It's just a matter of time...

[Dean]

As of May 1, 2006, the Walt Disney World Swan will be 100% non smoking.

I understand all Westin Hotels are now going to be so, I wonder about their timeshares.

 

[cheerbop]

I remember being shocked in the early 90s when I first started going to WDW a lot. People could smoke just about everywhere back then.

I lived in California and was just used to not being around smoke very often. To me it just seemed like there was a smoker everytime I turned around.

I'd be more impressed if they really enforced non-smoking in the parks. I am amazed at how many smokers just totally disregard the rules and walk along smoking or those who thing they are complying because the are maybe 20 yards away from a smoking area (kind of in that direction).

UGH!! Amen from mee also!!!!

 

[KLEONARD]

Add me to the smoke free list. My DW had a cornea transplant 4 years ago. Smoke can be a real pain. I hope the DVC powers that be are monitoring the boards.

 

[kathleena]

I was VERY excited when I read this about Disneyland!

 

[rascalmom]

A welcome change! My family all has major allergies, dd has mild asthma & I have a dry eye condition that is irritated by exposure to smoke. At least one of us will end up sick before the end of a trip if we are stuck in a room that has been smoked in - good for DL. I hope WDW is not far behind.

At least separate the smoking rooms into different buildings & leave resorts that share hallways & close proximity on balconies, etc. all non-smoking.

 

[Hef4545]

I do not smoke but do respect the freedom of others to smoke so I don't think a ban is appropriate.

Unfortunately, I think some smokers brought this on themselves since they do not abide by the rules if non smoking rooms smell like smoke. The smoker has to respect the rights and health needs of the non smoker and comply to the rules.
While having a smoking spot in the parks is a nice idea, there are those that wander away from the designated spot as someone else has said.
A smoking room or coral sort of thing with specific boundaries created might be a better solution since that would keep the problem contained. Anyone smoking outside the room should be asked to leave the park and a sign posted advising them of this.
As for the resorts, I would ask for a similar smoking room since that would prevent the smoking on the balcony, smoking at the pool sort of things. Again, unfortunately, this is because of those certain smokers that refuse to respect the rights of those that do not smoke or for health reasons cannot be around smoke.

 

[smjj]

Can't happen soon enough but the problem will be "will WDW enforce it". The last trip we made to OKW this last Nov/Dec is a good example. We ask for non-smoking and got it. We opened the door and the place smelled like a tobaco convention had been held there. We complained and were moved, in the poring rain to another room and lost about two hours time because some idiot choose not to follow the rules. The OKW duty manager used the excuse, there was nothing she could do about it!!..smjj

 

[Judique]

I understand all Westin Hotels are now going to be so, I wonder about their timeshares.

I don't know about their (Westin's) timeshares. I read the message while booking a Swan room - the same info is not on the Dolphin's page, by the way. I am a long time Westin business customer and Westin has always bent over backwards to resolve any smoking room issues I've had.

 

[bams50]

Fantastic!!

In NY, smoking was banned in ALL public places about 2 years ago... at that time the bars and bingo halls threw a fit (same old "it'll kill our business" arguement)... but the reality is, while a few who were on shaky ground did close and use the smoking ban as an excuse, the vast majority did just as was expected- adjust and continue as usual...

It's now a shock to travel and forget that a lot of states still allow it in their restaurants; we get blind-sided at least once a trip, and have to leave...

Things aren't perfect here; we still have degenerates standing by the entrances to public places puffing filth and throwing butts all over the ground- even in front of hospitals!! Little by little, they're cleaning these things up though...

I know some smokers who have used the increasing taxes and restrictions as the final impetus to take the first step towards quitting; another benefit...

Every cigarette is like a little prayer to get cancer, heart disease, etc.; as time goes on, more and more are choosing health and life! After all the illness and death I've had to witness in folks I loved, it can't happen soon enough!!

 

[Deemarch]

When I go to WDW I don't want my memory of my room to be the aroma of an ashtray!!!

NY did it! NJ did it! (Well, almost, they just have to ignore the payoffs from the casinos and they will be smoke-free, too!!) Now on to WDW!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Can't happen soon enough but the problem will be "will WDW enforce it". The last trip we made to OKW this last Nov/Dec is a good example. We ask for non-smoking and got it. We opened the door and the place smelled like a tobaco convention had been held there. We complained and were moved, in the poring rain to another room and lost about two hours time because some idiot choose not to follow the rules. The OKW duty manager used the excuse, there was nothing she could do about it!!..smjj

We really can't/shouldn't assume that "some idiot chose not to follow the rules".

