For you smokers out there......

[ColoradoBelle1]

007.

I believe there are some things re smoking that we can all agree on:

1.Disney should guarantee smoking or non-smoking rooms at the time of reservation.

2.We can all be a little kinder to each other. About lots of things, including being less judgemental about our friends who smoke. THat being said, however, stating that smoke bothers ME isn't being judgemental. Expecting someone to keep their smoke to themselves isn't being judgemental. Expecting that cig butts should be placed in proper containers like all other litter isn't being judgemental. Expecting that if rooms were designated nonsmoking that no one would smoke is also nonjudgemental. Calling smokers names or telling them to go stay somewhere else...IS judgemental.

3. If rooms were designated as smoking /non-smoking, how could that be effectively enforced? I agree with a poster above who said that Imagineers could solve the enforcement issue:One quick thing comes to my mind...the airlines banned smoking on planes so people went into the bathrooms and smoked. So they posted a sign in the bathrooms saying that smoking was an offense punishable by fines and maybe even deportation from the plane without a parachute AND they put smoke detectors in the bathroom with big alarm systems. Hence, the easy answer: all nonsmoking rooms come equipped with smoke alarms specially designed to pick up cigarette smoke. If triggered, red lights would flash, obnoxious noises (hopefully confined to that unit) would trigger, and a monitoring relay would be sent to security. The 'culprit' would have to pay for the service of resetting the alarm. SO: anyone who didn't smoke in a nonsmoking room wouldn't be hassled, but anyone who smoked in a nonsmoking room would pay say, a $500 fine each time. The fines would go towards paying for the devices and the monitoring of same.

One poster said something that I believe bears repeating: there are two sides to the issue of cigarette smoking in the rooms or on balconies. But the sides aren't equal BECAUSE smokers can choose to take a smoking room or a nonsmoking room...so they have access to 100% of the rooms, even tho the nonsmoking rooms might cause them a little inconvenience. Nonsmokers (who are bothered by smoke) don't have that option. They would be confined to the % of rooms that were truly nonsmoking. (Perhaps some smokers might think that nonsmokers do...but it is a health issue NOT a convenience issue for most if not all nonsmokers. )

I believe that because that since people purchased DVC units believing that they could smoke...that DIsney shouldn't ban smoking completely. I believe it would be fair to limit the number of units that smokers can smoke in and guarantee smoking/non smoking rooms at the time of reservation. Finally I believe it reasonable to enforce no smoking in the non/smoking rooms.

Now I have a question for smokers, and it is sincerely asked:
How inconvenient is it for you to have to leave the room to smoke? Would I be correct in assuming that the major inconvenience would be getting up and having to get dressed before having the first cig and then that after some hot 'amore' same problemo. Is it fair to assume that you are at WDW, so most of the day is spent doing things outside the room anyway? So, how about this option: If you are a smoker, we ban smoking in the rooms BUT you get something nonsmokers don't, a Mickey Mouse Robe that you can slip on to walk outside to a little garden area (with heaters for the winter) so that you can have your smoke in comfort and without the bother of getting dressed..

So: the DVC members are a strong group. I think we should propose to Disney that both smoker owners and nonsmoker owners feel it should be our RIGHT to have guaranteed dedicated smoking non-smoking rooms at the time of reservation. We also feel that Disney should enforce nonsmoking in nonsmoking rooms by posting a 'notice of penalty' and having alarm sensors in the nonsmoking units to prevent smoking abuse. Would any DVC member, smoker or non, be opposed to this arrangement?

Colorado Belle

 

[Mickey527]

I just booked three rooms for family for May and got the confirmation in the mail today.
I see that it says Non smoking room requested, not guaranteed.
I have quite a few family members traveling with me who have allergies and asthma.
I live with 3 smokers but they have to go outside to smoke because I can't tolerate the smell.
How can they do this, put people's health at risk? I will be calling Member's services tomorrow to make sure they can guarantee a non smoking room, otherwise I might have to cancel. I won't take a chance with other family members, I could risk it if it was just myself, but my niece and nephew ould wind up in the hospital if they had to be in a room that stunk of smoke.
Peggie

 

[tjkraz]

Smoking / Non-Smoking rooms are not guaranteed at any Disney properties. However, you might want to check out this thread for some first-hand info on the frequency with which the smoking preference is accommodated.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=755209

If I remember correctly, it was something like 2% of the time that people didn't get the type of room they request.

