Disney updates park rules and begins adding signs at park entrances

[Master Yoda]

As am I - I often use an ECig, and have ALWAYS gone to a designated smoking area to do so.

HOWEVER - the policy was VERY poorly worded: It could be used AGAINST them... Someone is going to lodge a complaint over items that have nothing to DO with the inhalation of Nicotine - then try to sue.

"e. For the comfort of all Guests, smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke are allowed only in designated smoking areas."

Does WDW realize that they have a formal policy regulating asthma inhalers and spray on sunscreen to designated smoking areas? This is "another product", and it produces "a vapor". All they had to do was spell out devices emitting any measurable quantity of Nicotine - as in, over the detection limit of any current instrumentation.

How to fix the mess: exclude medical devices - asthma inhalers, oxygen tanks, spray on sunscreen... and watch out for medical MJ, if you go for "medical devices".

A vapor is a substance in gas form below its critical temperature and smoke is the visible emission produced from combustion.

Both albuterol sulfate and sunscreen are classified as aerosols, which is a colloidal suspension of particles dispersed in air or gas.

So if you want to get absolutely technical, asthma medication and sunscreen are allowed park wide under the new rules, but hot beverages such as coffee should be restricted to the smoking areas.

 

[alissafalco]

As am I - I often use an ECig, and have ALWAYS gone to a designated smoking area to do so.

HOWEVER - the policy was VERY poorly worded: It could be used AGAINST them... Someone is going to lodge a complaint over items that have nothing to DO with the inhalation of Nicotine - then try to sue.

"e. For the comfort of all Guests, smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke are allowed only in designated smoking areas."

Does WDW realize that they have a formal policy regulating asthma inhalers and spray on sunscreen to designated smoking areas? This is "another product", and it produces "a vapor". All they had to do was spell out devices emitting any measurable quantity of Nicotine - as in, over the detection limit of any current instrumentation.

How to fix the mess: exclude medical devices - asthma inhalers, oxygen tanks, spray on sunscreen... and watch out for medical MJ, if you go for "medical devices".

I actually think you are very wrong. I read the rule as the smoking of any of those products that produce a vapor or smoke. You do not smoke asthma inhalers or spray on sunscreen.

e. For the comfort of all Guests, smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke are allowed only in designated smoking areas.

 

[Bocabear]

wow we could nitpick these rules apart for week...lol
The intent is clear...do we really need to discuss spray on sunscreen and asthma inhalers in the same category as smoking? Seriously y'all...

 

[PhotoDave219]

I, too, bring my tripod for shooting after hours pics and for shooting the fireworks. I know @blackthidot is there right now and I know he brings his tripod. Maybe he can give some insight? @WDWFigment also uses a tripod there. Personally, I've never had an issue with anyone telling me I couldn't use it, but that was a year ago so maybe they have changed the rules?

As long as it's not a giant 8 foot Video tripod, you'll be fine.

Edit: that rule his being around as long as I can remember. The only time I ever ran into an issue was New Year's eve 2004 going into Epcot.

That rule has only been enforced when there are ridiculous crowds and it really is a safety issue.

So don't worry about it.

 

[Master Yoda]

wow we could nitpick these rules apart for week...lol
The intent is clear...do we really need to discuss spray on sunscreen and asthma inhalers in the same category as smoking? Seriously y'all...

You know how people love to pick at nits.

 

[Kristallc]

Im glad they put a size limit on the strollers. NO ONE needs a stroller as big as a twin size bed.

 

[Fe Maiden]

I‘m from Long Island NY, may I ask what are ‘jorts‘?

Jean shorts. Right up there in tackiness with Sporks and Skorts.

 

[Hakunamatata]

A vapor is a substance in gas form below its critical temperature and smoke is the visible emission produced from combustion.

Both albuterol sulfate and sunscreen are classified as aerosols, which is a colloidal suspension of particles dispersed in air or gas.

So if you want to get absolutely technical, asthma medication and sunscreen are allowed park wide under the new rules, but hot beverages such as coffee should be restricted to the smoking areas.

