Smoking Ban

[rteetz]

Actually it does change it from a positive experience to a negative one. If not in actually time period taken away from the enjoyment of the parks, then in the perception that Disney is willing to alienate approximately 15% of the US population and 20% of the world population.

100% of guests will never truly by happy, but you're now guaranteed that as many as 20% will not.

I don’t think Disney will be hurting for guests because of this.

Also you had to walk to specific sections in the park before this to smoke so you could’ve been on the other side of the park and have to walk to a smoking section. So either way taking time out of the day for it.

 

[DISNEY1975]

They are going to push many people into breaking the rules. I won’t go that far but it’s going to be worse now than ever.

I agree. Most smokers cant quit within hours! For the most part, smokers are a bit older and more respectful. They most likely will obey the rules. Its the young vaping crowd that will be the ones to do whatever they want. And since there is no punishment, who is to stop them. All Disney has done is create more smoking areas instead of having a few wonderers, everyone will be a wonderer. Once a CM asks the guest to move, they will have already gotten in a few "puffs" and feel no need to go out of the park.

I just read a post about some city banning smoking and everyone started shewing gum and spitting it out on the ground. Disney is going to be smelly and sticky!

 

[Traveling on cc points]

no, there will be plenty of spots to still smoke - right out side the gates to the parks, plus at the resorts, and at Disney Springs .... plenty of place on property for you to smoke after May 1st

I can respect that you have a different opinion than me but let's not pretend disney is accommodating smokers in any way. Disney Springs is privately owned I don't believe they could legally ban it there. The only reason Disney isn't putting the ban at resorts is because they are afraid of lost revenue. Any smokers that are still willing to vacation at Disney would stay off property.

 

[mom2rtk]

I can respect that you have a different opinion than me but let's not pretend disney is accommodating smokers in any way. Disney Springs is privately owned I don't believe they could legally ban it there. The only reason Disney isn't putting the ban at resorts is because they are afraid of lost revenue. Any smokers that are still willing to vacation at Disney would stay off property.

Have they confirmed that DS is not included?

At DLR DTD is part of the ban. It's a little different setup though because it's in the security zone.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I can respect that you have a different opinion than me but let's not pretend disney is accommodating smokers in any way. Disney Springs is privately owned I don't believe they could legally ban it there. The only reason Disney isn't putting the ban at resorts is because they are afraid of lost revenue. Any smokers that are still willing to vacation at Disney would stay off property.

Not saying they are going out of there way to be super accommodating, but I don't see it any less than other places - sports stadiums, museums, restaurants, etc. I just don't see how this changes makes Disney go from being a great place to vacation to a horrible place

But if this is the change that does it for you then it is what it is, obviously not going to change your mind - just looks to me it could be worked around if you still got enjoyment from the vacation in general

 

[Aimee1138]

Why? Hawaii is full of non smoking areas. You can't smoke in any publicly owned areas like the beach or a park. You survived going there.

I actually haven't survived going there, I am headed there in May. Thanks for the warning as I would not want to smoke in areas it is not allowed, I will make sure to research where and when it is ok. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[maltdizzy]

Have they confirmed that DS is not included?

All the news reports are confirming smoking areas in DS, but I'm not sure I've seen a posted policy. The posted policy for WDW specifically mentions that the theme parks, water parks and ESPN Sports complex are affected, implying that DS, resorts, etc is status quo for now.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Have they confirmed that DS is not included?

At DLR DTD is part of the ban. It's a little different setup though because it's in the security zone.

All the news reports are confirming smoking areas in DS, but I'm not sure I've seen a posted policy. The posted policy for WDW specifically mentions that the theme parks, water parks and ESPN Sports complex are affected, implying that DS, resorts, etc is status quo for now.

I did check Disney's website and it talked about how at Disney Springs the smoking areas are constantly changing due to construction and to look at the MDE app. I did and there are quite a few spots included. Given the language on the website I could see these spots changing and maybe reducing the number (so perhaps fewer location and they are all more "outside" the ring of stores and only on the backside) but I don't think they will eliminate them

 

[rteetz]

Have they confirmed that DS is not included?