You may also want to note the "medical necessity" for non-smoking on your reservation. IMO, the possibilty of getting a smoking room assigned is not worth worrying about.

 

[Dean]

You can improve your chances by making it a medical request but NO way to guarantee NS PERIOD, unfortunately.

 

[sssteele]

That's a risk you take anywhere. It's a shame, but people smoke in designated "non'smoking" motel rooms all the time. Threats of fines under state or local law do not deter them. That may be why DVC cannot "guarantee" a non-smoking room. Would that mean that they are guaranteeing a room that is designated a "non-smoking" room, or are they guaranteeing that a unit has never been smoked in? I guess you can't take the chance of having someone hospitalized.

 

[megrod74]

I would definitely call and tell them you have a medical necessity, but want to 2nd what pp's said about "non-smoking" rooms. I have stayed in some that reeked of smoke
If you are not happy with your room, call down to the front desk IMMEDIATELY and see what they can do.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Here was the totals from the smoking/HA thread.

276 visits
22 HA (7.9%)
6 smoking (2.2%)

As you can see, only a 2.2% chance of getting a smoking room. In most of those cases Disney switched rooms for the people.

My advice would be to only have one request on your resi, that being no-smoking. You should be fine. You probably have a greater chance of getting a room that is no-smoking but someone smoked in it anyways.

 

[db78]

This is very interesting. My husband has asthma, and when we have stayed at a Marriott hotel, the reservation staff have told us they have to guarantee us a NS room due to ADA laws. It is considered a disability and they have to accomodate us. I wonder why Disney does not have to follow this?

 

[DebbieB]

If you think DVC is bad for not guaranteeing non-smoking rooms, Sheraton Vistana (also a timeshare) does not even have non-smoking rooms:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=5608

"The Sheraton's Vistana Resort, Lake Buena Vista does not offer non-smoking rooms"

 

[Dean]

This is very interesting. My husband has asthma, and when we have stayed at a Marriott hotel, the reservation staff have told us they have to guarantee us a NS room due to ADA laws. It is considered a disability and they have to accomodate us. I wonder why Disney does not have to follow this?

I don't think this falls under the ADA and I don't know of any hotel that truly guarantees a NS room unless they don't have smoking rooms, even when the confirmation says NS guaranteed. Read the fine print.

If you think DVC is bad for not guaranteeing non-smoking rooms, Sheraton Vistana (also a timeshare) does not even have non-smoking rooms:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=5608

"The Sheraton's Vistana Resort, Lake Buena Vista does not offer non-smoking rooms"

Many timeshare don't but a number are moving that way.

 

[jmminarik]

This is very interesting. My husband has asthma, and when we have stayed at a Marriott hotel, the reservation staff have told us they have to guarantee us a NS room due to ADA laws. It is considered a disability and they have to accomodate us. I wonder why Disney does not have to follow this?

Maybe you should read the ADA guidelines from the Department of Justice:

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/reg3a.html#Anchor-Appendix-52467

It sounds as if someone in Marriot's management food chain has made a decision based on their own opinion, not necessarily the ADA and official documentation surrounding it.

-Joe

 

[sjdisneywedding]

As you can see, only a 2.2% chance of getting a smoking room. In most of those cases Disney switched rooms for the people.

true and in my opinion it happens 2.2% too often. NS should be a guarentee request at the time of check in. I cant buy into the arguement that dvc cant guarentee NS because a few bad apples may smoke in a NS room. That is not the norm.

