Smoking & stroller wagons banned May 1!

[gdrj]

We have been going to DLR every other year since our twins were born 36 years ago. Back then we were in excellent health. Now we are seniors. I can still walk easily in DLR but my husband's health issues require that he use an ECV. We still both enjoy DLR. My husband does not go fast or bump into anyone in the ECV. Should we stay home now that we are older and cannot keep up the pace of the younger crowd?

Of course not. But it doesnt mean there cant or should not be some restrictions on use within parks. After parades or Shows it can be dangerous as the ECV’s try to move through crowds. While your husband doesnt go fast or bump people, due to crowds it can happen quite easily, not to mention not everyone is as courteous. There is also the factor of that there are a surprisingly large # of people that are incapable of driving them carefully or have their grandkids on them with them. Also some people have the ability to get out of them fairly easily so maybe for at end of events ECV’s need to wait b4 moving or have a viewing area to the side. We all slow down a bit as we age or when we are younger due to health issues. Doesnt mean that we should ignore our limitations and impact others by being able to bang through crowds (not saying you do!). Rules need to made not for those who are careful but for those who believe their satisfaction and enjoyment is more important than anyone else’s.

 

[gdrj]

My mom and I can't wait to take her grandson / my nephew to Disneyland for the first time but we are waiting till he is around 5 yrs old so he can enjoy more of the park.

Some our fondest memories of Disney was our Son’s first trip before he was 2! While he obviously doesnt remember, we do. More (of the park) isn’t always better.

 

[Malcon10t]

After parades or Shows it can be dangerous as the ECV’s try to move through crowds. While your husband doesnt go fast or bump people, due to crowds it can happen quite easily, not to mention not everyone is as courteous.

You are right. I use an ECV. When we are leaving after fireworks, we usually separate and regroup outside the gates. This is because my kids can walk with the crowds, whereas on the ECV, the 1' space I leave between me and the guest in front of me so I don't bump anyone is the perfect spot for inconsiderate/discourteous person to push into towing their child, so I have to stop so I don't hit them. This happens 20-30 times going down Main ST. My kids usually beat me out of the park by a good 5 mins. I've had an incident where a 20something year old guy with his girlfriend did exactly the above, only the space was smaller and as soon as he stepped in front of me, I tried to avoid, but did bump him. He turned to me, but luckily there was a Marine beside me who ripped him a new one for trying to race thru the crowds and he should watch out as he was going to hurt someone. The Marine then walked me the rest of the way out to make sure the guy didn't retaliate.

MOST ECV users are courteous, just like most stroller users and walkers are courteous. It is the discourteous ones who stand out.

 

[DizMe]

Some our fondest memories of Disney was our Son’s first trip before he was 2! While he obviously doesnt remember, we do. More (of the park) isn’t always better.

I know friends who agree, but it is very dependent on the child. We took my grandson at age 1 and it was too overwhelming for him for the most part. Took him this year at 2 and though he liked some things very much, it was still an overwhelming experience that made us decide to wait until he's 4 to go back because once he is done, so is everyone else (his mama and me). If you live nearby, then it's an easier decision, but if you're traveling and paying for a trip to DLR, it can be a gamble. Trouble is, you don't always know until you get there that the child is going to find it overwhelming.

 

[NannyBeBe]

As to using a wheelchair, this can be very difficult. Several years back, we went to DLR with my daughter who was pregnant at the time. We decided to use a wheelchair so that she would not tire so easily. Everything was fine until one night after the fireworks when I was trying to go down Main Street. The crowds were so bad that I was in tears trying to get her through. Finally a CM saw my predicament and got in front of us and guided us out of the park. There is also the issue of the person pushing the wheelchair getting really tired pushing someone all day.

 

[Malcon10t]

As to using a wheelchair, this can be very difficult. Several years back, we went to DLR with my granddaughter who was pregnant at the time. We decided to use a wheelchair so that she would not tire so easily. Everything was fine until one night after the fireworks when I was trying to go down Main Street. The crowds were so bad that I was in tears trying to get her through. Finally a CM saw my predicament and got in front of us and guided us out of the park. There is also the issue of the person pushing the wheelchair getting really tired pushing someone all day.

