Orlando - Disney hotels non-smoking as of June 1

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney0207may02,0,6318989.story

AWESOME!

Not awesome... stop being selfish and allow other people to enjoy their vacations too. This ban goes too far. Not allowing people to smoke on the balconies or patios of their own rooms?!? Ridiculous.

Well, I can tell you I was there the 3rd week of June and it is an awful policy.

I can deal with no smoking in the rooms, but having to walk to a designated smoking area is ridiculous. I paid serious money for this special trip (completely all inclusive) and after exhausting myself taking advantage of all that was included, I then had to walk someplace to have a cigarette. BTW - I knew about this before I left and asked for a 1st floor room because of it.

What I found is that most people started ignoring it, particularly late at night/early in the morning. As did I.

The only hotel on the entire property where you don't have to walk somewhere to legally have a cigarette are the Fort Wilderness cabins. Guess where I'm staying next time?

However, I had already given almost all my hotel business to the Hyatt, though I would stay at a Disney hotel if it was more convenient for that particular trip. They're now almost completely off the list.

Not awesome... stop being selfish and allow other people to enjoy their vacations too. This ban goes too far. Not allowing people to smoke on the balconies or patios of their own rooms?!? Ridiculous.

I'm not a smoker and I agree. Why can't we have more respect for each other and other's choices? It's terrible.

I agree with the smokers. I don't get why the non-smoking nazis feel the need to force their will on smokers. I can somewhat see no-smoking policies in rooms because it's so difficult to remove the smell. But outdoors smoking should be allowed everywhere.

Marriott has recently gone to a similar policy for all of its N. American properties. So this isn't just a Disney move. I have a feeling that more hotel chains may be looking at similar measures as well.

Smoke free rooms are one thing, no one has disputed that.

Regulating where you can smoke when you are outside at a hotel is completely different. The smoking area I could use (one of the few covered ones) was over 150' from my room.

That's another thing... in the lightening capital of the world most of those areas are not covered.

In general, I think the lifestyle police do go a bit overboard, but on this one I agree with the Disney folks. Now I know that all of our FT smokers are the considerate kind :), but not all are. Smoking on the balcony of your hotel room seems fine on the surface, but how many times are your sliding doors open - or your neighbor's - even just a little? Bingo - smoke in the room. How many times has one of the non-considerate ones "forgotten" something inside and walked into the room to get it? Same result. Disney properties turn over so fast that airing a room is next to impossible and those who don't smoke really can smell it even if it's just a short exposure.

And don't get me started on smokers who think that a cigarette butt is not trash and put them out on the ground any/every where. The hefty cleaning fee at a hotel is not just for smoke damage. Someone has to clean the ashtrays and the butts that have been ground out on the cement floor of the balcony/driveway/sidewalk. I live in Orlando and frequently do weekends at the park hotels with family and friends and once stayed in a room where there were butts all over the balcony. Room was non-smoking, so the previous guests were following the letter of the law but the nasty aftereffects were still there.

I am not a militant on this issue, but would err on the side of caution, which would also be Disney's motivation if my guess is correct.

And Mary, I agree that if they are going to designate outdoor areas, they absolutely should be covered. With our frequent afternoon storms etc., it seems like that would go without saying but obviously not.

Not allowing people to smoke on the balconies or patios of their own rooms?!?

Smoke do drift (both horizontally and vertically) to neighbouring balconies.
I wasnt able to use my balcony (with a view of Waikiki Beach) in Honolulu last year due to the constant flow of cigarette smoke from neighbouring balconies.

And Mary, I agree that if they are going to designate outdoor areas, they absolutely should be covered. With our frequent afternoon storms etc., it seems like that would go without saying but obviously not.
Definitely not :).

I stayed at the Polynesian, and compared to what I heard about some of the moderate & value hotels, the areas were not nearly as plentiful nor were they covered.

We're also not only talking about balconies here. We're talking about all outdoor areas, even those sparsley populated.

Disney overreached on this one.

Plus, some of those smoking areas are in the direct path of people walking into their buildings. I couldn't believe it.

