smoking on the balconies

[Minnie&Nana]

I think you just said it all!!!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I think there is some truth to your observations, Edge. However WDW in 2000 came out with a clear "smoking designated" policy according to allears.net. The basis of it is assume that everything is non-smoking unless it is designated smoking permitted. True also of the DTD area.

Since WDW has both smoking and non-smoking rooms, OP should book a smoking room unless DH is willing to walk to an area where it will not affect others. In answer to the question, this should be mentioned when you book your reservation so if it wasn't mentioned, it can be added to the reservation with a call.

And according to the allears site, at AKL you cannot smoke on ANY BALCONY, even a smoking room, of a room that faces the savannah.

I've got a MIL who smokes and a DH whose health is greatly affected by smoke so I'm understanding of both sides. But if a smoker has booked a non-smoking room and is puffing away on the balcony next door, I'll call the front desk pronto.

 

[ckret01]

I feel bad for the OP of this thread. All they asked was if smoking was allowed on balcanies and it became an opinion thread that tends to get to everyone who reads it including myself. because there is no straight answer.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Again, not to be redundant here, but I just spoke with Eddie at the Poly (not at CRO since some don't think that CRO knows the rules) and he told me that as long as the door to the balcony is shut and a person is outside, they are allowed to smoke. They just ask that you please not smoke IN the room.

Like it or not, it is allowed by WDW. They are in charge of their property - not the other guests.

Also, I almost hope at some point, another guest complains about someone smoking on the balcony of a room I staying in. I would love to have someone tell me I can't and make me move - can we say UPGRADE!

We all pay for our rooms and I don't see how another guest can dictate what I can or cannot do on the balcony that I paid for.

Tolerance is just as important as consideration.



BTW - we pay for the use of rooms - not entire buildings.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Once again...why not simply stay in a smoking room and not put anyone's health at risk who has paid for a non-smoking rooom? Especially when it is a non-smoking building - it would not be unreasonable to assume it is safe for the child/adult with asthma or a heart/lung condition. If you are booking non-smoking for your children, do you want them inhaling smoke from another balcony? Why not go to an area where it will not bother other guests -who have also paid for their non-smoking room? It is just common courtesy.

Truly, I do not understand why someone would book a non-smoking room/floor/building if they smoke.

From the posts here it is pretty clear that those who book non-smoking expect the environment to be smoke free. It just makes sense.

I wish I'd gotten the name of the CM I spoke with at the Poly tonight who told me the exact opposite of what Eddie told another caller.

We have smokers in my family and I can tell you they would never smoke on the balcony of a non-smoking room/building. Just like I would never stay in a smoking building and expect no one to smoke on the balcony - it would not be fair.

Some of the posts are beginning to sound as though a smoker will stay in a non-smoking building and simply not care that those around them have paid to be in a smoke free environment..now who is being unfair/unkind and maybe downright meanspirited?

How sad.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Originally posted by BaciBecky
Some of the posts are beginning to sound as though a smoker will stay in a non-smoking building and simply not care that those around them have paid to be in a smoke free environment..now who is being unfair/unkind and maybe downright meanspirited?

How sad.

You mean paid for a smoke free room not evironment, don't you?

When my son was on oxygen and couldn't be around smoke AT ALL, we stayed home. Now that his condition has improved (years later I might add) we venture out in to the "real" world where we do not control others.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

My aunt, who lives in Tampa, is a major smoker. She is a widow now. My uncle (who was also a smoker) died of, yes, lung cancer. But something I've always found interesting...........neither one of them EVER smoked in their house. They owned their house, not rented it. They had a screened in front porch and would sit out there (even with their coats on during the winter) and smoke.

The reason???..........their two married daughters and grandchildren. They didn't want their non-smoking family to have to put up with that smell while visiting them. I have a suspicion that the daughters had voiced a complaint in the past. The one grandchild does have severe allergies also. My aunt also didn't want her house smelling like that (she is a major clean freak )

My aunt and uncle never seemed to mind. My mom stays with her for 2 months at a time during the year and she said my aunt never complained about it. To me, that is almost the ultimate (barring not smoking at all) of courtesy.

Thank you, smokers, who are considerate of others and don't smoke on your balconies in a non-smoking room/building. I know it's an addiction and it's probably tough at times to put up with all of the rules. And we don't even know for sure that this one is a rule, but you choose to be considerate anyway. I thank you.

 

[disneyandme]

Tigger Wood' s stated ---"I'm assuming those folks who are smoking on their balconies also paid a premium for the location and the view."
and
Queen of Celts stated---"Notice everyone is saying request a non-smoking/smoking ROOM? That is all you are paying for. There are no laws in the state of Florida about smoking outside. If someone comes out on to their balcony and you are already outside smoking, they can wait until you are done if they don't like the odor."

