POR..all was great except for smoking

[DMRick]

Just back from POR. Usually we can get right in our room when we arrive around 11, but because we wanted all three rooms to be next to each other, and non smoking, we waited until they had those to give us, around 3. Our check in time went fast, we went off to the parks for a bit, after storing our luggage at the luggage area. Upon return, our rooms were ready in building 15, second floor, freshly redone (and a nice job of it), and clean of dirt or dust, and close to both the main builing, and a quiet pool. We got some really cute towell animals all week, and we were very happy with the resort...except for the smoke smell. I called, and while at the parks at night they came back and did a much more though cleaning. While our room smelled better, the shower curtains/ and bedspread and it appeared, the walls, still smelled. The connecting room was still so full of smoke smell, that we seldom opened up the connecting door, since it would waft into our rooms, and with my asthma was bothersome. It just seems like these non smoking rooms, had smoke permeating the walls...and we either had to accept it, or be separated around the resort (couldn't get three rooms together other than these or a smoking room). The other rooms were much worse than mine, but they said they'd rather smell it, than be separated (my daughter's room was never even cleaned on Monday..and when she called that night after we returned from the parks, to at least get towels, they said it was because the person going around to decide what gets cleaned couldn't speak English..(HUH?), we were out and the do not disturb was not on the door). We didn't seem to be able to sit and relax anywhere outside without cigarette or cigar smoke around us. All of the nice relaxing benches outside, the pool area, waiting for a boat to DTD area, the front area, feeding the ducks area, outside the foodcourt door, have all become places to smoke, as well as it seems, ashtrays. It's never been this bad on any of our other trips. This has always been our favorite resort..what's going on?
We talked with several people who wished the resort had the same as the parks...actual enforced smoking areas (of course in the parks, as soon as dark hits, the smoking areas are everywhere and anywhere by many people..and what's up with the cigars?).
Speaking of the parks, it was hot this week (although not unbearable, like summertime), and we had already noticed that the covered places we had hoped to sit down in were the smoking areas, so since there are some really nice areas for smoking, I don't understand why more people don't use them. In front of The Millionaire, one of the CM's was kept quite busy asking people to move onto a smoking area. In MK while waiting for others in our party to go on Thunder Mountain, I noticed that even though the really nice smoking area with lots of seating, was just a few yards away (we were standing as we only had a couple of full benches), people seemed to want to be out of the smoking area to smoke. Usually, other than butts on the ground in the pool area, of the resort and a few cigs here and there, I don't remember such a smoking problem. For the first time ever, I don't have a trip planned, and very little interest in planning one.

 

[BethC1952]

I just returned from POR this morning (3:30 AM!). We were in the Mansions, in Acadian House in a second floor non-smoking room. We noticed none of the problems you mention regarding smoking anywhere at the resort. I am extremley sensitive to smoke and would definitely have complained if there was a problem! I will say, however, that one person we spoke with did say that there was a man smoking a "big, nasty old Cuban cigar" at the pool one night, and it drove everyone away. Fortunately, we were doing other things that night, since cigar smoke is a migraine trigger for me. I would like to see enforced smoking areas outdoors like in the parks, but I can't imagine that happening! I do agree with you about people using the ground as an ashtray. Some (please note my use of the word "some" and not "all") smokers can be such pigs! Of course, we noticed a lot of other litter, too. We tried to pick up what we could, including pulling two plastic soda bottles out of the water while we were pedal boating!

We didn't get any towel animals, but we really didn't care. We're just two adults, and we spent most of our days out of the room doing "stuff".

We did have a couple of odd incidents, which we later decided were caused by the fact that there was another couple at the resort (in the same building!) with the same name. The day we arrived, Jim (DH) and I were exhausted, so we decided to take a nap. Just as we fell asleep, the housekeeping supervisor knocked on the door to tell us that someone would be in later on to clean the spot on the carpet. Hmmm, no spot on our carpet! About an hour later, a housekeeper came to see if they had cleaned the spot to our satisfaction. We told her, too, that we had no spot and no complaints--our room was wonderful! The next day, we had a message on our phone that our package had been delivered to the front desk to pick up. I called the desk and explained that I hadn't sent anything to the resort, and, in fact, hadn't actually even bought anything yet!

We had a similar situation when we confirmed our Magical Express transportation back to the airport, but this time we knew what the problem was, and told them that we were the ----- family in room ----. That seemed to clear up the mystery!

All in all, we had a great stay. We're planning to return in November (before our Thanksgiving cruises) and December (immediately after the cruises). As we were leaving, Jim asked about the dates for the Food & Wine Festival...wouldn't it be fun to go for that? Then we could be there in October, November, and December. Those blasted annual passes are costing us a fortune!

Beth

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think its hard when you want three rooms all next to each other. I would rather have been split up (but at the same resort) than have to smell smoke all week. JMHO.

 

[DMRick]

We returned last night about 11 pm. You obviously did see some of the problems, if you noticed the ground being used as an ashtray, and you talked with others there who told you about the problem at the pool with the cigar so we weren't alone. And we did complain about the rooms, that's why they redid the cleaning with a machine. This is our favorite resort, so it was a disappointment. The beauty of the resort still outshone the bad.

