Smoking in IOA OR US?

[CommunicoreBabe]

I know us smokers are not very popular and I don't blame
you a bit. I have personally cut down to where I go long periods
of time without them, but will be with friends who for whatever
reason psychologically can't (we're from Arkansas, one the biggest smoking states). Is there smoking allowed at all? Like behind a bathroom or something? I have a map I got when I ordered out tickets but I don't see any little burning cigarettes anywhere. Any help or clue would be appreciated.

Only 99 days to go!

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by CommunicoreBabe
I know us smokers are not very popular and I don't blame
you a bit. I have personally cut down to where I go long periods
of time without them, but will be with friends who for whatever
reason psychologically can't (we're from Arkansas, one the biggest smoking states). Is there smoking allowed at all? Like behind a bathroom or something? I have a map I got when I ordered out tickets but I don't see any little burning cigarettes anywhere. Any help or clue would be appreciated.

Only 99 days to go!

You can smoke anywhere outside in Universal as long as it isn't in a line. That's why you can't find any designated smoking areas.

 

[SW-FL]

Universal seems to mind smoking only in the attractions, and their lines, shops, and restaurants. Other than that I say light up and enjoy. :lol:
BTW I'm not a smoker, but have a family member who is. So I don't mind it like some people do.

 

[Dawn S]

As a former smoker & frequent park visitor, I can tell you...Universal is a lot less stiff about smoking. You don't have to go hide in some out of the way hole, wasting half your day to smoke. Yeah, I know to non-smokers I sound like a jerk, but really I think WDW is out of line with their policies. I mean, the only time when smoking in an outdoor environment should be an issue is in packed crowds (lines, parade viewing areas, etc. There's no reason why someone can't sit on a bench & smoke a cigarette. Universal is very accommodating to ALL guests.

On a side note....congrats on cutting back! Quitting smoking was the HARDEST thing I ever did & I quit a lot of unsavory things in my life.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Dawn S
Yeah, I know to non-smokers I sound like a jerk, but really I think WDW is out of line with their policies.

You mean like other top of their industry family oriented companies?.. Try lighting up in most Mc Donald’s restaurants in the United States and see what happens. Universal is a less family friendly resort. Smoking is allowed everywhere outside except in lines (including in packed crowds, and parade viewing areas when they have them) and the presence of alcohol is much, more obvious. Epcot sells beer too but it doesn’t come close. IOA is also a park that leans heavily towards to teen/adult crowds in terms of attractions that children are physically able to participate in. City Walk is an adult area once the sun goes down; Pleasure Island becomes a gaited admission at night while the rest of DTD stays family friendly…. This isn’t a diss to Universal. They are clearly going more for the teen/young adult crowd and if they can make a good profit that way, why not? Once you are old enough to do things like that on your own, second hand cigarette smoke becomes your own responsibility, just like drinking responsibly and such… Dawn, I point this out simply because you, as a person who seems to think they would have had more fun working at Universal where there are less rules for employees, may not realize that some rules are good…. Pointing with two or more fingers matters to some cultures. Universal may not care how you point but Disney cares because they don’t want to offend their guests. To you, Disney may expect you to be “stiff” but where I come from, that’s called professional. I like the fact that I’m not treated at Disney like I am at Taco Bell… I don’t mean to rant but I’m actually responding to another post you made in another thread which I think had some (although I now realize remote, bearing on your post in this thread) Please don’t hit me.

 

[Dawn S]

Originally posted by MrPromey


You mean like other top of their industry family oriented companies?.. Try lighting up in most Mc Donald’s restaurants in the United States and see what happens. Universal is a less family friendly resort. Smoking is allowed everywhere outside except in lines (including in packed crowds, and parade viewing areas when they have them) and the presence of alcohol is much, more obvious. Epcot sells beer too but it doesn’t come close. IOA is also a park that leans heavily towards to teen/adult crowds in terms of attractions that children are physically able to participate in. City Walk is an adult area once the sun goes down; Pleasure Island becomes a gaited admission at night while the rest of DTD stays family friendly…. This isn’t a diss to Universal. They are clearly going more for the teen/young adult crowd and if they can make a good profit that way, why not? Once you are old enough to do things like that on your own, second hand cigarette smoke becomes your own responsibility, just like drinking responsibly and such… Dawn, I point this out simply because you, as a person who seems to think they would have had more fun working at Universal where there are less rules for employees, may not realize that some rules are good…. Pointing with two or more fingers matters to some cultures. Universal may not care how you point but Disney cares because they don’t want to offend their guests. To you, Disney may expect you to be “stiff” but where I come from, that’s called professional. I like the fact that I’m not treated at Disney like I am at Taco Bell… I don’t mean to rant but I’m actually responding to another post you made in another thread which I think had some (although I now realize remote, bearing on your post in this thread) Please don’t hit me.

Well, nope...ya sure can't smoke at a McDonald's but you can at a Checker's. Again, notice I said "outdoors". I don't even believe that indoor restaurants should have a smoking section because there is really not much of a safe zone where the smoke cannot reach. Treating me as if I am some type of a dullard isn't really called for. I don't think it has to do with being "family-friendly". I was a smoker, with kids. I know many other smokers with families, so this isn't a matter of who caters to the needs of a family.

