Trip Report Holy Smokes! Let's see how it goes?! *COMPLETED*

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my modest atempt in writing my very first Trip Report!

It all started when posting on a thread about the new smoking ban inside the parks, and someone (Hi @Lensman !) suggested that I could write about my experience during my next visit to WDW.

This Trip Report will NOT be just about smoking! Although I will be honest about my personal perspective about it during my visit.
(In no way am I endorsing or suggesting that it is advisable to smoke).

As I said before in this forum, I hope that in writing about our trip, not only will I share my little adventure with you, but also hopefuly, be distracted from smoking!

So, if you would like to join me, thank you! I hope you find it at least a bit entertaining

 

[Nunu]

RIP

That's why I wanted a picture with him today, as an homage

 

[Nunu]

I'm seeing where it would be very doable, especially now as there's things such as gums, inhalers, and snus to help, for a smoker to have a great visit. It looks to me as if you are having a grand time, and I'm glad of it.

You know what? It's actually going better than I thought! I was very anxious. I'm not gonna lie, the worst is after a meal or with a drink!
But the happiness of being here, sure helps!

 

[Tanna Eros]

You know what? It's actually going better than I thought! I was very anxious. I'm not gonna lie, the worst is after a meal or with a drink!
But the happiness of being here, sure helps!

That's why I bought the fancy lollipops when I had to forego smoking, to signal the end of the meal. I had nic substitutes, but after eating, some people smoke like others would have dessert. I just kind of shoved both activities together with lollipops.
I smoke way less in a park because I put it off to do something else, I also suspect it's the adrenaline of the monster rides that takes the place of smoking, in my instance.

 

[Nunu]

That's why I bought the fancy lollipops when I had to forego smoking, to signal the end of the meal. I had nic substitutes, but after eating, some people smoke like others would have dessert. I just kind of shoved both activities together with lollipops.
I smoke way less in a park because I put it off to do something else, I also suspect it's the adrenaline of the monster rides that takes the place of smoking, in my instance.

Hmmm... Now that you mention it, I'm realizing that I kinda look at it like a dessert. Weird, right?
Another strange thing that I noticed is that sometimes I didn't necessarily "wanted" to smoke, but just passing by a smoking area, I did.

 

[Nunu]

Left Studios at about 4pm. 3 more pictures of our visit today

 

[Nunu]

And on our way out, we picked these complimentary buttons at Guest Services. Pretty cool right?

 

[Nunu]

Then on a whim, we decided to park at the TTC and take the monorail to GF and Contemporary

 

[Nunu]

Here we are at the marina, one of our "secret" favorite places!
Very quiet and nice

 

[Nunu]

At Contemporary, we stopped by Baylake Tower and had a drink at Top of the World Lounge, we wanted to wait for the sunset. As you can see, it was worth it, awesome views!

We left just before the MK fireworks, it was getting really crowded! And by then, realized how tired we were. Tired and very happy!

 

[Nunu]

We are very happy and thankful to have all of you following along in our adventures.
Sweet dreams Everybody!

 

[Swissmiss]

Had a great time at Studios, lunch at Woody's Lunchbox, those grilled cheese sandwiches were delicious! Now, about getting a table... we stood for a while with our food and no shade waiting for people who had finished, but lingered, to be able to eat. Oh well!

Oh that is such a pet peeve of mine - I’m never sure if people who linger in a crowded place taking up table space from those waiting to eat are just incredibly clueless or extremely rude! Recently at work following a meeting we all decided to eat together (meetings can get rather tense and the group meal is a good way to show « no hard feelings » towards each other). There must have been some conference going on in our building because the cafeteria was packed. Two guys are sitting a large round table for 8-10 people and they are clearly finished - my boss and I arrive first and ask if we can sit down and one of them shrugs an OK. A minute or two later another person in our group arrives , then another ... it wasn’t until about 5 or 6 of us were sitting that one of them says « oh, I guess you’re trying to push us out ».

I’m really enjoying your TR - your joy of being there comes through so clearly

 

[Nunu]

Oh that is such a pet peeve of mine - I’m never sure if people who linger in a crowded place taking up table space from those waiting to eat are just incredibly clueless or extremely rude! Recently at work following a meeting we all decided to eat together (meetings can get rather tense and the group meal is a good way to show « no hard feelings » towards each other). There must have been some conference going on in our building because the cafeteria was packed. Two guys are sitting a large round table for 8-10 people and they are clearly finished - my boss and I arrive first and ask if we can sit down and one of them shrugs an OK. A minute or two later another person in our group arrives , then another ... it wasn’t until about 5 or 6 of us were sitting that one of them says « oh, I guess you’re trying to push us out ».

I’m really enjoying your TR - your joy of being there comes through so clearly

I guess some are clueless and others just don't care!
Yesterday there was a young couple who were literally naping at their table! No food! They were either very tired or very hungover!
Unbelievable

 

[Nunu]

Smoking related Post:

Oh! Last night I forgot to post a picture of the smoking area outside Studios. It is located by the boats docking area. Where people boarding and debarking walk thru! To get there, you have to go through bag check and turnstiles.

