resorts going smoke free - BAD news for disabilities

[BCV23]

It seems as though by this point they should know where the DSA's are, and be able to accomodate someone who is disabled by putting them near the DSA. I would "think" the area around the outdoor bars would be a DSA so perhaps having someone close to that area would help. It would also allow smokers to have a covered area- I can't imagine hiking somewhere to smoke in the rain. ---Kathy

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you but I doubt that the area immediately surrounding an outdoor bar would be a DSA. That would subject the bartenders to secondhand smoke and probably quite a bit of that if there is just one DSA per resort.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Also, the outdoor bars are sometimes next to the pool.

 

[dclfun]

I'm not sure either about what would be the area for a DSA...just that for now the bars at the value resorts are full of smokers sitting and chatting so my guess is the bartenders are already subjected to second-hand smoke. On DCL also smoking is only allowed in certain places indoors- one of them being at the bar only in Diversions ( which of course is ridiculous since if you're in the room, it doesn't matter where you're sitting for the smoke to drift and fill the entire space).While I'm an avid nonsmoker and am greatly affected due to my disability, I still can see the point that smokers would have, esp. those with a mobility concern about also having a place to smoke that isn't going to cause them to have a mile hike from the resort room. ---Kathy

 

[shovan]

I do not see this policy as a good thing for anyone. If smokers are going to have to make a long trek to a DSA they are just going to end up smoking in the room. $250-$500 fee is only going to cover cleaning the room which will not suffice for many non-smokers, especially those with added breathing issues.

And I can see Maestro point, if you are going to have a long stay and are already shelling out thousands, is another fee on top going to keep you from smoking in the room? I think not, many will just choose to pay the fee. Which will essentialy mean every room will be a smoking room that may or may not be cleaned well enough for the next non-smoker's stay. The only difference is that now Disney can charge the smoker's for it.

 

[chatty]

Just got back from 10 days having 3 rooms at the WL courtyard view rooms with 3 of the 11 family members whom smoke. This had been our 16th trip in less than 9 years. We had also reservations for this coming Sept-Oct free dining and after hearing of the No Smoking New Policy while there we cancelled our up-coming trip and when asked why by the CM Why we were cancelling I told her that the 3 adults Never smoked in the rooms or the balconys only where the Resorts had the ashtrays but since being told that it would be a walk to an ashtray spot we will vacation elsewhere. Hawaii, Cruises, Europe ect. I said it nicely and that we had a Great run all those years but now it's time to move on. She said that they have had So many cancellations last week because of the new smoking policies that they were Surprised. She also said that this will be a big impact from the other Countries (big smokers) and a big issue with the convention smokers, so she said we'll see I guess. There was a Family behind me in line at the WL and he said that where he lives (forgot the State) that they had a few restraunts go no smoking and they both closed. The Lady behind him slipped out, Disney won't lose they'll just Raise prices that's all. She had a point.. I myself don't smoke but when you have someone that does you have to have a middle ground I guess.
Chatty

 

[dclfun]

Disneyland has had smoke free resorts for over a year, so I'm sure used cancellation figures there to predict cancellations at DisneyWorld. I hope their policy doesn't change and they keep everything smoke free. I've had enough of my vacations ruined over the years so finally it's "our turn" for the nonsmokers. Disney thinks out everything and plans well ahead- I'm sure they'll accomodate the smokers somehow as they do in the parks. There hasn't been any drop in theme park attendance since the parks went smoke-free with DSA's.---Kathy

 

[chatty]

I understand, I too have had many vacations ruined by heavy drinkers, who are loud and obnoxious in the resorts, by the pools and on the busses. Bad language around the children ect. I have even seen two young women that were skinny dipping at the Dolphin all things that should not be, but all came from having one too many. So I wonder when Disney will pull the booze? doubt it! they make way too much money on the alcohol. check out Pleasure Island and DownTown Disney after closing, you would be shocked to see the shape of some drivers.. I myself don't care if Disney has smoking or not same with drinking but I just see red when I hear someone say it's their turn..I truly don't think smokers ever intended to set out to ruin anyones life it is just a bad habbit and many try their hardest to break.
Chatty

 

[pugdog]

So I wonder when Disney will pull the booze? doubt it! they make way too much money on the alcohol. check out Pleasure Island and DownTown Disney after closing, you would be shocked to see the shape of some drivers..
Chatty

Guess you don't remember PI when it first opened. Back then it was a drunkfest. And if you have read recent articles you will find out that WDW is in the process of totally changing PI so it is more family friendly. Most of the bars are going to be closed and family restaurants are going to be put there instead.

As far as smoking goes ,yes they will lose some people and gain many more. WDW did not go into this lightly. They spent alot of time researching it before going forward. Making DL smoke free first was just the first step in that direction.

MN just passed a statewide smoking ban last night and the only places that are going to go under are the ones that were barely hanging on in the first place. Every city,state and county that has passed smoking bans in the last 5 years has actually seen increased business. Why else would you see polls that say 60- 70% of the people are in favor of bans with only 20% of the people are smokers?

 

[chatty]

Interesting, Like I said I myself don't smoke Quit 12 years ago but I hope to also see bans on drinking. Neither habbits are role models for children. but I Thank You for this info. Have a Great Day..
Chatty

 

[ExecChef]

I personally think is this is a great idea, I am tired of all the rule breakers walking around with a gag hanging out of the mouth like they are not even fazed by the idea that they should find the smoking area, not around my family and myself who wish not to smell them.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

My main concern with smoking is the people who smoke in crowds, as I have more than once nearly been burnt by a cigarette held at my face height (OK, this is actually mainly in the parks, so I am veering slightly off topic, sorry about that). I know that the majority of smokers in WDW are much more considerate, and I'm not having a go at anybody here. I don't actually know what point I was trying to make there... hmm... maybe that whatever the rules are (within reason), the vast majority will obey them, but a few jerks will spoil it for everyone.

