Smoking Rooms and my complaint

[Keebles]

I thought you had to request a non-smoking room and weren't even guaranteed it. I just booked on line and they asked if I had any "special requests" and one of the options was "non-smoking" room - with the disclaimer that all "special requests" could not be honored.

How can they be calling "non-smoking" a "special request" and charging more for a smoking room?

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but I did want to clarify something, so I'll try to word it carefully...

If for medical reasons you can't be near smoke (which is me as I have severe asthma), you can get a "guaranteed request" (which is what I did) for non-smoking and you will get it.

Now, here comes the flame part...if someone next door to us chooses to smoke on their balcony, we'd have to get moved, even if it's to a different resort. To those who question fairness, how is that fair? Months and months of planning, staying at my dream resort, and we have to move. Life is not fair to anyone, non-smokers included. It's not a question of not liking the smell, but a question of life or death for me. I can control it somewhat during the day...I stay away from the smoking areas in the parks and step away from the strong-smelling smokers. We book non-smoking rooms. Someone smoking on the ground four floors above me may not do it, but if a neighbor smoked on their balcony after I was asleep and it seeped inside our room, I may not wake up (hopefully my wheezing will wake up my sister though). The OP is more than kind when considering their neighbors. Smoking on your balcony in a non-smoking room could literally kill the person next door to you.

Gosh, I'm getting so flamed!! Go ahead and let me have it...I can take it!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

ITA Cinderella822! It's going in the letter. I'm writing it right now!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but I did want to clarify something, so I'll try to word it carefully...

If for medical reasons you can't be near smoke (which is me as I have severe asthma), you can get a "guaranteed request" (which is what I did) for non-smoking and you will get it.

Now, here comes the flame part...if someone next door to us chooses to smoke on their balcony, we'd have to get moved, even if it's to a different resort. To those who question fairness, how is that fair? Months and months of planning, staying at my dream resort, and we have to move. Life is not fair to anyone, non-smokers included. It's not a question of not liking the smell, but a question of life or death for me. I can control it somewhat during the day...I stay away from the smoking areas in the parks and step away from the strong-smelling smokers. We book non-smoking rooms. Someone smoking on the ground four floors above me may not do it, but if a neighbor smoked on their balcony after I was asleep and it seeped inside our room, I may not wake up (hopefully my wheezing will wake up my sister though). The OP is more than kind when considering their neighbors. Smoking on your balcony in a non-smoking room could literally kill the person next door to you.

Gosh, I'm getting so flamed!! Go ahead and let me have it...I can take it!

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Maybe they could designate "medical needs" buildings - along with "smoking" buildings and "non-smoking" buildings?

 

[Keebles]

I'm sorry I started such a hot topic here! I totally understand everyone's opinions on smoking on balconies of nonsmoking rooms. Although I tend to feel that as long as its outside, there is less harm than smoking inside, my complaint in all of this was not that I wanted to smoke on the balcony of a nonsmoking room, but rather why is it that I have to pay the price of a courtyard view room, when I want a standard view room! I'd gladly book a smoking room but I don't want to have to be forced to pay extra for it. I think they should have one wing that is entirely smoking and have different prices ranges within it to accommodate everyone.

I think you've started a great topic!! It will be a question of people can keep their tempers in check or not. It's not fair for you to have to pay more. I wouldn't mind paying more for a non-smoking room, however.

 

[Keebles]

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Maybe they could designate "medical needs" buildings - along with "smoking" buildings and "non-smoking" buildings?

Naw, but separate buildings would be a good idea.

 

[C.Ann]

Naw, but separate buildings would be a good idea.

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No - I'm serious.. There are other life-threatening medical issues that could be deadly due to issues other than smoking (like the peanut allergy thing where if a trace of odor or oil is left anywhere a child will die), so why not have "medical needs" buildings that are cleaned in a far superior manner than the traditional rooms?

I would hate to see anyone die on their vacation, but in order to be fair to all of their guests (and let's face it - not alienate people and lose out on $$) they have to come up with something that works for everyone..

 

[Keebles]

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No - I'm serious.. There are other life-threatening medical issues that could be deadly due to issues other than smoking (like the peanut allergy thing where if a trace of odor or oil is left anywhere a child will die), so why not have "medical needs" buildings that are cleaned in a far superior manner than the traditional rooms?

