Smoking in the Parks

[Efastpitch]

Is it just me, or has their been an increase in the number of people smoking in the non-smoking areas of the parks. I swear that I saw more people smoking in the park this year than ever before. Do the CM's not inforce the non-smoking policy anymore?

 

[sdamico71]

You are correct, that the smoking was more prevalent in non-smoking areas during our last trip.

I was worried about the "special needs" guests and those who are allergic to smoke.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Oh my gawd, I was not alone!

It was so annoying I ended up giving dirty looks and making comments about the stench around me on purpose. It was disgusting to walk around and have so many peoplke puffing on us.

Maybe they're starting to give up on them because I noticed the same problem at Universal! Most smokers were just not respecting the restrictions.

 

[Qwackertoo]

I saw quite a few on our trip this month. I did see one CM near TOT & RnR @ MGM send a smoker away to a more appropriate area. Usually I would see the smoker's walking around vs. just standing somewhere they would likely be more noticable by CM's.

 

[da disney fans]

I noticed A LOT of smokers getting their nicotine fix in totally inappropriate areas on this trip as well. There was even one man who was smoking IN LINE for a ride! However, I never once saw a sign for a designated smoking area, so it could be that Disney needs to make the signs more visible, and to reiterate that smoking is NOT allowed outside of those areas.

 

[Beanie]

I saw quite a bit of smoking while I was there in December...as a matter of fact, I even mentioned to my DH, while we were walking in MGM that there were alot of people who didn't use the designated Smoking section.

Me, personally, I don't care where people smoke, but I couldn't help but think that if my son/daughter were with me, they could have easily walked into that cigarette butt that was hanging from someones fingers.

 

[pirateeast]

I only noticed one time people smoking in a non smoking area and that was in an area away from other people by a restroom. I know they were there smoking because they were having trouble finding a smoking area. They were very respectful of others and moved as far out of the way as they could. I'm sure it more then likely upset someone because of how people are about smoking now days but they would get upset about there even being a smoking area to start with. Disney needs to make it more clear about the smoking area's and that is only place one can smoke. Far as people smoking in line, i can not believe that is a problem for most smokers know better then that, but yes i'm sure there is always one () person in every crowd.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The smoking areas are well marked on the park maps. There are plenty of them also. IMHO, there is NO reason not to use them.
The park maps come in many languages, so, there is no excuse there either. Some parks have the trash cans with the ashtrays on the top in the smoking areas and others have a green ashtray on a stand. I know this because I am a smoker and I do use the designated smoking areas.

 

[Kaycee]

We noticed a huge increase in people smoking in non-smoking areas on our last trip. We spoke with several CM's about it, the problem was so widespread, and they all said that the best thing to do was complain to guest services, both in person in the parks and through email from home. We've done both these things, but lots more people need to speak up and complain. There just aren't enough CM's to go around monitoring this problem constantly, so Disney needs to become more vocal as a company to address the issue. The CM's we talked to all agreed that it is becoming a bigger problem, and they find it frustrating that they can't do more about it.

I did see one CM address someone smoking by the entry to the Liberty Belle Riverboat. The person was actually trying to get on the boat with a cigarette! She got rather irate when she was told she couldn't get on the boat with her cigarette, and then just stepped to the side of the line where she continued to smoke, blowing smoke on the rest of us in line. The CM came back over, pointed out the smoking area, and told her to please go over there to finish smoking.

 

[danny1649]

On our last trip 12/7/03 -12/12/03 the CM's were doing much better than in past years of trying to show folks smoking areas and enforce smoking policy.I smoke and so I was looking for others not smoking in the areas posted for smoking.I saw fewer folks breaking the smoking policy this year than last.I post this not to start arguement or say other posters are wrong.This was my experience and observations for a short stay this year.

