Smoking Sections Bizzare At Disney

[Club Cooloholic]

I am planning a trip for our family and possibly the in-laws, who happen to have a heavy smoker among them and perusing the options I noticed something strange, and maybe a fellow forum reader will be able to answer this. Why are there so few smoking areas at Wilderness Lodge? I understand why they are limited at AKL as there are animals there and they probably want to discourage smoking at the property, but I don't really get WL limitations, I mean it's not like its really in a California forest that might burn down. The contemporary also does not have many options...I suspect is because these resorts are less multibuilding and more singular tall structures so less entry points..

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think it has more to do with resort size than anything else. Wilderness Lodge has a very small footprint compared with many other Disney resorts (as does the Contemporary), so even if there are only a couple of smoking areas, a guest won't have to walk too far to get to them.

 

[jaklgreen]

Weather_Lady probably has the right of it. Just limited on where they can put them with a minimal impact on others. You said that your in-laws are heavy smokers, I would definitely prepare them ahead of time they they will need to go to these DSAs, not only at the resorts but the parks as well. No smoking even on your balcony. I know it is hard for some heavy smokers, especially of that generation, that pretty much come up being able to smoke wherever, whenever to come to terms with always going to a DSA. I would just make them aware before the trip.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

I am planning a trip for our family and possibly the in-laws, who happen to have a heavy smoker among them and perusing the options I noticed something strange, and maybe a fellow forum reader will be able to answer this. Why are there so few smoking areas at Wilderness Lodge? I understand why they are limited at AKL as there are animals there and they probably want to discourage smoking at the property, but I don't really get WL limitations, I mean it's not like its really in a California forest that might burn down. The contemporary also does not have many options...I suspect is because these resorts are less multibuilding and more singular tall structures so less entry points..

Starting with the Contemporary.... There are actually MORE options than shown on MDE. For example - end of outside Deck at the California Grill....

And herein lies my gripe. I also smoke. And I NEVER want to offend others - unless their solution is for me to die . I'm older (66), and will be gone soon enough.

Now - WHAT IS THE AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE FOR DSL's? I've seen CMs, confused, when MDE shows ONE thing, the Hard Copy Maps show ANOTHER thing, and these poor folks have to figure out where the real DSL is THIS day. THIS is wrong. WDW needs to DESIGNATE AND STICK TO something, that will let both smokers and NON-Smokers actually know where a DSL is TODAY. If MDE worked? THIS would be the perfect AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE.

Now - WL? There are TWO DSL's. One by the Water Tower around GP, one on BRV PROPERTY (DVC Owners or Renters). Main Hotel? Use the GP location. And this, also, is wrong.... you really should have a replacement for the MAIN HOTEL DSL that was arbitrarily removed, a good year ago . Cutting these down results in bad things.... One who smokes has no idea where to go. Those that do NOT smoke have no idea what to avoid. NO one is helped.

Worse? There are no DSL's at the ends of the new "Cabin Chains". We are not involved with these.... but waiting for a FIRE, as a result.

 

[LAM378]

@pjkdog , I just peeked at the current WL and Contemporary maps, and you’re right—there are very few smoking areas. There were definitely more the last times I stayed at those resorts (3 and 4 years ago). I assume it just has to do with the resort-wide cutting of DSAs, which is nice for non-smokers but, in my opinion, leads to clueless or frustrated guests lighting up just anywhere.

Like previous posters have said, I’d mentally prepare the smokers in your party. Then I’d go a step further and request to be near a DSA when you book the rooms.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

@pjkdog , I just peeked at the current WL and Contemporary maps, and you’re right—there are very few smoking areas. There were definitely more the last times I stayed at those resorts (3 and 4 years ago). I assume it just has to do with the resort-wide cutting of DSAs, which is nice for non-smokers but, in my opinion, leads to clueless or frustrated guests lighting up just anywhere.

Like previous posters have said, I’d mentally prepare the smokers in your party. Then I’d go a step further and request to be near a DSA when you book the rooms.

It's not something I ever thought about as we do not smoke, but with this planning it has been educational. The irony is that we are in the process of buying into dvc with AKL as out home resort. There are 4 smoking sections there 2 in jambo and 2 in kidani and of those 2 are the bus stops I kid you not.

