Non Smoking Room

[Burgstressera]

For those of your that are smokers out there please don't take offense to the following....

I just booked my next trip to WDW Arriving September 30th - Departing October 10. We are staying at the Yacht Club.

My travel agent requested a non-smoking room for my husband and I - Disney told her they could not guarantee it - my travel agent responded with the guest as severe asthma and can not be in a smoking room... Disney says I need to bring a doctor's excuse!!

I think this is ridiculous. I have no problem bringing a note from my doctor but come on!! I'm paying over $4,000 for this trip and can't even be sure I'm going to be in a room where I don't have to breathe in the smell of smoke the entire time I'm in the room.

I'm upset and wanted to get some of your thoughts and insight...

 

[WDW FAN 4 LIFE]

A few years ago my family & I were placed in a smoking at the Contemporary which we could not take because their was a horrible smell in the room, so my Dad kindley asked if their was a non smoking room & we were moved with out a problem, so your situation seems very strange.

Next visit to Walt Disney World August 8-19, 2006 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

 

[Jamie P]

Disney does not guarantee non-smoking rooms anymore, but there is only about 20% of their rooms that are smoking to begin with. You can request the non-smoking, but it is only a request.

I have a similar situation with a family member that has a medical condition that requires no fumes of any kind (including smoke). I just call the hotel directly and let them know prior to arrival. I have never in all my trip, ever had a problem and gotten a smoking room. I can't believe that Disney would ask for a doctor's note. That is a first for me. In all my years, I have never heard that one before. I would be a bit taken back also if someone told me this.

Just make sure your travel agent calls Disney and has then note the Asthma. That is the best you can do at this point, unless you want to call your doctor and get that note.

 

[GoofyGuySouthFl]

I have never heard of this before. My wife has asthma as well and each time we make a reservation I make sure to tell them we need non-smoking for medical reasons and it has never been a problem. No Dr's note asked for or anything.

 

[Burgstressera]

I know - I'm shocked - I've been to Disney so many times now and have never had this issue and have never been told I need a doctors excuse. I just don't get it!

 

[Jamie P]

I know - I'm shocked - I've been to Disney so many times now and have never had this issue and have never been told I need a doctors excuse. I just don't get it!

I would assume that is just a suggestion from a CM in CRO. I doubt it is Disney's policy to require this.

 

[brertigger]

I would imagine that even if you did not have the note and by very small chance Disney puts you in a smoking room, you could be moved. Disney likes to ensure all guests are happy and have magical vacations, so they will do what it takes to make the guest happy typically (within reason, of course). They would especially accomodate requests for medical reasons.

If the checkin CM gives you any problems, you can always ask to talk to a supervisor.

 

[Master Yoda]

Unfortunately when it comes to things like exact room location, smoking or non-smoking etc Disney wont guarantee that these will be available unless there is a verifiable medical need, but I would not fret. My wife has severe asthma as well so we always request a non-smoking room and it has never been a problem getting one. I once heard that the ratio of non-smoking to smoking rooms is something like 5 to 1. From my understanding the reason that Disney wont guarantee smoking/non-smoking room types without a medical reason is to allow themselves some flexibility in the event that the requests for non-smoking rooms exceeds the amount available. In that case guests with medical documentation would get preference over those without it.

The best piece of advice I could give you is to get the documentation from your doctor to guarantee your room type. If you are unable to do that you will want to check in at the resort as early as you can, explain the situation to the cast member at check in and Disney will do everything possible to accommodate you.

 

[figmentmom]

I can't seriously imagine that you'll have a problem being given a non-smoking room. We've stayed at MANY Disney resorts over the years, and never once had a problem.

For your own peace of mind, you may want to get the note, anyway.

Have a great trip! :wave:

 

[WDW FAN 4 LIFE]

Funny thing I just read on www.wesh.com (NBC Orlando channel 2) under more Central Florida news, that the Walt Disney World Swan has banned smoking completly from thier hotel. Weird considering what this topic is about.

