Castle Ramp Smoking Section Eliminated

[StarWarsGirl]

I hope all the smokers out there start smoking where they stand/walk.

This secondhand smoke paranoia is hysterical.

I love to smoke and I am thoroughly disappointed. If I see any of you in my smoking section I will blow some smoke your way! Have a Magical Day!!!!

I hope you are kidding. Not only is it rude, but given the rates of asthma and COPD, you could cause someone to have a real problem if you smoke near the wrong person. I had a very serious issue with my asthma last trip because someone was smoking in a non designated area (I think it was a homemade cigar because I immediately closed up like I never have before around cigarette smoke). If I hadn't been able to quickly get back to my room for a breathing treatment, we would have been calling 911.

This is why I am in favor of keeping well placed designated smoking areas. They are there. I can avoid them. Please use them. My lungs and I thank you.

 

[photomatt]

The simple solution is to have out of the way areas designated for smokers that are clearly marked with signs. This way non-smokers would not be impacted in any way unless they intentionally walk into a smoking area. Then it's on them.

OK. If you can find a place at any Disney theme park where the smoke won't filter to a non-smoking area then I would agree with this. The problem is you can't. There are no places where the smoke won't travel to other areas, and there are no places where it's fair to say to non-smokers that it's off limits so that the addictions of others can be accommodated.

 

[donsullivan]

While I'm not a fan of it I get that completely banning smoking in the parks isn't a practical option right now. However, the specific smoking location that started this thread happened to be right along a very busy walking path for guests and most had no idea it was a smoking location until they were in the middle of it, at which point it's too late to avoid it.

I don't think it's unreasonable to move the smoking areas to locations that are not directly along busy walking paths but away from those paths like the one at Space Mountain or the one near Big Thunder. Each of those locations allow those smokers to do what they feel they need to do but because of the location, normal guest flow is not impacted by them at all.

I'm far more annoyed by the guests who feel the smoking locations don't apply to them and just smoke wherever they want. I've encountered it while eating dinner outside at Pecos Bill's or nearly any walking path around the park. Some guests just feel the rule does not apply to them.

I once asked a CM I know personally why they don't call out those guests who are smoking in areas other than the designated smoking locations. The response I got back was because too many CM's who had done that where berated by the smoker and it caused backlash for the CM. They've chosen that it's better to ignore it then to be yelled at by a guest for asking them to comply with the rules that guest agreed to when walking through the entrance.

 

[betty rose]

This argument is flawed. It's like saying we don't need laws at all because people are going to break the laws anyways.

If Disney prohibits smoking, and a smoker chooses to smoke, then security can escort them off property. If enough people are shown the door, word will get around and it will stop.

What if people like to over indulge, in food or drink, Disney isn't judging them, and limiting their choices.

 

[Kman101]

I agree with all of your post, with the exception of avoiding smoking areas. There should not be any smoking areas that need to be avoided.

The attitude you have is ... something else.

 

[Kman101]

Pretty sure the burden isn't on those who enjoy...breathing clean air.

There are plenty of spots away from smoking areas.

It's really not that hard to avoid them (when Disney isn't dumb enough to put smoking areas in WALK WAYS)

Everyone is sitting here acting like smokers are chasing you around the park and blowing smoke down your throat. I get it. It's disgusting.

 

[GoofGoof]

OK. If you can find a place at any Disney theme park where the smoke won't filter to a non-smoking area then I would agree with this. The problem is you can't. There are no places where the smoke won't travel to other areas, and there are no places where it's fair to say to non-smokers that it's off limits so that the addictions of others can be accommodated.

It's not that hard to find places. This one eliminated was a bad spot and it's good they removed it. There are a few other bad spots. Most of the smoking spots are out of the way and don't impact anyone's experience.

 

[photomatt]

The attitude you have is ... something else.

Attitude? You mean stating a clear opinion on a subject? That's attitude?

This discussion should not be happening in 2015. It should be a non-issue. Disney should have had the political courage to ban smoking at Disney parks years ago.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

This argument is flawed. It's like saying we don't need laws at all because people are going to break the laws anyways.

If Disney prohibits smoking, and a smoker chooses to smoke, then security can escort them off of property. If enough people are shown the door, word will get around and it will stop.

Wait, my argument is flawed? Rules and laws are useless unless you enforce them. Do you really expect that security is going to be searching for people on their cameras who are smoking and make them leave? All that will do is make Disney look bad. Not to mention they will lose money. The logistics of it are almost impossible. It makes more sense to say, "Look, you can't smoke here for the comfort and health of our guests, but here's someplace you can smoke away from nonsmokers."