For a parent of an asthmatic, I find these comments awful. I pay for my view as well, and the "odor" as you call it could send my child to the hospital- or worse. I appreciate all those smokers who choose smoking rooms or take a walk to other locations to do there smoking. THANK YOU!!

To answer the original question-- if DH doesn't smoke around his own children, why should he put other people's children at risk.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Has the fact that I don't smoke and that my son shouldn't be around smoke either slipped by everyone?

My point is simply this: if we do not like what is happening on someone else's balcony while we are outside on our own balcony - we have every right to go back inside.

I highly doubt that anyone who does smoke on the their balcony spends their entire vacation on the balcony smoking. I can just go out there when they are inside getting another pack of cigarettes.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Originally posted by QueenOfCelts
My point is simply this: if we do not like what is happening on someone else's balcony while we are outside on our own balcony - we have every right to go back inside.

I highly doubt that anyone who does smoke on the their balcony spends their entire vacation on the balcony smoking. I can just go out there when they are inside getting another pack of cigarettes.

But what if your family and the person smoking is out watching WISHES, ILLUMINATIONS, the Water pageant, etc. ........then what?? Does my family have to watch from inside our NON-smoking room so that the person smoking can have the "right" to smell up my air or make my child not be able to breathe??

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Nothing is being missed here.

Sad to think that anyone would believe in the heartless notion that children who are sensitive or endangered by smoke should not be out in the "real" world enjoying WDW. Fortunately Disney doesn't agree with that.

I looked back and read a thread from May of this year - I'm sure you old-timers saw it - where a CM in charge spoke to a poster and confirmed that the balcony spaces were under the protection of the Florida clean air act. They were only asking about the non-smoking rooms and WDW resorts made their stance clear on that -- it is illegal to smoke on a non-smoking balcony. Enforcement is dependent on a guest making a complaint.

 

[CatLady]

Kudos to OP for being considerate and asking. Sounds like you and your DH are extremely mindful of the comfort of others.

Originally posted by Threehearts
I was standing next to a family checking into Poly LV Concierge a little over a year ago and they had requested a smoking room many times over. There were none available. The CM told them that they would send an ashtray to the room and they could smoke until their room could be changed.

Originally posted by goofydad621
I told them no I was promised a smoking room and our vacation and that is what we wanted. They sent mouskeeping down with three ashtrays and told us to smoke in the room.

I find this horrifying. I mean, really, really, horrifying. Smoke isn't just offensive. For some of us, the chemical remnants of smoke are enough to make us very ill. Not just asthma sufferers, either. Smokers have no idea how the odor and chemicals linger. I have not been able to enter my mother's home for nearly 7 years becuase she smokes inside and thinks that opening the window for 3-5 minutes is enough to "freshen up" before someone with allergies comes to visit.

I also found this disturbing:

Originally posted by QueenOfCelts
The only reason this is a hot topic is because some people want to infringe on the rights of others all the while whining about their rights.

I'm all for everyone having their rights. However, my rights end where they start impacting (and possibly hurting) you. For example, if I want to get drunk, I'm an adult and that's my business. But if I want to get drunk and then drive... well, that's the point where it potentially impacts (and hurts/kills) someone else. That's why it's not permitted.

Smoking is an action that, by definition, impacts everyone around the smoker... often much further away from the smoker than the smoker realizes. That's why they enacted the clean air act in Florida. The fact that it isn't enforced (only upon guest complaint, evidently) is just Disney's way of trying not to upset anyone no matter what. That doesn't make it right, it just makes it the path of least resistance.

 

[sweet angel]

I saw a post here referencing the Florida Clean Air Act. What exactly is that?

What is the policy regarding smoking in the parks? Designated areas?

How about on the ships? I saw that smoking was allowed on certain decks and in certain clubs, but not in rooms. However, smoking IS allowed on the verandahs of the rooms.

Also, as a smoker, I feel I am very courteous. I would NEVER smoke in a non-smoking room or take the liberty to smoke on the balcony of a non-smoking room. If I know the area is non-smoking, I would go to an area where it was allowed. I don't smoke in other people's houses. If I'm out with people who don't smoke, I'll ask first if it will bother them. etc., etc.

I do not smoke in my house as I find that stale smoke smell to be just as gross as do those of you who don't smoke. I can smell smoke on people's clothes, etc.

I've been in motel rooms where I've walked in and went "Phew...it stinks like smoke in here!"

I'm quite curious as to the rules at the parks and on the ships though....