Smoke do drift (both horizontally and vertically) to neighbouring balconies.
I wasnt able to use my balcony (with a view of Waikiki Beach) in Honolulu last year due to the constant flow of cigarette smoke from neighbouring balconies.
Someone stayed outside and smoked for hours at a time? And always when you wanted to be outside?

We all tend toward hyperbole at times, and I'm sure that Mario didn't mean 24/7, but if he was chased from his balcony more than once by smoke, that's too many times. Smoke drifts - sorry, but it does.

As for the smoking sections at Disney, the placement doesn't make sense in many cases. I'm with you there.

Smoke drifts - sorry, but it does.


So does music or loud conversation. Do we ban that? Or perfumes?

[quote]from hhoope01: Marriott has recently gone to a similar policy for all of its N. American properties. So this isn't just a Disney move. I have a feeling that more hotel chains may be looking at similar measures as well.[quote]

Not all, but a large number of Marriotts with balconies allow smoking there. As does the Ritz-Carlton.

Someone stayed outside and smoked for hours at a time? And always when you wanted to be outside?

After a few attempts to use the balcony, I gave up.

That particular hotel is very popular with the Japanese; if its not that guy two doors away smoking, it would be another guy a floor or two below.

For those equating cigarette smoke to perfume smell or loud music; you obviously dont understand how cigarette smoke affects many. I find it more replusive than industrial smoke or exhaust fumes, and in some circumstances it can even kill.

If you need a place to smoke freely as you please; do consider moving to the third world. More often than not you can smoke wherever you like over here :rolleyes:

I'm terribly sorry, but outdoors is outdoors. Regulating what goes on in open air is absurd.

Non-smokers are not the only ones with rights. People try to be considerate, but others just can't seem to be satisfied or compromise even a little bit.

I go to Hawaii just a little less frequently than I go to Disney. I have to say that I have never experienced what you describe, no matter what island. My husband does not smoke and sits on his ocean view balconey every single day for several hours and I can honestly say he has never complained about smoke from other rooms. We probably have stayed in Waikiki more than any other island.

I don't dispute what you're saying, I'm just pointing out that it has never been our experience.

For those equating cigarette smoke to perfume smell or loud music; you obviously dont understand how cigarette smoke affects many. I find it more replusive than industrial smoke or exhaust fumes, and in some circumstances it can even kill.


No, I understand how cigarette smoke affects many. I think you missed my points. I have severe allergies and perfume can really set me off. I don't expect anyone to stop using perfume. Others have noise sensitivity and can experience severe headaches or other symptoms. While these may seem to be extreme cases, I would suggest that if you find cigarete smoke more repulsive than industrial smoke or exhaust fumes, then you are likewise an extreme case. Yet you feel you should be accomodated, even outdoors.

I imagine you could find an example for most any activity people engage in. The point is there has to be a point where reasonable limits that take all people's perspective into account are set.

While these may seem to be extreme cases, I would suggest that if you find cigarete smoke more repulsive than industrial smoke or exhaust fumes, then you are likewise an extreme case.

If this is the case, this thread would not have existed in the first place. If the majority of the guests do not find cigarette smoke repulsive, there is no reason for Disney to implement such drastic policy. I would tend to believe that Disney is a profit oriented organisation catering to the masses, rather than an extremist moral enforcement agency :rolleyes:

Also note that the trend to ban smoking at balconies have extended to some residential buildings in certain countries; and the percentage voting for such ban is surprisingly overwhelming.

Tell me Mario33, this thread is about Disney's smoking policy.

Have you a comment about that or did you just come into the thread to express your disdain for smoking in general?

If so, there's a place called Omni for you to do that in.

I don't dispute what you're saying, I'm just pointing out that it has never been our experience.

The Sheraton Surfer Moana, before the city-wide ban took effect.

I dont get to visit Hawaii often like most Americans do, and I cant even sit outside the balcony when I got there after travelling half way round the world. Maybe I am expecting too much as some are suggesting here :rolleyes:

Have you a comment about that or did you just come into the thread to express your disdain for smoking in general?

Have I not made my comment in post No.10 on why the ban should extend to balconies ? But no, the smokers here just refuse to accept my experience.

It seems that comments supporting Disney's move is considered irrelevant here, while those against the ban are allowed to whine.

You're experience is in Disney?