ANd the inconsiderate walkers are even worse with wheelchairs. My daughter shattered her left leg and broke her right, so she was non-weighbearing. At one point in our trip, she was using a manual chair instead of an ECV, and we were trying to get thru Adventureland. The number of people who ran into her walking was bad, but *3* different people actually stepped over her straight leg to get ahead of her in the crowd. Yes, they got that nano second ahead of her.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

ANd the inconsiderate walkers are even worse with wheelchairs. My daughter shattered her left leg and broke her right, so she was non-weighbearing. At one point in our trip, she was using a manual chair instead of an ECV, and we were trying to get thru Adventureland. The number of people who ran into her walking was bad, but *3* different people actually stepped over her straight leg to get ahead of her in the crowd. Yes, they got that nano second ahead of her.

Yikes!

I know people like to complain about strollers and ECVs, but as a stroller user I can say it’s so hard to maneuver strollers in a crowded place like DL. For me it’s kind of like driving on a busy freeway. But it’s like driving on a freeway where all the other drivers are texting on their phones, looking around at the scenery and will turn in right in front of you at any moment. I’m on high alert, looking all around me for space to walk and making sure I’m not running into people, other strollers or ECVs, curbs and the dreaded trolley tracks, and watching for people who will step right in front of my stroller wheel (and usually throw me a dirty look if I can’t stop fast enough). It’s really hard and I try so much to be courteous and careful.

 

[Astylla]

ANd the inconsiderate walkers are even worse with wheelchairs. My daughter shattered her left leg and broke her right, so she was non-weighbearing. At one point in our trip, she was using a manual chair instead of an ECV, and we were trying to get thru Adventureland. The number of people who ran into her walking was bad, but *3* different people actually stepped over her straight leg to get ahead of her in the crowd. Yes, they got that nano second ahead of her.

How awful ,I can't even imagine what makes people go so crazy.

My husband needs to use an ECV now due to medical invisible issues even though hes fairly young (40) and we make a point to both be careful. I will move behind or in front of him if crowds are dense , and he typically waits for people to move first after parades or fireworks because that initial crush can be rough. My biggest pet peeve from other ECV users I've witnessed is having children or any passenger ride with them which is strictly prohibited both by Disney and the outside companies through the agreement you must sign. Often these individuals let their passenger try to drive like it's "fun" but that should never happen.

I will admit I've had the absolute worst encounters with people with strollers of any type as we are a childfree couple and even at Disneyland have been asked why are we here , or why don't we let xyz family go ahead of us , or because we are adults just have even hit us to move faster even though it was gridlocked leaving WOC and purposely hit me over and over. None of that is acceptable to ANYONE however in today's society it seems like that follows us into Disney and the best I can do is try to remain respectful yet firm if I feel someone is being rude. And thinking about this now even it's true the bad experiences stand out for us as it has been mentioned above. There is no one and done solution outside of all of us as people - not as you vs me , my family or you , come together and realize we can all enjoy the parks equally as long as we follow the rules which arent there to make us misersable but to help ensure everyone has a safe and memorable time in the positive ways. The rest is up to us to make happen.

 

[javeyloveschelsi]

MOST ECV users are courteous, just like most stroller users and walkers are courteous. It is the discourteous ones who stand out.

This. On our last trip, we encountered an ECV driver that would have EASILY soured a person’s opinion about the use of ECVs as she came barreling across the crowds, screaming at people to get out of her way and yelling at my two daughters who were walking in the line (and literally had nowhere to go as they were up next to the fence area) as directed by the CMs to get on the Mark Twain, just so she could catch up with her husband who had bolted from her to get on. It didn’t take long to figure out that it wasn’t the ECV that wasn’t the problem, it was her and her two adult sons yelling at her to “Just run them all over!” to anyone in their way. As we getting off the boat, the CMs asked for her to be last so they could lower the boat so she could safely drive off and her response was, “I don’t wait for anybody or anything.” And stood up and had her two adult sons carry the ECV off the boat. So, yes, it is just people themselves, not the ECVs or strollers—although I now understand why her husband ran off without her...

 

[WonkaKid]

Moments ago as I ate lunch at Pizza Planet, a woman with her kids (grandkids?) snuck a few hits of her vape pen.

A. Thanks for disrupting my lunch - I moved.
B. Nice example to set for the children in two ways. One, poor behavior was modeled, unless you feel that kids should smoke/vape. 2. It’s a subtle message to them that rules needn’t be respected.

