HUGE news was announced today about a new smoking policy in the Disney Parks beginning very soon.
Smoking Policies are changing at Disney World…
According to the Disney Parks Blog:
…beginning May 1, smoking areas will no longer be present inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California.
But if you’re a smoker visiting the Disney Parks, note that the entire properties aren’t undergoing a no smoking policy. Smoking areas will be provided outside the main entrances of the theme parks, and if you’re staying or visiting Disney’s resort hotels, there will still be smoking areas provided for your convenience. Disney Springs has designated smoking areas as well.
The policy begins May 1st, and note that it applies to both Disney World and Disneyland as well as water parks, ESPN WWoS, and Downtown Disney in California.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available!
With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today!
Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Does this apply to any form of “smoking?” My husband switched to vaping to minimize the effect on others. Our trip to Disneyland is scheduled for October!
About time. Too many times I have walked through clouds of smoke with my kids just trying to get from point A to point B. Smokers should be inconvenienced by having to exit and reenter the park to smoke rather than the rest of us, most of whom are traveling with children, being inconvenienced by their smoke.
While I understand the motive behind this I really think that no smoking in the parks will have a negative impact. So now those that are coming into the park will see smokers at the entrances ! It was already hard enuf to find the smoking areas this is not the best move ..just saying
As a WDW pass holder and regular visitor with small children, I am STOKED. Contrary to other comments I read on here, it IS a problem and you DO notice the smoking areas and more unfortunately so, smell them. It just happened to us last week at Animal Kingdom, we found a nice quiet spot in an empty outdoor dining area to sit and have a snack and put the baby to sleep. We were immediately overwhelmed with the eye watering stench of cigarette smoke from a nearby “smoker’s corner” and had to move. Another awful spot is next to the entrance to Rockin’ Rollercoaster where there is a small designated area, you have to hold your breath just to walk by. Secondhand smoke is dangerous and it doesn’t belong in the parks. This is a welcome change.
When Walt was alive he never allowed smoking or alcohol in His park… If people appeared to have been drinking they were refused admission at the gate. I do not think he would approve of all the alcohol they serve inside the parks now.
All I can say is wow to some of these comments. I truly feel sorry for those of you that have such an addiction to nicotine that it will keep you from enjoying one of the most magical and happiest places on earth with your family. I think of how many times I could have gone to Disney with how much money you spend on Cigarettes on a continual basis. Maybe I just don’t get it because I have never been addicted to anything to know what it feels like to have something have that much a hold over me?? There was a change made to smoking in bars and I still see smokers go to bars, but then have to step outside even if it’s raining to smoke. I have family members who smoke and a Grandfather that inadvertently killed my Grandmother due to his smoking habit. She never smoked. Second hand smoke kills…Please think about this because not only will it highly increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and various types of cancer; but you are impacting everyone around you as well.
I will be very interested to see if these new policies will be enforced. With the smoking areas I never really noticed it as a problem. Now if smokers have no designated area, my guess is they will sneak anywhere they think they can get away with it. (Restrooms, etc)
But who’s going to enforce the new policy. No one ever bothered to enforce the old one. CM’s don’t want to say anything to guest because they fear getting a reprimand if someone complains.
I am glad to see the smokers will not be in the parks! Why should they pollute the air for the rest of us? Maybe they should think about giving up smoking…..
Diana I agree with you 100%!
Everyone feels they have rights to different things and yes we all do and this includes smokers. It is an addiction that some people cannot overcome no matter how hard they try. I’m an ex-smoker but date a person who smokes. My friends comment all the time they didn’t know he was a smoker until they seen him smoke as he’s a very clean smoker. Last time we were at WDW, the smokers area was well used and they still had people complaining or giving dirty looks because they were smoking–these people chose to walk through a well signed smoking area with their children (at least the people smoking tried to keep their children out of the area). Look on the maps and you don’t see too many smoking areas.
I truly believe if you are going to take away smoking areas, then you need to take away the alcohol from all parks–why discriminate against smokers only. People who are drunk are dangerous and obnoxious and some of them are abusive as well (I seen a few drunken parents not behaving so well towards their children). Then once you take away the alcohol, then you need to take away the people who curse, swear or are rude to others because they are offensive as well. Then as others have said, people who smell should be banished as well (this includes people who wear too much perfume or cologne as you choke so many people with the smell). If anyone hasn’t figured out yet, this isn’t fair to discriminate against a small portion of people as anyone can complain/be offended about something. In the long term, if you are offended or feel the need to complain, ask yourself does it really matter to me and will it make me feel better to complain and take a child’s chance at experiencing something as wonderful/exciting as WDW away (which I know some people will say yes to this but in all honesty they are the ones who are never satisfied).
