Smoking in parks

[Grumpy John]

Just returned from another great holiday in Florida. One week on the coast at Port Richey and last week in Orlando.

Encountered no problems as usual. Except one.

I have a major problem with smoking in the parks.

We do not smoke (stopped 23 years ago when 1st son was born) and we do not want to stop those who do from doing it.

All the parks have put aside areas for those who wish to smoke which means those who do not - especially all the kiddies - are not enhaling others smoke.

Why then do the parks give these people nice shaded and seated areas when those who do not smoke and would like to sit in the shade on a very hot day (and we had quite a few of those last week!) have to fight for those seats away from smokers that are in the shade. Saw many families with young kids in buggys having to sit in the full sun because there were no shaded areas yet just over the way was a nice shaded area with a couple of people smoking.

It annoys us that the parks seem to be favouring the minority while the majority just have to get on with it.

Otherwise great time and have already booked for 3 weeks next October.

COUNTING DOWN ALREADY!!!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I hear everything you say.

Personally I'd prefer it if they just banned smoking full stop at the parks. That way there would be those shady places you mentioned for all to enjoy.

It still annoys me to see people "spark up" in areas that are not designated. I used to be a smoker but I could still read a map that directed me to a smoking area and that to be honest was if I had the time to even think about smoking a cigarette in the park. Just my humble opinion.

Anyway glad to hear that you've booked your next trip already.

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

Couldn't agree with you more!!
It just seems a ridiculous set up, doesn't it?.
We found we had this same complaint last September and it's very annoying, we also had to sit in the full sun and heat.
LIN xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[mike230652]

I'm not against smoking........I just don't want smokers polluting the air around me and making me smell as bad as them!!

Must agree re: Rest areas at WDW. The smokers do seem to have the nice shady parts of the park while non-smokers i.e the MAJORITY...have to suffer in the heat.

Even worse are the ignorant louts who smoke while walking around the parks...and quite a few do... they have no concern that their cigarettes are at eye level to young kids, and re-act with horror if anyone dares to chastise them!!

OK, grouse over !!

mike230652

 

[poohstix]

Now this is going to put a cat among the pigeons.

I am a smoker. please no flaming now (Pun not intended)

I am not one of those people who ignore others. After all I agree with most of what people have said. Even in the UK I always go outside or go to the bar if I am with people who do not smoke. and if I pass a child, again I always move my straw away. I know many others are not so considerate. I too see many people giving total disregard for others in the parks and smoke anywhere. I even spoke to someone about it when I could see a pushchair close by. His reaction was "I am not close to a smoking area at present and it is only for a moment anyway". I replied "I am sure you could wait especially as you are so close to small children"

His reply was a little apologetic but also said "you do not understand you Non smokers".

In return I took out my packet and said yes I do but I also respect other people as well.

It was not heated but he did seem to change his stance a bit then.

What I am getting at is. Smokers ARE in the minority and are given a minority space where they can enjoy a smoke.

Why do the parks not have many more shaded areas to sit for everybody not just us sad souls who smoke.
And I must admit I probably only smoke a few at the parks anyway. Being placed in a pen with others makes you feel like some sort of leper.

I think Disney have thought about it a bit. If you notice some of the areas are out of the way of passing traffic. (This is to minimise passive smoking I guess)
Unfortunately these areas seem to be in some of the shaded corners of the park.

I am sure you would not like it if they placed an area right outside a Ride exit in the sun so everybody coming of a ride had to walk past a smoking blaze the size of The fire of London.

I remember as a small child being around smokers and it was not much fun I can tell you.. so if everyone had a little more respect and forethought for others there would not be a problem.

Lets all get on to Disney and ask for more shaded areas for all. THer is many a time we wanted to take shelter with our children and found it hard.

PS: It is only me and not my DW who smokes so she looks after the children while I have a fix.

Not sure if this has helped but I though I would put the other side of the story.

Not sure if anyone else is so brave though.

 

[Enright78]

Well said.
I am not a smoker and never have been. I am probably a victim of passive smoking as my Mum Dad and Gran all smoked around me when I was little (in the very olden days!).
However, you may be surprised that I have no problem with there being smoking areas in WDW, they are well hidden (hard to find!).

I would agree about the lack of shady seating for all!

BTW my DH and DD smoke (usually three or four a day) and I won't begrudge them that, we all probably have more health threatening habits than we care to admit (now me and chocolate....but that's another story!
Let's live and let live I say!

 

[calvinjtodd]

I'm an ex smoker, 10 years, I think the only reason the smoking areas are in the "cool shade" is disneys attempt to camoflage them from the non smokers scorn and resentment. I think disney should play a greater roll in controling smoking outside these areas but I don't see the disney staff challenging the people who light up in no smoking areas, they have enough security people around.