The smoking at Disney

[hawkeyesparks]

I've noticed the smoking areas, especially at MK and Epcot, but honestly they have never bothered me. I don't know if it's pixie dust or what, but the smell has never been something I've noticed.

 

[Woodmnky]

The one near the Dole Whips is horrible. Why they put a DSA right outside of a very popular outdoor food venue is a mystery to me. Other than that one I did not notice any of the other DSAs. However, I did have words with the couple who chose to hide behind our stroller and smoke when it was parked outside of Cosmic Rays. They were crouched down and literally blowing smoke straight into the stroller. DS wasn't able to ride in it for the rest of the day because of the smell. I was beyond ticked, but people who choose to do things like this would do it whether or not smoking is allowed so that is not Disney's fault.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Or, walk outside of the property, go to a smoker's area far away from the attractions where children play.

If you don't want to be inconvenienced to smoke, then stay home.

So, you want smokers to go outside the outdoors, as well as to not smoke in areas the property owner - knowing better than anyone else what's adjacent - has approved as smoking areas?

 

[Momtomouselover]

This one got bad on Monday in the heat - the lines were long for the whips, and there was no way for families to avoid it.

This is the area that I have really noticed. You can't avoid it while waiting for a Dole Whip. We also used to sit in that nice shady area and enjoy our Dole whip and now we can't. Further, while some of the younger kids went through the treehouse my parents would sit here but they said it was just too much smoke for them the last time. I think Disney should build the smokers some air conditioned and air filtered lounges.

 

[Planogirl]

I never notice smoking but then we don't get Dole Whips. Besides I always assume that a few seconds of smoke won't hurt us but we're not hypersensitive in any way.

I say leave them be.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

So smoked for ten years BC. Now I smoke two nights a month when I go out with the girls. Disney will not be getting rid of the smoking areas for a number of reasons mostly because it would make your stay less pleasant.

1. Smokers have proven they will waste money on stupid ****.
2. Smokers are addicts. They will sneak around, leave butt mess everywhere and potentially cause accidental fires with out smoking areas.
3. Smokers are addicts. Many will become raging a-holes and some will become violent without there little breaks

 

[ArwenMarie]

That area on the path down from the Castle is awful to walk through. And there is no way around it once you are on it.

 

[RubyV]

So, you want smokers to go outside the outdoors, as well as to not smoke in areas the property owner - knowing better than anyone else what's adjacent - has approved as smoking areas?

Meh, it isn't any worse than saying that people should stay home so as not to deal with smokers.

And yes, many outdoor venues do ban smoking. It does happen. People still go.

I'm used to inconvenient smoking - renting in NYC and Boston for years meant never smoking indoors or near the entrance to buildings, etc. It's survivable.

At least, move the DSAs.

 

[chartle]

I've noticed the smoking areas, especially at MK and Epcot, but honestly they have never bothered me. I don't know if it's pixie dust or what, but the smell has never been something I've noticed.

I'm going to assume that DHS and AK were built after DSAs were put in the parks so better planned out but the ones in the MK are in areas you can't just go around.

 

[TDC Nala]

They've made a decision that they will not ban smoking from the property entirely.

They did ban it from all resort rooms, restaurants and bars, and designate smoking areas at the resorts and parks.

If you are looking for them to ban it entirely, that day may come. But they haven't done it yet because they think it's still advantageous to allow smokers someplace to smoke, although limiting them to certain areas.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Short answer: they can ban it, but choose not to.

Full disclosure: I'm a non-smoker who's lost close family members to smoking-related illnesses. I have no love for smoking or what it does to people. But IMHO Disney does a good job of putting smoking areas in out-of-the-way places, and smokers there generally do a good job of keeping to those areas. There are always exceptions, but in my experience at WDW they're few and far between.

 

[Belle5]

Only two things have bothered me in the parks.

The smoking area that is near the Tomorrowland Terrace is close enough for the smoke to linger in the terrace during the Wishes Desert Party and was bad enough that I won't go back.

We were so surprised by this, as well! The dessert party was expensive for our family. Unless you just walk away from what you just paid for, you really are held captive and can't get away from the smoke blowing from the DSA right next to you. I think more folks actually smoke at that time as they are waiting for the show to begin.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

WDW draws people from all over the world. There are times of the year in which international guests outnumber guests from America. Smoking is not shunned in many other countries as it is in America. A decision to ban smoking would almost certainly result in a decline international patronage.