I would hate to see anyone die on their vacation, but in order to be fair to all of their guests (and let's face it - not alienate people and lose out on $$) they have to come up with something that works for everyone..

I'm not really in that "special needs" category, so I just don't know what the cost ratio would be to run something like that. I don't ask for much...just that I don't smell smoke in a non-smoking room. I don't think that's too outrageous of a request, just like not paying extra for a smoking room is that outrageous of a request, but alas, I think we're both out of luck!!

 

[SueM in MN]

It's not fair if WDW only has smoking rooms in a higher priced category, unless they automatically upgrade you when you check in if you say you need smoking.

The biggest problem is that the CMs are not consistent. It almost seems as if they tell the guest what they think the guest wants to hear, or mayb e the CMs who smoke don't see any harm in smoking on the balcony and say it's Ok when they are asked. I don't know why, but there is no consistency and whatever answer you are looking for, you will probably find.

I know we have asked if smoking was allowed on the balcony because we (well, I) had been bothered by smoke coming into our room under the patio door from smokers on a neighboring balcony. I was told that the balcony of a non-smoking room is part of the room and is non-smoking. (The same as a number of people posted on this thread that they were told).
But, during the same time period at the same resort, some smokers posted that they had asked about smoking on the balcony and were told it was just fine - they were even given ashtrays. (The same as a number of posters on this thread posted that they were told ).

The worst part I can see is that since the CMs are wishy-washy about this, guests who are told the balconies are non-smoking sometimes get upset with other guests who were told they could smoke there.

 

[Keebles]

It's not fair if WDW only has smoking rooms in a higher priced category, unless they automatically upgrade you when you check in if you say you need smoking.

The biggest problem is that the CMs are not consistent. It almost seems as if they tell the guest what they think the guest wants to hear, or mayb e the CMs who smoke don't see any harm in smoking on the balcony and say it's Ok when they are asked. I don't know why, but there is no consistency and whatever answer you are looking for, you will probably find.

I know we have asked if smoking was allowed on the balcony because we (well, I) had been bothered by smoke coming into our room under the patio door from smokers on a neighboring balcony. I was told that the balcony of a non-smoking room is part of the room and is non-smoking. (The same as a number of people posted on this thread that they were told).
But, during the same time period at the same resort, some smokers posted that they had asked about smoking on the balcony and were told it was just fine - they were even given ashtrays. (The same as a number of posters on this thread posted that they were told ).

The worst part I can see is that since the CMs are wishy-washy about this, guests who are told the balconies are non-smoking sometimes get upset with other guests who were told they could smoke there.

So very, very true!! And not just about this issue, but many, many others!

 

[Acklander]

It's not a question of not liking the smell, but a question of life or death for me. I can control it somewhat during the day...I stay away from the smoking areas in the parks and step away from the strong-smelling smokers. We book non-smoking rooms. Someone smoking on the ground four floors above me may not do it, but if a neighbor smoked on their balcony after I was asleep and it seeped inside our room, I may not wake up (hopefully my wheezing will wake up my sister though). The OP is more than kind when considering their neighbors. Smoking on your balcony in a non-smoking room could literally kill the person next door to you.

I don't intend this as a flame, so please don't take it that way, but for me it's more a curious thing - I have a child with asthma and allergies so I understand about being sensitive to smoke. With my son, being in traffic causes more problems than if someone was smoking outside on the next balcony. Since he has the same reaction with cigarette smoke as he does with the regular day to day pollution in traffic, I always assumed that they were about the same thing, just more so in traffic. Have I been wrong in thinking this???? If not, being as sensitive as you are, how do you manage in traffic?

 

[colleen costello]

Disney does no one any favor by refusing to designate areas that keep the two groups apart. I believe that most smokers want to be courteous, and I also know that most non-smokers want to be FAR away from the smokers, even outside. Disney could easily help matters by keeping the smoking rooms in one building or, if not possible, at one END of a building so that even on the balconies, smokers were clustered togther. It's the same with the pools. Most of the pools are BIG and all it would take is a few "no smoking" signs on ONE side of the pool. As it is now, my family usually sits down to enjoy pooltime and inevitably we get run out by some smokers, who always seem to sit next to us. I can't blame them when nowhere is labeled "smoke free." I think Disney is way behind the times with this issue. No one is asking them to BAN smokers, just to offer some parameters.

