The total lack of respect for rules has become comical!

[k5thbeatle]

Just a couple of comments based on our recent stay of 11 days at WDW.

I have never in all the years I have gone seen so much smoking in Epcot. I am not talking about the designated areas. Never once saw any cast member say or do anything about it. I saw a woman in a wheelchair turn and just miss a kid with her lit cigarette. The kids eyes got big but I doubt the woman even realized what had almost happened?

Rides and "please no flash photography." That is almost a joke anymore. I again never saw so many flash pictures as I did. They really need to stop with this announcement as it is to the point of being comical as nobody heeds this anyway? Do these people who do this ever think that just maybe someone is on the ride for the very first time?

 

[mickaholic4077]

and what about the people who stop halfway down the row instead of going all the way down? The last time I saw Mickey's Philharmagic,a group of 5 people refused to move down the row,so my mother,aunt,and I made sure to step on each one of their feet as we moved by.

 

[n2mm]

I agree, it is getting worse. We visit WDW 4-6 trips a year and have seen the noticeable difference in terms of folks following (or not following) the "rules" and the lack of enforcement. However, the smoking at EPCOT is more of a problem during food and wine than any other time of year. Seems smoking and drinking goes hand and hand. However the thing that bothers me (other than smoking) was when I saw a smoker standing near a person in a wheel chair on oxygen....hello! My last trip I actually had an encounter with a smoker. I was sitting on a bench waiting for hubby to get off of mission space. I'm a pleasant person and speak to folks. A woman sat beside me and we exchanged hellos, then she did the unspeakable, she reached into her bag and pulled out a cigarette. I freaked out, especially since I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. I gave her the look (my kids could explain that one) and said, "please don't smoke here...this is not the smoking area". She was in shocked as this was probably the first time anyone ever said this to her. I then pointed out the smoking area to her. She got up and left. I was lucky that it didn't get into a confrontation, but it really P'd me off because I was sitting there first in a public area. I would never go and sit with a smoker on a bench in their area, so I was really ticked that she tried to do this to me.

As for the stopping short in the theaters....we've also done the toe stepping and the "look" and hubby has gotten a little verbal too. But folks who feel they are beyond the rules, don't care. If they did they would follow the rules, like the majority of us.

BTW: CMs do not or can not enforce the rules. They use to at the beginning, but no longer do it. Makes me wonder if there was a problem or an incident that caused them to stop enforcing it.

 

[The Sweetness]

As far as the smoking issue goes, I wonder if I were to complain to a CM, if this would prompt the CM to get the smoker to go to the designated area, or just put it out. The same thing goes for line cutters.Did you complain about these things? I wouldnt know what to do about the photography on rides.

 

[martyshoney]

Whenever I see a smoker having no respect for others who don't smoke I just want to march right up to them and say, "Go kill yourself elsewhere, I am enjoying my life at the moment." I have a SIL who smokes and since she is the only one in the family who does she will not do it around any one of us, she goes and hides to do it which is the respectful thing to do.

 

[Smileybug]

You know...people have a right to smoke. But people with asthma have a right to breath!!! Asthma attacks are scary and I'm an adult. Think of all the children dealing with this. You better believe I am not going to invade their designated smoking space. Why do they have to invade my designated breathing space!!!
Sorry...rant is over.

 

[Gerweniel]

Fortunately, when we were there recently, we only noticed a few folks were taking flash pics (during Nemo & Crush). However, while at Cirque du Soleil last Friday night, someone took flash photos during one of the acts and within seconds, security was right on them!

 

[k5thbeatle]

and what about the people who stop halfway down the row instead of going all the way down? The last time I saw Mickey's Philharmagic,a group of 5 people refused to move down the row,so my mother,aunt,and I made sure to step on each one of their feet as we moved by.

That just shows their total ignorance as to how 3D works. You can sit anywhere and the characters are still popping up right in front of your face just as if you were center stage!

 

[Maude4Disney]

Just to let you know, some CMs do enforce the smoking rule. Last weekend while at PI (of all places) we were waiting in line for the Comedy Warehouse when a lady got to the point in line where they were checking tickets... smoking her cigarette, the CM made her put it out right there and then directed her to the designated area. She seemed shocked but put the cigarette out. Meanwhile her DH walked up and lit up in front of the CM and the CM proceeded to tell him the same info. He wanted to balk at her about it, but she didn't care. LOL I wanted to stand there and applaud, but DH wouldn't let me. Go figure.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

1st let me start off that DW smokes and the first thing she does is get a park map and find the Smoking areas.

But last week on a MK EMH night right as the night parade was about to start we were cutting from BTMRR to HM on the back walkway and a couple in front of DD and Myself were smoking the entire time as we followed them. Right as we got to the end a CM approched them and asked them to put them out. The girl did and man did not and said I will just go to the smoking area. The CM said no put it out then go or you will have to leave the park.

So some are making attempts.

As for the flash and line jumping I guess we all have to start complaining to the CM if nothing is being done then to guest services to let them know as well.
Maybe they don't see it as a problem as us rule followers do.

 

[phantom728]

I'm glad they are making an attempt with the smoking outside of smoking areas. I'm also allergic to cigarette smoke, which can sometimes be difficult to avoid even in my everyday world...I've had to give up a few favorite hobbies because of this.
We've also used the step on toes method for those that ignore the theater announcements. Of course, DH and I aren't above commenting to those sitting either. As I've gotten older, my patience has definitely thinned out some.

