Walt Disney World Resort Hotels to Institute Smoke-Free Policy June 1, 2007

[Figment!]

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels Go Smoke-Free

Move to smoke-free is in response to increased guest demand for smoke-free rooms

Walt Disney World Resort Media Release
May 1, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., – Walt Disney World Resort Senior Vice President for Operations Erin Wallace announced today, all Disney-owned and operated hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort will become smoke-free by June 1, 2007. The policy also applies to all Disney Vacation Club Resorts. With more than 20 Disney owned and operated resorts on property; this represents the largest single site resort complex to institute this type of smoking policy change.

“We make adjustments to our operations based on guest demand,” Wallace said. “This policy complements our efforts to provide our guests with the healthy living options they are requesting.”

During the last five years guest demand for smoking rooms at the Walt Disney World Resort have been declining steadily. Currently, less than 3.5 percent of Walt Disney World’s 24,000 resort rooms are smoking optional. This transition allows us to better accommodate the increasing number of guests requesting smoke-free rooms. This trend is not specific to the Walt Disney World Resort. According to the American Automobile Association, more travelers are requesting smoke-free environments.

"With more than 50 million members, AAA represents North America's largest traveler group and increasingly our members, like many Americans, are demanding smoke free accommodations." said Sandra Hughes, VP of Travel for AAA. "Hotels are responding by going beyond the traditional standard of smoking and non-smoking rooms, and are going smoke-free throughout their properties."

The new policy applies to all guest rooms, patios and balconies and designates outdoor smoking areas at all resorts affected by the change. Smoking is currently prohibited in all lobbies, common areas, restaurants and convention spaces. Additionally, in January 2000 the Walt Disney World Resort theme and water parks became smoke-free with smoking allowed in designated smoking areas only.

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The following has been internally announced:

New Smoke-Free Policy

All Walt Disney World® Resorts, including Disney Vacation Club Resorts, will become smoke-free on June 1, 2007. During the past five years Guest demand for smoking rooms has been declining steadily. Currently, less than 3.5 percent of Walt Disney World's 24,000 resort rooms are smoking optional.

The new policy applies to all guest rooms, patios, and balconies, and designates outdoor smoking areas at all resorts affected by the change. Smoking is currently prohibited in all lobbies, restaurants, and convention spaces. This policy will allow us to better accommodate the large numbers of Guests and Members who request non-smoking accommodations and complements our efforts to provide our Guests with the healthy living options they are requesting.

Although not specifically mentioned in the internal announcment, Reservations Cast have reported that information has come across their systems that a monetary penalty will be assessed against Guests who violate the new Smoke-Free Policy.

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Walt Disney World Hotels are Going Smoke-Free Starting June 1

Scott Powers | Staff Writer
Orlando Sentinel
May 1, 2007

In what company officials are calling the largest single-site resort complex to institute such smoking restrictions, Walt Disney World announced today it will ban smoking in all guest rooms, indoor public areas, balconies and other locations at all company-owned and -operated hotels, and all Disney Vacation Club resorts at Disney World. That is 20 properties altogether.

Smoking will be allowed in designated, outdoor smoking areas only.

"We make adjustments to our operations based on guest demand," Senior Vice President Erin Wallace said. "This policy complements our efforts to provide our guests with the healthy living options they are requesting."

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts initially banned smoking at Disneyland's three hotels in California last year but allowed smoking to continue at Disney World hotels because there was more demand from guests for smoking rooms at the Florida resort than at Disneyland. But apparently there was not enough demand.

During the last five years, guest demand for smoking rooms at the Walt Disney World Resort has been declining steadily. Currently, less than 3.5 percent of Walt Disney World's 24,000 resort rooms are smoking optional, Disney reported in a news release.

[Strmchsr]

Awesome! DW will be thrilled since she's highly allergic to smoke. I just hope they enforce it. I know it's really hard to enforce it in the parks (since they, too, are supposed to be smoke free except in designated areas), but should be less so at the resorts.