At DLR DTD is part of the ban. It's a little different setup though because it's in the security zone.

Disney Springs will still have smoking areas.

 

[Col.W.Deering]

I guess I just don't see how this fully alienates you - they are still providing spots to smoke on property, just a further walk. They are not saying you can't come on property with cigarettes, they aren't even saying you can't bring them into the parks - just have to go outside the park or at your resort or at Disney Springs to smoke.

If that changes makes you go from being someone who loves going to the parks to someone who refuses to go, then so be it, just doesn't seem like a massive, massive change

If wheelchairs were only available to physically handicapped people, and not to obese (food addicted) people...Would you perceive Disney as being biased and unwelcoming of obese people?

Disney makes this announcement one month before it's implementation. It doesn't announce these DSA locations, because there probably isn't any work to be done, i.e. installing seating. For all the public knows at this time, is that there's going to be an area somewhere probably nearer to the parking lot.

It may not seem like a big deal to a non-smoker. But it's the culmination of the prevailing atmosphere at the Disney parks, where minimal, out of the way DSA's still managed to create an antagonistic anti-smoker atmosphere. <self edited>

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Have they confirmed that DS is not included?.

All the news reports are confirming smoking areas in DS, but I'm not sure I've seen a posted policy. The posted policy for WDW specifically mentions that the theme parks, water parks and ESPN Sports complex are affected, implying that DS, resorts, etc is status quo for now.

This post from the Parks Blog / Moms Panel says there will be designated areas at Disney Springs and the resorts. That seems pretty official.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-before-you-go-tips-for-your-next-park-visit/

“Also beginning May 1, smoking areas will no longer be present inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney District in California.

TIP: Designated smoking areas will be available outside the entrances of the areas listed above and at Disney Springs in Florida. For guests who have room or dining reservations, smoking areas are also available at Disney Resort hotels.”

 

[Traveling on cc points]

Not saying they are going out of there way to be super accommodating, but I don't see it any less than other places - sports stadiums, museums, restaurants, etc. I just don't see how this changes makes Disney go from being a great place to vacation to a horrible place

But if this is the change that does it for you then it is what it is, obviously not going to change your mind - just looks to me it could be worked around if you still got enjoyment from the vacation in general

I don't go to sports stadium so I can't attest for how easy or difficult that is to get in and out of but to walk out of a restaurant takes less than a minute. To walk from the back of the magic kingdom to the park entrance, have the cigarette, go through security again and back again takes an hour.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If wheelchairs were only available to physically handicapped people, and not to obese (food addicted) people...Would you perceive Disney as being biased and unwelcoming of obese people?

Disney makes this announcement one month before it's implementation. It doesn't announce these DSA locations, because there probably isn't any work to be done, i.e. installing seating. For all the public knows at this time, is that there's going to be an area somewhere probably nearer to the parking lot.

It may not seem like a big deal to a non-smoker. But it's the culmination of the prevailing atmosphere at the Disney parks, where minimal, out of the way DSA's still managed to create an antagonistic anti-smoker atmosphere largely perpetuated by self-righteous guests.

I always get on Disney for not giving more notice of changes ... especially given it has gotten tot he point that planning almost has to happen (or at least for many people happens) at least 180 days in advance. Would be great if Disney gave at least that much notice for any significant changes

Obviously there are lots of reasons someone can be obese and of course they aren't allowed by law to ask why someone would need one

Seems like it is more the culmination of the change in society, not just at Disney ... I assume there are self-righteous people everywhere. Disney is just moving in the same direction society is.

 

[OSUZorba]

This is like the "chocolate in my peanut butter/peanut butter on my chocolte" issue. When someone is already smoking in an authorized location, it's the responsibility of those who don't want to be near the smoke to, well, avoid it.

Or you know, be happy when Disney moves it away from areas with high concentrations of kids.

