The total lack of respect for rules has become comical!

[kaytieeldr]

Fantastic, nealymouse! Today's my 369th smoke-free day... but I STILL defend smokers

 

[JESW]

Please, e-mail or write to Disney and voice your complaints. If they hear them enough then maybe they will do something about it. We have found that EPCOT seems to be a favorite for smokers and they may not realize that it is not allowed except in designated areas. (I am giving them the benefit of the doubt)

I have also noticed an increase of flash photography on rides, especially Pirates of The Carribean. During our last trip the people in the boat in front of us were taking flash pictures of anything and everything. Several in our boat (yes, myself included) were yelling out - NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY! Well, they didn't stop, and instead they turned and gave us all the finger!

We have certainly noticed an increase with rude guests over the years...

Jill

 

[SueM in MN]

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!

I know this isn't true of everyone, but......
sometimes (especially if the people were in the theater before or when the other guests are being allowed in - the people who are already sitting in spaces and refuse to move are using the reflective captioning for people with hearing disabilities. They need to sit in a specific area of the theaters in order for the reflective captioning to work.
Most theaters have the wheelchair spots in the back. There are times where someone who uses a wheelchair and also has vision problems is seated in specific seats before the rest of the guests come in. If they sat in the designated wheelchair spots, they would not be able to see.

 

[Chuck65]

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 !!!!

Woo Hoo! nealymouse! You can do it. I used smokeless tobacco for the better part of 22 yrs. I had to have some surgery back in April which required a hospital stay of 4 days. I made up my mind when I got out that I would quit! I have been tobacco free now for 7 months! I promise you it does get easier as each day goes by.

 

[lomillerin]

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.

This sounds like my life. I could have quoted this exactly. My DH smokes, has a truck, not in our house, not at restaurants, etc... I felt like I had typed your post...

 

[smcbaker]

I was at MK just last week...there was a woman there who lit up a cigarette in Fantasyland...a CM very quickly approached her and told her that she absolutely could NOT smoke there, that it was NOT a smoking area, that she HAD to go to the designated smoking area....she acted like she was going to just stand there and he said, "No, you need to either put it out now or go to the smoking area". He wasn't having any of it. As I passed him, I said, "Thank you"...to which he replied, "You are welcome" and smiled! I guess it just depends on the CM. Fantasyland, with lots of little kids, right about the height where a hanging cigarette would be, is not the place to smoke! I can't even imagine how much it would ruin the experience for a little girl or guy to get burned in a place like that!

 

[Karnak]

I've just got to make a couple of comments on this thread. Hope I don't "step on some toes" by doing so.

1. Just looking at one of the park maps: I note that Epcot has at least 19 designated smoking locations located throughout the park. It is my considered opinion that anyone who is unable to find a smoking spot in Epcot should be ushered out of the park at once as they are a danger to themselves and others attempting to exist on this planet.

2. While I agree about the posts dealing with those people who will not move over, to the right or left as directed by a CM in a theater, I would confess to a mistake I made when my wife and I went to see Mickey's PhilarMagic a few months ago. We entered, picked a row about half way down, wanted to sit over on the exit side of the theater, and encountered a family sitting near the middle of the row (which was otherwise empty), and I commented to the effect that they should have moved over before sitting down. One of them politely said, "The CMs said to sit anywhere, because we aren't nearly full for this show." Boy, did I feel dumb.

"I'm sorry, I should have known that" I said, embarrased (as they laughed). We passed them (without steping on any toes), and sat well apart from them.

I would advise, however, that if you wish to sit near the center in a theater that looks like it will be full, get in when the doors open, pick a row, hang back out of the way allowing others to begin filling your row, and move in when you judge you will end up somewhere near the center.

Enjoy.

 

[3dog2kidmom]

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 !!!!

Congratulations, nealymouse!!!

As an ex-smoker myself, I can tell you that it is SO NICE not to have to worry about where I can go to get my fix. You will have so much more time to enjoy your vacations and not have it constantly on your mind.

We will also be arriving on January 10, by the way!

Woo Hoo! nealymouse! You can do it. I used smokeless tobacco for the better part of 22 yrs. I had to have some surgery back in April which required a hospital stay of 4 days. I made up my mind when I got out that I would quit! I have been tobacco free now for 7 months! I promise you it does get easier as each day goes by.

Congrats to you, too, Chuck65! I have been smoke-free now for 13 years and there are times I still miss it. But at first it does get easier every day.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

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.

Yeah! this really ticks me off too Some people are so inconsiderate. ALSO! The first time we went to see Mickey's Philharmagic some "gentleman" sat in front of us and video taped the whole show, you know with the bright view finder held high so it blinds everyone behind him and they can't enjoy the show I've since seen lots of people recording this show, I can't figure out why though, the video quality due to the 3-D effect must be terrible

 

[cleo]

Yes, but what about the feeling you get when you watch Wishes? Or IllumiNations? What about the look in your child's eyes when they see the castle for the first time? What about the amazement you feel when you see the technology involved in making Mickey's PhilharMagic or Turtle Talk with Crush?

What about the delight over watching your child go down a water park slide...all by himself or herself...for the very first time, while you wait at the bottom to catch them? What about seeing a parade, where guests are invited to be 'celebrities' and have a few minutes of 'fame'? What about meeting Mickey? Or Donald? Or Ariel?

What about noticing something you never knew was there, even though you've visited the parks a hundred times? What about taking Grandma and watching her hoot and holler when she gets a soaking on Kali River Rapids?

What about seeing the pictures you took that day and remembering the magic?

When you add it all up, which one do you want to define your visit? The jerk who stopped in front of you when you weren't expecting it or the feeling you had at the end of a wonderful, magical day, knowing you've got tomorrow to do it all over again?