 

[Kaycee]

Gosh, I hope you're right and there is some improvement in directing people to the proper areas. I know that with most people, it's just a matter of not paying close enough attention, and that if they're reminded they'll smoke in the proper areas. And for those (very few) selfish people who just don't care, a clear reminder from CM's should do the trick.

I really think that if the policy is made clear enough, the vast majority of people smoking in the wrong areas will stop. Yes, I know that smoking areas are marked, both with signs and on maps. But WDW can be a bit overwhelming, so extra reminders are sometimes needed.

And for those considerate smokers who make the effort to always smoke in the designated areas, I want to say thank you. My DH suffers from asthma triggered by cigarette smoke, so your consideration means a lot to us.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Kaycee
Gosh, I hope you're right and there is some improvement in directing people to the proper areas. I know that with most people, it's just a matter of not paying close enough attention, and that if they're reminded they'll smoke in the proper areas. And for those (very few) selfish people who just don't care, a clear reminder from CM's should do the trick.

I really think that if the policy is made clear enough, the vast majority of people smoking in the wrong areas will stop. Yes, I know that smoking areas are marked, both with signs and on maps. But WDW can be a bit overwhelming, so extra reminders are sometimes needed.

And for those considerate smokers who make the effort to always smoke in the designated areas, I want to say thank you. My DH suffers from asthma triggered by cigarette smoke, so your consideration means a lot to us.

They make announcements on the monorail and I believe the trams, I find it difficult to see how this could be ignored. The maps clearly state the policy. As I said before, there are plenty of smoking areas and I, frankly, see no reason to break the rules.
Smoking in line has always been against the rules, and rightly so.
As a smoker who tries very hard to be considerate, your appreciation is happily received.

 

[eeyore0062]

Much depends on the time of year you visit. With more crowded conditions, you tend to have this happen more often. Also, given that many of WDWs' guests are international where smoking is much more prevalent and accepted, or from parts of this country where no smoking bans don't exsist, they may not realize there is a problem. CM's are aware of this problem, and usually will guide the guest to the correct area in which they can enjoy their smoke without inconveniencing others.

At Downtown Disney, however, other than not smoking around food or merchadise kiosks, or in shops or restaurants, so far, they have not designated smoking areas, so you will encounter this problem even more. Hopefully, it is a problem which will be corrected in the future, especially at the more family friendly Marketplace areas.

If you do encounter a guest smoking in a non designated area, alert a castmember, and let them know how uncomfortable that smoke is making you and your family so they can redirect the smoking guest to the correct area.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I was there 12/5 to 12/11, and I noticed a drastic increase in people smoking throughout all Disney parks.

One very rude, rebel-type woman thought I was a CM because I was wearing a Guest of Honor badge.
She rushed up to me in Tomorrowland,
and asked me where the nearest rest room was. AS SHE ASKED this, she lit her cigarette just A FEW INCHES
from my face !!! Obviously, she wanted to make a point to a CM, and she was dissappointed that I was not a CM. * Lovely Woman * - betcha
she's not very well liked, anywhere.

 

[pammy1027]

As a newbie to this board and to Disney, and being a smoker, I have a few comments. As a smoker, I would have never dreamed that the outdoors wouldn't be a smoking area, while most restaurants would be smoke free, as they are indoors.

Also, I am not one to purchase maps, etc and like to experience things as they come, so if proper signage isn't all over the place and signs when you walk in the park very visable, then I for one wouldn't have even thought twice about it.

I am accustomed to not making others uncomfortable though in the same breath and would do my best to smoke out of the way as my SO doesn't really care for it either.

There is no excuse for being rude in any circumstance, but if I didn't know any better, then I could be one of those blowing smoke around easily. I am no Disney Veteran and work way too many hours to read up on all the rules. As my trip was a gift on X-mas, I only have 2 1/2 weeks to prepare for my first experience.