Next vacation to Walt Disney World: August 8-19, 2006 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

 

[Dubman]

Last year when we stayed at Pop Century, we requested and received a non-smoking room. The problem we had is that the people next to us were constantly outside on the walkway smoking. We walked out one morning and there was about 20 cigarette buts in a cup outside their door.. We also could smell the smoke in our room. We were going to ask to be moved, but on our way out that day, we saw them leaving with their bags and that was the end of it.. Only time I have been told we could not be guaranteed a non-smoking room is when going though a travel agent. Because they have to pay commision to the travel agent on ressie, maybe they aren't as willing to accommodate requests..

 

[maelstrom]

Disney *will* guarantee a non-smoking room for medical reasons. It has come like that on my reservation confirmation many times, guaranteed non-smoking, written right on it.

 

[NOLADisneyFan]

I agree with Jamie. I think it was something an overzealous CM said to make sure there would be no issues.

Disney as a general rule does not guarantee rooms (notice I said as a general rule). Of course, if you need the non-smoking room, fax a doctor's note or bring it with you and that way they will MAKE sure that you will be in a non-smoking room.

The difference is between a preference and a necessity. I could be put in a smoking room and it wouldn't upset me...but I would prefer non-smoking. I would rather a person with a doctor's note bump me from non-smoking to smoking so they can have the room for their health...smoking isn't that tough on me.

That being said...have a good trip...

Johnny

 

[Simon]

My last visit, Dec. 2005, I requested and was placed in a non-smoking room at Wilderness Lodge. However, the people before me had obviously been smokers. The room smelled was horrible! When I went to the front desk they said that all the other non-smoking rooms were booked and that housekeeping would fix the problem. They fabreezed and aired it out and nothing worked and I asked them to do this almost every day I was there. I was stuck in a terrible room for 5 nights, I selpt with the balcony doors open and the fan on, but still not much of a help. However, having said that, I would think that it is rare to run into this sort of problem. I have never had an issue with it before, but I wanted to give you a heads up.

 

[JPVonDrake]

Official Scoop on Smoking/non-Smoking Request

When booking a room reservation, we will be glad to list any special request you may have including a request for a Non-Smoking Room or a Smoking Optional Room. These request are listed on your reservation and are time-stamped as to when the request was made. Please remember these are request only and cannot be guaranteed until you are present at the Front Desk to check-in.

The Resort Cast will always do their best to accommodate any and all request listed whenever possible, based on the unoccupied rooms available on the date you check-in. Request made to a Travel Agent receive equal treatment to those made directly with Disney.

As your final room assignment is determined by the Resort itself upon check-in, we at the reservation center cannot guarantee any specific request. Contacting the Resort itself also will NOT guarantee any request. Any calls to the Resort prior to check-in will normally be re-routed to the Disney Reservation Center as the Resort itself is not able to modify or note a reservation until you arrive.

I apologize you were miss-informed about the need for a Doctor's excuse. This is not a current Disney policy, and a note is not needed. Also for reasons stated above a note from a Doctor will still not guarantee a non-smoking room if one is not available upon your arrival.

As Jamie P stated, approximately 85% - 95% or more of each Resorts' rooms are Non-Smoking Rooms, however select room categories at each Resort may be all Non-Smoking or all Smoking Optional.

For example, all of the various Suite accommodations at Disney's Grand Floridian are exclusively Smoking Optional Rooms, where all 94% of all other room types are Non-Smoking.

At Disney's Wilderness Lodge, all the Standard View rooms, the Concierge Level rooms, and all Suites are designated as Non-Smoking Only. Only a limited number of Wood's View rooms and Courtyard View rooms are Smoking Optional.

Also as Simon stated, some Guests will insist on smoking in a designated Non-Smoking Room. Disney does have a process that can fully eliminate any resident odors of past smokers but this process does take several days to fully execute and for safety reasons cannot be accomplished while a Guest is assigned to the room.

Hope this helps! :sohappy: