would be in favor of a stiff penalty (multiple hundreds of $$$) for someone smoking in a NS room, but enforcement - along with the burden of proof - would be a nightmare for Disney.

Be well.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

I'm not sure if any of the proposed solutions I've seen (assigning a room when the ressie is made, etc.) are really workable. I would be in favor of a stiff penalty (multiple hundreds of $$$) for someone smoking in a NS room, but enforcement - along with the burden of proof - would be a nightmare for Disney.

*******************************************************
This summer my husband and I went to eastern Washington to the wineries.
We spent the night in a Marriott and upon check in, was told this is a no smoking hotel, the entire property (was also told when we made ressies).
When we went to our room, the first thing we saw was this BIG notice that basically we were warned, and if there was any evidence (?Sniff test?) of smoking in the room, there would be a minimal $200 clean up fee.

 

[Mark099]

One thing to keep in mind as we bounce around from resort to resort and room to room is that we generate extra costs with those moves. Ultimately, we pay those costs with higher annual fees.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think non-smoking requests need to be guaranteed. The health risks associated with smoking and second hand smoke are well documented.

If the tobacco companies can be held liable for damages from smoking rated illnesses, then why not companies that deliberately expose workers and customers to smoking and second hand smoke?

In addition, how many non-smokers have burned furniture, carpets, floors, tables, countertops or started a fire with a cigarette?

Whenever I see this word "Guaranteed", I have to laugh. Do people realize that if DVC truly guaranteed non-smoking requests, they'd be the first hotel to ever do that? Yes, when people reserve a non-smoking room at other hotels, they get one almost all the time. However, talk to the number of frequent travelers who have shown up at the hotel's front desk for their "guaranteed" non-smoking room to find out that it is not available. It does happen. I think that DVC is at least being honest by not using that word "Guarantee". I'd be interested to see a representative survey of DVC
members to find out how often the request for non-smoking isn't met. My guess is that it isn't too much different a percentage than the percentage of "guaranteed" non smoking rooms in other hotels that disappear(except at those that are completely non-smoking, can't say I wouldn't like to see that considered).

 

[Mark099]

Ultimately, going total non-smoking might be the best way to go.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I'd be interested to see a representative survey of DVC
members to find out how often the request for non-smoking isn't met. My guess is that it isn't too much different a percentage than the percentage of "guaranteed" non smoking rooms in other hotels that disappear(except at those that are completely non-smoking, can't say I wouldn't like to see that considered).

A poll was done here on the disboards for DVC members and it was about 2.3% of the time that people got smoking rooms when they didn't want them.

As fellow west coaster, we stay in a value our first night, then check in the next morning. Saves points and gets us an early shot at a room.
************************************************** ********

My husband and I talked about that being the only way to get a nonsmoking room and I've read on the boards that more and more people are coming in a night earlier, staying in a hotel somewhere else so they can check in either early or earlier than their arriving flights that may come in late and that way being assured that their requests at least have a chance of being honored.

What's wrong with this picture? ALOT! We shouldn't have to go to the expense to stay in a hotel somewhere else and taking an additional day of vacation when we're paying what we're paying to be a DVC member!

Actually it saves money. We leave Saturday morning, get to WDW Saturday night. Instead of paying 50 points for that first night where all you do is sleep, we pay $75-$100, then check in first thing Sunday morning. Clothes for one day kept in carry on. Saves money, no additional day of vacation required.

Here is the thing. Some people want a room asap. Some people want a specific type room. Some people want both. Unfortunately they can't satisfy all three groups. Thankfully for every person that posts on the disboards about getting a smoking room there are another 45 people that didn't get one.

I also hope for the day when the hotel goes non-smoking, but then again I still see tons of people walking in the MK smoking where they shouldn't.

 

[snowbunny]

I think non-smoking requests need to be guaranteed

Well I agree; I was simply responding to a poster's surmise that complaints are getting more frequent by saying that this is all anecdotal and we don't know whether the problem (of nonsmokers having to take a smoking room) is actually more frequent than it used to be.

The obvious solution is to make the hotels nonsmoking. Same way airports (except for the fog of a few smoking lounges), restaurants, and even bars in some states no longer allow smoking. Will it happen in Florida? Doubtful. But the fact is, even smokers (I'm not one but my DH used to smoke standing outside our house, he quit one year ago) complain when they walk into a room that already reeks of smoke.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

We only had one request last trip: non smoking. We checked in around 9am and did not get into our 2br until 2pm. We were given non smoking rooms. The 1br was fine but the studio portion had been smoked in. HK had used something to take the smell away, but it was still there. We opened the slider and put the fan on high to help get rid of the smell. By the next day, the odor was gone, but I can see where it would really bother someone who was allergic.

My point is we checked in early, got non-smoking rooms but they had been smoked in anyway.

 

[Sammie]

I truly believe if you make the resorts totally NS you will have more people smoking in a NS room, unless Disney goes to a penalty to anyone smoking in a NS room. Which I don't see them doing.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Just an update from my rant (My first trip home/probably my last). I had requested for medical reasons a nonsmoking and put in a smoking. Well, I've been home a week and have been able to work only one day, I'm so ill.
Thanks Disney!! Yes, I did forward my post to DVC itself but have yet to hear anything, it has only been a few days, in their defense.

 

[Chuck S]

From your other thread:

Our options were to stay in the smoking room or stay one night in a nonsmoking room, change to another nonsmoking room and then finally on day 3 of our trip, settle into one room.