And if we weren't the transport and guides, to people who had never been there, we would have moved. Very hard to coordinate 6 people from different areas of a resort (it's hard enough when you are all next to each other). We kept thinking it would get better..but especially the connecting room just got worse. We would have had three rooms in two different buildings if we moved..and whose to say they too wouldn't have had people who smoked in them? This was our 28th trip and many times have been spent in POR. I don't see the smoke in the rooms as POR's fault, as they were clearly marked as non smoking. I know one person smoking on the walkway said his family didn't like the smoke (hence, they didn't get a smoking room), so he moved down from their room to smoke...poor people who opened their door on him each morning as they left for the parks. We were on the Bayou side, and perhaps the trees/shade just kept the smell in more. Our room cleaned up fairly nice, but the "scent" never went completely away. As for towell animals, we too were all adults, and while I never expect them, it was a cute touch.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Unfortunately there are no smoking rules outdoors at resorts. We had a problem with a smoker at por also. We were at the pool and two people came and sat down next to us and started smoking. The smoke was blowing right at us. It was overwhelming. We asked the life guard and he said it was allowed. When we got home we e-mailed Disney to inquire about smoking rules at the resort pools. They stated that there were none and people can smoke anywhere (outdoors) at a resort.

 

[Lizzybee]

The only smoking I noticed/smelled at POR was from a couple of young 20 something girls at the pool. Other than that, I don't remember any smoking there. I did, however, almost get burned by a granny smoking while walking around MGM. She was doing the "hold the butt by your butt trick" because of course smoking coming out of one's butt looks TOTALLY natural. I can understand why they have smoking areas in the park, when it's crowded it could be dangerous. Also at our local theme park there is no rule for smoking and it's hard standing in line with people smoking.

 

[Jakesmom1]

Ok as a smoker, I feel the need to reply to this thread. I am a responsible smoker, I always request a smoking room, if none are available, then I dont smoke in the room or outside in the shared walkways. However, I have been at a resort pool and been very careful to pick a seat that was not near anyone, usually I scout out the furthest corner away from crowds, and inevitably someone will sit down next to us and ask me not to smoke. I know that is not the politcally correct vice to have these days, but it is still legal, and no I am not a criminal, just made to feel like one. By the way I do not smoke in the parks except for the designated areas, and always put my butts in the ashtrays. For all of the smoke haters, I would just like to state that I am also offended by guests who drink a little to much,or those who throw thier trash on the ground, change thier babys on seats outside, let thier little boys pee outside (no kidding we have witnessed this more then once), and I cant count the countless adults I have heard cursing and swearing with no thought of the children around them.
Just needed to let you know not all smokers are "pigs"

 

[dudspizza]

Ok as a smoker, I feel the need to reply to this thread. I am a responsible smoker, I always request a smoking room, if none are available, then I dont smoke in the room or outside in the shared walkways. However, I have been at a resort pool and been very careful to pick a seat that was not near anyone, usually I scout out the furthest corner away from crowds, and inevitably someone will sit down next to us and ask me not to smoke. I know that is not the politcally correct vice to have these days, but it is still legal, and no I am not a criminal, just made to feel like one. By the way I do not smoke in the parks except for the designated areas, and always put my butts in the ashtrays. For all of the smoke haters, I would just like to state that I am also offended by guests who drink a little to much,or those who throw thier trash on the ground, change thier babys on seats outside, let thier little boys pee outside (no kidding we have witnessed this more then once), and I cant count the countless adults I have heard cursing and swearing with no thought of the children around them.
Just needed to let you know not all smokers are "pigs"

I think if all smokers were like you, there would be no complaints. Keep up being respectful and all will be fine.

Duds

 

[Amy&Dan]

We stayed at POR in April and experienced some smoking problems too. Our last morning we were driven away from our table by a group of cigar smokers. I can actually handle the cigarette smoke (sort of, especially in an outside area) since it is allowed and since the average cigarette is smoked a lot quicker than the average cigar. I think the pools should have smoking areas and that cigar smoking should be banned completely! Smoking does get old and I really feel for people with asthma but I also feel for smokers feeling like second class citizens. Remember the day when people could smoke inside movie theaters? Glad those days are at least behind us!

 

[DMRick]

Smoking does get old and I really feel for people with asthma but I also feel for smokers feeling like second class citizens. Remember the day when people could smoke inside movie theaters? Glad those days are at least behind us!