Thanks for this message board and for a place to ask questions and offer comments!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by pammy1027
As a newbie to this board and to Disney, and being a smoker, I have a few comments. As a smoker, I would have never dreamed that the outdoors wouldn't be a smoking area, while most restaurants would be smoke free, as they are indoors.

Also, I am not one to purchase maps, etc and like to experience things as they come, so if proper signage isn't all over the place and signs when you walk in the park very visable, then I for one wouldn't have even thought twice about it.

...

Thanks for this message board and for a place to ask questions and offer comments!

You don't have to purchase any maps for the parks. They are available at the park gates, where you purchase tickets, at the Disney hotels. Just about anywhere on the property. Just pick one up and check it out. It will show you where all the attractions are as well, plus give you a few details about all the dining locations. We've gone 14 times now, and still pick up a park map when we enter the park. Just in case we need to find out something.

 

[gshoemate]

I was at AK today and there was a woman walking around just flinging her cigarette everywhere. The thing that got me was 3 CM's walked by her (one was with security) and no one said anything, and it was in plain site. I understand some people may not be aware of the smoking policy but alot of people do it because they don't want to be told where they can and cannot smoke. That is why you have so many people walking around,cupping there cigarette's in their hands so no one can see them. What they don't relize is there hands are at the level of childrens faces and I can't tell you how many times my children have almost gotten burned. If it wasn't for fast thinking (and a good sense of smell when it comes to smoke) i'm sure we would of had to make a few runs to the emergancy room.

 

[mitros]

You do not have to purchase any maps, they are the ones given out at the resorts, at retail shops, and at entrance gate areas as well as guest services.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by gshoemate
I was at AK today and there was a woman walking around just flinging her cigarette everywhere. The thing that got me was 3 CM's walked by her (one was with security) and no one said anything, and it was in plain site. I understand some people may not be aware of the smoking policy but alot of people do it because they don't want to be told where they can and cannot smoke. That is why you have so many people walking around,cupping there cigarette's in their hands so no one can see them. What they don't relize is there hands are at the level of childrens faces and I can't tell you how many times my children have almost gotten burned. If it wasn't for fast thinking (and a good sense of smell when it comes to smoke) i'm sure we would of had to make a few runs to the emergancy room.

Oh, the thought of burning anyone sends me up the wall. A cupped cigarette is a method used not to sneak but to keep the lit end away from people and other objects. Most people are acutely aware of where their hands are and what height a child's face or other body parts are, that is one of the reasons they cup the cigarette.
What really makes me edgy is the parents that bring their kids into the smoking area and let them run around. That is just dangerous, one the running is not good and two, there are a lot of people smoking. Talk about burns waiting to happen.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pammy1027
As a newbie to this board and to Disney, and being a smoker, I have a few comments. As a smoker, I would have never dreamed that the outdoors wouldn't be a smoking area, while most restaurants would be smoke free, as they are indoors.

Also, I am not one to purchase maps, etc and like to experience things as they come, so if proper signage isn't all over the place and signs when you walk in the park very visable, then I for one wouldn't have even thought twice about it.

I am accustomed to not making others uncomfortable though in the same breath and would do my best to smoke out of the way as my SO doesn't really care for it either.

There is no excuse for being rude in any circumstance, but if I didn't know any better, then I could be one of those blowing smoke around easily. I am no Disney Veteran and work way too many hours to read up on all the rules. As my trip was a gift on X-mas, I only have 2 1/2 weeks to prepare for my first experience.

Thanks for this message board and for a place to ask questions and offer comments!

If memory serves, there are signs when you enter the park. As to signs saying no, no there are none nor are there signs for the smoking areas (how tacky that would be " Another nice clean smoking area sponsered by........") You will need a guide map to locate the smoking areas, they are free at each park. Or you can go to this site and print them out. http://allearsnet.com/tp/smoke.htm

I can certainly understand where the thought that outdoors would be a smoking area, it is logical, but, many places are putting restrictions on that. Disney is one, Universal another, thank goodness Sea World does not.