Woman caught smoking at WL...

[lilclerk]

Honestly (and not trying to offend anyone--I realize this will sound harsh) what she should've said was "Mommy couldn't follow the rules, so now we don't have the money." Don't ruin the kid's trip because you couldn't do as you were told. This is the sort of thing my parents did for years, and looking back never fails to annoy me--don't try to pass the buck, just accept responsibility & move on.

That's not harsh, it's true. Might as well tell your kid the truth than blame someone else for your mistakes. Maybe they'll learn, like, a good lesson or something. :shrug:

And yeah, I would have assumed it's per incident too, but there are people who need things spelled out for them.

 

[Ella's Mommy]

My question is why would you only take $500 dollars to Disney? Especially with kids?:ROFLOL: I take more than that and thats just for me.

 

[jkrat]

Yeah, she definitely shouldn't have been fined twice. Like one time, I got pulled over for going 80 MPH in a 25 zone, and I got a ticket. So as soon as I was done being pulled over, I started going 80 MPH again, and the cop had the NERVE to pull me over again. I was like, "what, I already got a ticket!" And he gave me another one!!!! Can you believe it, two tickets for two different offenses?! I thought once you get one speeding ticket, you're like, immune from them for subsequent offenses.

No sympathy for her. She knew the rules, she broke them. I do have sympathy for the child, who may never look at Disney World the same way, and all because his mother is an idiot.

Ok, totally different situation, hopefully you learned rules of the road in driver's ed. She broke the rules and there are penalties to pay. She was wrong to keep smoking after she had been told not too. There was a certain err of arrogance to that. I just believe that it should be clearly stated so that all can understand and that would settle it. I am a non smoker by the way.

 

[Steamboat_Kevin]

They have cameras on the balconies? Weird...

 

[Piebald]

I really wish they would enforce these type of rules for smoking in the parks. It's one thing for someone to be considerate and smoke in a non-smoking area but a secluded area nonetheless. I understand most guests are morons and don't even open the maps to look for food/attractions, let alone smoking areas, but if you do it in a little corner, then good for you. Sometimes guests sincerely say they didn't know, which is usually OK because they do at least ACT like they didn't know, put it out and then ask where a smoking section is.

CMs never have the stones to tell guests they're smoking either. It's usually like "hey Piebald, go tell them to smoke somewhere else because you're the only awesome person who actually enforces any type of rule here."

 

[Karolena]

I think the trouble with smoking on the balconies is that if you are a non smoker, you wouldn't want to sit on your balcony and have to smell it.

I agree. Also some people have to stay away from smoke. My brother and sister have a lung condition that can be aggravated by smoke. And I do know those situations are few and far between, but still.

Also, she should not have told her kid that Mickey took all her money. The first fine can be an honest mistake, becuase she was unaware of the policy. But the second time was just an attempt to get attention and cause problems for Disney. I personally can not stand people like that.

 

[JWG]

Ok, totally different situation, hopefully you learned rules of the road in driver's ed. She broke the rules and there are penalties to pay. She was wrong to keep smoking after she had been told not too. There was a certain err of arrogance to that. I just believe that it should be clearly stated so that all can understand and that would settle it. I am a non smoker by the way.

I'm about 99.99% confident this person was joking about getting two tickets for going 80 in a 25. I feel safe in saying a first ticket for 55 over the limit would be the end of licensed driving for quite some time.

 

[banimall]

:ROFLOL: Figment, you took my joke about the speeding ticket, I was all geared up to put that in as my logic. :ROFLOL:

One important out of this whole discussion, they have cameras on the balconies....


That record everything...




Everything

 

[shoppingnut]

Balconies should not be okay. I paid good money to have a hotel room with a balcony, and if I can't sit out on it without smelling stinky cigarette smoke, I might as well be staying at POR or Pop. The balcony isn't a free amenity.

As far a smoking and checking either side that no one was there, how about the people above and below you, smoke travels.

I am very glad Disney is enforcing the rules.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

I think the mom should say to her child, "Don't worry, honey. As soon as Mommy stops wasting $5 per pack for cigarettes twice a day, she'll have plenty of money to buy you a stuffed Mickey".

