Silly questions

[Jinxy23]

Thanks for the friendly welcome on my other thread, glad to see you welcome questions as I have some silly questions.

Despite having read lots about disney there are still some little niggling questions that if anyone can help with, would be great.

1) What do you need to take to discovery cove – I know that they provide wet suits but do you need a swimming costume to wear in the reef area etc?
2) Smoking – unfortunately one habit I have not been able to give up. I have no issues with smoking in designated areas only, I just want to make sure that there are designated places in disney and universal. Also are all the restaurants no smoking?
3) PS’s – Now Richard and me are not very organised people and I really don’t fancy the hassle of making bookings so far in advance, are there still plenty of places we will be able to get in to eat at the parks without making PS’s? We are going at the very end of November, which is meant to be a less busy time of year.
4) Can you take a small bag on most of the rides – (bearing in mind I will be avoiding most of the rollercoasters) or do you have to put them in lockers?

Thanks

 

[Janice]

Hi Jinxy

Sorry, I cant help with question 1 - not been to Discovery Cove.

2. I believe that all the restuarants in the Disney parks are NON Smoking, however, there are plenty of designated area's around the park where you can sit/stand and have your cigarette. Last time we went to Universal, you could smoke as you walked around the park - but that was in December 1999 so I am not sure if that has changed.

Lots of the restaurants outside of WDW, around Orlando in general do have smoking or non smoking sections.

3. End of November is a less busy time and I feel that you wouldnt have any problems getting walk in's at most of the restaurants. However if there was anything particular your eally wanted to do, for example, eat breakfast at Cinderella's Castle - then making a PS would be advisable.

4. I take my handbag on every ride with me, and I do all the big coasters too. It's just a small shoulder bag that I sling across me so that I have my hands free, but it doesnt leave me at any point. (Bumbags are very good too - they just dont suit me)
I have our money, keys, passports etc in there so it is superglued!

Hope this helps - and there are no silly questions! LOL

 

[Goofyish]

On the smiking issue - Florida has recently brought in the 'Florida Indoor Clean Air Act' banning smoking in most public places:

No Smoking Shall Occur In:

A. Enclosed, indoor workplaces, which are defined as:

1. Any place where one or more persons engage in work, even if it is a nonprofit’s workplace for one or more of the nonprofit’s employees. It does not matter whether work is occurring at any particular time, as long as work occurs at some time.

2. A place predominantly or totally bounded at least 50 percent on the sides and 50 percent covered above by physical barriers that exclude rain. Barriers are still barriers even if they have some uncovered openings, screened or partially covered openings, open or closed windows, jalousies, doors, or the like.

3. All indoor areas are included, such as hallways, corridors, lobbies, conference rooms, aisles, water fountain areas, break rooms, restrooms, stairwells, entryways, etc.

B. Charitable, nonprofit or veterans’ organizations that have an employee

C. Restaurants

D. Hotel lobbies & common areas

E. Country clubs

F. Prisons

G. Bowling alleys

H. Movie sets, theatrical performances

I. Private residences during use commercially for compensation to provide childcare, adult care, or health care

J. Airport in-transit customs elevators, restrooms, and common areas

K. Airport in-transit customs smoking rooms during services by a janitor, for repairs or renovations

L. Airports (except as provided below)

Can't wait for the same laws to be be passed here

 

[Muppet]

There is never a silly question

With regards to Discovery Cove then yes you do take your own swimsuits. If you go when its hot then trust me you won't want the wetsuit on all the time.

They do provide a towel in the bag you get when you go in along with the snorkel etc.........but they also have a lot more in the showers. If like me you need one for your hair and one for your body put an extra one in your locker early on as towards the end of the day it gets very busy. Just to let you know they also provide dolphin friendly suntan lotion so you don't take any of that. Also the showers are very keen and constantly being cleaned, they also supply very nice shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Not in satches but in dispensers on the shower walls. One last thing get your photos some point in the pm not when your about to leave as then its very busy and you could be waiting an hour.

You'll love DC.

 

[catherine]

Having been at the beginning of Dec. I can tell you that from our experience walk in's are very hit and miss. We found that at some of the restaurants we could just walk in, but others where fully booked.

This year we are also going at the end of Nov. and I am making PS's for all of our must do's and we will try and get walk in's for any of the restaurants that we feel like eating at on the day.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[UKDEB]

A bit more on the smoking question:

Both Disney and Universal park maps show the designated smoking areas. This is a good compromise in my view and most people seem to comply, although you will occasionally see someone walking around smoking.

The amendment to the Florida Indoor Clean Air Act which effectively bans smoking in restaurants and bars (amongst other places) was implemented on July 1. I'm not sure whether all restaurants and bars are included, but when we visited in May, most of those in WDW/USF and the immediate area were already working within the spirit of the act and operating the ban.

 

[catherine]

Re: smoking, this is what ALL EARS latest news letter stated

As of July 1, the Florida Indoor Clean Air Act dictates that all enclosed indoor workplaces must be nonsmoking. For the Walt Disney World Resort, this will include resort lobbies, convention spaces, clubs at Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island, resort lounges and the formerly way-too-smoky Atlantic Dance at the Boardwalk. All Ears hears that Jellyrolls will remain a smoking establishment.

 

[Jinxy23]

Cheers for the answers

Got rid of a few of my little concerns but I am sure I will have more to come.