Considerate smokers, and people who do not smoke in a non smoking room were not the problem. As stated, our problem was because people had been smoking in our rooms (designated non smoking rooms), and it's hard to get smoke out of the walls, curtains, etc. I do wish though, as mentioned, they had a smoking and non smoking area at the pools, and outside areas. Until they do, I just remove myself. It was harder to do this past week. We didn't seem to have anywhere to go outside at the resort, and I'm sure the people smoking would have also appreciated a designated smoking area, so they too could feel comfortable.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I was thinking after I posted about this problem of smoke smell in non smoking rooms. I think many hotels are switching to either all non smoking or more non smoking rooms. That is a good thing as long as those old smoking rooms are repainted, recarpeted and re-everythinged! Just noticed that the Hilton we always stay at in Marco Island Florida is now all non smoking. This might be interesting when we stay there next month. I have always noticed that due to the large number of foreign guests they have, there are a lot of smokers that stay there. I wonder just how far this hotel went in "de-smoking" the once smoking rooms? Really frustrating when you pay for non smoking only to smell smoke for your whole stay. Disney should give you some room credits!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We had a problem with the smell of cigarette smoke around the outdoor areas at the YC. Everywhere outside on their beautiful porches people were smoking. You literally could not walk out the door without getting a blast of either smoke or stale smoke and ash odor. Forget sitting on the porch, couldn't do it. We really loved the resort but this was a huge disappointment since we would have liked to sit out there a bit, too. I wrote to YC management who acknowledged my concerns, but I didn't get the sense anything would be changed. It would have been nice if at least one of the porches was designated as non-smoking. DH has chronic sinus and bronchial problems so this was a big problem for us.

 

[robinb]

I wonder if your recently "redone" rooms had been smoking optional before you checked in. I've heard that WDW is reducing the number of smoking rooms and maybe you got a transitional room.

 

[DMRick]

I wonder if your recently "redone" rooms had been smoking optional before you checked in. I've heard that WDW is reducing the number of smoking rooms and maybe you got a transitional room.

All of the rooms have been redone (and I'd say they added extra insulation to the walls, as we could no longer hear other toilets doing the superflush!), and this room and area has been non smoking as long as I can remember. When we were over here on another trip, the walls were ripped out, and the entire place was redone. It's new mattresses (a different type) new curtains, new carpeting etc. I think this smoke was from a more recent stay.
We aren't looking for any type of credit..it's not Disney's fault..they have done their part. It's very clear these were non smoking rooms. If I had had the connecting room, I would have had no choice but to be moved..it never cleared up.

 

[BethC1952]

All of the rooms have been redone (and I'd say they added extra insulation to the walls, as we could no longer hear other toilets doing the superflush!),

You know, I noticed that, too! I thought it was just our old age showing, and that our hearing had deteriorated drastically in the last year! I never even thought about the fact that maybe the sound insulation was upgraded! I don't think I'll tell Jim, though. I think I'll just let him think he's getting old!

Beth

 

[brittsmum1998]

Maybe more people are having to go outside to smoke at the resorts due to the fact that more rooms are designated non smoking? Just a thought....

 

[ptrbryant]

We were in a non-smoking studio room at SSR and our "neighbors" were smoking cigars almost everytime I stepped outside. Maybe it's happening more at all the resorts.

Karla B.

 

[sexyravenfan]

The numerous times I have stayed at POR I have never had a problem with the smokers or the smell, however, we ran into some problems at BB. We were on the sand in the lounge chairs when a woman sat down and began to read her book and smoke. She would throw all of her butts in the sand and cover them over like nobody could see her doing it. All smokers should be responsible especially around others.

 

[maxaroni]

You know, I noticed that, too! I thought it was just our old age showing, and that our hearing had deteriorated drastically in the last year! I never even thought about the fact that maybe the sound insulation was upgraded! I don't think I'll tell Jim, though. I think I'll just let him think he's getting old!

Beth

Many years ago, my parents were away and they were chatting with another couple. My dad sat there and occasionally nodded his head, at the appropriate times. Little did he know, the guy was spoofing him and was only mouthing words....my dad had no clue. He can't hear half of what goes on!

DH is really bad and ds12, cracks up when dh says something completely OT because he didn't hear correctly.

 

[C.Ann]

Sure.... Here I am considering a split stay between Pop and POR (when and if the house gets sold and we head to Disney in late Nov/early December) and you have to go and blow me right out of the water!!! Thanks - thanks a lot!!!! Just kidding - honestly..

However, cigar smoke makes me deathly ill - it could literally wipe out my whole 10-day vacation - and if the cigar smell was in the room, I could never, ever sleep in there - even if it meant sleeping in the car instead.. It would simply make me too violently ill.. People should not engage in ANY kind of smoking in a non-smoking room and I would think anyone with a half a brain would be aware of that fact and refrain from smoking.. NO EXCUSES!!

When people venture outside though, it gets a little murky.. If there are no guidelines in place (such as those in the parks - which again, should be followed to the letter - NO EXCUSES) there's nothing to "enforce".. Disney is not about to alienate a certain percentage of their guests in favor of others and that's probably why they don't just ban smoking everywhere on Disney property - parks and resorts alike.. The best solution would be for Disney to have designated smoking areas everywhere - and then strictly enforce those rules.. It's the only way to be fair to their customers without running the risk of alienating people that they clearly don't want to alienate..

Smoking is going to stay - until such time that it's made illegal - (and probably even then, for some) so I think it would behoove Disney to find a solution that is agreeable to everyone before more of their loyal, repeat customers - such as yourself - become unhappy enough to reconsider their vacation destination..

Lots of cigar smokers at POR?? Maybe I should reconsider and just spend the entire time at Pop.. At least I didn't smell any cigars while I was there..