MK Toontown - Smoking Area - Has This Been Discussed?

[summerrluvv]

I understand that smokers need to smoke and need an area to do so in. I can't understand why they have a character meet and greet area right next to the smoking area in Toontown at the MK. The children have to walk right through the cloud of smoke to get to the characters and then hang out in what is essentially a smoking area. The first time we saw the characters I thought it was just a spur of the moment meet and greet, but that's not the case since we saw the characters again 2 days later while on the train.

I'm not sure what the solution would be because smokers need a place to smoke and that seems like the only place to do so, but I really think they need to do something.

 

[dmk1021]

I'm so glad someone else noticed this! I just visited at the end of January and was so annoyed by this! It's a great spot to meet characters (see picture of me and Darkwing Duck below -my hero!); however, I have asthma and I literally have to hold my breath when walking through!

Little side note: Worst smoking story - I was washing my hands in the ladies room next to the Plaza when I looked over and standing inside the ladies room smoking was a MAN! I could not believe it! Utter shock.

On my way out (after pointing this out to my Mom and getting more angry as I told her), I politely suggested to the man that he not stand in the ladies room like a pervert, let alone smoking (my gosh, which is worse!). His response was - "It's raining, what do you want me to do?" Mine - "Suffer!"

 

[tjmouse]

Geez, what an idiot that guy was!

I totally agree about the smoking area in ToonTown. I am a smoker and I won't use that one BECAUSE of the characters and all the kids around. I mean, come on!

I don't understand why they don't move it to the other side of the train station near the path between TT and TL. At least there aren't as many people over there.

Of course this thread will soon get way off the initial subject and focus why no one in the world should be allowed to smoke anywhere, so I wanted to post my disgust of this particular location coming from a smoker's point of view, before it becomes just a smoker bashing thread.

 

[Schmeck]

People need to mention this to the CMs when you are at the character meet - the handlers could get the messages to the managers, especially if enough people told them...

I remember one time when a woamn was smoking on a bench about 40 feet away from the smoking area at MGM, neat ToT. I approached her and explained that she was in a no-smoking area, and that she was supposed to smoke 'over there, by the ashbarrels, in that corner, with the benches.' She continued to smoke where she was. I saw two CMs going by, asked them where the smoking area was, and pointed out the lady who was smoking behind me. They went right up to her and she moved. My heroes!

The point is, I believe that the CMs will do something if you approach them. I think pointing out the smoke getting to the kids (and the characters! It's hard enough being in character without having to inhale second hand smoke) in line would make them rethink the smoking area.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

"It's raining, what do you want me to do?"

(grab, twist) I want you to get out of the ladies room and get wet, instead of being a perve.

Although I guess if you did that, you'd be in trouble.

 

[MommytoMJM]

Just have to add, that I agree... dumb, dumb, dumb

 

[senecabeach]

I totally agree about the smoking area in ToonTown. I am a smoker and I won't use that one BECAUSE of the characters and all the kids around. I mean, come on!

I don't understand why they don't move it to the other side of the train station near the path between TT and TL. At least there aren't as many people over there.

Of course this thread will soon get way off the initial subject and focus why no one in the world should be allowed to smoke anywhere, so I wanted to post my disgust of this particular location coming from a smoker's point of view, before it becomes just a smoker bashing thread.

I AGREE TOTALLY...and also am a smoker ...and YES..bashing will soon start ...even for us considerate smokers...so Im outta here !!

 

[melomouse]

tjmouse & seneca - -

I, too, am a smoker and cannot believe this is where they designated a smoking area. Somebody is asleep at the switch. Or maybe at the railroad station. I am ready to complain myself....

and I am so happy we have not yet disintegrated into a smoking/non battle...

melomouse

 

[doombuggy3]

I'm not sure it'll turn into the battle like everyone thinks just because it is in such an inconvenient spot and I think that's something that most people will agree with. I have never noticed this and I don't understand why it'd be there of all places? Does any CM have an answer for this?

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Does any CM have an answer for this?