WHIT?

 

[Mawg]

These rules are meant to be rules that go beyond State and Federal laws, things in addition to State and Federal laws Disney does not want in the Parks. So, I wonder what they would do if marijuana became legal in California or Florida (most likely California first)? Would Disney want people walking around stoned in a family environment? I would think that they would ban it in the parks. How do you ban one type of smoking and not ban another? It's quite easy to tell the difference between the two but I could see accusations made by mistake. If things keep progressing with the legalization of marijuana, I predict all smoking to be banned from the parks eventually. I wonder what 6 Flags in Colorado is doing...not quite as family friendly, maybe nothing?

 

[Roakor]

What is this movie?

Escape from Tomorrow. It was made by an indie film crew and the novelty of the movie is that a large portion of it was filmed onsite at WDW and DL, covertly. The film itself is supposed to be a horror film but really never becomes interesting beyond the novelty of being filmed in the parks. and that wears off pretty fast. Over all there is a lot of "non-disney" elements to the film (i.e. not suited for childeren). It was showed at some film festivals and drew a lot of attention because of the novelty but Disney pretty much ignored it and didn't comment on it at all. Since the film itself was pretty bad it quickly faded away. You can probably find a copy floating around the net easily enough but do yourself a favor and don't waist your time. I deleted it after about 30 min.

 

[TheRabbit]

These rules are meant to be rules that go beyond State and Federal laws, things in addition to State and Federal laws Disney does not want in the Parks. So, I wonder what they would do if marijuana became legal in California or Florida (most likely California first)? Would Disney want people walking around stoned in a family environment? I would think that they would ban it in the parks. How do you ban one type of smoking and not ban another? It's quite easy to tell the difference between the two but I could see accusations made by mistake. If things keep progressing with the legalization of marijuana, I predict all smoking to be banned from the parks eventually. I wonder what 6 Flags in Colorado is doing...not quite as family friendly, maybe nothing?

But even in the states that have legalized it for recreational use, I don't believe you can smoke it in public. So it wouldn't be in issue at Disney. And Florida is trying to legalize it just for medical use which would be in your private home I believe.

 

[ABQ]

My mom used to carry a camcorder just like this around the parks when we were younger. I can't tell you how many home videos we have from WDW in the late 80s, early 90s. She was actually even able to tape the Carousel of Progress, the original Imagination and Horizons with this bad boy. Now a days, that wouldn't be allowed.

Time for you to transfer those CoP, Imagination and Horizons VHS's to digital and post them.

 

[Cesar R M]

Escape from Tomorrow. It was made by an indie film crew and the novelty of the movie is that a large portion of it was filmed onsite at WDW and DL, covertly. The film itself is supposed to be a horror film but really never becomes interesting beyond the novelty of being filmed in the parks. and that wears off pretty fast. Over all there is a lot of "non-disney" elements to the film (i.e. not suited for childeren). It was showed at some film festivals and drew a lot of attention because of the novelty but Disney pretty much ignored it and didn't comment on it at all. Since the film itself was pretty bad it quickly faded away. You can probably find a copy floating around the net easily enough but do yourself a favor and don't waist your time. I deleted it after about 30 min.

Smart thing. They could have caused a "Streisand" effect and made the movie popular despite how awful it might be.

 

[GrammieBee]

Some people will always break the rules, ignore the rules or try to use the fine print to get around the rules because rules are for the stupid or the other guy; certainly not for them!

No matter how many rules there are, there is a tendance to create more rules as people find new ways to get around the existing rules or come up with actions not originally specifically covered.

While I would add a couple of items which are actually against the law, such as public urination, I prefer to not nit pick the park rules, and am glad they are posted, as the powers that be are trying to do what is best for the majority of the visitors to the parks.

Now all they have to do is enforce the rules. A rule is no rule at all if it is not enforced. Feel free to ignore it.

 

[Polydweller]

Some people will always break the rules, ignore the rules or try to use the fine print to get around the rules because rules are for the stupid or the other guy; certainly not for them!