Disney CMs have been known to tell smokers who cannot get placed in a smoking room that it is OK to smoke in the non-smoking room Housekeeping will even bring them ashtrays. I truly believe if Disney would just stop doing that, the number of compaints/experiences like yours would be significantly reduced.

Most smokers are considerate - we just remember the inconsiderate ones. Just like many smokers only remember the "anti-smoking nazis".

Best wishes -

 

[La2kw]

I have never checked into a room where I was overwhelmed with smoke from the last guest but if I did or I had health problems, I can understand why the no smoking resorts would be a great idea. Disney isn't going to be able to do that in every market but its nice to see them take a first step in the U.S.

I wonder what they are going to do to those who break the rule and that's going to happen...

The Grand Californian has been a nonsmoking hotel since it opened. They have no problem filling the rooms. There are outside smoking areas on the hotel grounds. If you look around, the majority of people do not smoke.

 

[Dean]

I don't know about their (Westin's) timeshares. I read the message while booking a Swan room - the same info is not on the Dolphin's page, by the way. I am a long time Westin business customer and Westin has always bent over backwards to resolve any smoking room issues I've had.

Here's a link An excerpt

Guests who smoke in their rooms at a smoke-free Westin hotel will be assessed a $200 cleaning fee. It's about four times more expensive to clean a smoking room because of the frequent need to thoroughly clean drapes, carpet and bedding, says Vivian Deuschl, a vice president of The Ritz-Carlton, which has 60 hotels worldwide. The Naples Golf Resort is the chain's only smoke-free hotel.

I scanned through and didn't see any indication about their timeshare arm.

 

[smjj]

We really can't/shouldn't assume that "some idiot chose not to follow the rules".

Disney CMs have been known to tell smokers who cannot get placed in a smoking room that it is OK to smoke in the non-smoking room Housekeeping will even bring them ashtrays. I truly believe if Disney would just stop doing that, the number of compaints/experiences like yours would be significantly reduced.

-

Being aware that people have stated that(here on the DIS I might add), I was quick to bring it up when the manager and I spoke while they were looking for another room for us. She assured me that does not happen. Of course, being put on the spot, she could have just said that to me to deflect any other questions or statements I would have thrown at her. Either way, we ask for and were granted a non-smoking room and they failed to deliver. I would at the least expect Mousekeeping to throughly clean a non-smoking room that had been smoked in before the next quest arrive...smjj

 

[TCPluto]

Disney CMs have been known to tell smokers who cannot get placed in a smoking room that it is OK to smoke in the non-smoking room

I think this is an urban legend, started by a smoker...

 

[CarolMN]

I think this is an urban legend, started by a smoker...

But I don't smoke (never have)!

I have personally witnessed a housekeeper bringing an ashtray to a room with a non-smoking sign on the door (at BWV), so it is not all that difficult for me to believe other posters who report front desk CMs telling smokers it is OK to smoke in their non-smoking room.

Best wishes -

.

 

[TCPluto]

Carol, I didn't mean to imply that you started it, sorry if that's what you thought I meant.,

I've seen it posted several times, and it is usually in the way of "I've heard that they (yes the infamous "they") will allow smoking in nonsmoking room".

If a member called the front desk for an ash tray, I don't think they would always check first to see if the request was coming from a non-smoking room, though they certainly should.

 

[greenban]

I think this is an urban legend, started by a smoker...

I dont know. I just checked on www.snopes.com and could not find it listed!!!! BTW, there is a lot of Disney UL's listed!

-Tony

 

[Judique]

But I don't smoke (never have)!

I have personally witnessed a housekeeper bringing an ashtray to a room with a non-smoking sign on the door (at BWV), so it is not all that difficult for me to believe other posters who report front desk CMs telling smokers it is OK to smoke in their non-smoking room.

Best wishes -

.

I've found ashtrays in nonsmoking rooms.

 

[Para2176]

I'd be more impressed if they really enforced non-smoking in the parks. I am amazed at how many smokers just totally disregard the rules and walk along smoking or those who thing they are complying because the are maybe 20 yards away from a smoking area (kind of in that direction).

First off, I am not a smoker and yes I do support 100% smoke free environments. But I also have friends that do smoke and they have always been considerate by removing themselves to a location that does not offend. When we were in Epcot and MK last November, the CMs were very vigilant in enforcing the policy. To the extent that when they saw my friends carrying unlit cigarettes, they politely asked them to go to the designated smoking areas.

While also at Epcot, we watched a CM ask a visitor numerous times to move to the designated smoking area or extinguish the cigarette. After five (5) times, yes five times, security was requested and the person ejected from the park (kicking and screaming).

I think asking anyone five times as politely as they did was more than enough.

Tony