Changes to smoking locations at Epcot

[James Norrie]

For those calling smokers disgusting: I challenge you to back that up against me. I am a combat veteran Marine, served my country honorably for 8 years. I now work for the VA, supporting Homeless Veterans in their recovery from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues, as well as helping them obtain independence in their living. I am also a smoker.

What I find disgusting is the attitudes of many people, and a few of them on this board, that think they are better than others. Casting judgement is a disgusting habit, more so than smoking. At least my "disgusting" only affects me, especially when I obey the rules and only smoke in designated areas. Your habit affects people emotionally and socially. Get off your high horse and stop believing you are better than anyone. We are all human, and all have our faults.

Anyways, sorry to derail with a rant. Just can't stand that attitude.

 

[Sonconato]

Two college kids on "smoke free" campus's.....so far reports of one girl complaining that someone stopped her but she asked to finish her cig and they said "oh I understand go ahead"....so if you are busted but otherwise....my best thought is at least when I drop one off at dorm they do not have to enter through a cloud of smoke from people hanging outside the entrance doors..... I personally would love a smoke from WDW everything.......

I was happy when resorts went smoke free and restaurants. So if the parks must have spots designated it is nice to know where they are to avoid if you wish, the spot that used to bug me the most was the path by the castle towards the wishing well....used to hold my breath and sprint through, but its been a few years and I don't see that as a designated smoking stop so I am happy. Sure I wish no one smoked, but reality is they do and while it would be nice if they only suffered the consequences, that is not a reality either. My Mom suffered from lung illness from second hand smoke at work.....it is hard to watch someone go through something that could have been prevented.....and mostly when I think on that subject I am especially wishing Walt Disney had not picked up that habit as a boy, I have often wondered what else he would have done had he lived longer.........but ever so thankful for having him in our world while we did.....

Very well said. Also, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Illness from someone else's habit is just a shame.

 

[James Norrie]

Why not? As a former smoker I think they should ban smoking completely in the parks. Then when someone is caught, they are escorted out.

That is a completely ridiculous statement. Do you think that because you used to smoke, you are better than those of us that haven't stopped? Do you think that your saved money (from not buying smokes) is somehow more valuable than my money? Because that is really all TDO cares about... A dollar is still a dollar whether it comes from a bum or a millionaire.

 

[RobbinsDad]

For those calling smokers disgusting: I challenge you to back that up against me. I am a combat veteran Marine, served my country honorably for 8 years. I now work for the VA, supporting Homeless Veterans in their recovery from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues, as well as helping them obtain independence in their living. I am also a smoker.

What I find disgusting is the attitudes of many people, and a few of them on this board, that think they are better than others. Casting judgement is a disgusting habit, more so than smoking. At least my "disgusting" only affects me, especially when I obey the rules and only smoke in designated areas. Your habit affects people emotionally and socially. Get off your high horse and stop believing you are better than anyone. We are all human, and all have our faults.

Anyways, sorry to derail with a rant. Just can't stand that attitude.

I completely support your right to participate in a legal activity. Just know that the future will not be on your side. With the ever-growing list of institutions that are moving toward completely smoke-free environments, including university campuses, workplaces, and outdoor public areas (parks, outdoor amphitheaters, etc.), it is, in my opinion, only a matter of time before WDW (and other major theme parks) follow suit. Of course it will be about the money, so at the moment when the non-smoking theme park-going population is loud enough to demand change, and the smoking population is not large enough to negatively-impact the bottom line, the changes will start to occur. But the trends are pointing in that direction. It might not be in the next 5 years or even 25 years, but I believe it is inevitable.

 

[James Norrie]

I completely support your right to participate in a legal activity. Just know that the future will not be on your side. With the ever-growing list of institutions that are moving toward completely smoke-free environments, including university campuses, workplaces, and outdoor public areas (parks, outdoor amphitheaters, etc.), it is, in my opinion, only a matter of time before WDW (and other major theme parks) follow suit. Of course it will be about the money, so at the moment when the non-smoking theme park-going population is loud enough to demand change, and the smoking population is not large enough to negatively-impact the bottom line, the changes will start to occur. But the trends are pointing in that direction. It might not be in the next 5 years or even 25 years, but I believe it is inevitable.