If you want to discuss the merits of smoking and bans, there's a place called Omni to do so.

You've gone beyond supporting Disney as others here have done and into the realm of arguing. Sorry, but that belongs in Omni.

You're experience is in Disney?

.... and you have no problem with experiences at Hyatts, Marriotts and Ritz Carltons on this thread. Oh I forgot, they allow smoking in balconies at those properties :rolleyes:

Okay, first and foremost Disney is a private company and will make decisions which are in their best financial interest. If they feel they can make more money by banning smoking in rooms so be it. If you disagree then you have every right to stop staying at Disney hotels.

Mary2e, I agree you should not regulate "open air" in public spaces. However in this case the "open air" is on private property therefore Disney has every right to control it. Does your neighbor have the right to point an exhaust shaft from a furnace or cooker into your backyard just because it is open air? ;)

I think it would be in their best interest to provide more adequate smoking places (covered, not near main entrances to buildings, maybe with benches) The designated smoking areas in the parks seem to work quite well most of the time. Something tells me if there were not designated smoking areas people would just smoke at the entrances to the buildings thus making everyone entering the building walk through the smoke. At my school smoking is banned 50 feet from any entrance.

I fully support their decision to ban smoking on balconies. I find the smell of second hand smoke absolutely repulsive and I am a occasional smoker. I have NEVER smoked in a car (or rental car), in my home, or in a hotel room. Since Disney has so many people it makes sense to require smoking in designated areas so the majority of the people at Disney World who do not smoke will not have to breathe in second hand smoke. For someone who hates the smell of smoke nothing is worse than walking behind someone or sitting next to someone who is smoking.

Isn't it common courtesy to act in a way so you do not disturb others?

I would also like to point out there are A LOT of young children at Disney World and I think people are more sensitive about exposing their young children to second hand smoke.

Okay, first and foremost Disney is a private company and will make decisions which are in their best financial interest. If they feel they can make more money by banning smoking in rooms so be it. If you disagree then you have every right to stop staying at Disney hotels.I never disputed this at all.

Mary2e, I agree you should not regulate "open air" in public spaces. However in this case the "open air" is on private property therefore Disney has every right to control it. Does your neighbor have the right to point an exhaust shaft from a furnace or cooker into your backyard just because it is open air? ;)See above

I think it would be in their best interest to provide more adequate smoking places (covered, not near main entrances to buildings, maybe with benches) The designated smoking areas in the parks seem to work quite well most of the time. Something tells me if there were not designated smoking areas people would just smoke at the entrances to the buildings thus making everyone entering the building walk through the smoke. At my school smoking is banned 50 feet from any entrance. I agreed with this and even said Disney, in their infinite wisdom, place the smoking areas in the path of people walking to their rooms.

I fully support their decision to ban smoking on balconies. I find the smell of second hand smoke absolutely repulsive and I am a occasional smoker. I have NEVER smoked in a car (or rental car), in my home, or in a hotel room. Since Disney has so many people it makes sense to require smoking in designated areas so the majority of the people at Disney World who do not smoke will not have to breathe in second hand smoke. For someone who hates the smell of smoke nothing is worse than walking behind someone or sitting next to someone who is smoking. I disagree about the balconies, and have never commented about smoking in the parks themselves. My only issue with the smoking areas in the parks is that they're hard to find.

Isn't it common courtesy to act in a way so you do not disturb others? Absolutely. But no matter what, I'm going to disturb someone. Common courtesy goes both ways.

I would also like to point out there are A LOT of young children at Disney World and I think people are more sensitive about exposing their young children to second hand smoke.There's a lot worse out there than second had smoke, particularly if you're outdoors. Parents don't seem to mind it that much when they put their children in the direct line of fireworks smoke, yet have a hissy fit if they smell a hint of cigarette smoke.

I have always said that I do not disagree with Disney policy except when it comes down to regulating the resort areas and forcing their guests to walk a good distance as well as stand in an uncovered area.

Before this ban at the resorts I had given most of my business to the Hyatt, because I feel it's a better value. I would stay at a Disney hotel if it met my needs for that trip. 3 years ago I would not have considered staying elsewhere, so Disney lost alot of my business anyway. Now, there is less chance I will stay there because of this overly strict policy.