 

[dclfun]

Chatty- sorry to have hit a nerve with you by saying it's "our turn" but that's how I feel as I've had to deal with second-hand smoke and its effects for ages now and am glad that I will no longer need to worry at Disney. Second hand smoke has been shown to be more harmful to nonsmokers than was ever thought possible. Someone being drunk may be offensive to me but as long as they aren't driving then they aren't a threat to my health- smoking IS a threat to my health. No one is blaming the smokers. If they choose to smoke then it's their right to do so- but no one has the right to take away my health by smoking near me or in a guest hotel room I might occupy next. People who smoke are still being allowed to do so, only in a DSA. Since the DSA's should be clearly marked, then I can avoid that area just like I do in the parks. I think the concerns of disabled smokers are valid in particular as they are concerned about a mobility challenge to get to the DSA.---Kathy

 

[dyna]

Well WHAT about the cleaners and air freshners used in disney resort rooms? Some of us are allergic to those too and that in EVERY ROOM we can't escape those. We have many asthma attacks from the cleaners and air freshners used.

Not to even mention the perfume that some ppl wear There is nothing like waiting in a line to get into a show to find out you HAVE to leave the show because you have already moved numerous times and can not escape the odor of perfume around you!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW Did the Lion King show ever do away with that smelly smoke they used during every show? Some of us could not enjoy that show because of the odor of the smoke. Another show some of us looked forward to but missed because we just couldn't stay without coughin to the point we was gonna puke all over everyone around us. NOT a pleasant thing for anyone!

Yes some are allergic to smoke but some of us are allergic to things that will NEVER be gotten rid of. Should we have to stay home all the time? NO we go we deal with it.

 

[LindaBabe]

DCLFun and others who have had vacations ruined by smokers outside their doors - I handled it by pointing out to the smoker that the air intake to my room was only steps from where they were smoking, said I had asthma, and asked them nicely to please smoke somewhere else. They did. I left balloons for their kids with a thank you note when I departed for home.

 

[dclfun]

For myself with the last incident, the man who smoked outside his door did so all night long. I never saw him, nor would I have been physically able to get out of bed by myself to have gone outside to ask him to smoke further away. He had pulled a chair out of his room and smoked while sitting out there, coming and going many times. During his stay each morning there was a huge pile of cigarettes left around the chair, which was left outside the door so I'm sure housekeeping was aware. When I called to ask the front desk to assist by either moving me ( impossible as I had an accessible room and there weren't any others) or moving the other guest, or asking the guest kindly to smoke in another area, they told me there was nothing they could do. I can understand they didn't want to confront this guest as at the time, he had a right to smoke in his room. I also thought he might have chronic pain and couldn't sleep and this was his way of dealing with his own discomfort. As to the poster who mentioned the perfume and other allergies I'm sorry for what you have to deal with. For something where there can be a solution, I'm glad Disney is helping and also being considerate by providing DSA's for those who choose to smoke. ---Kathy

 

[LauraAnn630]

With all the no smoking rules around the country how soon do you think we will see the smoking related health issues go down?

Will we really see cancer, heart disease go down?

The things weve been hearing about second hand smoke. You cannot smoke anywhere now.
I would think these satistics will drop drastically.

I cant wait to see if this happens over the years.

 

[JodyTG]

Does anyone know how soon WDW will release the information as to where the DSA will be at the resorts? I'm planning a Christmas trip and my DHs parents are going. They're both smokers but my FIL has disabilities and it would be pretty rough for him to get to the DSA by himself.

 

[hollygolightlytika]

I wish I could quit smoking - I do keep trying and hope that one day I will be successful. For those of you who have never smoked, you are lucky. I wish I had never started. Smoking is unbelievably addicting and one of the hardest habits to break.

That being said, I *never* smoke where I'm not supposed to. I do not smoke in a non-smoking room, and I'm more than willing to seek out the DSA and walk there even though the neuropathy in my feet sometimes makes it difficult. (Juvenile Diabetes, if you're curious.)

However, I did experience something I found extremely rude last October on vacation at Disney World. Considering that about 90% of Disney World is smoke free, considering that the DSA's are small and sometimes difficult to locate, considering that I made certain to take the time and put in the effort to seek out the DSA's and only smoke where permitted I couldn't believe this happened. My mother and I bought lunch, walked all the way to a designated smoking area carrying our lunches, sat down and ate our lunches. After finishing our meals I lit up a cigarette. My mother is not a smoker and can barely stand to be around second-hand smoke herself, but she put up with my "need" without complaint. However, the next table over there was a family of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids, who not only kept giving me dirty looks but also outright made rude and insulting comments about my smoking. I was in a designated smoking area! If you cannot stand to be around second-hand smoke then do not sit in the designated smoking areas and rudely insult the other people in the area who are following all of the rules.

Honestly, had they simply asked me nicely to stand a little further away or something, I would have accommodated them, but since they were so rude I just loudly exclaimed to my mother that people who don't want to be exposed to smoke should get out of the designated smoking area.

Sometimes non-smokers act as if us smokers are less than human. I don't want this habit and I am desparately trying to quit, but it doesn't help me any and I certainly don't feel any desire to be "nice" if non-smokers are going to invade the already small, off the beaten path areas where smoking is allowed and be jerks to those following the rules.

 

[LauraAnn630]

That has happened to me several times. People just want every place to be none smoking.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience in what should be the Happiest Place on Earth.

Good luck quitting!