I have to agree, though I don't like it. Hopefully by then I will have been able to quit.

 

[Bacon]

The remaining locations are more than reasonable, you dont have to go an extremely long distance to get to one
....on the other hand the Magic Kingdoms recent changes were not reasonable and will result in many smoking outside of designated areas

I still see people smoking where the adventure land one was...

 

[Minthorne]

What would Walt think of people smoking in his family parks!

 

[Master Yoda]

What would Walt think of people smoking in his family parks!

Odds are he would most likely hate it.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/10628/Walts_Smoking_and_Infamous_Cough

 

[LuvtheGoof]

That is a completely ridiculous statement. Do you think that because you used to smoke, you are better than those of us that haven't stopped? Do you think that your saved money (from not buying smokes) is somehow more valuable than my money? Because that is really all TDO cares about... A dollar is still a dollar whether it comes from a bum or a millionaire.

First off, thanks for your service. I spent 22 years active duty in the military, and didn't quit smoking until I had retired. Of course I don't think I am any better than anyone else, nor my money any more valuable. Also, thanks for not smoking where you aren't supposed to, but you are in the minority nowadays. My entire issue is the fact that people don't seem to care about rules anymore. We see people light up walking right down Main Street, even though they're not supposed to. They just don't care because there isn't any penalty. Maybe an outright ban right now is a bit draconian, but please let us know what you would do to those that break the rules and smoke wherever they want. Or do you not care that people are breaking that particular rule, since you smoke as well?

Oh, and I don't find people that smoke disgusting at all. I've never said it, and won't.

 

[James Norrie]

First off, thanks for your service. I spent 22 years active duty in the military, and didn't quit smoking until I had retired. Of course I don't think I am any better than anyone else, nor my money any more valuable. Also, thanks for not smoking where you aren't supposed to, but you are in the minority nowadays. My entire issue is the fact that people don't seem to care about rules anymore. We see people light up walking right down Main Street, even though they're not supposed to. They just don't care because there isn't any penalty. Maybe an outright ban right now is a bit draconian, but please let us know what you would do to those that break the rules and smoke wherever they want. Or do you not care that people are breaking that particular rule, since you smoke as well?

Oh, and I don't find people that smoke disgusting at all. I've never said it, and won't.

Thanks for your service as well. The sad reality is this: we have an entire generation of people raising another entire generation that have no respect for rules. They were never told no, never disciplined as a child (Note - Not talking about spanking, before that comes my way lol), and have a severe sense of entitlement. They believe that they can do anything, and places like WDW are part of the problem by not enforcing the rules with a penalty. The whole point of a rule or regulation is to encourage people not to go against it. How do you encourage? Simple: Either offer a reward or a penalty for obedience or infraction. In the case of smoking, it is simple. The reward is that you are allowed to remain in the park should you obey and only smoke in designated areas. The penalty: Go directly outside of the park, do not pass guest relations, do not demand compensation! I could see refunding a pro-rated amount of the ticket price, as you might have gotten to experience some of the park which costs money to run and maintain. BUT, WDW Should not be concerned with compensation past that. There should be no free passes, no free fast passes, and no exceptions!

And, the disgusting comment was directed at someone else.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

In a bid to make Epcot more culturally correct why not just Designate the French pavillion 100% non smoking and then everyone can just go there to smoke as the French never seem to bother obeying any laws ...

 

[MichWolv]

Thanks for your service as well. The sad reality is this: we have an entire generation of people raising another entire generation that have no respect for rules. They were never told no, never disciplined as a child (Note - Not talking about spanking, before that comes my way lol), and have a severe sense of entitlement. They believe that they can do anything, and places like WDW are part of the problem by not enforcing the rules with a penalty. The whole point of a rule or regulation is to encourage people not to go against it. How do you encourage? Simple: Either offer a reward or a penalty for obedience or infraction. In the case of smoking, it is simple. The reward is that you are allowed to remain in the park should you obey and only smoke in designated areas. The penalty: Go directly outside of the park, do not pass guest relations, do not demand compensation! I could see refunding a pro-rated amount of the ticket price, as you might have gotten to experience some of the park which costs money to run and maintain. BUT, WDW Should not be concerned with compensation past that. There should be no free passes, no free fast passes, and no exceptions!

