Should we not go because of smoke?

[epcotisbest]

Ok, here is the deal. We have a studio unit, preferred view at Boardwalk Villas for check-in on May 19th for seven nights. My wife is extremely sensitive to smoke, dust, pollen, etc...I keep seeing on the news all the reports about smoke in the air from the fires.

While I realize that there is no way to know conditions over a week away, we have someone who has offered us $1350.00 for the accomodations and they say if there is smoke it won't bother them.

The delimma is we have never stayed at the Boardwalk and really want to come on down. So, should we let this reservation go and not take a chance on the smoke, or hang on to it and risk having to spend a week indoors or worse simply not going at all. I have to let them know something soon.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Ricky

 

[smk]

I don't know that reservations are transferrable. I would call and ask.

 

[sbkline]

I don't know what's going on with the smoke now, but we checked out and headed for home on monday, April 30. We started running into heavy smoke in Northern Florida, but at least at that time, there was no sign of it at WDW. Now, that was almost two weeks ago, so there very well could be smoke down there now. I don't know if that helps or not, but that is all I can contribute to the discussion.

 

[calicommando]

Again, things may have changed by now, but we were there this past Tuesday (5/8) and we didn't see any smoke. Occasionally we would get a slight odor and see a piece or two of ash fall, but that's it. Not enough to upset my allergies.

 

[calicommando]

sorry for double-posting. just talked to a friend who is there now. they haven't noticed the smoke at all. they've been there a week.

 

[marksniles]

Boardwalk preferred room!???????? GO! MAN! GO!!!

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

My vote is take the chance and take precautions. The smoke was undetectable where I live (a few miles West of Animal Kingdom) yesterday and today, except for a brief whiff this evening (it was gone within an hour). It seems to have been getting better around the WDW area over the last three days. The fires are still burning across Central Florida, but they are predicting rain (at least a 30% chance every day) for the next week. Keep your fingers crossed.

If your wife is that sensitive to smoke, pollen, etc., that she has breathing problems because of it? Would it be possible for her to get a rescue inhaler (ie: Albuterol, Proventil) to assist in the event of a breathing problem? Saline eye drops and saline nasal spray are effective in treating the eye and nostril irritation suffered from minor smoke inhalation. Also, I would suggest going to your local Home Depot/Lowes/whatever or a medical supply store and grab a package of disposable breathing masks. They make ones that help filter out airborne dusts and particles; we used to use them when painting, sanding, refinishing floors, working in the yard, etc. They are not terribly expensive and I found them to be very helpful while sanding and working in the garden, and I am incredibly sensitive to pollens and grasses and sawdust and stuff. They might not be perfect, but they might work well enough to be able to enjoy your time here. Also check with her doctor and see if s/he has any ideas.

 

[epcotisbest]

sorry for double-posting. just talked to a friend who is there now. they haven't noticed the smoke at all. they've been there a week.

Well that is good news. If they have not noticed the smoke at all today then perhaps our worries are misguided.
Thanks,
Ricky

 

[epcotisbest]

My vote is take the chance and take precautions. The smoke was undetectable where I live (a few miles West of Animal Kingdom) yesterday and today, except for a brief whiff this evening (it was gone within an hour). It seems to have been getting better around the WDW area over the last three days. The fires are still burning across Central Florida, but they are predicting rain (at least a 30% chance every day) for the next week. Keep your fingers crossed.

If your wife is that sensitive to smoke, pollen, etc., that she has breathing problems because of it? Would it be possible for her to get a rescue inhaler (ie: Albuterol, Proventil) to assist in the event of a breathing problem? Saline eye drops and saline nasal spray are effective in treating the eye and nostril irritation suffered from minor smoke inhalation. Also, I would suggest going to your local Home Depot/Lowes/whatever or a medical supply store and grab a package of disposable breathing masks. They make ones that help filter out airborne dusts and particles; we used to use them when painting, sanding, refinishing floors, working in the yard, etc. They are not terribly expensive and I found them to be very helpful while sanding and working in the garden, and I am incredibly sensitive to pollens and grasses and sawdust and stuff. They might not be perfect, but they might work well enough to be able to enjoy your time here. Also check with her doctor and see if s/he has any ideas.

Good advice. We already do the disposable mask thing to do yark work in the spring time. Man it was especially heavy (the pollen) this season, but we survived that here in Northeast Georgia. Hopefully with some luck and precautions maybe we will just go ahead down next Saturday.
Thanks,
Ricky

 

[epcotisbest]

I don't know that reservations are transferrable. I would call and ask.