I find the bubble machines much more offensive. Soap in my eyes because some parents purchased these toys to shut their kid up. Walt was a smoker. wonder what he would think. Current smoking areas are tucked away. I don’t mind going there. Will I now have to go back through security when I want a smoke? I say ban alcohol. I find it offensive.
vape pens should 100% be allowed then. they have no smell at all & disappears quickly. a lot of people are trying to kick their habit with e cigs.
I agree, Dianna. It’s sad that the higher ups went against Walt’s wishes just to make more money.
Me personally, am not a smoker, but I appreciate Disney doing this for the non- smokers because if I wanted to smell like a ashtray or to inhale cigarette smoke I would do it myself. It honestly makes me sick, so, Thank You Disney!!
I like the new policy, some people are very sensitive to cigarette smoke. I have been near the smoking areas and they stink. It’s bad enough having to put up with people that don’t bathe let alone smoke.
I agree…I don’t know how they will enforce it…but I’m all for it, if they can. A truly disgusting habit…through Walt was a smoker( died of lung cancer)
Any idea if the new area area “outside the entrance” will require having to go back though security to re-enter the park?
Stacey, Disney is combining cigarette and e-cigarettes in the policy.
Paul, Disney Springs was also identified as having designated areas. It’s not entirely clear if those will be outside the entrances as with other locations. We’ll keep an eye out for more details.
Wanda, there doesn’t seem to be a restriction on bringing an ecig in, just that it will have to be used in the same designated area as conventional cigarettes.
Yay! It’s about time! So many people thought they didn’t have to use the designated areas which was kind of a joke anyway since most of them you had to walk through anyway.
First off… For everyone saying that not allowing smoking is not discrimination… it’s not.
You can argue it’s an addiction all you want, it is, but drug use is an addiction and yet you can also not shoot up at WDW. Second hand smoke is a proven harmful, and while I do not think you are an evil or bad person if you smoke, no one else should have to be put in harm’s way because you have an addiction. Yes, the smoking areas were out of the way, but who do you think has to clean up smoking areas? Cast members. Cast members who should not have to be exposed to second hand smoke. One of the many reasons smoking area have been removed from place where I live is because workers should not be forced to clean up in potential health harmful situations.
As for the argument drinking should be banned in that same vein, just drinking a glass of wine doesn’t harm others around you. Yes, if people are drunk, they should be removed from the park – I 100% agree. I have not witnessed this in my trips to MK, I have seen it in Epcot and I have seen people escorted out. Honestly I wouldn’t mind alcohol being banned too because I’m not a huge drinker – aside from maybe a drink with dinner once a month at most – however I don’t think you can compare it’s effect on non participants to smoking. If someone is having a drink on a bench, I am not worried about the potential health effects of being nearby.
As for vaping, I don’t know enough about it to voice an opinion. If the vapor isn’t harmful nor the remnants of the devices etc, then I wouldn’t see an issue having an vaping area instead of a smoking area. I assume they just put it under one umbrella so it’s easier to enforce. I’m not sure how easy it is to tell an ecigarette from a real one etc.
I understand that not having smoking areas may cause families to miss out or put extra strain on their trip, but addictions tend to do that in most situations. My dad was a smoker from the age of 12 to the age of 36, he quit because it was discovered I had breathing problems and he couldn’t be around me when he’d been smoking. I was his reason to quit and not to give in to his addiction. 28 years later and he hasn’t touched a cigarette. Maybe this can be taken as a positive and be the reason some smokers give quitting another chance – more time to spend with their loved ones at Disney.
Great this news comes 1 day after i have booked my Disney holiday ! This will cause other issues if smoking areas are removed as many smokers will try and have a crafty cigarette in non-authorized areas and this could lead to fire risks etc….. nothing wrong with the way it was never heard any complaints !
I am so tired of people associating Ecigarettes and real cigarettes they are not even remotely close and do not subject anyone to harmful second chemicals. It is so annoying. People should be able to vape at WDW.
I think a lot of non- smokers are getting it wrong… sure it gross, I get it, but quitting smoking is actually harder than a heroin addiction. I’m a long time smoker and agree with the new policy. I just wish that people could feel more empathy than disgust. Smokers are not bad people just desperately chained to a legal vice that rules their ever waking existence. I’m going to take it stride and try for the 100th time to quit. It doesn’t make me or others less of a person. Grow up people…
I wish I could reply to people directly… some things being said are wrong.
Walt didn’t allow smoking in the parks.
WRONG! You could smoke in planes and hospitals back then.
Cast members do stop people from smoking in unauthorized areas..
If you don’t like smoking maybe you shouldn’t hang out near the smoking area.
There’s a bunch of comments that mad me angry… but whatever it’s a done deal.
I just hate the disinformation to make you sound righteous.