And, the disgusting comment was directed at someone else.

Actually, I've found the violators of the "smoking area" restrictions to be largely older people with an attitude akin to "I'm a grown man and I'll smoke where I like. What are you gonna do about it?". Or, they are from other countries where smoking everywhere is the norm. That group generally puts out the cigarette while swearing in another language if I mention the restriction. In any event, I'm with you as to the penalty that should be enforced, but enforcement is tough. If the cast member doesn't actually see the guest smoke, then what? Essentially, we rely on common courtesy of guests being willing to follow the rules, because actual enforcement is difficult.

The younger folks that might generally (in your narrative) be of the "I have no respect for your rules" mindset ...generally don't smoke, because, I guess, even though they weren't raised to follow rules (again in your narrative), they were raised with surgeon general warnings front and center.

 

[skyphotographer]

Disney should make some really nice enclosed smoking areas, and then charge guests to enter.

 

[James Norrie]

Disney should make some really nice enclosed smoking areas, and then charge guests to enter.

Don't Give them Ideas... They could call it Coughin' An Interactive Lung Cancer Experience and have it Narrated by Walt... (Yep, Went there )

 

[RSoxNo1]

For those calling smokers disgusting: I challenge you to back that up against me. I am a combat veteran Marine, served my country honorably for 8 years. I now work for the VA, supporting Homeless Veterans in their recovery from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues, as well as helping them obtain independence in their living. I am also a smoker.

What I find disgusting is the attitudes of many people, and a few of them on this board, that think they are better than others. Casting judgement is a disgusting habit, more so than smoking. At least my "disgusting" only affects me, especially when I obey the rules and only smoke in designated areas. Your habit affects people emotionally and socially. Get off your high horse and stop believing you are better than anyone. We are all human, and all have our faults.

Anyways, sorry to derail with a rant. Just can't stand that attitude.

There is a difference between finding the act disgusting and the people that do it disgusting. I don't like smoking at all but it has no effect on my opinions of people that do smoke.

The only way the two would be connected is if someone was smoking and deliberately agitating other people in the process.

 

[James Norrie]

Wanna bet I can make a very close guess. And guess what, Disney will not do anything about it all. Those disgusting people paid to get in and they will be catered to just like the line cutters, stroller slammers, FP fakers, flash photography in a dark ride people and everyone else that doesn't follow WDW's detailed instructions.

Pretty sure this one is talking about smokers in general, not about the follow-ons types... Also, not talking about the act of smoking, rather the people doing it.

 

[No Name]

the location near TOT was moved a few months back._.It is now near the exit of the ride next to the Fantasmic gate

Awesome! Should be a great improvement. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Pretty sure this one is talking about smokers in general, not about the follow-ons types... Also, not talking about the act of smoking, rather the people doing it.

I was quoting someone else in a sarcastic manner. If I thought that smokers were disgusting, I would be disgusted with myself, however, I don't find them disgusting. Read on! I don't even find smoking to be anymore disgusting then about 400 other nasty habits that the criticizers of smoking have.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

The main problem, as always is there is no way to make non smokers happy without eliminating it all together. The smokers who don't use the areas and smoke freely throughout the park are criticized and rightfully so. The ones that use the areas, others complain that they can still smell it and it should be eliminated.
It's the choice of the individual to smoke and it's disneys choice, if they want to provide areas to do so. As always, they should be out of the way places which for some reason Disney finds hard to do.
I vape and really don't want to go to smoking areas like the rest of the non smokers but I do because that's the way it is right now. From a former smoker, I don't want to breathe it in anymore or smell like cigs but that's what I have to do.

 

[Obobru]

Since they have chosen France, Italy and China as the smoking locations this has clearly been done to improve the themeing as anyone who has been to these countries will confirm they have some of the most hardened smokers and people smoke everywhere. With these changes a new experience of smelling the country will be added at no extra cost to Disney.