Actually, it's not just reservations, but already paid for in advance, so someone will be checking in on the 19th, just not sure who at this point.
Thanks,
Ricky

 

[SpongeScott]

We are also entering into a week of 30-60% chances of rain, so hopefully it will be taken care of naturally. If not, it all depends on the wind patterns.

 

[epcotisbest]

We are also entering into a week of 30-60% chances of rain, so hopefully it will be taken care of naturally. If not, it all depends on the wind patterns.

That is good news. I'll take 30-60% rain anytime over smoke. As far as that goes, it can rain the whole time we are there if it helps to correct the dry Florida conditions and we won't complain a bit. In fact, if we get any rain up here in Georgia, we'll try to bring it on down with us.
Thanks,
Ricky

 

[Cole'sMom]

I just got on the forums this morning and was going to post a similar question. We are considering postponing out trip because of our 10 month old son. I really don't want to be walking around the parks or our resort smelling burning fires the whole time. I can't imagine anyone inhaling that for a week, who is not used to it, to be very pleasant. My concerns are based on his needs and health, which is fine, but why aggrivate something that is fine to begin with. It would bum me out to cancel, but why go if it's going to be an irritant? I'm just being concerned and want to do what's best for my son. I hope we still go, but it's something we will have to discuss.

 

[dvcnut39]

Boardwalk preferred room!???????? GO! MAN! GO!!!

Ditto!!

 

[cdunbar]

We live in Lakeland which is about a 45 min drive and have been having a few smoke issues in the early early morning, think like 7 or 8 am, and right after the sun sets so about 8 pm. Now yesterday during the actual day it was fine no problems here, umm I will say on Monday that I did have breathing issues but I have asmatic bronchitis(sp?). Anyways long story short as of this morning at 9:19am there is no smoke around us, but I know at about midnight last night that hillisbourgh and Pinellas were under dangerous conditions. I mean they were telling people to not go outside till about 12 noon today, but this is the Tampa, St. pete area. O and yesterday I asked a friend who lives at UCF and he said that there was no smoke there and that is about 30 min away from WDW. I hope this helps....:shrug:

 

[SpongeScott]

I just got on the forums this morning and was going to post a similar question. We are considering postponing out trip because of our 10 month old son. I really don't want to be walking around the parks or our resort smelling burning fires the whole time. I can't imagine anyone inhaling that for a week, who is not used to it, to be very pleasant. My concerns are based on his needs and health, which is fine, but why aggrivate something that is fine to begin with. It would bum me out to cancel, but why go if it's going to be an irritant? I'm just being concerned and want to do what's best for my son. I hope we still go, but it's something we will have to discuss.

By all means, go! Your trip is still 10 days out and things could be better by then. The smoke is not a 24/7 thing, but is unpleasant when it's in your area. Over the last month, we've had four smoky days with yesterday being the worst. Plus, we have good chances of rain between now and the start of your vacation.

 

[smk]

Actually, it's not just reservations, but already paid for in advance, so someone will be checking in on the 19th, just not sure who at this point.
Thanks,
Ricky

Maybe, you could call ahead and add the person who offered to "buy" your time, to your existing reserevation. That way, if you decide the situation is worse than you anticipated (and from the news I hear it may have gotten somewhat worse last night into today...CNN) you can have the person who is now on your room plan check in and vacation as planned. Or, if things get better and you go, when you check in just explain the person added will not be joining you. :shrug:
Sorry that you may have to put off your vacation, I know I would be dissappointed but breathing is the most important thing we do so I understand the caution.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

Another smoke update from a few miles West of Animal Kingdom's entrance: I just came in from my patio a few moments ago and there is zero smell of smoke in the air.

 

[epcotisbest]

Another smoke update from a few miles West of Animal Kingdom's entrance: I just came in from my patio a few moments ago and there is zero smell of smoke in the air.

Thank you so much for the current smoke update. Zero smell of smoke is good news. Looks like we may be coming on down next Saturday after all.
Thanks again,
Ricky

Oh, it must be amazing to live so close to WDW. I have always thought I would like to live at Celebration or Windemere but wife is happy here in the mountains of Georgia. So do you go to the parks on a regular basis? I can't imagine ever getting tired of it. Especially living that close I imagine you could just pop over to Epcot for the evening, have a meal and see ROE then back home.

 

[Cole'sMom]

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone. I guess I am being weird-how could I cancel?!?! I am going nuts since I have so much to do in so little time. I know it's a week away, but with a baby, you have limited allotments to get things accomplished!