If you had followed the posts you'd see the conversation was started when I said I currently avoided the area.

There are a lot of smokers on this thread complaining about people drinking in authorized areas (in a whataboutism argument, of course) so this response is also pretty hypocritical.

Also, the smoke doesn't stay in the areas, which is part of the problem.

 

[Doug M]

The issue is not just that, but people just smoking in areas that were formally smoking areas.

They're going to need at least (at minimum) one staff member at each location in order to tell people smoking is no longer permitted in that location, especially since most of these locations are secluded and isolated. It's one thing to stop, or prevent individuals for just blatantly start smoking around individuals, or just off to the side somewhere, but if it's going to continue happening at all it's going to be the former smoking areas and they can always play the "I'm a tourist I don't know any better" card and that's regardless of even if there are signs, because they can then always go "Oh, I didn't see that", or that it might not be in their language.

I expect no smoking signs at the park entrance, with pictures. Going to be difficult to claim ignorance TBH.

 

[orangecuse]

Smoking is a choice, not a right. It negatively impacts those not choosing to partake via second and third hand smoke. The science is there, choosing to ignore it and continue to harm yourself and others is your choice. No one has to help you do it though.

No one is choosing to be disabled and thus legal accomidations are in place. Disney cannot LEGALLY ask an obese person if they really need that wheelchair as part of ADA, so its a strawman.

 

[Col.W.Deering]

Or you know, be happy when Disney moves it away from areas with high concentrations of kids.

If you had followed the posts you'd see the conversation was started when I said I currently avoided the area.

There are a lot of smokers on this thread complaining about people drinking in authorized areas (in a whataboutism argument, of course) so this response is also pretty hypocritical.

Also, the smoke doesn't stay in the areas, which is part of the problem.

How difficult would it be for multi-billion dollar Disney to install the smokers zones like they have in Europe, so that the smoke is contained and doesn't drift?

If Disney had done that, it would have marked a real solution effort to maximize the comfort of non-smoking guests, and treated smokers with a modicum of respect.

Disney has chosen to just basically said to smokers, "you're very welcome to leave...the park, and enjoy our parking lot."

 

[Doug M]

I agree. Most smokers cant quit within hours! For the most part, smokers are a bit older and more respectful. They most likely will obey the rules. Its the young vaping crowd that will be the ones to do whatever they want. And since there is no punishment, who is to stop them. All Disney has done is create more smoking areas instead of having a few wonderers, everyone will be a wonderer. Once a CM asks the guest to move, they will have already gotten in a few "puffs" and feel no need to go out of the park.

I just read a post about some city banning smoking and everyone started shewing gum and spitting it out on the ground. Disney is going to be smelly and sticky!

View attachment 391422

The number of times I have been in traffic and seen a driver toss a butt out is alarmingly high. I bet those same people wouldn't toss a McDonald's sack or other trash out. Maybe they don't think the butts are trash but it seems a general lack of respect for rules to me, old or young.

 

[MLA95]

I don't go to sports stadium so I can't attest for how easy or difficult that is to get in and out of but to walk out of a restaurant takes less than a minute. To walk from the back of the magic kingdom to the park entrance, have the cigarette, go through security again and back again takes an hour.

Exactly my point! Do that 4 times and you now have lost half a day! Other than a sports stadium and I don’t go there either handling restaurants, malls, movies whatever is doable and I am not there for 12 hr. days for days on end and I am not paying at minimum $5000! They need one remote place in the back of each park and then the one in the front inside security so you don’t have to do that over and over! I could live with that and so could the 20% of the world’s population!

 

[MLA95]

How difficult would it be for multi-billion dollar Disney to install the smokers zones like they have in Europe, so that the smoke is contained and doesn't drift?

If Disney had done that, it would have marked a real solution effort to maximize the comfort of non-smoking guests, and treated smokers with a modicum of respect.

Disney has chosen to just basically said to smokers, "you're very welcome to leave...the park, and enjoy our parking lot."

Absolutely right!!