The smoking at Disney

[RubyV]

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?

 

[summermac]

Really? I have barely noticed ppl smoking on my last 2 trips. And believe me, I totally notice that b/c I HATE smoking.

 

[jon18uk]

I've never found smoking in Disney parks to be a huge issue, all smokers seem to keep to the designated areas so as long as you stay out of them you don't see any smoking. I don't think they could realistically ban smoking completly but they do a pretty good job of confining it to smoking areas.

Compared to some UK theme parks where they are only just trying to introduce smoking areas and they have large groups constantly smoking in queuelines, Orlando parks feel smoke free!

 

[stinkpickle]

They could ban it outright, but that would be bad for business. Plus, people would sneak a smoke anyway. There aren't many designated smoking areas. You probably inhale more bad stuff just walking by the tomorrowland speedway.

 

[summerskye]

They could ban it outright, but that would be bad for business. Plus, people would sneak a smoke anyway. There aren't many designated smoking areas. You probably inhale more bad stuff just walking by the tomorrowland speedway.

 

[kP72]

The smokers have given up the freedom of smoking in most public places and yet that is still not good enough for some.

The areas set aside for smokers in Disney parks are normally out of the way, and like the others have said, they didn't even notice them.

If you don't want to be anywhere near smokers, then stay home.

 

[summerskye]

The smokers have given up the freedom of smoking in most public places and yet that is still not good enough for some.

The areas set aside for smokers in Disney parks are normally out of the way, and like the others have said, they didn't even notice them.

If you don't want to be anywhere near smokers, then stay home.

That was rude.

 

[RubyV]

The smokers have given up the freedom of smoking in most public places and yet that is still not good enough for some.

The areas set aside for smokers in Disney parks are normally out of the way, and like the others have said, they didn't even notice them.

If you don't want to be anywhere near smokers, then stay home.

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.

 

[2Tiggies]

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?

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

 

[RubyV]

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

When I smoked, I made a habit of not smoking around children, for example. I would have dealt with having to walk out for a smoke.

Unfortunately, it seemed no one kept to the designated areas. The paths from the castle towards Liberty square and Adventureland were particularly bad.

I remember when NYC first banned smoking in clubs and bars. Everyone said that people would stop going out.

I kept dancing and drinking. Along with the rest of the city.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I think the location is sometimes unfortunate - when I stayed at Pop, I remember it was right outside the back of the main hall and when it rained, the smokers were trying to get cover and it was not entirely pleasant walking through the haze. I also remember one time about 3 or 4 years ago when there was some construction in Fronteirland and it seemed the smoking section had been temporarily redesignated as the walkway between the RR and Adventureland.

As a former smoker, I am not going to get all holier-than-thou and decree they shouldn't be allowed to smoke at all, all day long. Can you imagine the number of nic-fits there'd be? You think people are snippy and buggy at times now, that would be much worse. I've been able to kick my habit, but it was HARD and some people just can't do it, like my MIL. She'd be a real peach if she was forced to go all day without a smoke.

I remember the days before DSAs. In the 80s folks would smoke in line, kids nearby be damned, and snuff their butts right before hopping on Peter Pan or Mr. Toad.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

non smoker here

I would love it if they would ban smoking completely - but - I don't see that happening. If they did I think smokers would just find places to "sneak" a smoke and that would be worse than what we have now.

Some smoking areas (like the one by Dole Whips) are not well thought out - people have to be in that area they can't really avoid it (if they want to meet the fairies, go up the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House or get a Dole Whip.

 

[ellie05]

I honestly just wish the CM's would enforce the policy better. Last time we were watching wishes and this lady decided it was time to smoke she blew the smoke onto the little kids next to us and literally in our face. The CM never said anything (yes there was a CM close by that saw it)! The mom of the kids asked her if she could stop, but she ignore her. So my DH literally had to get in front of the lady so she couldn't ignore her and told her to either go to a smoking area or turn it off. She gave us a dirty look but she did it. And then complain loudly how ridiculous it was that she couldn't smoke while she is outside .