 

[Chuck65]

I am glad they are making an attempt, but it's probably going to get to the point that all smoking will be banned in the parks. The people who don't follow the rules are making it very hard for the people who do.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

The smoking thing gets me angry. I hate when people do not follow the rules around this.
I am a smoker and I am more than respectful when it comes to smoking. I make sure that I am in the area designated . Even then I feel bad since smoke wanders....
When I see people just lighting up wherever when I go and look for the appropriate spot I know they are lazy and just don't care about others. Why should their feelings be so worried about if they don't care about anyone elses?
Cast members need to be addressing this!

 

[Big Vic]

My DW smokes as well and we always grab a map to find the designated smoking areas.

On our last trip, at Epcot, she needed a smoke. We were near the fountain and saw there was a smoking area listed on the map. If I remember correctly, the map showed it right next to the fountain. We must have walked around the dang thing three times until I looked around and saw it was in a cubby hole across from it.

I told her we must have looked liked a couple of dorks walking around that stupid fountain so many times.

I agree however, the rule breakers will ruin it for the rest. Glad to see some CMs are speaking up and enforcing the rules.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Rides and "please no flash photography." That is almost a joke anymore. I again never saw so many flash pictures as I did. They really need to stop with this announcement as it is to the point of being comical as nobody heeds this anyway? Do these people who do this ever think that just maybe someone is on the ride for the very first time?

Okay, I admit I did this ONCE , on Carousel of Progress a few years ago when rumors were rampant it would be closing 'soon'. I tried to suppress the flash, but couldn't see that well in the dark. Yes, a CM came on the sound system almost immediately and reminded us 'no flash photography' (or is that one of the 'no photography, period' attractions?). Anyway, I was sufficiently embarrassed and put the camera away, pronto!

My last trip I actually had an encounter with a smoker. I was sitting on a bench waiting for hubby to get off of mission space. I'm a pleasant person and speak to folks. A woman sat beside me and we exchanged hellos, then she did the unspeakable, she reached into her bag and pulled out a cigarette. I freaked out, especially since I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. I gave her the look (my kids could explain that one) and said, "please don't smoke here...this is not the smoking area".

I'm still going to contend that MANY people, both smokers and non-smokers, aren't especially aware that smoking is restricted to certain areas in an outdoor venue. Maybe she was shocked, true, but maybe she was also grateful at being made aware that there ARE certain areas where she can smoke (and many more where she can't). Remember, not everybody uses, or more to the point reads, park maps - and while I'm sure they exist, I don't recall seeing signs before you enter alerting Guests of this restriction.

As far as the smoking issue goes, I wonder if I were to complain to a CM, if this would prompt the CM to get the smoker to go to the designated area, or just put it out.

It might. I was talking to a Greeter in DisneyLand last year, and, noticing a man walking by with a lit cigarette, I said, "Oh, look at that". She actually went after him! Now, I don't know the result - since she was working alone, I voluntarily filled in as Greeter until she came back Fortunately it wasn't a real busy attraction.

Whenever I see a smoker having no respect for others who don't smoke I just want to march right up to them and say, "Go kill yourself elsewhere, I am enjoying my life at the moment."

Sigh... given all the posters with this attitude, and who encounter smokers only briefly in passing, I'm surprised more of us aren't dead. No, I'm not referring to people with breathing problems (e.g. asthma, copd) for whom an encounter with cigarette smoke may (or may not) trigger problems. I mean the general population, those who read about the Surgeon General's report stating that smoking can - not WILL, but CAN - cause cancer, and assume that walking past a smoker, or even behind one for a few minutes (although since ya can't control what others do, stopping for a few minutes to put space between yourself and the offender is a reasonable action) is an absolute death sentence.

 

[kaytieeldr]

On our last trip, at Epcot, she needed a smoke. We were near the fountain and saw there was a smoking area listed on the map. If I remember correctly, the map showed it right next to the fountain. We must have walked around the dang thing three times until I looked around and saw it was in a cubby hole across from it.

Oh, yeah. It's that covered area outside MouseGears on the Innoventions East side of Innoventions Plaza
Anybody else want to know where a particular smoking area is?

 

[disnut8]

I have to agree with kaytieeldr. A lot of people are not aware that smoking is not permitted except in designated areas in the outside parts of the parks. They don't see it on the park maps because, well, this is Disney World and no one has time to read every thing on the maps.

My husband and I don't smoke and never have. Yes, it would be nice if every smoker at Disney World would stay in the designated areas. And we appreciate those who do. But there will be some that just don't know or don't care.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Nothing new about rules breaking. Saw several folks (male teens) in the parks last trip w/o shirts. Nobody said a thing to them.

 

[chrisn]

My DH smokes . I don't and I also wish he wouldn't. Here at home, he does not smoke in our home or my car although he does in his truck (only if we are not in it). He is respectful when he is with me and the kids and will make sure to not smoke around us. We do not sit in smoking sections in restaurants nor do we choose smoking sections in hotels. At WDW, he ALWAYS utilizes the designated smoking sections. I make sure of it. The first thing he does upon walking into a park is scope out these areas on the park maps. Both he and I agree that subjecting others to burning lungs and stinging nose and eyes is not the thing to do so I'm happy to tell you that some smokers are aware and considerate of others.

 

[nealymouse]

I love reading these smoking posts. We leave Jan 10th for a 6 day stay and today is my 1st smoke free day. I dont want to walk around the parks looking for smoking sections.

Hope to have my 1st smoke free vacation and many more !!!!