Agreed Col! I think people are losing sight of PEOPLE (maybe think beyond themselves for a split second) and just googling stuff to “win” a debate. The original “poor people” post inferred negativity and “put downs”.
The original post inferred that Disney isn’t marketing to the Average Joe and marketing to the upper echelon. And that the upper echelon doesn’t smoke because it is “low brow” and “no smoking” will keep the blue collar folks at home and lure the white collar. (I noted that I personally know more white collar smokers vs blue collar...including my father specifically). Sorry but they are marketing to the AVERAGE American family not the rich. Disney World vacations are as much of the American Dream as the white picket fence.
If they are trying to lure in only the rich, white collar they hired the wrong marketing firm. Even the Grand Floridian doesn’t meet “luxury” standards and the smoking sections there always have occupants. My father actually refers to the Grand as Disney’s very own Red Roof Inn when we stay there lol. But then again, apparently because my father smokes he’s poor, low brow, stupid, uneducated, selfish, inconsiderate, among other insults being slung his way. But, like myself, he doesn’t like or approve of alcohol consumption especially in public and even more so if you’re drinking while taking care of your kids. Even though he doesn’t like or approve of it he doesn’t sling insults, offer unsolicited advice, or pass judgement at those who do. Instead he pulls up a chair, gets to know you, jokes and laughs, make napkin animals for your kids and tells you he’s a gas pump attendant because he’s sensitive people will treat him differently or be intimidated by his actual career. He’ll even pay for your cab ride home or a hotel for the night to make sure you and others are safe. But again...so many want to categorize him and make him out to be the Boogie Man because he enjoys sauntering over to a DSA, relaxing a bit and enjoy a smoke on his vacation. By the way, he’s met some of the most fascinating and nicest people in those DSA’s.
If Disney decided to go dry (which obviously they won’t but...), the outcry would be greater as would the empathy, compassion or heck, even just being supportive and kind.
This has nothing to do with socioeconomic reasons. That is ridiculous to even try to use as an excuse to why Disney does not like smokers. Whining that Disney doesn't like me or doesn't want me is crazy. They want you, they don't want the smoke.
Any decision a
for-profit business makes is purely financial and based on what will boost the bottom line. The vast majority of the world does not smoke. Models across the country have shown that going smoke-free is good for the bottom line. Yes, there are still a few spots in the country, Vegas comes to mind, where going smoke-free would impact the bottom line but those are diminishing quickly. There is a very strong global anti-smoking movement. Non-smokers prefer smoke-free environments. They are more apt to go somewhere that is smoke free than not. Models have shown that in entertainment venues, particularly ones that cater to families, for every smoker that boycotts, there are several non-smokers that will fill their spot.
This is not unique to Disney, going smoke-free is becoming more and more common throughout the country and growing stronger in the world.
You can't go to an NFL game and smoke (most of the stadiums do NOT have DSAs within the stadium, you have to leave to smoke,) you can't go to a concert, a ball game, a movie, a restaurant, a bar, most entertainment venues and still be allowed to smoke. Only 3 states in the US do not have some sort of public smoking ban. More and more cities are banning smoking in their city limits completely so that means no smoking outside after your meal even on their property (no decks, no smoking patios, etc allowed.)
Even I was shocked yesterday when I found out a brand new bowling alley, a bowling alley, the bastion of smoking, was just built within our city limits which bans smoking completely except in cars.
A bowling alley, something that has the stereotype (false but it is there) of being blue collar entertainment. And it is thriving being smoke free. People are flocking to it because they can bowl without smoke.
It is purely a business decision, one that many, many, many businesses across the country are making. It has nothing to do with health, with socio-economic status, that the business doesn't "like" a certain group of people. It only has to do with satisfying the share holders and the only way to do that is to increase the bottom line.
What freezer? I don't know of many hotel rooms that have freezers, certainly none of the on-sites except the full-kitchen villas. As to the safety hazard of ice, well, I've not heard of there being so many incidents or near-misses that it was a problem demanding to be solved. The strollers are a big PIA but it's been 20 years since my kid needed one so maybe I'm less than objective. 
since it reads “DISNYFAN”.