BTW - I think Disney underestimated the numbers of smokers in their resorts and claimed they made the change because people did not request smoking rooms that much. Well, neither did I. I simply smoked outdoors as did many other people.

Mary2e, my entire post was not directed at you. I am sorry if you took it that way.

I never disputed this at all.

See above You did say "I'm terribly sorry, but outdoors is outdoors. Regulating what goes on in open air is absurd." in post #16

Regulating private property is not absurd in the least bit.

You should come visit Maryland, one town near me banned smoking in all public areas (sidewalks, streets, parks, etc) Now thats absurd! :eek:

I agreed with this and even said Disney, in their infinite wisdom, place the smoking areas in the path of people walking to their rooms.

I disagree about the balconies, and have never commented about smoking in the parks themselves. My only issue with the smoking areas in the parks is that they're hard to find. They probably would have been more successful in implementing this policy if they had took the time to plan and build designated smoking areas instead of just throwing up a sign.


Absolutely. But no matter what, I'm going to disturb someone. Common courtesy goes both ways. You're absolutely right.


There's a lot worse out there than second had smoke, particularly if you're outdoors. Parents don't seem to mind it that much when they put their children in the direct line of fireworks smoke, yet have a hissy fit if they smell a hint of cigarette smoke. Very true and there are a lot of careless parents. In my opinion it is not just the smoke. A friend of mine got burned by someones cigarette when he was walking in a ballpark as a child. In crowded spaces, especially with children, having a very hot lit object is not smart.


I have always said that I do not disagree with Disney policy except when it comes down to regulating the resort areas and forcing their guests to walk a good distance as well as stand in an uncovered area.Not knowing where the areas are located I will take your word for it. They should indeed be covered with benches (maybe something like the bus stops), close to the resorts, but out of the way of most foot traffic.


BTW - I think Disney underestimated the numbers of smokers in their resorts and claimed they made the change because people did not request smoking rooms that much. Well, neither did I. I simply smoked outdoors as did many other people. If you are right and Disney loses a significant amount of money I am sure smoking rooms will return. However something tells me Disney will still sell plenty of rooms (my favorite resort is booked for 5 weekends straight this fall :mad:) On a side note is smoking still permitted in the Swan and Dolphin resorts?

Mary2e, my entire post was not directed at you. I am sorry if you took it that way.No problem ;)

You did say "I'm terribly sorry, but outdoors is outdoors. Regulating what goes on in open air is absurd." in post #16

Regulating private property is not absurd in the least bit. I do think it's absurd whether public or private property. I don't dispute it's private and, as such, they can do whatever they like.

They probably would have been more successful in implementing this policy if they had took the time to plan and build designated smoking areas instead of just throwing up a sign.True. It was obvious they just picked random spots around each resort.

In crowded spaces, especially with children, having a very hot lit object is not smart.Agreed, but we're talking about the resorts which are never that crowded.

Not knowing where the areas are located I will take your word for it. They should indeed be covered with benches (maybe something like the bus stops), close to the resorts, but out of the way of most foot traffic.The locations vary, as do the number of them, depending upon the resort. The easiest one for me to get to at the Polynesian was about 150' away. The next closest meant I had to walk out of my room via the door, go down the hall to the exit and walk out the other side of the building. It may have been closer than 150', but it would have left me in a very lightly trafficed area, no bench, and no cover. The one I used left me feeling a bit safer, particularly at night when there aren't too many people walking around the resort.

If you are right and Disney loses a significant amount of money I am sure smoking rooms will return. However something tells me Disney will still sell plenty of rooms (my favorite resort is booked for 5 weekends straight this fall :mad:)
I doubt they will miss my business, particularly at the more popular resorts. I can tell you that it is now much harder to get a Ft. Wilderness cabin since it the only resort that allows smoking at the "room."

On a side note is smoking still permitted in the Swan and Dolphin resorts?IIRC, the Dolphin is now non-smoking and the Swan has smoking rooms. But those are SPG properties and not subject to all of Disney's regulations even though they are on site.

The open air idea is totally ridiculous. Second degree smoking KILLS. it doesn't just injure or bother, it KILLS people every year. And the people most sensitive to smoke are, of course, children. So I think it's an amazing rule (the balcony/patio outdoors part) Disney has just set up, considering how many kids visit the resort.