I can tell you that the CM's at the Train Station have complained about this A LOT... Even when the characters are not out every 4 to 7 minutes we are exiting a train into that area. It is very poorly placed as the last 3 and a half cars of the train exit through the back 2 exits, right into that area... I too have never understood why the character meet and greet location is there (same as in Liberty Square...behind Liberty Tree Tavern is a Character location that is shared with a smoking area...) it makes no sense, but the CM's are not the ones that can change this...The complaints need to come from the park guests through City Hall (guest relations) and/or letters. We have been trying to find away to get that TT area moved since they started doing the "designated smoking area"...

 

[C.Ann]

When we were there in 2001 it wasn't an "official" Character Meet area - just a place where if you were vigilent you could "catch" them coming from behind the building.. If they have made it official now then yes - everyone should mention it in the parks - maybe even stop in at that informational building on the left as soon as you enter the park..

 

[athenna]

I had been a smoker for 19 years, made countless trips to WDW and have never and would never smoke in that spot.


Oh, btw, I quit smoking Monday. Day 4 on the Nicorette gum and it sure is working. It's a little rough right now, but I am so proud of myself

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My DH is a smoker and he too thought that spot was wrong. He tried sitting next to the ashtray and was still bothering everybody that got off the train. Just not a good spot.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Oh, btw, I quit smoking Monday. Day 4 on the Nicorette gum and it sure is working. It's a little rough right now, but I am so proud of myself

Congrats and Good Luck!!

 

[doombuggy3]

Oh, btw, I quit smoking Monday. Day 4 on the Nicorette gum and it sure is working. It's a little rough right now, but I am so proud of myself

Good for you, go you!!!! Good luck!!! Here's some pixie dust to help you stay strong!

 

[Mecha Figment]

OKAY follks. i'm going to tell you stuff about this location and i might get flamed for it but here it goes. This area is not an official meet and greet spot. What it is though is the official spot for the last two days of for the characters to get training. This "new" characters are learning the tricks of the trade so to speak. and this location allows for an easy escape route when the time comes to head out.

 

[summerrluvv]

OKAY follks. i'm going to tell you stuff about this location and i might get flamed for it but here it goes. This area is not an official meet and greet spot. What it is though is the official spot for the last two days of for the characters to get training. This "new" characters are learning the tricks of the trade so to speak. and this location allows for an easy escape route when the time comes to head out.

I thought something was strange when I didn't see that the CM's had on the "meet and greet" jackets with the hand on the back. I also noticed a few of them had camcorders and were taping the characters. At first I thought they were just ordinary guests but then saw their name tags.

Regardless, it's still a poor location for them (or the smoking section) to be in.

 

[Mecha Figment]

well the reason it is not moved to the others side of the train station is because of the train. The area is smaller and the crowds would be hard to manage. and as a disney rule, no two characters can take pictures together with the execption of lilo and stich and chip and dale. the area over past smoking allows for more movement and space.

 

[summerrluvv]

well the reason it is not moved to the others side of the train station is because of the train. The area is smaller and the crowds would be hard to manage. and as a disney rule, no two characters can take pictures together with the execption of lilo and stich and chip and dale. the area over past smoking allows for more movement and space.

Well there must be some sort of solution they could come up with like move the smoking section? I mean afterall, WDW caters to children and a meet and greet (while not an official location, characters are still greeting children) in a smoking section just doesn't seem very conducive to what WDW is all about (children).

DS had his pic taken with Captain Hook and Mr. Smie together as well as Peter Pan and Wendy and Woody and Jessie on our last trip.

 

[philaround]

Oh, btw, I quit smoking Monday. Day 4 on the Nicorette gum and it sure is working. It's a little rough right now, but I am so proud of myself

Congratulations. Hope you make it through. I will be celebrating my 3rd anniversary as an ex-smoker on our next trip to WDW in May. When I had made my reservation for May 2003 I was still smoking so I asked for a smoking room. It felt so great when I checked in and told the CM at the front desk to please change me to a non-smoking room.