Irrespective of that, it’s been a fantastic day at the park and crowds are light.

 

[KPeterso]

How awful ,I can't even imagine what makes people go so crazy.

My husband needs to use an ECV now due to medical invisible issues even though hes fairly young (40) and we make a point to both be careful. I will move behind or in front of him if crowds are dense , and he typically waits for people to move first after parades or fireworks because that initial crush can be rough. My biggest pet peeve from other ECV users I've witnessed is having children or any passenger ride with them which is strictly prohibited both by Disney and the outside companies through the agreement you must sign. Often these individuals let their passenger try to drive like it's "fun" but that should never happen.

I will admit I've had the absolute worst encounters with people with strollers of any type as we are a childfree couple and even at Disneyland have been asked why are we here , or why don't we let xyz family go ahead of us , or because we are adults just have even hit us to move faster even though it was gridlocked leaving WOC and purposely hit me over and over. None of that is acceptable to ANYONE however in today's society it seems like that follows us into Disney and the best I can do is try to remain respectful yet firm if I feel someone is being rude. And thinking about this now even it's true the bad experiences stand out for us as it has been mentioned above. There is no one and done solution outside of all of us as people - not as you vs me , my family or you , come together and realize we can all enjoy the parks equally as long as we follow the rules which arent there to make us misersable but to help ensure everyone has a safe and memorable time in the positive ways. The rest is up to us to make happen.

I completely agree with you on all points. We get an ECV for my Mom at WDW (I can push her at Disneyland for 2-3 days at a time), but can't do a week at WDW pushing her. Love her, but no. We have had people practically land in her lap trying to get in the space 1 foot around her trying to cut by. Hurt her, I am dealt with. We honestly typically skip the fireworks and nighttime stuff as getting out of the parks with a wheelchair or ECV is just too hard. We live local to DL, so no big deal, but at WDW, i would like to see some of the shows.

The worst ever was a grandma at WDW that was letting her 2-3 year old grandkid drive the ECV on her lap. The speed was on the top speed and I swear she came around a corner on 2 wheels - it was bad. My Mom was riding hers and I was walking next to her and the two of them almost hit both of us (going between us with me jumping out of the way to save myself at the last second and my Mom being able to swerve. People all around were yelling at her to slow down and stop but since the kid had the controls - apparently that was not possible. The mother comes chasing around with with the stroller trying to catch them and all the people around her were yelling at her to take the kid off the ECV and put in the stroller. He does not belong there and it was ridiculously dangerous and they nearly took out several people. Response - but he is just a kid and wanted to ride. It was insane. I think a cast member got involved and they did get grandma and the kid stopped eventually and the speed turned to turtle.

 

[MillauFr]

They are banning smoking before the pot smokers demand equal treatment with tobacco smokers. I have already seen them smoking pot on the cruise ships. It wafts up to the basketball court on the Wonder and stinks up the place. We don't need pot smoking at Disneyland.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

One thing that bugged me about the smoking areas is how smoking and vaping are always in the same area. People who vape versus smoke often are either attempting to quit the addiction entirely, avoid the more negative immediate affects (stinky breath, stinky clothes), or be more stealthy in feeding the habit. Forcing those who vape to the smoking section kind of sucks for the vaper but also the vaper's family who might appreciate not smelling like ash trays. I'm glad smoking is no longer allowed at all in either park, and also glad that it won't be prevalent in the esplanade. I wish there were some more isolated, well-ventilated areas for smokers to avoid the now inevitable clouds just outside security as addicts try to get enough of a hit to make it through the day, but I *really* wish there were some designated vape-only areas.

I don't think vaping should just be allowed anywhere - so many reasons why it is a very good idea to limit it. I just wish there was a way to keep the two things separate and not always lumped together.

 

[MrsD.Duck]

They are banning smoking before the pot smokers demand equal treatment with tobacco smokers. I have already seen them smoking pot on the cruise ships. It wafts up to the basketball court on the Wonder and stinks up the place. We don't need pot smoking at Disneyland.

Two years ago when we stayed at the grand someone around us was smoking pot on the balcony, it was so bad that we couldn't go out on ours, we complained and were told that it was legal in California and they couldn't do anything, I was hello this is a non-smoking hotel. They offered to move us to a different room one that was not renovated and standard view. We were in a new room with a deluxe theme park view. It seems that respect for the rules and other people just goes out the window for the me only mentality.