 

[Nottamus]

t's not something I ever thought about as we do not smoke, but with this planning it has been educational. The irony is that we are in the process of buying into dvc with AKL as out home resort. There are 4 smoking sections there 2 in jambo and 2 in kidani and of those 2 are the bus stops I kid you not.

I thought in Kidani, the 2 smoking sections were at the end of the parking garages, not at bus stop
..and Jambo, one was in back corner near first hot tub, and the other was not at the bus stop, but off to the side, near taxi p/u area.

Wife WAS a smoker when we started going, she has since quit, i remember visiting each one quite a bit.

 

[SpoiledBlueMilk]

Staying at WL in the DVC area in December - good to know this in advance.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I thought in Kidani, the 2 smoking sections were at the end of the parking garages, not at bus stop
..and Jambo, one was in back corner near first hot tub, and the other was not at the bus stop, but off to the side, near taxi p/u area.

Wife WAS a smoker when we started going, she has since quit, i remember visiting each one quite a bit.

They may have moved the kidani ones, at least according to the Disneyworld site there is one by the pool bar and one at the bus transportation center(maybe the same thing as the end of a garage? And Jambo is bus transportion area and near the fitness center(the irony is not lost on me on that one

 

[Minthorne]

Finding the smoking areas is like the scavenger hunts in Epcot! But you don't get a pin or stickers....

 

[Tom 55]

As a non smoker with asthma. I see many smoker who still just smoke any were they want to. I have yet to see a CM tell anyone to not smoke in this non smoking area..

 

[dieboy]

I dunno what I find more offensive, the fact that they have smoking areas, or the fact they do not enforce body odor rules through out the park. I'd rather smell smoke most of the time . Nothing like being trapped in a queue line for half an hour with someone whom smells like a belly button after a work out. Again, please, someone light one up at that point!

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

As a non smoker with asthma. I see many smoker who still just smoke any were they want to. I have yet to see a CM tell anyone to not smoke in this non smoking area..

And this is DEAD WRONG! Tom 55, I AM an older smoker (66). I'll suggest that this is one VERY good reason for WDW to establish smoking areas in very out of the way spots.... but to HAVE them. STOP ELIMINATING, or HIDING them - please? ELIMINATING them results in what you have described: given no option, those that smoke do so. EVERYWHERE. And cause problems for others.

Properly ISOLATING DSA's? Far better. NOW the CM's have the ability, and knowledge, to tell that person (could be me ) - "LOOK at the authoritative DSA source on MDE (does not exist today). GO THERE. Both for you, and other Park Guests".

One day, WDW may just decide that I need to go into a re-education camp. Beyond that? I am what I am.... old, would like to keep going to WDW. But in the mean time? If you see someone smoking or vaping OUTSIDE of a DSA? CHALLENGE that CM to obey his/her Park Policy. NO one that still smokes, and goes to WDW on a regular basis, is that stinking dumb. If we have any respect for others? We USE those DSA's. At least, I do. If I can actually FIND them .

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

 

[jaklgreen]

And this is DEAD WRONG! Tom 55, I AM an older smoker (66). I'll suggest that this is one VERY good reason for WDW to establish smoking areas in very out of the way spots.... but to HAVE them. STOP ELIMINATING, or HIDING them - please? ELIMINATING them results in what you have described: given no option, those that smoke do so. EVERYWHERE. And cause problems for others.

Properly ISOLATING DSA's? Far better. NOW the CM's have the ability, and knowledge, to tell that person (could be me ) - "LOOK at the authoritative DSA source on MDE (does not exist today). GO THERE. Both for you, and other Park Guests".

One day, WDW may just decide that I need to go into a re-education camp. Beyond that? I am what I am.... old, would like to keep going to WDW. But in the mean time? If you see someone smoking or vaping OUTSIDE of a DSA? CHALLENGE that CM to obey his/her Park Policy. NO one that still smokes, and goes to WDW on a regular basis, is that stinking dumb. If we have any respect for others? We USE those DSA's. At least, I do. If I can actually FIND them .