We had TWO balconies at Wilderness Lodge in March, attached to a Villa I shelled out a small fortune for. I didn't use EITHER all week because I was surrounded by smokers on both sides plus below me! Thanks Mickey.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Also, if you have a smoking room (even if it costs more), why the need to smoke on the balcony? That would still probably send smoke onto the balconies of other guests who paid for non-smoking rooms.

If I am paying for a smoking room, why wouldn't I be able to smoke on my balcony if I felt like sitting outside, I don't think that is very fair?

To the OP, when I stayed at the WL I paid for a standard room with a request for a smoking room. When I got there, they automatically upgraded me to a courtyard room b/c smoking rooms happens to fall I believe on the 5th floor. And I didn't have to pay for it. Maybe that will happen with you.[/QUOTE]


Totally OT but your pooch is just ADORABLE!

 

[Keebles]

I don't intend this as a flame, so please don't take it that way, but for me it's more a curious thing - I have a child with asthma and allergies so I understand about being sensitive to smoke. With my son, being in traffic causes more problems than if someone was smoking outside on the next balcony. Since he has the same reaction with cigarette smoke as he does with the regular day to day pollution in traffic, I always assumed that they were about the same thing, just more so in traffic. Have I been wrong in thinking this???? If not, being as sensitive as you are, how do you manage in traffic?

Asthma is like allergies, there are many, many different triggers...I only have two main ones, cigarette smoke and cats. Nothing else bothers me (unless its in an abnormally large amount). We don't have a ton of traffic here (compared to NY or LA), so that's also not an issue with me. But like I said, large amounts of anything can trigger an attack, but for me, even small amounts of smoke or cats does me in.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I don't intend this as a flame, so please don't take it that way, but for me it's more a curious thing - I have a child with asthma and allergies so I understand about being sensitive to smoke. With my son, being in traffic causes more problems than if someone was smoking outside on the next balcony. Since he has the same reaction with cigarette smoke as he does with the regular day to day pollution in traffic, I always assumed that they were about the same thing, just more so in traffic. Have I been wrong in thinking this???? If not, being as sensitive as you are, how do you manage in traffic?

I live in Los Angeles County, notorious for our traffic and smog. I can tell you on warm days or days when the smog rating is high, I keep my son inside as much as possible.

As to paying more for a room because the op is a smoker, I think thats unfair. Each room category should have smoking and non smoking room options.

 

[C.Ann]

Disney does no one any favor by refusing to designate areas that keep the two groups apart. I believe that most smokers want to be courteous, and I also know that most non-smokers want to be FAR away from the smokers, even outside. Disney could easily help matters by keeping the smoking rooms in one building or, if not possible, at one END of a building so that even on the balconies, smokers were clustered togther. It's the same with the pools. Most of the pools are BIG and all it would take is a few "no smoking" signs on ONE side of the pool. As it is now, my family usually sits down to enjoy pooltime and inevitably we get run out by some smokers, who always seem to sit next to us. I can't blame them when nowhere is labeled "smoke free." I think Disney is way behind the times with this issue. No one is asking them to BAN smokers, just to offer some parameters.

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Exactly what I've been trying to say here.. Rather than make snide remarks about smokers, rather than throwing them dirty looks, rather than ruining your own vacation grumbling about smokers who are only doing what they have been told is allowed, make your complaints to Disney!!

 

[Keebles]

If I am paying for a smoking room, why wouldn't I be able to smoke on my balcony if I felt like sitting outside, I don't think that is very fair?

To the OP, when I stayed at the WL I paid for a standard room with a request for a smoking room. When I got there, they automatically upgraded me to a courtyard room b/c smoking rooms happens to fall I believe on the 5th floor. And I didn't have to pay for it. Maybe that will happen with you.

Totally OT but your pooch is just ADORABLE![/QUOTE]

I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't in a smoking room. They are higher up and usually don't afffect the lower, non-smoking floors.