 

[dieumeye]

Last Saturday at DLH security check, the guy in front of me had a vape pen (not sure what was in it though) and the guy at security told him it was banned in the park, and he could throw it away, or take it back to his car, or surrender the cartridge. The guy surrendered the cartridge and went into DTD. But I was surprised to see that perhaps they are already enforcing this ban and not even allowing it through security?

 

[Kender]

Last Saturday at DLH security check, the guy in front of me had a vape pen (not sure what was in it though) and the guy at security told him it was banned in the park, and he could throw it away, or take it back to his car, or surrender the cartridge. The guy surrendered the cartridge and went into DTD. But I was surprised to see that perhaps they are already enforcing this ban and not even allowing it through security?

They likely had THC or something of the like in the cartridge. Those are banned. Despite marijuana being legalized in California, it is still among the banned items on DLR's list (and DCL's as well). That's been enforced for awhile now. I've seen reports from others having to give up their cartridge if it contains THC.

 

[MillauFr]

Two years ago when we stayed at the grand someone around us was smoking pot on the balcony, it was so bad that we couldn't go out on ours, we complained and were told that it was legal in California and they couldn't do anything, I was hello this is a non-smoking hotel. They offered to move us to a different room one that was not renovated and standard view. We were in a new room with a deluxe theme park view. It seems that respect for the rules and other people just goes out the window for the me only mentality.

Might as well get rid of the balconies if they are going to let people smoke anything out there. They should make them go out on Disneyland Drive to smoke. Or better yet they should have a cigar smoking lounge with negative air pressure and allow people to smoke whatever in there. They could call it the Proposition 65 Lounge.

 

[WonkaKid]

Last Saturday at DLH security check, the guy in front of me had a vape pen (not sure what was in it though) and the guy at security told him it was banned in the park...

Actually, I found a vape pen (the THC/dope kind) in the Buzz queue about three weeks ago. I often find lost property at DL (tickets, APs, sunglasses) and will turn it in to a CM. However, I know that vaping isn't allowed in the park (thankfully), especially dope (even more thankfully). So instead of turning it in, I threw it away. If you want to get high, do it at home. Or anywhere other than Disneyland, a park meant largely for children.

As an aside, I've smelled dope three or four times at DL, once in the bathroom near Plaza Inn, another time coming from the picnic area just outside of the DL gates. In each case, I reported it, but by the time a security CM was able to investigate, the smoker -- much like his/her smoke -- had disappeared.

 

[dieumeye]

Actually, I found a vape pen (the THC/dope kind) in the Buzz queue about three weeks ago. I often find lost property at DL (tickets, APs, sunglasses) and will turn it in to a CM. However, I know that vaping isn't allowed in the park (thankfully), especially dope (even more thankfully). So instead of turning it in, I threw it away. If you want to get high, do it at home. Or anywhere other than Disneyland, a park meant largely for children.

As an aside, I've smelled dope three or four times at DL, once in the bathroom near Plaza Inn, another time coming from the picnic area just outside of the DL gates. In each case, I reported it, but by the time a security CM was able to investigate, the smoker -- much like his/her smoke -- had disappeared.

Yes. I've definitely seen people smoke outside of designated areas, but can't recall specifically noticing anyone smoke weed... maybe once? I can't remember. I do wish they would (at least temporarily) remove those benches at the entrance to Grizzly Pass (where the DCA smoking section used to be) because even though there a sign there, people still assume it's the smoking area. I bet the same will happen on Big Thunder Trail once that area goes away.

It'll be so much easier to manage once all smoking is banned in the parks. They can just say "no smoking" and mean it instead of having to make the distinction between non-smoking areas, designated smoking areas, vapes, tobacco, weed, etc. Since they're already confiscating some banned stuff - like the cartridge I mentioned above - I wonder if they'll start to confiscate all smoking paraphernalia including cigarettes and lighters. If not, and they let them through, we'll probably still be seeing plenty of smoking in the park for at least a little while until the word gets out that it is totally banned in the parks.

 

[alvernon90]

However, I know that vaping isn't allowed in the park (thankfully), especially dope (even more thankfully). So instead of turning it in, I threw it away. If you want to get high, do it at home. Or anywhere other than Disneyland, a park meant largely for children.

Or at least stick to edibles!