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

I don't think that it is out of the realm of possibility for them to ban smoking in the parks. Plenty of places ban them on their property, zoos included. We recently went to Hawaii and were ecstatic that they ban smoking in all public areas like the beach and parks. It made for a much better experience for my family. Not only can you enjoy someplace without having to dodge smokers, but also not seeing cigarette butts in the sand where you kids are playing is a how it should be. I am all for them having a designated smoking area outside of the parks away from a public area. They can make a small section of the parking lot a smoking area or for MK they can put it on the pathway going in the direction of the grand Floridian. I don't see it happening any time soon. Also I have seen plenty of people smoke not in the DSA. It is funny because they think they are "hiding" it in the cup of their hands, as if no one can smell it. That is the mentality of some smokers, that they actually believe that you can hide a lit cigarette.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Why the Mouse hasnt considered building the glassed in ventilated smoking rooms like those found in McCarran airport is beyond me. Everyone would be happy as the smoke is contained so non smokers dont have to smell or walk through it and the smokers will have a specific covered room where they can smoke in peace without being bothered.

 

[Bronson55]

Why the Mouse hasnt considered building the glassed in ventilated smoking rooms like those found in McCarran airport is beyond me. Everyone would be happy as the smoke is contained so non smokers dont have to smell or walk through it and the smokers will have a specific covered room where they can smoke in peace without being bothered.

Fantastic idea. What I dislike now is the current placement of these smoking areas. Nothing like entering the food court at POFQ or exiting the main entrance at the Beach Club only to assaulted by the offensive stench of the smoke. Problem is always that the size of the smoking area is governed by the speed of the wind spreading that smoke.

 

[Patcheslee]

And this is DEAD WRONG! Tom 55, I AM an older smoker (66). I'll suggest that this is one VERY good reason for WDW to establish smoking areas in very out of the way spots.... but to HAVE them. STOP ELIMINATING, or HIDING them - please? ELIMINATING them results in what you have described: given no option, those that smoke do so. EVERYWHERE. And cause problems for others.

Properly ISOLATING DSA's? Far better. NOW the CM's have the ability, and knowledge, to tell that person (could be me ) - "LOOK at the authoritative DSA source on MDE (does not exist today). GO THERE. Both for you, and other Park Guests".

One day, WDW may just decide that I need to go into a re-education camp. Beyond that? I am what I am.... old, would like to keep going to WDW. But in the mean time? If you see someone smoking or vaping OUTSIDE of a DSA? CHALLENGE that CM to obey his/her Park Policy. NO one that still smokes, and goes to WDW on a regular basis, is that stinking dumb. If we have any respect for others? We USE those DSA's. At least, I do. If I can actually FIND them .

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

I agree to some point on our visit in 2017 we walked to the smoking area shown on MDE at Caribbean to find no seats or ashtrays. We saw a CM and asked where the smoking was and they admitted they didn't know but suggested either "just stand where the MDE showed" or look for ashtrays. In that case we did stand at that area since it was 11pm, raining, and DD was sleeping in the room I could see the door from there. I just wanted to smoke a dang cigarette after a day of traveling without being able to smoke, and go to sleep at that point. Next morning finally found a spot around the other side of the building. It's frustrating when you try but have misinformation, and in that instance even the CM had no concrete answer. Parks we just planned to stop to smoke when we were close to one. I like the out of the way DSAs when they actually are where they show.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

As a non smoker with asthma. I see many smoker who still just smoke any were they want to. I have yet to see a CM tell anyone to not smoke in this non smoking area..

They will grab a manager and have the manager ask them to not smoke if you complain...I am also in the asthmatic non-smoking club.

However, this is why I say they need to clearly mark the smoking areas and make sure there's enough of them. People already light up wherever they feel like it; fewer smoking areas just makes it worse. Which is, of course, worse for us. We can avoid smoking areas; no avoiding the person who just decided to light up by the pool because the smoking area wasn't clearly marked.

 

[Tom P.]

Let me clear: I am a non-smoker and this is a question out of curiosity and not because I'm looking to break the rules.

But I noticed it said that you can't smoke on the balconies of the resort rooms. Does Disney actually enforce that? I would think it would be hard to detect and deal with. It's not like you're out in a public area like a theme park.

Like I say, just curious.

 

[Tuvalu]

Let me clear: I am a non-smoker and this is a question out of curiosity and not because I'm looking to break the rules.

But I noticed it said that you can't smoke on the balconies of the resort rooms. Does Disney actually enforce that? I would think it would be hard to detect and deal with. It's not like you're out in a public area like a theme park.

Like I say, just curious.

Yes, but only if someone complains.