Smoking at OKW.

[Beth]

I am REALLY not trying to cause debate, here - I feel I have a legitimate question.

I have always found myself in the great minority on the "smoking on a balcony of a non-smoking villa" issue. I just don't agree - as long as the smoker closes the room to their villa while out on the balcony. I understand that the smoke may drift into the room of another occupant - should they choose to leave the room to their villa open.

That being said... Where <i>does</i> a smoker smoke at OKW when they're staying in a non-smoking villa? Where is it permissable? If they smoke "around" the building - say out on the lawn - the smoke could just as easily drift into a villa with an open door.

Are they forced to go out to the parking lot? How relaxing is THAT?!?

Understand - I am not a smoker, nor is my DH. In fact, I think it's a DISGUSTING habit. But - my Father smokes, and I'm not going to be able to change that. I love my Dad - and I'm not going to choose to "not travel with him," just because of this issue. Sorry - but I "like the guy" - and enjoy his company!

PLEASE give me some CONSTRUCTIVE advice on how to handle this situation.

FYI - the rest of our occupants will be non-smokers - so a "smoking unit" is not an option. He WILL NOT smoke in the villa. And 2 rooms is not an option, either.

I'm certain I'm in the minority, here - but I respect others' opinions and would appreciate the same from them. Please be kind......

 

[PamOKW]

Others will probably disagree with me, but I think a smoker should go out the FRONT of the villa and smoke on that balcony (If it's raining they will be protected on the front balcony/breezeway). Even better, walk down to the parking spaces in front of the unit if the weather is good. Or take a little walk and smoke while you walk.

My problem with smoking on the balcony is not smoke drifting into an open door....it's having to smell the smoke while sitting out on the balcony trying to enjoy the outdoors. Even the smell of a match is sickening (remember how the flight attendant smelled the match?). I would not be as offended to pass someone standing out in the front area and then being able to go into my villa and close the door.

I would hope the smoker would clean up their butts, matches and whatever other litter comes with them while they smoke.

I think the best choice is for the smoker to stay in a smoking villa.

 

[Beth]

Thanks very much for your sincere response, Pam - I knew I could count on YOU!

So - if he made sure no one was out on their balcony, first - would it be ok? Butts, etc are not an issue. Growing up so close to Tampa - it HAS to be cigars.

It's just this is his vacation, "too," and he'd just as much enjoy sitting on the balcony, reading a book from end to end, and enjoy his cigar as he would EVER stepping a foot in a park!

Thanks, again

 

[RobDoc]

When my BIL joins us at OKW and wants to smoke he merely goes outside and takes a stroll along the walkway to enjoy both his cigarette and the ambiance of the resort.

The buildings and landscaping are designed to discourage guests from walking behind the buildings, but there is ample pleasant atmosphere around the parking areas and sidewalks to enjoy a smoke.

As for checking the balcony before smoking, you may be able to see if anyone is on either side of you, but you can't see those directly above or below your balcony. Since the entire building is non-smoking, the issue is that guests in that building have chosen to not be around the smoke- either inside the room or on the balcony/patio. At many times of the year, we enjoy leaving the patio doors open and enjoy the fresh air.

Good Luck!

 

[Granny]

Beth....first of all, I wanted to say that it's a pleasure reading your post. You are not taking a militant pro- or anti-smoking stand, just looking for some good advice.

I think Pam and Doc have provided that, but you might as well warn your father that no matter what he does, he will probably incur somebody's ire.

I don't smoke, and don't much care for the smell of it. But I do hate to see smokers being constantly harrassed. Sure, if someone is a rude smoker (flaunts the rules, flicks butts all over the place, etc), than I'm as mad as the next person.

But obviously, you just want to see what a "polite" smoker should do. I hope that if your father follows the advice you've been given, that others will not attack his actions.

I'm just happy for you to be able to vacation at WDW with your father. I never had that chance. Enjoy it completely!

 

[Beth]

Thanks very much to all three of you for your kind responses.

Thanks to you, Granny - for your advice. My Dad just had emergency surgery on New Year's Eve - nothing real serious - NOT smoking-related - but surgery, just the same.