No matter how many rules there are, there is a tendance to create more rules as people find new ways to get around the existing rules or come up with actions not originally specifically covered.

While I would add a couple of items which are actually against the law, such as public urination, I prefer to not nit pick the park rules, and am glad they are posted, as the powers that be are trying to do what is best for the majority of the visitors to the parks.

Now all they have to do is enforce the rules. A rule is no rule at all if it is not enforced. Feel free to ignore it.

I've had a lengthy history in the hospitality industry and can say that your first two paragraphs are accurate. The hairsplitting statements in this thread show that. In this case, the e-cigarette rule is a necessary update because it's new technology and people argue that one all the time even though private property owners like Disney and hotels like those in my group have every right to set those rules. They are written to take the argument away.

There is no reason or need to include laws in the rule section. Rules are enablers for the facility (Disney in this case) to take action on something they don't want on their property. If it's law then they are already enabled and it is the individual's responsible to know the law and follow it.

And your last paragraph is true but there are a couple of things. Photodave gives a great example of how discretion is needed in applying all rules. Some leeway is needed especially since it's virtually impossible to write rules about every available situation. But writing a general rule does enable the business to do something when it has to do so.

And, you may never see the enforcement of the rule. If it's not a situation requiring immediate action then it's often best to handle it discreetly rather than disrupting everyone in the area. You simply keep an eye on the person and pull them aside when it's less disruptive. I've seen that many times at Disney including some very drunk people at Epcot suddenly but discreetly escorted off stage with very few guests knowing what happened. So enforcement will happen when needed but it may not be seen.

 

[GrammieBee]

I've had a lengthy history in the hospitality industry and can say that your first two paragraphs are accurate. The hairsplitting statements in this thread show that. In this case, the e-cigarette rule is a necessary update because it's new technology and people argue that one all the time even though private property owners like Disney and hotels like those in my group have every right to set those rules. They are written to take the argument away.

There is no reason or need to include laws in the rule section. Rules are enablers for the facility (Disney in this case) to take action on something they don't want on their property. If it's law then they are already enabled and it is the individual's responsible to know the law and follow it.

And your last paragraph is true but there are a couple of things. Photodave gives a great example of how discretion is needed in applying all rules. Some leeway is needed especially since it's virtually impossible to write rules about every available situation. But writing a general rule does enable the business to do something when it has to do so.

And, you may never see the enforcement of the rule. If it's not a situation requiring immediate action then it's often best to handle it discreetly rather than disrupting everyone in the area. You simply keep an eye on the person and pull them aside when it's less disruptive. I've seen that many times at Disney including some very drunk people at Epcot suddenly but discreetly escorted off stage with very few guests knowing what happened. So enforcement will happen when needed but it may not be seen.

Correct, Ignorance of the law is no excuse and Disney is already covered. However, it might be a good idea to remind people of some of the laws that apply to public actions and nudity. Perhaps in a separate posting.

Yes, common sense should be applied in different situations, and discretion is often the best way to handle the situation. That does not change the fact that the rules need to be fairly and consistently enforced in order for them to be effective.

 

[Roakor]

I would imagine Disney is in somewhat of a unique situation as well due to the high number of foreigners in the parks. What might be acceptable and thought nothing of in a foreign country is not always taken the same way in the US. Thus some things need to be posted even though it might seem common sense to some people.

 

[note2001]

I would imagine Disney is in somewhat of a unique situation as well due to the high number of foreigners in the parks. What might be acceptable and thought nothing of in a foreign country is not always taken the same way in the US. Thus some things need to be posted even though it might seem common sense to some people.

Such as: Please stay clothed for all rides, meaning: No thong bathing suits on Kali River Rapids.

 

[EOD K9]

Such as: Please stay clothed for all rides, meaning: No thong bathing suits on Kali River Rapids.

Only if she is really hot.

 

[fosse76]

If things keep progressing with the legalization of marijuana, I predict all smoking to be banned from the parks eventually. I wonder what 6 Flags in Colorado is doing...not quite as family friendly, maybe nothing?

Since Six Flags doesn't have a park in Colorado, I doubt they're doing anything!