I stopped only on our way out, and noticed that (understandably) it bothers most passerby.

 

[Nunu]

Tonight is our last night at OKW, nooooooouuu!!!
I know...

But, we still have today at Epcot, and tomorrow morning after check out, we'll head to AK , we might enjoy half a day there and check-in at Home2Suites by Hilton on International Drive for 5 nights.

Then it's off to Miami via Turnpike, where we'll spend the last 2 nights of this trip.

 

[NothatDonald]

First off, thank you so much for this trip report. We head down on Wednesday and I’ve been following your updates closely. Not in a stalker like way, but to see and honest inside opinion of how the transition is working. I get it as to why, but the execution was done very poorly. Where the designated smoking areas were before was tucked out of the way. This setup forces those who don’t smoke right in the middle of it. I don’t smoke but I do vape. And before the judges pounce, it is medically prescribed CBD for service related PTSD and is the only way I can deal with crowds and fireworks without tapping out of the parks. My doc has switched things up and I’ll be trying it in a different form for our trip. Hope it works because I don’t relish the thought of going through security multiple times in the same park. Again, really excellent report!

 

[Nunu]

The thing that's keeping our spirits high is that we are planning on coming back mid/late Dec this year, Holiday season! Yeeeey!

For now, we plan on really enjoying ourselves today and tomorrow!

 

[Nunu]

First off, thank you so much for this trip report. We head down on Wednesday and I’ve been following your updates closely. Not in a stalker like way, but to see and honest inside opinion of how the transition is working. I get it as to why, but the execution was done very poorly. Where the designated smoking areas were before was tucked out of the way. This setup forces those who don’t smoke right in the middle of it. I don’t smoke but I do vape. And before the judges pounce, it is medically prescribed CBD for service related PTSD and is the only way I can deal with crowds and fireworks without tapping out of the parks. My doc has switched things up and I’ll be trying it in a different form for our trip. Hope it works because I don’t relish the thought of going through security multiple times in the same park. Again, really excellent report!

First things first: Thank you for your service!
As I understand it, vaping, even prescription, is subject to the same rules as smoking.
But, it wouldn't hurt to ask a cast member.
I sympathize with your situation and hope you enjoy your trip starting this Wednesday.

I'm glad you find this TR a bit helpful. Thanks for following along!

 

[NothatDonald]

It was my honor. And yes vaping in any form, for any reason is treated like smoking everywhere. I don’t try to buck the system or ask for exception. I’m so glad you had such a great time.

 

[Songbird76]

Hmmm... Now that you mention it, I'm realizing that I kinda look at it like a dessert. Weird, right?
Another strange thing that I noticed is that sometimes I didn't necessarily "wanted" to smoke, but just passing by a smoking area, I did.

Take this with a grain of salt, as I am not a smoker and never have been, but I'd say try to stay strong as you are walking by the smoking area. My mom smoked for decades and she was hospitalized once towards the end and of course she couldn't smoke in the hospital. So she had been there for several days, unable to smoke. She got out and said she really didn't feel like she needed or even wanted to smoke....so she lit one up to prove she didn't need it. Of course, that brought her right back to the addiction and cravings. I don't know how honest she was being about not wanting one, but the hospital was 60 miles from the town where she got the cigarette out...I think if she had been craving one really badly after days of not having one, she wouldn't have made it to the parking lot much less 60 miles, so I'm inclined to believe that she really didn't have the urge. So who knows, maybe by distracting yourself, it won't even be an issue if you can avoid that pavlovian trigger that makes you feel like you need one?

 

[Songbird76]

Oh that is such a pet peeve of mine - I’m never sure if people who linger in a crowded place taking up table space from those waiting to eat are just incredibly clueless or extremely rude! Recently at work following a meeting we all decided to eat together (meetings can get rather tense and the group meal is a good way to show « no hard feelings » towards each other). There must have been some conference going on in our building because the cafeteria was packed. Two guys are sitting a large round table for 8-10 people and they are clearly finished - my boss and I arrive first and ask if we can sit down and one of them shrugs an OK. A minute or two later another person in our group arrives , then another ... it wasn’t until about 5 or 6 of us were sitting that one of them says « oh, I guess you’re trying to push us out ».

I’m really enjoying your TR - your joy of being there comes through so clearly

That drives me nuts, too....a party of two who come in and take the biggest table when there are smaller ones available, so then a family comes in and has nowhere to sit because the only table that can seat them all is taken by a couple who could have sat at literally any other table. My family recently went to dinner at a small diner...the place was almost empty because it was so early, so we went to the back to sit at one of the tables that will seat at least 4.....5 if you cram together. This guy walks in ALONE and sits at the other. There are several tables for 2-4 people and he takes up the largest table they have just for himself. How inconsiderate do you have to be to do that?