Just reminds you to hug your loved ones and spend as much time with them as possible - even if they DO reek of smoke!!!

 

[Lesley]

I have the same issue...my mother is a smoker...a rather militant one at that. We have requested a smoking villa for the trip when she joins us at BWV.

My mom is quite aware that, as a smoker, there are people who will be upset by her very existance....whether or not she follows the rules. She will adhere to the smoking areas in the parks, but I felt it best to get us a smoking room so she feels less restricted. It is her vacation too. Now if I could only get a 2br w/ a nonsmoking 1br and a smoking studio!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I don't see what's the big deal about smoking on the balcony, especially if others guests doors are closed and no one is within the direct smoke path. This world is filled with offensive odors and there isn't really a way to avoid all of them .

What if your DVC neighbor cooked with a lot of garlic or curry or spilled a bottle of perfume on the balcony??? An odor like that could linger for a much longer time that a passing waft of smoke.

Smokers have just become too easy of a target these days.

Hope you and your Dad enjoy the trip.......

 

[spruce]

I'm a non-smoker I use smokless. My Wife smokes. I am as polite(as can be with my habit) so is my wife. Guests that are militant about our habits don't even try to be polite and don't view our attempts to be considerate to them as behavior we have modified because of them. It's all or nothing with some.
We have always been told that smoking is permitted on the balcony, just not in the room at BWV. Why should we not be allowed a room any place but the 2nd floor. At OKW we have always gotten a smoking room. I think your Dad should smoke on the balcony, it's outside and if he's considerate he can be aware if others are on their balcony. If they are, then just go out the front door. The real smoking hassle is in the theme parks.
Flame me if you want, I've got broad shoulders......spruce

 

[PamOKW]

Hmmm....a cigar is a lot more offensive than a cigarette. I really would hope he wouldn't smoke on the back balcony...maybe if you were on the top floor it would be okay as the smoke would drift up and away. It also depends a lot on the weather. If it's a nice clear day with a breeze it's not as big a problem as when it's hot and humid and the smoke will just "hang".

 

[eva]

I agree with Pam. If I were you I would request a top floor room and just make sure that no one is out on their balcony nearby when he lights up. I quite smoking 9 years ago and smoke bothers me a bit but only if I am in a room with it. The CMs at OKW told my MIL that she could smoke on the balcony of our non-smoking room last year. We were on the 3rd floor and we never even saw or heard anyone on their balconies during the entire stay. I think that if your Father is considerate of others you should have no problems.

 

[DaveH]

I want to thank Beth for asking this. I believe Beth said her dad smokes cigars. I do not smoke and my wife is allergic to smoke. That said, I believe cigar smoke smell stays allot longer than cigarettes. Beth mention her dad would like to sit and read a book and smoke a cigar as he wants while reading. My question for any moderator here or maybe ask the desk upon arrival is there a place where he can enjoy reading his book and enjoy his cigars as needed. Maybe someplace near where the front desk is at or outside in an area where there are tables and chairs and maybe lounges. That way Beth's dad can relax and enjoy his vacation and he does not have to worry about someone else at a balcony near him. I am trying to come up with an idea so everyone can have a great time including Beth's dad. Beth I hope you and your family have a great vacation.

 

[DebbieB]

Last May we had a smoker in the next room, he smoked on the porch above the parking lot. I had no problem with that, the smoke did not come into the room. No one leaves their front door open so I think that's OK. We like to sit out on the balcony to relax, I would not appreciate someone smoking out there.

 

[mzzbuzzlightyear]

Hi, everyone.

I, myself have a very bad lung condition due to working in a Medical Center! where just about everyone smoked. On the Psychiatric Unit, it was felt by the staff who were smokers, that it relaxed the patients to smoke with them!

And, of course, in the meetings that we were required to attend, the majority of the Staff, including Administration also smoked during the meetings.

I have been working there for 23 years and the last 5 years have been smoke free in the Medical Center. Many employees still smoke, but smoke outside.

Now...We were in OKW in March. My 10 year old grandson (who has asthma), and I, had to leave our balcony to go inside because several balconies to our left, 2 women were smoking, and smoking heavily. We both had some difficulty in breathing due to the smoke blowing over on us.