Inconvenience happen. People do things you wish they wouldn't. Acknowlege a brief moment's discomfort, but then try letting it go and replacing it with those things that make your visit the trip of a lifetime.

 

[Mecha Figment]

Don't give me that crap that people don't know that it's smoke free. The trams and busses are required to say that before they let people off . there ar signs before you enter the park, and there is a long speach about it on the monorail. They know.

Look at the people who are smoking freely in the parks. Its usualy a certain class of indivudal, who obviously don't care about themselves or others. it's a pet peve of mine. Unfortunatly i can't say anything because usualy when i see it i'm not in costume and tho them i'm just another tourist.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Some people are simply inconsiderate.
2) Others feel they spent so much money, "they are entitled".
3) The remaining problem is CM's afraid to criticize guests.
4) CM's can get disciplined for such actions.

 

[perdidobay]

Congrats to those of you who are quiting smoking, what a great gift you are giving yourself....

 

[dvc_john]

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.

This is different than my last visit to Comedy Warehouse.
I was waiting in line, and several people, both in front of me and behind me were smoking. I asked a CM is smoking was allowed in the queue line, and he said, yes, smoking was allowed in line, just not inside. That was a surprise to me because I thought all lines were supposed to be smoke free!

 

[maxiesmom]

I noticed when we were at Disney last month that they announce on the monorails and busses that the parks have designated smoking areas. I'm not sure if that is new, or if they have been getting so many complaints that they are trying to do something about it. And the only problem we did have with smokers was at the Food and Wine festival. We were on the bridge by the international gateway and I could smell smoke. I turned around, and sure enough, some lady was sitting there puffing away. And the smoking area was maybe 50 yards away. Ignorant, lazy, or uncaring? Who knows?

When we rode Pirates someone in the boat in front of us took a couple of flash pictures. After the second flash someone came over the pa and reminded them that there is no flash photography allowed. Thankfully they stopped.

All in all, there were a few people who were breaking the rules, but it wasn't as rampant as some make it out to be. The smoking may have bothered me, but it didn't ruin my trip.

 

[karenh1127@h]

Ok, please dont flame but I think anyplace that caters to kids should not allow smoking on property PERIOD!!!

That said let me tell you what has been happening in the Houston area. City ordinances have just passed prohibiting smoking in ANY public area.
Now I am not a smoker and I prefer the restaurants be smoke-free but even I am not dumb enough to think it is a good idea to make bars smoke-free! Come on! Perhaps a smoke free area in a bar or certain bars cater to nonsmoking patrons but we are talking ALL bars, restaurants, public parks, areas etc. This means you cannot walk down the sidewalk and smoke. Or smoke outside your office building, even if it is away from the entrance. Thank God I have never smoked so I dont have a problem. But geez....

 

[TDC Nala]

I am about to stop riding Pirates of the Caribbean because for some reason as soon as they threw Jack Sparrow in there, they seem to have stopped enforcing the no flash photography rule. No more voice from above admonishing riders to quit taking flash pictures. I rode it twice and both times it was like riding with the paparazzi.

 

[rie'smom]

Yes, but what about the feeling you get when you watch Wishes? Or IllumiNations? What about the look in your child's eyes when they see the castle for the first time? What about the amazement you feel when you see the technology involved in making Mickey's PhilharMagic or Turtle Talk with Crush?

What about the delight over watching your child go down a water park slide...all by himself or herself...for the very first time, while you wait at the bottom to catch them? What about seeing a parade, where guests are invited to be 'celebrities' and have a few minutes of 'fame'? What about meeting Mickey? Or Donald? Or Ariel?

What about noticing something you never knew was there, even though you've visited the parks a hundred times? What about taking Grandma and watching her hoot and holler when she gets a soaking on Kali River Rapids?

What about seeing the pictures you took that day and remembering the magic?

When you add it all up, which one do you want to define your visit? The jerk who stopped in front of you when you weren't expecting it or the feeling you had at the end of a wonderful, magical day, knowing you've got tomorrow to do it all over again?

Inconvenience happen. People do things you wish they wouldn't. Acknowlege a brief moment's discomfort, but then try letting it go and replacing it with those things that make your visit the trip of a lifetime.

Thanks Cleo. We shouldn't allow a couple of bad instances be the highlight of our trips. Nothing will ever be perfect including trips to the Mouse,so if we can accept this,we'll all be happier.
If this really bothers you,then find a CM and complain because they are the only ones-at that moment- who can remedy the situation.

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

Ok, please dont flame but I think anyplace that caters to kids should not allow smoking on property PERIOD!!!

That said let me tell you what has been happening in the Houston area. City ordinances have just passed prohibiting smoking in ANY public area.
Now I am not a smoker and I prefer the restaurants be smoke-free but even I am not dumb enough to think it is a good idea to make bars smoke-free! Come on! Perhaps a smoke free area in a bar or certain bars cater to nonsmoking patrons but we are talking ALL bars, restaurants, public parks, areas etc. This means you cannot walk down the sidewalk and smoke. Or smoke outside your office building, even if it is away from the entrance. Thank God I have never smoked so I dont have a problem. But geez....

No flame, and I smoke. Not only do I smoke, but I do it in the designated areas - imagine that!

Disney caters to everyone, not just children. If they catered just to kids then they wouldn't serve alcohol, allow smoking, etc. but I definately get your initial point.

I would hate to see them ban all smoking because of a few rule-breakers, but if it comes to that then so be it.

 

[cleo]

Much as we're all enjoying this thread, I'm afraid I'm going to have to close it. It has moved away from really relating to TPA&S and is more Debate Board fodder (oh, how I miss the debate board!). In the absence of an out-and-out Complaint Board, it doesn't really belong on Trip Planning.

But please, feel free to continue the debate over on the Community Board.