So, I would conclude that you could have had a non-smoking room, but didn't want the "inconvenience" of having to move? You accepted the smoking room even though you were aware of the possible consequences? Kind of hard to place blame squarely on Disney for that, huh? Bellmen would have easily relocated you, once your items were ready. You could simply have stored your stuff with bell services and gone to a park, then called bell services when you returned to a new room. I understand it wouldn't have been an "ideal" situation, but wouldn't it have been better than accepting the smoking room?

 

[pumpkinboy]

I dunno, Chuck. She should not have had to accommodate the hotel management when she played entirely by the rules (having re-read the initial post). She was simply crossing her fingers and hoping for the best.

I would think that what DVC needs to do is get a new room assigner at BWV, or if it's due to other policies, change those policies (e.g. room-ready) so ppl don't get sick staying in those properties. One policy change that is on my wish list is for all of my favorite DVC resorts to go all non-smoking, with stiff cleaning fees for those breaking the rules (the way other first-class timeshare groups do).

At the very least, Debbie in Seattle should be getting her points back for that stay, IMO, since she did request non-smoking for Medical Reasons, and MS or the room-assigners did not take note of that issue. A non-smoking room for someone with smoke allergies or athsma is not simply a request, it is an absolute requirement. DVC management needs to shape up in order to protect this growing portion of its constituency; and if that is at the expense of a diminishing constiuency that chooses to smoke, then so be it.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

One thing, why didn't it say on her confirmation "non-smoking due to medical reasons", arn't those rooms pulled before arrival date? Even though she called, the clod that answered the phone probably yes'd her to death, assuming it said that on the confirmation, so there wouldn't be a problem.

For all the money we have spent on DVC, we shouldn't have to worry whether we will get a smoking or non-smoking room. All other requests should be just that, requests, but they should be able to guarantee the smoking issue when you call in to make the reservation.

 

[castleri]

I also agree with Chuck S that having been given the option of non-smoking room first night and having to move I might have taken that rather than risk my health if my concerns were so great- then I would have addressed the issue with a manager in the morning in the hopes of not having to move again or I would have asked if there was a non smoking room at one of the other DVC resorts for those days with adjustment of points if needed until one was available at BCV for the remainder of the stay. Several times people in our family have ended up sick after a trip - can't blame it on a smoking room but maybe a long plane flight could have contributed with all the "germ"s being recirculated through the ventilation system. It is another matter about the housekeeping issues and it sounds as if the manager on duty really tried to correct that issue.
In RI there is no smoking in any workplace or within 50 feet of the door to a public place so I have become very sensitive to the smell of smoke where there is smoking allowed. I was a smoker until 18 years ago and would love to have all DVC units NS or at least a guarantee on making a reservation but don't think that will happen. That would at least give people the option of saying - okay no NS room I will have to change my trip dates.
In the end it comes down to although she requested NS medical reasons it did not state that on her confirmation and she waited until 3 days before the trip to inquire about it. I would have been on the phone when the confirmation arrived and asked that a new one be sent with that statement on it. It is still a request but at least then you know that is in fact what is in the reservation system not just what someone on the phone says is in there.
Lastly - traveling without your inhaler if asthmatic is truly taking a risk - you never know when something might trigger an attack and not having it could be deadly. - I spent many hours in various medical facilities while DD was given IV meds, oxygen etc. even after using an inhaler so truly believe if you need an inhaler you need to have one with you - especially if traveling great distances. If smoke is a trigger don't take a chance that you will never be in a situation where there is smoke - second hand or otherwise.
DVC has been the best thing I have done for myself and my family and there have been small issues (getting a smoking allowed GV after requesting a NS one, being assigned a villa near a pool as requested - no water in the pool as it was being redone). We survived them and will probably have a few more as time goes on. For us the advantages far outweigh the aggravations. This is not true for everyone and I wish those who feel the lack of guarantees is a major problem good luck in whatever decison they make, whether it is to give it another try or to put their contract on the market and make someone else extremely happy to get a resale at DVC for a good price.

 

[Sammie]

One thing, why didn't it say on her confirmation "non-smoking due to medical reasons", arn't those rooms pulled before arrival date? Even though she called, the clod that answered the phone probably yes'd her to death, assuming it said that on the confirmation, so there wouldn't be a problem.

For all the money we have spent on DVC, we shouldn't have to worry whether we will get a smoking or non-smoking room. All other requests should be just that, requests, but they should be able to guarantee the smoking issue when you call in to make the reservation.

NS for medical reasons has become such a common occurance that basically everyone that asks for a NS room states its for a medical reason. I am sure this forum had nothing to do with that, Disney does not guarantee NS rooms, they guarantee for Medical Reasons they will try. I have also seen many people post there that NS is just one of their requests. Not saying the OP did this, but if NS is truly a major part of a healthy vacation, a guest should never request anything but NS. Even if the view is the dumpster view.

Therefore it is possible that at times there are simply no NS rooms available at the time of checkin. You can not make others move out of their rooms to accommidate someone checking in.

The guest was given an option to move, I agree that getting your request should happen, but when it doesn't and they offer you the NS room the next day, it is then the guest's responsiblity to take it. I know if the choice was moving or being sick, then moving is given.

There is no way to completely control this situation as I have been given NS rooms to find them heavily filled with smoke from the previous guest.