Smoking & stroller wagons banned May 1!

[CO2CA]

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.

That's completely unacceptable. I'm not normally one to complain about things, but for that I would be going down to talk to a higher-up. For how much you pay, you're entitled to fully utilize your balcony or have your door/window open and not be subjected to any type of smoke.

 

[DLgal]

Just wanted to mention that we went to the parks on Saturday and only saw TWO Keenz wagons all day. That is a new record low for me. Maybe some people thought the ban took effect already.

 

[Kender]

For those encountering smoking on the balconies at Disney hotel properties, remember that smoking isn't allowed on the balconies of rooms. Doesn't matter what it is. Those that do choose to break this rule may face a $250-$500 recovery fee.

 

[azdisneylover]

For those encountering smoking on the balconies at Disney hotel properties, remember that smoking isn't allowed on the balconies of rooms. Doesn't matter what it is. Those that do choose to break this rule may face a $250-$500 recovery fee.

This is good to know. I got cancer from second hand smoke 26 years ago, and I do not want to get it again.

 

[Bluewild79]

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.

Ugh, I'm so sorry you had that experience, especially at a Disney hotel. That's unacceptable! If it ever happens again, escalate it to a manager.

For those encountering smoking on the balconies at Disney hotel properties, remember that smoking isn't allowed on the balconies of rooms. Doesn't matter what it is. Those that do choose to break this rule may face a $250-$500 recovery fee.

Yup, this! My husband is the general manager of a hotel. He says that the balcony of ANY hotel is considered part of your hotel room. A non-smoking hotel means the rooms, and balconies are completely non-smoking. In WA state, you also can't smoke within 25 ft of a doorway. I imagine CA has a similar rule. There's generally a designated smoking area away from the hotel. It's not convenient to be a smoker these days.

I've been lurking on this thread but I have to admit I am glad for the new rules. I'm so glad that they are getting rid of the smoking areas at Disney parks. I was at Hollywood Studios last month waiting in a very long line for Tower of Terror sniffling and sneezing due to the cigarette smoke from the designated smoking area nearby. I have 4 kids and bring our in-line double stroller. I can see how those Keenz strollers would be nice since we use our collapsible wagon each week for hauling gear to soccer games. I just don't see needing a wagon at a Disney park. I have no thoughts on the loose ice ban, ha.

 

[WonkaKid]

Or at least stick to edibles!

Sure -- that's fine. That's a choice they make that doesn't interfere with my enjoyment of the park.

 

[JoanneAZ]

Or at least stick to edibles!

Actually, marijuana enriched products aren’t allowed in the parks, either. It’s listed under prohibited items:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/park-rules/?int_cmp=INS-intDLRtoDLR-Rules

 

[MitchellDisney]

As someone who is a regular Paris visitor, where the best place to avoid the smokers is in smoking areas, I welcome this.

 

[alvernon90]

Actually, marijuana enriched products aren’t allowed in the parks, either. It’s listed under prohibited items:

Even assuming Disney put out drug sniffing dogs to detect edibles being carried into the parks, something I've never seen, there is a very simple solution: eat the edibles before going through security. The effect will last for hours and hours, and no rule violations.

At least I think that would work, but what are the odds that someone has tried this before and gotten away with it?

 

[Pavonica]

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.

I feel her pain. A previous foot injury was acting up during one of my trips a few years back with just my mom. We rented a wheelchair and it was such a pain if it was even lightly crowded. Trying to go from Pirates to Jungle Cruise up that small incline and other guests either not getting out of the way or jumping in front of us last second was insane. I can't stand strollers but will always go out of my way for those in a wheelchair at Disneyland.

 

[twitch]

Even assuming Disney put out drug sniffing dogs to detect edibles being carried into the parks, something I've never seen, there is a very simple solution: eat the edibles before going through security. The effect will last for hours and hours, and no rule violations.

At least I think that would work, but what are the odds that someone has tried this before and gotten away with it?

I have seen Anaheim PD with dogs in the area between the Toy Story buses and the security gates.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Even assuming Disney put out drug sniffing dogs to detect edibles being carried into the parks, something I've never seen, there is a very simple solution: eat the edibles before going through security. The effect will last for hours and hours, and no rule violations.

At least I think that would work, but what are the odds that someone has tried this before and gotten away with it?

I have seen sniffer dogs lots of times!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I have seen Anaheim PD with dogs in the area between the Toy Story buses and the security gates.

I have seen sniffer dogs lots of times!