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there all, I tend to agree with the majority here, The mother was a thoughtless idiot and the second time she was smoking, it most likely was just out of spite. I do feel badly for the child though. I am glad to see Disney is enforcing this policy though as it would have been worthless without an enforcement policy behind it. Belle

 

[lewisc]

I'm a non-smoker but I take the opposite approach. Disney has always allowed smoking on the balconies, excepting AKL. Springing a new policy on smokers, when they check in, isn't fair. Other hotels gave guests more notice when they went non-smoking.

Making the change effective 1/1/08 would have given Disney plenty of time to notify guests with reservations and would give those guests plenty of time to change their reservation to offsite resorts or even cancel their vacation.

That policy wasn't in effect when the reservation was made, I'm not sure how Disney can justify changing the terms when a guest checks in. Only the government can "fine" and I'm not sure how Disney can justify a $250 cleaning fee for smoking on the balcony.

 

[tigsmom]

I don't feel sorry for her in the least. Once ok, maybe she didn't know about it, but to keep repeating the offense? No, thats just plain stupid and then to blame WDW ( or Mickey) ...:brick:

When will people learn to accept responsibility for their actions?

 

[TheBeatles]

Don't smoke.

Problem solved.

 

[Piebald]

I'm a non-smoker but I take the opposite approach. Disney has always allowed smoking on the balconies, excepting AKL. Springing a new policy on smokers, when they check in, isn't fair. Other hotels gave guests more notice when they went non-smoking.

Making the change effective 1/1/08 would have given Disney plenty of time to notify guests with reservations and would give those guests plenty of time to change their reservation to offsite resorts or even cancel their vacation.

That policy wasn't in effect when the reservation was made, I'm not sure how Disney can justify changing the terms when a guest checks in. Only the government can "fine" and I'm not sure how Disney can justify a $250 cleaning fee for smoking on the balcony.

Um.... did you forget that we are talking about Disney here? :shrug:

 

[banimall]

I blame Mickey for a lot of my problems and addictions. Usually when I try and discuss them with him at the parks he just waves his hands around and shrugs his shoulders and then I'm escorted out of the judges tent.

 

[Master Yoda]

I'm a non-smoker but I take the opposite approach. Disney has always allowed smoking on the balconies, excepting AKL. Springing a new policy on smokers, when they check in, isn't fair. Other hotels gave guests more notice when they went non-smoking.

Making the change effective 1/1/08 would have given Disney plenty of time to notify guests with reservations and would give those guests plenty of time to change their reservation to offsite resorts or even cancel their vacation.

That policy wasn't in effect when the reservation was made, I'm not sure how Disney can justify changing the terms when a guest checks in. Only the government can "fine" and I'm not sure how Disney can justify a $250 cleaning fee for smoking on the balcony.

When you sign for your room you are agreeing to a number or terms and conditions and part of those conditions include you paying for the cost of any damage you do to the room. Maintenance having to remove smoke smell from a non-smoking room constitutes damage.

 

[hcswingfield]

It's a shame she is setting the example for the child that it is OK to not take any personal responsibility for your actions.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Bravo Disney, this is a step in the right direction!

Where I work, we have a ban on smoking in public places, even bars, and it too can have a hefty fine. I rarely enforce it though, unless its underage kids who need a lesson or someone stupid enough to get all cocky when I tell them to put it out. That happens more than you would expect:shrug:

 

[lewisc]

When you sign for your room you are agreeing to a number or terms and conditions and part of those conditions include you paying for the cost of any damage you do to the room. Maintenance having to remove smoke smell from a non-smoking room constitutes damage.

I don't think it's fair, and I'm not even sure if it's legal, to first introduce additional terms and conditions when a guest checks in. At least some of these guests paid in full, prior to these terms being presented to them.

A room is paid in full, a guest shows up and Disney says, we have new terms take them or leave. That kind of contract may very well be unenforceable.

edited to say I think going to non-smoking is good. I think having fees for smokers is a necessary part of that change. I don't think Disney will get away with charging those fines, particularly for smoking on the balcony, to guest who made their reservation and paid prior to being informed of the new policy. Particularly if the guest was first told of the policy when the checked in.