When I use a non-smoking building, I feel that I should be able to go on my balcony without having to have smoke blow over on me, causing me, or my grandson distress.

By, the way, I know about "militant smokers!, LOL! My mother smoked for years. She ended up in the hospital because of respiratory problems and continued to smoke. She said, if people don't like my smoking, they can just leave! When the second admission to the hospital came along, she was a "reformed" smoker! LOL! (Plus blamed the Doctor, who didn't yell" at her to stop smoking! LOL! Then she said, "Some smokers are so inconsiderate!

By the way, I don't care if anyone smokes, it is their choice, but my choice is to not smoke.

June

 

[mooses41]

Beth- are you staying in a 2br? If you are, you might want to consider getting a ns 1br and a smoking studio. I would personally be offended and probably call the front desk if someone near me was smoking cigars on the balcony. I can't stand the smell of cigars, and it is even worse for my kids. To me your only options would to try and find a 3rd floor non smoking room that is surrounded by smoking rooms(don't know if thats possible) or get two rooms. If not trying to be insensitive, but nobody is born a smoker, and once somebody chooses to smoke, they should have to pay the consequences(ie- him paying you the cost to rent the points needed to get a smoking studio). Once again, this is just my opinion, sorry if i offended anybody.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Beth,
Guests are permitted to smoke on the balconies of the non smoking units.
It is refreshing to see a positive and considerate attitude from another smoker. Ah......another one for our considerate smoker side.

 

[Debby7]

Beth_ I think that it is great that you are looking for a sensible and considerate solution to your dilemma. I myself am a non smoker. I request nonsmoking because I don't want to be anywhere near smoking. I would probably complain if someone was smoking a cigar anywhere near my balcony. On the other hand. taking a chair out to the front porch seems like a fair compromise if your dad doesn't want to go for a walk just to enjoy his cigar. Hope you all have a great trip.

 

[Nanajo1]

Beth,
I hope you can find a way to resolve this problem. I'm sorry, but cigars are totally different from cigarettes. The smoke and odor linger longer and are more intrusive. I enjoy sitting out on the balcony and would not appreciate cigar smoke coming my way if I am in a non smoking section. I think the idea of asking where he could sit and relax with a book and his cigar is a good one. I'm just afraid some CM will say it's okay to smoke on the balcony if no one complains. I hate to make a fuss and would probable just be upset and quietly curse my bad luck to be near you.
Please explain again why you can't get a smoking unit.
Good Luck.

 

[donald@home]

Anyone who smokes on the balcony of a non smoking villa is not being considerate to the non smokers who are sitting nearby on their balconies trying to enjoy some fresh air (even if it is allowed). Considerate smokers smoke in their smoking rooms in designated smoking villas. On my last visit to OKW I was enjoying my breakfast on the balcony of a non smoking villa when someone on another balcony lit up a cigarette. The way the balconies are situated I couldn't see the smoker and they couldn't see me. You have no idea who, if anyone, is out there with you. Whether smokers know it or not, the smoke really is offensive, especially cigar smoke. And it does travel. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the effort of smokers who try to be considerate, but it is very difficult not to bother someone with your smoke, unless you are in a smoking area.

Are smokers really allowed to smoke on the balconies of non smoking villas? Where is this written? Or is this just something the front desk says to placate the smokers that are in non smoking rooms?

People request non smoking rooms because they don't want to be near smoke. It is that simple.

I am not sure where your father can smoke his cigar near a non smoking villa. I vote for a nice walk around OKW while he enjoys his cigar. I hope you find a place that satisfies all involved, including the non smokers nearby.

 

[Beth]

Nanajo.

If there's 4 people in a room, and none of them are going to smoke IN the room - I don't see that we should need to get a smoking room just because "one" of the four is a smoker who will be smoking outside.

The rest of us don't smoke, and would not enjoy being in a "smoking" unit - would you?

Again - I appreciate everyone's opinions greatly. I don't necessarily agree with all of them ... but I appreciate your sincerity!

I appreciate Johnnie Fedora's comments. I feel that there's a big difference between a "health issue," and the desire to avoid an offensive "odor."

Thanks again.