Yes, we've often seen the dogs in the lines leading up to bag check in front of the structure at M&F. And seen the dogs alert and deter guests from going through bag check. The dogs give their signal, the handler calmly gazes around, and, sure enough, one or two guests will make a sudden 180* to bolt out of line to head back to the car. If you didn't know the dog had alerted, it would just look like the guests had forgotten something important or maybe had to use the restroom pronto.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Actually, marijuana enriched products aren’t allowed in the parks, either. It’s listed under prohibited items:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/park-rules/?int_cmp=INS-intDLRtoDLR-Rules

This rule gets a real workout during MHP -- we've seen leads and managers sending security hither and yon after guests smoking pot in DL. It's gotten noticeably better since bag check has become stricter and the dogs have been put in place, but we still hear CMs putting out the call on the radios sometimes.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Just wanted to mention that we went to the parks on Saturday and only saw TWO Keenz wagons all day. That is a new record low for me. Maybe some people thought the ban took effect already.

We noticed that on Saturday, too -- it was a pleasant change which made the walkways feel a bit less congested. We did see a family at M&F bring a pull behind wagon (Radio Flyer) on the escalator. They were asking a CM about the different ways to get to the gates, but I noticed the CM didn't say anything about the wagon not being allowed. It didn't look like there was any way to push it, only pull from behind. Last I saw, they were heading for the DTD bag check -- and I'm not sure what happened there when they found out that the wagon wouldn't be allowed in the parks. It just seemed like it would have been easier for them to find out at M&F when they could have put it right back in the car.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

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.

This might be a good comment to send in to Disney -- and your BIL might want to send in a comment on his experience, too. As a non-smoker, this never occurred to me until you pointed it out. It might or might not change anything, but it is a valid point that's worth making.

 

[StormyCA]

OK, so regarding smoking weed at DL.

Smoking weed anywhere other than a private residence or a licensed establishment is still illegal. So, in order for DL to have allowed weed smoking in the (soon to be defunct) smoking areas they would have had to obtain a license. So the smoking ban had nothing to do with 'fear' of weed smokers demanding the same 'right to smoke' as a tobacco smoker.

Hotels are a grey area. But the CM at the Grand who allegedly said "It's legal, what can we do?" was dead wrong. Any property owner (including private landlords) has the right to ban smoking weed, even in a rented apartment. The law stipulates that one has the right to smoke in property that one owns.

Do people 'secretly' smoke weed at DL? Yes, and that's been going on since at least the late '60s. And people smuggle in alcohol too, although probably less now that you can buy booze in DCA and soon in SWL. Will people continue to do so? Probably, and they'll probably be joined by a few 'secret' tobacco users, too. It will be up to Disney to enforce their own rules.

 

[WonkaKid]

Yes, we've often seen the dogs in the lines leading up to bag check...

I have too. I always presumed they were bomb-sniffing dogs, though. Explosives are a far bigger security threat than dope... although I’m staunchly opposed to drug use in the park.

 

[KPeterso]

We noticed that on Saturday, too -- it was a pleasant change which made the walkways feel a bit less congested. We did see a family at M&F bring a pull behind wagon (Radio Flyer) on the escalator. They were asking a CM about the different ways to get to the gates, but I noticed the CM didn't say anything about the wagon not being allowed. It didn't look like there was any way to push it, only pull from behind. Last I saw, they were heading for the DTD bag check -- and I'm not sure what happened there when they found out that the wagon wouldn't be allowed in the parks. It just seemed like it would have been easier for them to find out at M&F when they could have put it right back in the car.

That is strange that nothing was said. I have seen cast members tell people at M&F that wagons are not allowed and to take it back to the car. Heard grumbling from someone on the tram once about that. I would think they would say something too. Maybe if they take it to the gates, they check it at stroller rental and are given a rental to use for the day?

 

[Malcon10t]

I have too. I always presumed they were bomb-sniffing dogs, though. Explosives are a far bigger security threat than dope... although I’m staunchly opposed to drug use in the park.

They are bomb/gun powder detection. Dogs are also not generally cross trained for drugs and bombs for a reason. That said, we used to raise service dogs. My daughter used to have fun at school taking her dog and having the dog alert in front of a locker. If you want to see kids shake in their boots, just watch a dog walking then suddenly sit and refuse to move from in front of a locker. Most kids did not see my daughters hand signal for a sit. And our dogs are trained when they are given a command, they do not change unless a release command is given. So even if my daughter would say "Cmon!" (not a command), the dog wouldn't budge until a real command was given. It was great training for the dog, and fun for my daughter.

All that said, the average person has no idea why the dogs are there. If they see the dog sit in an area near them, and they are nervous about what they have, it can make them think twice. And I have seen cops walk by someone who reeks of pot and have the dog sit, sending the guy packing.

I have witnessed the dogs alert to fireworks someone was trying to sneak in too....