I personally would rather take my chances with a guarenteed NS room that may have been smoked in once by some rare chance than wait 11 months to see whether they stick me in a smoking room that is smoked in basically everyday

this is from someone who really wouldnt mind too much either way, I cant imagine having allergies or asthema and having to stress over this for the months leading to your vacation. thats not what a vacation is for

 

[CarolMN]

On a practical note:

* Getting a guaranteed N/S (or smoking room) is not in the cards for the immediate future. Doesn't help to continually stress out over things beyond your control. Only hurts you.

*Keep in mind that the chance of getting one is small.

*Arrive as early in the day as you can to further minimize your chances.

*Write a letter (snail mail is best) to the powers that be to let them know you want a change in policy.

FWIW, I don't plan to worry about this until/unless it actually happens. I'll deal with it then. In the meantime, I probably won't be reading anymore "venting" threads re smoking or HA rooms - just gives me a very lopsided perspective on the scope of the problem.

Best wishes -

 

[crisi]

The other possibility is that you will get a non-smoking room that has been smoked in. That has been known to happen as well - rare, but it happens.

 

[eileenfk]

I don't think this falls under the ADA and I don't know of any hotel that truly guarantees a NS room unless they don't have smoking rooms, even when the confirmation says NS guaranteed. Read the fine print.

I don't know if many hotels "truly guarantee" a NS room, but most major hotel chains (and ALL the ones I stay at besides Disney) do have it as part of the room type being reserved.
Most hotels guarantee a NS room, as much as Disney guarantees the number of bedrooms or the resort, and at some resorts the view.
(If you read the small print you may find that even these things are not a true guarantee).

For most hotels smoking/non smoking is part of the basic room description, in the computer, when a room is reserved.
I have gone to book hotels, and found that only smoking rooms were left, so I could then make a choice not to book a room at that hotel.

Disney is not likely to make this change until they feel that not making it is costing them business.
The technology is there, and used by most major hotel chains.
I am certain Disney feels they make more profit by having a few un-happy guests then potentially not booking as many rooms.
I can't think of any other reason to not make smoking/non-smoking and HA part of the room type, just like the number of bedrooms and the view.

I am not too likely to be too dissapointed with a HA room (unless I am traveling with small children), but am much less likely to be dissapointed if I am reserving that type of room, based on knowing it is all that is available when I make my reservation.

- Eileen

 

[SoCalKDG]

What is the exact rules on smoking at the pools?

My last visit from 4/9 to 4/19 I was at the BW pool and the WL pool. At the WL pool I noticed both cigars and cigarettes being smoked in lounge chairs right in the middle of many people. While I actually like the smell, my wife doesn't so I asked a CM. He stated they don't have a policy. Great answer.

Can people smoke at the pools? If they can & do, what are they using for ashtrays? Couldn't they be a bit more considerate and not smoke right in the middle of everyone? If smoking isn't allowed, what can be done about it?

 

[athenna]

Well, I have only stayed at 1 DVC resort and don't know the ''official'' rules, however, I know at SSR they had an ashtray (one of those tall ones, if you know what I mean, I don't know if it has another name) right by the hot tub. Around the pool I can't say for sure as I swam just a little. But they probably had another one near the pool. This was the Congress Park pool, by the way, not the main pool.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

At BWV's I've never smoked in a lounge/pool chair...I do however, while at the Luna Park Pool, go over to the Leaping Horse Pool Bar and puff sometimes with a drink. Other than that it's the only time I smoke at the pool...Infact, I've never seen anyone else smoke other than the bar.

 

[db78]

We were at BWV this month, and noticed a lot of people smoking at the Luna pool. We asked a CM about the smoking policy at the pool, and we were told as long as they are not right by the pool itself, they can smoke.

I'm not trying to start a big smoking debate here, but my husband has asthma, and it seems everytime he sat down on a lounge chair, someone would light up around him and he'd have to move.

Seems like they need to come up with a compromise of some sorts; one area of the pool area for smokers? so others would know where to sit and they could be away from the smoke?

 

[BensMom]

Yep, freaking gross. My 5 year old has asthma. Lovely to sit down at the pool at AKL only to have to endure three 20 somethings lighting up all at the same time DOWNWIND.

The kicker was when they would put their butts out on the pool deck (yummy) and then just leave the things there. Class. Love it.