IMHO, smoking places should be, by all mean, INDOORS, behind closed doors, where non-smokers are not within reach of the smoke. Smoking rooms (on smoking floors) are a great thing for this particular reason.

Hope I'm not too harsh on you smoking friends, I'm usually ultra-liberal, but when it comes to this I just can't stand some of the stuff I read.

I smoke - I live in Florida - and I don't like going to Disney. Last time I went - to the fall food festival several years ago - it was apparent that groups of people had "game plans" for attending crowded events. One person would "reserve" 10+ seats hours in advance for the food demos and concerts by putting pieces of paper on the seats. Then they would yell at me and my husband when we tried to sit down on the pieces of paper 20 minutes before "show time". Disney personnel did nothing when we complained. I suspect behavior like that would make the blood pressure of non-smokers rise more than being around smokers. So - no matter what Disney does with regard with smoking - it is never getting a dollar from me again.

That said - the most letters I've seen in our local papers these days about Disney aren't about smoking. They're about how all the obese visitors (of which there are tons at Disney) gobble up all the rental scooters (very limited at Disney) meant for people with handicaps. Ditto with regard to complaints about obese people using up handicap parking places (not only in Disney but all around the south). As someone who has had to move elderly parents in wheel chairs - I can relate to those complaints.

BTW - as a smoker - I agree that the "balcony only" rules (which I've encountered in a lot of properties) are silly. Makes a lot more sense to have smoking rooms - and no-smoking on balconies. Robyn

That said - the most letters I've seen in our local papers these days about Disney aren't about smoking. They're about how all the obese visitors (of which there are tons at Disney) gobble up all the rental scooters (very limited at Disney) meant for people with handicaps. Ditto with regard to complaints about obese people using up handicap parking places (not only in Disney but all around the south). As someone who has had to move elderly parents in wheel chairs - I can relate to those complaints.

I don't suppose Disney checks credentials before allowing the use of scooters, but I assume the parking spaces can only be used by those with government-issued plates or temporary permits. Since these are issued based on a letter from a doctor (at least in the states I know of), there's likely to be a reason other than weight, and the weight could be secondary to the condition for which it's issued.

And even if we assume that the condition is caused by weight, I hope that that won't be used to say, "No use of handicapped spaces" in this thread, unless all the people on the smokers' side of the argument promise never to use a handicapped permit if they end up with COPD later in life. I'm not saying "What about you?" just making the point that we all agree that handicapped parking depends on need, not behavior. No one asks if an elderly person in a wheelchair exercised properly all their life: it doesn't matter.

Disney is a private corporation. It can do whatever it wants with its scooters.

But just FYI - Florida recently tightened up the rules for disabled parking permits. Seems like everyone over the age of 75 thought they qualified - resulting in extreme shortages of spaces in some areas. Here's a form with the new rules:

http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/Intranet/dmv/Forms/BTR/83039.pdf

Note that the pulmonary rules are kind of extreme. Of course - doctors still fudge - which is why there are still shortages of disabled parking spaces where there are large elderly populations.

IMO - wide disabled spaces are meant in most cases to allow extra room so people can load/unload assistive devices like wheelchairs - and to provide access to ramps (which is why some handicap spaces aren't always the spaces closest to a building - they're the ones closest to a ramp). They aren't meant to put a person who can walk ok - even if he or she needs a cane or a walker - 100 feet closer to a mall so that person can spend more time shopping. Robyn

...all the obese visitors (of which there are tons at Disney) gobble up all the rental scooters (very limited at Disney) meant for people with handicaps.

I really noticed this for the first time on our quick trip last weekend. Morbidly obese people everywhere riding around on little scooters. Maybe if they'd get up and walk occasionally they wouldn't be so incredibly obese...

One family in particular consisted of two extremely obese women riding on scooters and a small guy (husband of one of the women, I'd guess) pushing a stroller with two exceptionally fat kids (~8-10 years old, I'd guess) in it. I can't understand those people that don't understand why there is an obesity epidemic in the US.

On the bright side, it really sparked my initiative for losing my own excess weight.