Smoking areas GONE starting may 1st Pinned so people can still see the announcement.

[backinaction]

Starting May 1st, All smoking areas inside the parks will be removed. The only spots to smoke will be outside the parks. I wonder how this will work in epcot with everyone drinking around the countries.

 

[scott_walker]

That's one way to get the park numbers up.

 

[Just4Pics]

This is the best news I've heard in a while, if they really enforce it.

I love the hidden winding jungle path in AK between Africa and Asia and I hate that smokers have ruined it. Or more accurately, that Disney ruined it by making it a smoking area.

 

[Magic Feather]

Enforcement on this will be incredibly difficult, but it is a great move for those of us who don’t smoke. I also hope that e-cigarettes count as smoking for Disney.

 

[networkpro]

I wonder how this will work in epcot with everyone drinking around the countries.

Easily, if there's smoke, there's security escorting them out. It makes it easier for the cast members to not have to deal with the smoke vs vape arguments as well as providing a healthier workplace environment.

 

[Creathir]

I don’t smoke.
I cannot stand the smell of smoke.

But this is insanity.

It will result in both people lighting up all over the place (they already do, but now there is greater incentive to do so) as well as people getting angrier and angrier due to lack of nicotine.

 

[backinaction]

Easily, if there's smoke, there's security escorting them out. It makes it easier for the cast members to not have to deal with the smoke vs vape arguments as well as providing a healthier workplace environment.

This will be the big question I think. Is Disney willing to make a scene to remove a person who smoked 1 cigarette inside the park? Also, does anyone know if this will include Disney springs as well?

 

[Jon81uk]

This will just lead to more people smoking in a quiet corner. Better to have two places inside the park where smoking is permitted than 20 where people think they can get away with it.

Yes secuirity could escort people out but that relies on someone reporting to a CM (or CM seeing the smoker) then they call security and they take time to get to the person, who by that point has probably stopped smoking and run off.

 

[networkpro]

I don’t smoke.
I cannot stand the smell of smoke.

But this is insanity.

It will result in both people lighting up all over the place (they already do, but now there is greater incentive to do so) as well as people getting angrier and angrier due to lack of nicotine.

Aww so I guess the guest would need to choose between their addiction, a substitute (nicotine gum or patch), or another Theme Park that offers in park smoking (such as Universal for now)

 

[AndyS2992]

As great as this is, I don't see it working out. It'll just become like Disneyland Paris where people smoke wherever they please unfortunately.

 

[networkpro]

This will just lead to more people smoking in a quiet corner. Better to have two places inside the park where smoking is permitted than 20 where people think they can get away with it.

Yes secuirity could escort people out but that relies on someone reporting to a CM (or CM seeing the smoker) then they call security and they take time to get to the person, who by that point has probably stopped smoking and run off.

You're under the assumption that constant surveillance isn't a thing inside the park.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

Starting May 1st, All smoking areas inside the parks will be removed. The only spots to smoke will be outside the parks. I wonder how this will work in epcot with everyone drinking around the countries.

I love the change, as I hate the smell of smoke (vaping too) and I really hate smelling it in WDW. But like MagicFeather said, it's going to be difficult to enforce.

I live at UCF, which is a massive smoke-free campus. It's great, because the vast majority of students and faculty comply with these rules, keeping the air of the campus clean. Even still, you'll notice someone vaping in plain sight every few days.

UCF is far less dense than WDW in terms of attendance, and I can't imagine our security is anywhere near as attentive as WDW security, but people are still people and they still want to smoke.

We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if this went the way of an average middle/high school and had people smoking in the bathrooms trying not to get caught (which is a terrible idea).

 

[backinaction]

I love the change, as I hate the smell of smoke (vaping too) and I really hate smelling it in WDW. But like MagicFeather said, it's going to be difficult to enforce.

I live at UCF, which is a massive smoke-free campus. It's great, because the vast majority of students and faculty comply with these rules, keeping the air of the campus clean. Even still, you'll notice someone vaping in plain sight every few days.

UCF is far less dense than WDW in terms of attendance, and I can't imagine our security is anywhere near as attentive as WDW security, but people are still people and they still want to smoke.

We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if this went the way of an average middle/high school and had people smoking in the bathrooms trying not to get caught (which is a terrible idea).

I legit had the same thought as you. I pictured my high school bathroom filled with smoke, and kids trying to smoke as quickly as possible as not to get caught.

 

[Creathir]

Aww so I guess the guest would need to choose between their addiction, a substitute (nicotine gum or patch), or another Theme Park that offers in park smoking (such as Universal for now)

Obviously so.

I don’t see a problem with smoking areas tucked away off of main paths. It’s an easy solution and makes everyone happy.

Sadly, there is an absolute bat-crap crazy vocal group of folks who flip out over the mere thought of someone smoking within a mile of their presence.

So they complain and complain and complain.

The substitutes do not work for some. And I’ve talked with anti-vaper folks who claim they don’t want the chemicals in their bodies (crazy I know) so what should society do with these folks. Perhaps we should cast them to an island far away from anyone, that way they do not have even the possibility of causing our nostrils to even begin to smell the pungent odor of smoke., except up in Spaceship Earth of course.

 

[John park hopper]

I can remember back in high school (60's) smoking in the bathroom and ditching the butt in the toilet when a teacher would walk in to check. Wonder how many smokers will be sneaking a smoke in the bathroom. Brings to mind the Motley Crue song "Smoking in the boys room" If I was still a smoker I could relive my high school days at WDW

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Starting May 1st, All smoking areas inside the parks will be removed. The only spots to smoke will be outside the parks. I wonder how this will work in epcot with everyone drinking around the countries.

...probably the same as the last 30 years when the rates of it has gone close to nothing...If I had to guess.

I’m actually surprised this didn’t go through sooner.

 

[King Panda 77]

 

[Creathir]

I love the change, as I hate the smell of smoke (vaping too) and I really hate smelling it in WDW. But like MagicFeather said, it's going to be difficult to enforce.

I live at UCF, which is a massive smoke-free campus. It's great, because the vast majority of students and faculty comply with these rules, keeping the air of the campus clean. Even still, you'll notice someone vaping in plain sight every few days.

UCF is far less dense than WDW in terms of attendance, and I can't imagine our security is anywhere near as attentive as WDW security, but people are still people and they still want to smoke.

We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if this went the way of an average middle/high school and had people smoking in the bathrooms trying not to get caught (which is a terrible idea).

Given the propensity of whacky tobaccy in colleges, how effective is the policy at UCF against pot being lit up?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As great as this is, I don't see it working out. It'll just become like Disneyland Paris where people smoke wherever they please unfortunately.

It’s shocking that you see as many people as you do smoking still in California...it’s like the land that time forgot in many ways...I don’t get backward habits in that area??

But anyway...I don’t see rampant rogue smoking in Orlando...anyone doing it will be sneered at (east coast thang) and within a short time it just won’t be done.

 

[christine7257]

This will be the big question I think. Is Disney willing to make a scene to remove a person who smoked 1 cigarette inside the park? Also, does anyone know if this will include Disney springs as well?

The announcement indicated there will still be designated smoking areas in Disney Springs and at the resorts. As well as at entrances of the parks. I’m supportive of this but like many other posters, wonder about consistent enforcement.