This is not a problem for the vast majority of WDW guests. No matter what Disney does, it will fail to make everyone happy. Banning smoking would almost certainly make more people unhappy than the current solution to allow smoking in designated areas.

 

[kapoof]

I personally think smoking is a revolting filthy dirty habit. But people do have the right to smoke. I have to say this past trip I didn't notice any smokers, I hate smoke so I am very aware. They must be staying in their areas. I would not be surprised that soon disney will indeed ban it. Just a few short years ago there was still smoking rooms! Imagine that!

 

[AmyB2006]

Short answer: they can ban it, but choose not to. Full disclosure: I'm a non-smoker who's lost close family members to smoking-related illnesses. I have no love for smoking or what it does to people. But IMHO Disney does a good job of putting smoking areas in out-of-the-way places, and smokers there generally do a good job of keeping to those areas. There are always exceptions, but in my experience at WDW they're few and far between.

This. I've never had an issue with smokers at WDW. The places are usually out of the way.

 

[Kristina685]

We just returned from a trip to WDW and I noticed that some smoking areas were definitely set aside from the flow of traffic/kids/families/attractions and other times it seemed as if it was just dropped in the middle of a walkway. I am a smoker and if I felt like the designated smoking area was too "in the middle" of everything, I walked to a different, more set back area. It really wasn't that big of a deal. If anything, it made me smoke less which is always a good thing

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Why on earth do they allow smoking in the parks?

Because they recognize that there are people who smoke and while they limit the areas they allow it, they try to accommodate every guest, even the peoples' whose lifestyle differs from yours.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

As a non smoker with extreme sensitivities to smoke ( even 3rd hand on your clothes will cause me issues) I go out of my way to try to avoid smoking areas. I don't need the exposure and the smokers don't need the guilt of seeing me struggle past them.

That being said, there were many times where DH and I stummbled across areas and found our selves stuck walking through smoking areas. We also noticed that it was rare to find nice shaded spots to sit rest our feet and enjoy the atmosphere and maybe eat a snack that was not designated as a smoking area. At the very least I would like to see them mark more clearly the smoking areas and remove them from pathways. Also giving some shaded rest areas for non smokers.

I think the ideal compromise would be to give them a lounge like nursing moms have. A special air conditioned contained lounge just for smoking. The smokers would be more willing to stay in their area and the smoke would be contained in such a fashion that those that get sick from exposure to smoke could be protected.


That being said, the smokers are better dealt with then when I was a kid when they had free reign of the park. I have strong memories of once having hot cigarette ash flung into my eye by an uncaring fool who kept on walking when I was in Epcot.



All that being said smokers need to keep this in mind, you may be suffering from addiction but you made the choice to start smoking. Those with medical sensitivities to smoke and young children did not. Your selfish addiction that gives you a moments satisfaction causes hours if not days suffering for other people. And that does not take into account the lasting damaging effects you cause to others.

 

[tropicalstorm]

Full disclosure: former smoker.

Why on earth do they allow smoking in the parks? It's as if every bridge or shady seating area is a smoker's lounge? While on line for whips, the stench would waft over us, or while walking over the bridges.

In a place filled with very young children, why are they still allowing this? The resorts aren't any better.

Magic Kingdom seemed to be the worst, in terms of the amount of smokers congregating in large public areas.

Why can't they ban it?

I have never been a smoker and I completely agree with your sentiments. The parks should be non-smoking or the DSAs should at least be in very out of the way places.

Full disclosure: Former smoker

Why should they not? You would have been fine with it when you were a smoker. They are confined to designated areas.

I have every ounce of respect for non smokers. I always have done my utmost to be considerate at all time. What I do have an issue with are people who kicked the habit and now everyone else who hasn't followed suit is not good enough.

I predict this thread will be closed eventually so I'm jumping in with my 2c while the door is open. I just pray that I am never judgmental or critical of people who are still struggling with the same addiction that took me 22 years to overcome.

P.S. The smell of other people's smoke doesn't bug me at all

Good to hear the smell of other peoples smoke doesn't bug YOU

Surely people can get by without a cigarette for a few hours in a Theme Park?
After all many visitors have arrived by plane and not smoked on board - and some of those flights can be as long as a day in a park.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

While we are banning people/behaviors, I would like to suggest that we ban everyone that eats too much and then gets in line. I mean, those farts can really stink up the place.