 

[Mouse Man]

Unfortunately, if a smoker is asked to not smoke on the balcony, he/she will probably take their smoking into the room. To me, that is a worse offense because the next occupants will have to deal with it. I actually find the balcony smokers considerate. In all my years of traveling to Disney, I've never encountered a balcony smoker that caused me to complain. If someone sat out there all day and smoked non-stop (what are the chances), then I'd put in a call to complain.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Kuddos to all the smokers who understand and respect that a non-smoking room includes the balcony. It's common sense AND it IS on the Disney books, so to speak. Disney will NOT upgrade someone smoking on the balcony of a non-smoking room. And if an inexperienced, unknowlegable CM did, then that would be one sad state of affairs for Disney.

So, unfortunately, it leaves it to the non-smokers to call and complain. It is because of the serious health issue of 2nd hand smoke that we no longer have to stand in line with smoke.

As I've stated before, yes, as a non-smoker I want to be able to enjoy my balcony (I've pd a high price to have one too and a smoker can have a room/section/building where it is not an issue).

Again, what concerns me most is the lack of understanding for those with health issues. And to say that children should stay home from Disney is downright ludicrous and extremely unkind.

No adult or child should have to stay home or worry about smoke if they've booked a non-smoking room - which does include the balcony.

You can trust I will be writing to Disney about this issue and speaking directly with the manager of each Resort. One person cannot do it alone, we must let them know we know what the Disney guidelines are and that we expect said guidelines (rules) to be enforced for our comfort and protection.

"Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." DaLi Lama

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Guess what? People smoke on the balconies of their hotel rooms because it is allowed. Like it or not. If you don't, take it up with WDW.

All the mis-qouting around here is cracking me up! LOL! Nobody paying attention........never once did I say sick chidlren should stay away from WDW. If people (adults included) can't handle cigarette smoke AT ALL, they should stay home for their own safety. Otherwise you take your chances. I could get into a car accident every single time I leave my house, but I venture out none the less.

Enjoy your debate if you like. According to WDW - smoking IS allowed on non-smoking balconies and in the words of Jiminy Cricket - let your conscience be your guide!

Bye.

 

[PartyOf5a]

Boy, after reading through this thread I am starting to realize how many people out there have medical reasons to not encounter 2nd hand smoke. I thought my son was a somewhat unique situation. Apparently not. Believe me, I know what you all go through. Anyway, wouldn't it be nice if Disney had a resort that was entirely smoke-free? I'm talking everywhere on the property - rooms, balconies, the pool area, the entire grounds. That would be heaven on earth for my son (as well as the rest of our family). And to make it fair, I think it would be nice to do the same thing for the smokers - have a resort where you can some anywhere/anytime.

 

[Threehearts]

I have asked this question before and never received an answer, so I will try again. How do all these parents and children function outside of WDW non-smoking areas(on the street at home) without having multiple trips to the hospital? I am a non-smoker and live in the DC area and I never know when someone will light up around me on the street or if I would be exposed to, I think the words used here were 'chemical remnants.' There is a risk everywhere that you might have an accidental exposure to smoke or its afteraffects and I'm just not sure how this works for the highly allergic. Do you stay at home and have others do your shopping? How about travel outside of WDW where the hoteliers are not nearly as concerned about smoke as the ones at WDW? People frequently smoke cigarettes in parking lots. If "just one exposure" to smoke sends someone to the emergency room, it would follow that you must be a prisoner in your own home. I am not being sarcastic nor questioning those with life-threatening allergies, I am just wondering how you survive the average day. Threehearts

 

[GEM]

Originally posted by QueenOfCelts
According to WDW - smoking IS allowed on non-smoking balconies and in the words of Jiminy Cricket - let your conscience be your guide!

I guess if your consciene says you should light up on the balcony of you non-smoking room and not care at all about anybody else whose health or enjoyment you may be negatively affecting, then that says a lot right there.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Originally posted by QueenOfCelts
Guess what? People smoke on the balconies of their hotel rooms because it is allowed. Like it or not. If you don't, take it up with WDW.

Unfortunately, whomever you spoke with was not correctly informed. Somking on balconies is not allowed by WDW - any variation of that is by misinformed hotel CM's, even managers, but, smoking on balconies of non-smoking rooms is NOT official WDW policy.

I honesrly do not understand why there is so much controversy over this issus. A balcony is an extension and part of the room. Why would anyone want to inconvience other guests when they themselves are in a non-smoking room??

And,gee, of, course, we take our medically fragile children/adults to all kinds of places, but then there are some places where we can relax and feel they are safe - the balcony and room (because smoke does travel) of a non-smoking room with a resort that has an official policy regarding the issue. If that has changed I'd like to hear it from WDW execs in Guest Relations.