I agree that the smoking areas could be a little more out of the way, but they are marked so then you just have to expect it.

 

[Bullseye]

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?

Because smoking is not illegal and a lot of guests with cold hard cash smoke tobacco. Disney doesn't want to lose their business.

What you can do though to show your displeasure is make a fake coughing noise or hold your nose when you walk by the designated smoking areas because that really makes smokers give a crap

Man, the indignation of ex-smokers, so hypocritical . You want them to ban smoking at wdw, then they need to ban smoking in the entire country! CVS just announced they are discontinuing tobacco sales...that's a step in the right diirection.

 

[surferdave]

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.

When parks are near closing and everyone is leaving I've seen a few smokers light up as they're leaving, since they don't have the motivation of not being kicked out stopping them anymore.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I can't stand to be around smoking, but I must say that there are few areas (sometimes I question the selection of the area to myself though) where smoking is allowed. And I have read recently where the number has been recently decreased again. I would venture to say in the not too decent future, smoking will only be allowed outside of the park areas.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

The smokers have given up the freedom of smoking in most public places and yet that is still not good enough for some.

The areas set aside for smokers in Disney parks are normally out of the way, and like the others have said, they didn't even notice them.

If you don't want to be anywhere near smokers, then stay home.

I'm sensitive to cigarette smoke, which means that, before I visually notice a smoker, my eyes, nose, and throat burn. Unfortunately, even the smoke lingering on clothes triggers it when people sit too close. One of my children suffers similarly around cigarette smoke. I'm not fond of banning things for the user's own good -- like sugar drinks or fatty food -- but smoking affects everyone in the area. It travels and people with allergies and asthma are especially affected. I am very happy with places become smoke free and dream of a day when people stop poisoning themselves and my air. Many years ago, before people truly understood the dangers of smoking, a close relative stopped cold turkey because of the effect of secondhand smoke on his darling children. Where there is a will, there is a way.

However, I don't expect Disney to ban smoking entirely for a few more decades because they don't want to drive away people who can't make it through a long day without a cigarette, and it's not easy to step out for a smoke. And, I haven't noticed a particular problem at Disney, at least compared to other places.

 

[RubyV]

Some smoking areas (like the one by Dole Whips) are not well thought out - people have to be in that area they can't really avoid it (if they want to meet the fairies, go up the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House or get a Dole Whip.

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.

 

[dawnhaze]

I've never noticed a lot of smoking outside the DSAs, but some of those areas really are horribly located. I wish WDW would put them in more out of the way locations, given that smoke doesn't dissipate into the air immediately. I've also seen "smoking enclosures" that are basically a plastic box, almost like a covered city bus stop, but with air filters built into the walls or ceiling, so people can smoke outdoors without being exposed to the elements and also keep the smoke contained from surrounding areas. My mom used to work at a casino that had one of these outside for employees right near the entrance to the building and you'd never know it from walking by.

I'm betting on smoking being banned in virtually all publicly accessible areas within the next couple decades the way we're going anyway, if not sooner, but I don't see WDW being a pioneer of the idea. Their primary motive is profit, not public health, so they've got no reason to ban smoking altogether unless they think they'll make more money from non-smokers choosing to come to the parks than they'll lose from smokers choosing not to.

 

[butterfly71076]

Former smoker here, also

The only time I notice the smoking area is when we are in line for dole whips. But, that is Disney's fault for removing all the shrubbery that used to hide it. I don't smell it anywhere else, in any park.

I have never noticed a smoking area fairly close to any ride. The only smoking area I really didn't like (and I was a smoker when it was there) was by the old Fantasyland train station. I thought it was too close to the platform and there used to be character training over there, and lots of people. I think Disney does a fairly good job with keeping the smoking areas in out of the way locations. But, I suppose, there will always be complaints about it.