 

[srfrgrl07]

i understand that this is a medical issue for many, and i'm sure that if you are assigned a room that is near someone who is smoking on their balcony and it irritates your (or your child's) allergies, you will be moved or they will be moved to accomodate your needs. but if they start to designate certain bldgs as smoking/non smoking then what happens if that is a *preferred* bldg. meaning, let's say the samoa bldg at the poly is designated as a smoking bldg. then all of those guests who request that bldg will be up in arms that you have to be a smoker in order to be assigned that bldg and that's not fair to those non smokers, etc. i think they already designate certain floors, but unfortunately the balconies (as far as i know) are fair game and subject to the manners of the guest in that room. most people who know that the person next to them needs a non smoking area due to life or death circumstances, as you put it, should be courteous enough to refrain from smoking on the balcony. if they're not, disney is really not going to police the issue. it is up to you to contact the front desk to make them aware of the issue and rectify the situation.

 

[Keebles]

i understand that this is a medical issue for many, and i'm sure that if you are assigned a room that is near someone who is smoking on their balcony and it irritates your (or your child's) allergies, you will be moved or they will be moved to accomodate your needs. but if they start to designate certain bldgs as smoking/non smoking then what happens if that is a *preferred* bldg. meaning, let's say the samoa bldg at the poly is designated as a smoking bldg. then all of those guests who request that bldg will be up in arms that you have to be a smoker in order to be assigned that bldg and that's not fair to those non smokers, etc. i think they already designate certain floors, but unfortunately the balconies (as far as i know) are fair game and subject to the manners of the guest in that room. most people who know that the person next to them needs a non smoking area due to life or death circumstances, as you put it, should be courteous enough to refrain from smoking on the balcony. if they're not, disney is really not going to police the issue. it is up to you to contact the front desk to make them aware of the issue and rectify the situation.

This thread has been a real eye-opener for me. I had no idea that people considered the balconies "fair game". I just assumed that since the balcony is connected to the room and can only be accessed by the room, then therefore if the room is non-smoking, the balcony is non-smoking. But I do think it's my responsibility to try to get myself moved first rather than having Disney notify the neighbors, though. I'm the one with the medical problem. I'm the one who needs to be moved.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but I did want to clarify something, so I'll try to word it carefully...

If for medical reasons you can't be near smoke (which is me as I have severe asthma), you can get a "guaranteed request" (which is what I did) for non-smoking and you will get it.

Now, here comes the flame part...if someone next door to us chooses to smoke on their balcony, we'd have to get moved, even if it's to a different resort. To those who question fairness, how is that fair? Months and months of planning, staying at my dream resort, and we have to move. Life is not fair to anyone, non-smokers included. It's not a question of not liking the smell, but a question of life or death for me. I can control it somewhat during the day...I stay away from the smoking areas in the parks and step away from the strong-smelling smokers. We book non-smoking rooms. Someone smoking on the ground four floors above me may not do it, but if a neighbor smoked on their balcony after I was asleep and it seeped inside our room, I may not wake up (hopefully my wheezing will wake up my sister though). The OP is more than kind when considering their neighbors. Smoking on your balcony in a non-smoking room could literally kill the person next door to you.

Gosh, I'm getting so flamed!! Go ahead and let me have it...I can take it!

I agree...my dd has asthma and has been told by her ped NOT TO BE NEAR any smoking if at all possible so we have a medical request as well my TA said would be honored. But what are ya gonna do?? People are gonna smoke if and where they want to. I have to move her, pain? Yes but oh well.

 

[BlueFairy1]

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Exactly what I've been trying to say here.. Rather than make snide remarks about smokers, rather than throwing them dirty looks, rather than ruining your own vacation grumbling about smokers who are only doing what they have been told is allowed, make your complaints to Disney!!

Well said! As a smoker I have always asked that Disney put me far from the maddening crowd so to speak. I do not want to earn the wrath of the masses because of my nasty little habit., I have always been courteous and have looked for the furthest point( ie: hidey hole,) from all people when smoking and I just will not smoke indoors. I do not want to contribute to any medical condition that any child or adult may have...and there appear to be more and more conditions being diagnosed (as I see from reading this thread)....and like the smokers...they go to WDW!! Go figure!!! Disney must be consistant with what and where they put smoking rooms. Some bldgs are designated smoking at various resorts and then I read that some resorts have them scattered amongst the "good people's' rooms. I honestly dont want to put up with the glares and complaints...more so than non smokers want to glare and complain! Disney does need to revise its policy on smoking and non smoking rooms.....stepping down from soapbox...and moving aside for next person...er...thank you very much....small bow.