[SBETigg]

This seems like good news for my very allergic family. But on the other hand, I think it tempts smokers to sneak in-room smokes now that they have no option to book a smoking room.
We had a closet smoker next door to us at our non-smoking Polynesian rooms for the last few days of our last trip, and it was quite unpleasant. So while I applaud the boldness of the move, I worry. Rule breakers are everywhere.

[cantgetenuff]

What wonderful news!

I too hope the new rules are enforced.

[disneynarula]

[DizneyRox]

I know someone in the hotel industry and actually they haven't seen a trend towards NOT smoking, but a trend for smokers to request non-smoking rooms because the smoking rooms stink of cigarettes.

I can tell you that I haven't really seen a significant decline in people smoking in my little world.

I do applaud this move however, but it will be interesting to see if it's actually enforced in any way.

[AvonleaCF]

GREAT news!

[faline]

I know this will be difficult for folks who smoke but I, for one, welcome the change!

[DizNee143]

i just recently stopped smoking..(april 13th will be 4 months)...but...Disney has gotta do what they gotta do i guess.....but will they at least be smart enough to have designated areas at the resorts for people who do smoke?!?..just because lots of people ask for a non smoking room doesnt no one smokes anymore...

[BrerSchultzy]

Even when I smoked, I couldn't bring myself to smoking in WDW rooms (even the smoking ones), because I was sure that some family with a 3 year old was going to have the room after me, and I couldn't live with that.

I do remember several families years ago complaining about the fact that non-smoking rooms weren't guaranteed (just like connecting rooms). This is definitely a good move! And maybe a little bit overdue.

[cantgetenuff]

Originally Posted by BrerSchultzy

Even when I smoked, I couldn't bring myself to smoking in WDW rooms (even the smoking ones), because I was sure that some family with a 3 year old was going to have the room after me, and I couldn't live with that.

If I could get off topic for a minute, I just have to say that I think that is incredibly cool!

Originally Posted by DizNee143

..but will they at least be smart enough to have designated areas at the resorts for people who do smoke?!?.....

It did say in the announcement that specific outdoor areas would be designated for smokers at the resorts.

[kathiep]

Fantastic news. For my DH & I who have terrible allergies and my DD and her asthma.

Now if only they could catch up to our home state and ban it in all restaurants!

[Kerry823]

As a person who is highly sensitive to smoke, I am very happy to hear this. Our last trip we ended up with a connecting room (no idea why)and the people next door smoked like fiends and the rooms were all non-smoking. I had to stuff towels between the door and then at the bottom to try to stop the smoke from coming in. I complained to housekeeping and noted my sensitivity to smoke. We did not have a problem after that. I think it is a good idea to charge people who break the rule and smoke in the room. There is a charge to clean up the odor and it generally does linger in the room for a long time.

[PirateLover]

I was always a bit miffed by the fact that a non-smoking room was never "guaranteed"
On one of my trips with my BF, we walked into our room and after 2 minutes I had a headache from the smell of smoke. Luckily Pop was willing to give us a new room. I don't know how I would've made it if there wasn't one available, due to allergies which seem to just get worse every year.

[CleveSJM]

Fantastic news!!! They need to make sure they post signs on the balconies.

No more walking through clouds of smoke on the resort walkways.

Smart move Disney!

[Damon18]

I also applaude Disney for this move. This law has been in place in Ottawa for about 3 years now.

[disneygeek18]

I too think this is great! Lawrence, KS, where im from has had this in place for a couple of years. No smoking in any public building, and I for one think it's great. People can still go outside to smoke.

[DisneyOtaku]

YAAAAAAAY! *does a happy dance*

I hate the smell of smoke and I prefer not to die of lung cancer. My hometown just placed a smoking ban in all resturants and you must be at lest 25 feet away from any enterence to smoke...so I am pleased to see Disney is hopping on board!

[Mikey Piano 23]

Good move Disney! Although I know its probably gonna be hard for all of you smokers out there, being in a smoke smelling room for your whole vacation can probably really ruin the magic for you.

I applaud Disney for this move!

[GrmGrninGost]

Great!! Hope they enforce it at the resorts and do a better job of enforcing it at the parks.