Yes, rules are definitely good. As a parent, I understand that better than I ever did prior to having children under my care. My previous issue had nothing to do with rules, pre se. I was simply saying that if I have to wonder if breathing too deep is acceptable, I'm certainly going to bring home a paycheck that is worth my efforts & work. It has nothing to do with where it is "fun" to work. In fact, that's why I declined the WDW job. I realized that my sole & only reason for being there was because it seemed "fun" & I realize that at my age, that is not an intelligent thing to base such important life decisions on when I had professional level opportunities that were more conducive to my family's schedule & financial needs. What I'm doing instead isn't as "fun", but it's going to cover my bills & material needs/desires.

In my opinion, there's a difference between being professional & being robotic. I am a professional. I have been managing &/or completely operating companies for 4 years with an excellent reputation for customer service. I'm pretty sure I've acquired the knowledge of what is professional & how to adhere to a professional work ethic. All I ever said was that Universal employees seemed like they thoroughly enjoyed what they do because they WANTED to, not because it was in the rule book.

For the record, my 2 & 5 year old children absolutely love IOA & US.

 

[stingrock23]

I've had no problems smoking at either Universal Studios or any of the Disney parks. I don't smoke that much, but i have, and haven't experienced any problems.

 

[RogueHabit]

Originally posted by Dawn S
There's no reason why someone can't sit on a bench & smoke a cigarette.

But then the poor who happens to sit down next to you and gets a lunbg full of secondary smoke may see a problem. Just because you're outside doesn't make it smell or taste any better...

On a side note, I wish smokers would accept the policy at WDW and get over it. More than once I have poor water over the tip of someones cigarette when they are smoking in a non-smoking area and I will continue to do so, after all it is a fire risk....:lol:

And before you go off at me, I smoked for 15 years and have given up for 7 now and don't accept ANY of the pro smoking arguments that people may wish to put up.

 

[mkt]

smoking is allowed everywhere in UO except in lines and around characters

 

[RobFL]

The reason you can't smoke anywhere outside:

When you walk with a cigg. you have this distinct "smokers walk" which involved one hand down at your side waving the cigg. back anf forth, the unfriendly end pointed backwards. This, with any sort of traffic, is liable to cause serious injury.

My best friend got a cigg. in the eye from a total stranger and it burned her cornea out on her very first trip to Disney World when she was younger. The stranger saw what he had done, told her family it was their problem, and walked away into the crowd and instead of chasing him down, her parents ran for help from a CM.

Smokers will smoke anywhere, and then blow smoke in your face when you tell them they can't smoke in the line for a ride.

So, there are distinct limitations. A smoker can't say "but the line is outside!" because smoking is not allowed in just any exterior area. A smoker can't walk through a crowd and injury the lungs and other body parts of those around them.

Disney then also has the responsibility to their employees who are stationed in proximity to the people and who also don't want to deal with the smoke.

So, yes, your addiction has become an inconvience to you at Disney, and for good reason. Perhaps you should consider dropping the habit?

-Rob

 

[Dawn S]

Originally posted by Ratcat
And before you go off at me, I smoked for 15 years and have given up for 7 now and don't accept ANY of the pro smoking arguments that people may wish to put up.

I don't go off on anyone. Since quitting, I have absolutely no desire to be near the smoke myself, but if I see someone smoking, I avoid that area since it bothers me. However, when I DID smoke, I was a very courteous smoker. Even at WDW, I would only smoke very rarely, if I were in a almost completely unpopulated area. I never did it while I was walking around other people or anything like that. Maybe I'm just eliminating the population that is not so courteous, but I do still sympathize with smokers. It's a difficult habit to kick & I do not in any way agree with prejudice against a smoker. Even since quitting, I've been out with others who smoke & I see people PURPOSELY walk by those people to wave their arms around as if just encountering that person is going to kill them in 10 seconds. It's a bit ridiculous when people feel they need to behave that immaturely because they don't think another person should be able to commit a legal (albeit stupid) act.

 

[RogueHabit]

Originally posted by Dawn S


I don't go off on anyone.

:lol: But you know what those lifelong smokers are like.:animwink:

 

[neilybealy]

Originally posted by Ratcat
More than once I have poor water over the tip of someones cigarette when they are smoking in a non-smoking area and I will continue to do so, after all it is a fire risk....:lol:

ha ha

quality

 

[CommunicoreBabe]

Whoe Nelly did this post get dark

Hey hey everbody, I just needed to no about UO so I could keep my chain smoking friends in line and not get thrown out. When I was @ WDW in Oct 2000 I did not smoke the entire week. Really. It's just such a happy place and there is so much to do I didn't even think about it. If I could just live there I'd never smoke
again. There are a couple of my friends that won't feel that way
though. I figured you guys would be opinionated on the subject,
but you know, Whoa. :animwink:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

For the health and safety of all park users smoking should not be allowed.
I dont smoke (or ever have done) and quite frankly I get p*ssed off when in restaurants, pubs etc I get a face full of smoke. In all public areas it is a major concern for safety (UK readers may remember the huge fire years ago in the Manchester branch of Woolworths caused by a discarded cigarette).
For goodness sake, if you must smoke then do it in your own vehicle before you enter the parks, that way only you will smell like a factory chimney.
My mother-in-law is a smoker and goes with us on her first trip to WDW next year, she is practicing cutting down already - if she can you can