Believe me, if I could eliminate smoking worldwide, I would. But that is not going to happen for now. People are going to smoke. They need places to smoke that those of us who can't/don't want to breath it in can avoid.

 

[photomatt]

It's not that hard to find places. This one eliminated was a bad spot and it's good they removed it. There are a few other bad spots. Most of the smoking spots are out of the way and don't impact anyone's experience.

OK.
Please give an example of one of these spots at the MK.

 

[Kman101]

OK. If you can find a place at any Disney theme park where the smoke won't filter to a non-smoking area then I would agree with this. The problem is you can't. There are no places where the smoke won't travel to other areas, and there are no places where it's fair to say to non-smokers that it's off limits so that the addictions of others can be accommodated.

You realize how few and far off these areas actually are, right? I'd agree with you, in terms of the castle ramp. You walk THROUGH it. That's obnoxious. But many areas ARE away from you and considering how hard they are to find, I'm not exactly buying this argument. Sorry.

 

[betty rose]

OK. If you can find a place at any Disney theme park where the smoke won't filter to a non-smoking area then I would agree with this. The problem is you can't. There are no places where the smoke won't travel to other areas, and there are no places where it's fair to say to non-smokers that it's off limits so that the addictions of others can be accommodated.

Like I wrote before, Disney needs to build a lounge where smokers can have a meal, or snack, drink, and enjoy themselves in each park. What harm is that? My dad liked to have a smoke after a meal...and I could see him relax. Surely, no harm in enjoying a smoke away from prying and judgmental eyes.

 

[photomatt]

You realize how few and far off these areas actually are, right? I'd agree with you, in terms of the castle ramp. You walk THROUGH it. That's obnoxious. But many areas ARE away from you and considering how hard they are to find, I'm not exactly buying this argument. Sorry.

OK. And I am asking for someone to give an example of one of these out-of-way areas where the smoke does not travel to other areas and it's fair to tell a non-smoker to stay away from.

 

[mouse_luv]

This makes me so happy because it's one of my favorite walkways and now I can walk back there without running the risk of an asthma attack!

 

[Kman101]

Attitude? You mean stating a clear opinion on a subject? That's attitude?

This discussion should not be happening in 2015. It should be a non-issue. Disney should have had the political courage to ban smoking at Disney parks years ago.

Exactly. It's an opinion. Disney doesn't agree with dumping the smoking spots. I'm sorry it bothers you, I really am, but you CAN avoid it (in most cases, NOT all).

As long as it's a park OUTDOORS, they will have a hard time doing away with the smoking sections.

When you aren't around smokers you don't realize still how common it is. It's unhealthy and disgusting. I know that. And I agree with you a smoker can/should go without one in the park, as both a smoker and non smoker, I can easily go all day, and the park is probably the last place I want to stop and seek out an area.

It's like banning smoking in a PUBLIC PARK. I get the health issues. I do. It's not fun to walk through a cloud of smoke. It isn't at all. Whether you agree with the habit or not, smokers have every right you do.

Sorry but they do.

 

[GoofGoof]

OK.
Please give an example of one of these spots at the MK.

Is there any point in me doing that?

 

[Kman101]

OK. And I am asking for someone to give an example of one of these out-of-way areas where the smoke does not travel to other areas and it's fair to tell a non-smoker to stay away from.

I'm only familiar with the Magic Kingdom at the moment. I've agreed with you that the areas they choose aren't the best spots. But there was a spot by Space Mountain that was tucked away. Very away. And there's a spot by Big Thunder. It's not as far off the path but it's still out of the way.

I disagree with them having one on that path from Barnstormer to Tomorrowland. That's dumb. I also don't agree with moving the Adventureland one to the entrance area. That was dumb too. Although where it was before was even more dumb.

Get mad at Disney for having smoking sections right in everyone else's face. If Disney offers them, smokers have every right to use them.

I see the smoking issue from both sides.

 

[betty rose]

There's a big difference between watching another person do something and having physical contact with their "habit". Unless those people are dumping their drinks on you as you walk by it's not really the same thing. And with the price of drinks at those bars nobody is dumping them out.

But, if they are throwing up on path's (during food and wine) , as my last experience, on a Saturday night, having not gone for years to this event it was certainly distracting. Just chose to return the next day and have my snacks.

 

[photomatt]

Is there any point in me doing that?

Yes there is.

 

[Kman101]

No matter where you put a smoking section, people will not be happy. If there was one in the parking lot it would still draw ire.