My Rant: This should not be a designated smoking area in the MK!

[kcb1dizbksfan]

There is one area within the MK that is a wonderful respite from all the commotion of the MK and that is the section across the way from Casey's where all guests can sit, relax, eat and enjoy a hideaway and yet still be close to all the activities in the park.

Why on earth has the perimeter of this area been set-up to allow smoking? I just noticed this horrible situation when I was visiting for DAP2 this past December and I just could not believe that I was smelling smoke while eating my hotdog. I totally lost my appetite and actually rushed through eating it and did not stay long, because the charm and relaxing feeling this area has given me for over 30 years is now gone.

As a reformed smoker for over a decade now, I can appreciate having a designated smoking area, but this is NOT the place!!

DR NYKCB (Ken)

 

[txvjc]

The smoking area that bugs me the most is the one right next to the wishing well...that path is traveled pretty heavily with people on their way to see Rapunzel or go to the well.

 

[GAN]

Looks like some pretty high-rent digs.

 

[vicki_c]

That has been a smoking area for years. I'd say at least 5 years, if not much longer than that. Doesn't mean you have to agree, but your post made it sound like it just happened.

 

[kcb1dizbksfan]

That has been a smoking area for years. I'd say at least 5 years, if not much longer than that. Doesn't mean you have to agree, but your post made it sound like it just happened.

It is the first I have noticed it and if its 5 years . . . its 5 too many!

DR NYKCB (Ken)

 

[wdwscout]

True, this has been a smoking area for quite some time now.

I always think it looks like a lovely place to sit, relax and enjoy the view- but I don't ever go there because of the smokers down there.

 

[dansyr2514]

I do smoke, although I am in the process of quitting and I wholehearthedly agree. Sometimes the designated smoking areas are right in the middle of a high traffic area. I do the right thing and go to a designated smoking area, but then spend most of time, trying to make sure no one passing by is experiencing my smoke. Maybe Disney need to re think some of these areas.

 

[disprincessatheart]

We have wanted to sit down there with our ice cream many times too and couldn't. Every time we think we've found a nice quiet spot in mk to sit while our toddler naps, either a parade comes by or we find out it's a smoking area (across from the dole whips, really?) of course I don't know where I would like to see the smoking areas... Maybe the fantasy land expansion will create some smoking areas far away from the main traffic AND some quiet non smoking areas.

 

[WaltD4Me]

In the last few years Disney has reduced the smoking areas in the parks, most of them are now off pathways and walkways (I agree about the one by the Wishing Well, I've never understood that one) because people don't want to walk through a cloud of smoke, but moving them off the pathways puts them in the quiet little out of the way spots and then people wonder why the nice little quiet out of the way spots are smoking areas. I totally understand people not wanting to be around smokers, but in order to do that, little tucked away spots off the paths/walkways are going to be used.

 

[BriarRosie]

Lisa summed it up nicely. There's a Catch-22 about keeping the smokers in a more secluded location, but there will always be people who want to relax in a nice, quiet location and find smokers. Nobody can win, and I'd rather see smokers in these places than in more high traffic areas.

Strangely enough, I can't explain why it didn't bother me to be around people walking around with lit cigarettes at Disneyland Paris. I'd have been feeling differently if it happened in the US parks.

 

[k5jm]

Lisa summed it up nicely. There's a Catch-22 about keeping the smokers in a more secluded location, but there will always be people who want to relax in a nice, quiet location and find smokers. Nobody can win, and I'd rather see smokers in these places than in more high traffic areas.

Strangely enough, I can't explain why it didn't bother me to be around people walking around with lit cigarettes at Disneyland Paris. I'd have been feeling differently if it happened in the US parks.

...and there were designated smoking areas at DL Paris!

 

[luke]

...and there were designated smoking areas at DL Paris!

the designated smoking areas in DLP are anywhere where there is not a 'smoking permitted' sign

Seriously, I smoke, and I don't think I have ever seen anyone in their smoking areas!!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I too would love to sit down in that area but don't because of the smoke and I don't really like sitting in the seating area above because the smoke rises and I hate the taste of smoke on my food, even when I was a smoker I hated it!

I never understand why proprietors put smoking areas below non-smoking areas I thought everyone knew that smoke rises!?

 

[monkeyknuckler]

I've sent a proposal to WDW for my idea of where the new MK smoking section should be:

 

[kcb1dizbksfan]

I've sent a proposal to WDW for my idea of where the new MK smoking section should be:

What a great proposal! . . . I am sure it will be fast-tracked for approval : - )

DR NYKCB (Ken)

 

[WLodgeLizard]

I think an ideal place would be a place were nobody goes, already smells bad and is contained so the smell doesn't leak. Wait a second, I think I just described Stitch's Great Adventure!

 

[Susan R]

The spot by Casey's and the path to the wishing well are the two smoking sections I've noticed the most and I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I encourage everyone who is bothered by it to take a few minutes to go to guest services and let them know. Perhaps that might change something.

One thing that I overheard that bugged me was when I was walking on the path to the wishing well and people we saying very rude things to the smokers who were there as they passed by. I'm not sure if the people complaining knew that it was a designated smoking area or not but they were being very rude.
I wasn't happy to have to walk through all of the smokers either but they are only doing what is instructed and smoking where they are told to!

Hmmm...since smoke rises, maybe Disney could put a designated smoking area in the Swiss Family Treehouse...or the back seat of Big Thunder

 

[msbettybelle]

As an ex smoker I hate the thought of walking past the designated smoking areas but I also feel for those who have to use them. I always felt horrid when I used them and I hated smoking in Disney. I did it one year and then gave up as could not bear the thought of having to smoke there again (thanks Disney), anyway I totally agree that the spot is beautiful and should not be a smoking area. But also I know that it just is not the right thing to do to stick people at the end of the parking lot. In the UK parks here I have noticed that they have screened off smoking areas with special ash trays that minimize the risk of butts not being extinguished properly. Also they are tucked away behind fenced off areas. It means kids do not have to witness smoking. That may be a way that Disney could go?

 

[BriarRosie]

...and there were designated smoking areas at DL Paris!

Really? I didn't see anyone using any! You know what bothered me more? The wretched stank of the guy I was standing near when I waited for Adventureland to open. Bleurgh.

 

[Mysteria]

That smoking area has been there since at least 2001. It was the last year I smoked so I remember it.

In the last few years Disney has reduced the smoking areas in the parks, most of them are now off pathways and walkways (I agree about the one by the Wishing Well, I've never understood that one) because people don't want to walk through a cloud of smoke, but moving them off the pathways puts them in the quiet little out of the way spots and then people wonder why the nice little quiet out of the way spots are smoking areas. I totally understand people not wanting to be around smokers, but in order to do that, little tucked away spots off the paths/walkways are going to be used.

Totally agree with this. It's just not possible to please everyone where this is concerend.