This strikes me as a really bad idea. There are already more than enough grumpy people in the parks and now they’re going to add nicotine deprived smokers who have also probably been drinking. Expect a noticeable increase in the number of meltdowns you encounter.
This is very disappointing. I don’t smoke but my husband does. So he should spend less time enjoying his vacation with us? He pays alot of money for our family vacations, not so he can be outside of the park. The very few smoking areas available were off to the side and could easily be avoided by nonsmokers.
Excellent news!
I spent 14 days in WDW last September and didn’t see anyone smoking in the parks. I didn’t even know there were designated smoking areas. It’s all the bubbles I don’t like. They’re everywhere and hurt when they burst in my eyes. Unfortunately due to poorly legs I can’t move very fast so no jumping out of the way of them.
Most of the current smoking areas are pretty much secluded. And I can vouch that many years ago smoking was all over Disney World. We went in August and I followed the rules. To me it is pretty simple, just don’t go near the smoking areas. They are away from where most people would go. Read the sign that says smoking area and don’t go there.
Unfortunately, I have the addiction and if Disney doesn’t want to accommodate me it is real simple. I will spend my money at Universal on my next vacation.
To the smokers who say you’re addicted and can’t give up. Why did you start in the first place?
BT. Congratulations on quitting your heroine addiction. Sadly not everyone does so. One of my cousins died of a heroine overdose a couple of years ago.
I think this is totally unfair. Drinkers get all the alcohol they want. Overweight people get all the food and snacks they want. Smokers had 2 places in the magic kingdom 1 in Hollywood studios. 1 in animal kingdom and a few more in Epcot to busy sales of food and alcohol in world showcase. What was everyone complaining about. We were tucked away in a way that no one even knew we existed. Why are you doing this to us. We spend a fortune at Disney. And get treated so unfairly.
We as smokers are already segregated to certain areas & then to say you can’t at all is horrible!!
When you consider for instance Magic Kingdom which has two areas that are away from everyone else I don’t understand how this could offend anyone.
I don’t enjoy obnoxious parents who won’t take their exhausted screaming children back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon, but you don’t hear me saying they have to leave the park.
I think disney got this one wrong. Although i understand some of the reasoning behind it as a smoker i feel discriminated against. I have been a die hard disney fan my entire life but now i feel as though disney is saying i am not good enough to come into thier parks. Dont get me wrong i understand that people who dont smoke do not what to be around smoke but that is why there is DESIGNATED smoking areas so those ppl who would like to avoid it can. I am NOT addicted to smoking i am more of a recreational smoker and i smoke because i enjoy it just like i am not an alcoholic but i do drink. I have no problem with it being desinated but i think its ridiculous that i have to leave and go back through security every single time. I will say bc i feel discriminated against my trip this may will be my final and last trip. HELLO UNIVERAL!
Your announcement said the anti -smoking ban will “make the park more enjoyable for everyone.”
You think that is true for smokers? You think they will enjoy your park more? Or do they not count as anyone?
Just be honest. Say the ban will make the park more enjoyable for anti -smoking zealots. That is at least honest.
Great, now I wish they would do something about all the scooters! There are more of them every time I go to DW, and I’m tired of rude drivers that speed around honking their horns at anyone in the way as if they owned the park. And they and their families get priority boarding the buses while little babies wait patiently in line in their parents arms. Sometimes the scooter drivers don’t even get on their scooter until time to board, they are walking around chatting like everyone else until the bus arrives. Last trip to DW we stayed at Yacht Club just to avoid the buses. Some people obviously need a scooter – seniors, handicapped, but it seems like more and more are renting them just to get around the parks faster.
Very happy to hear this news. I believe children and cigarettes are a bad combination. I never understood why smoking was allowed in the parks in the first place. Very excited about the new policy. It’s about time.
Flipping awesome!! And to the person who asked about vaping, vaping is smoking. It’s still a nicotine product.
In my 25+ times traveling to Disneyworld, I never encountered a cloud from the designated smoking areas. I am not a smoker and never have smoked but I think it is a bad policy to enforce. I have been trying to gather my family for a trip but now half will not go because of this policy! I think drinking everywhere is just as evil as are the bubble machines. Way to restrictive regarding smokers.
Lynn and BT, you took the words right out of my mouth, for the most part. What a judgemental group of people you have commenting here, especially considering that we live in a time where we are supposed to be open, understanding, and tolerant of anything and everything. Of course Walt Disney smoked( in Hollywood Studios you can even see a replica of Walt’s office, complete with an ashtray on the desk) . So did the majority of America during his time. For years and years, smoking was looked upon as being very vogue. People weren’t aware of the harm it could cause. It was a socially acceptable thing to do, unlike many of the things that today are deemed ok. When people did start to realize that cigarettes could have a harmful affect on both a smoker and those around them, the consequences were greatly downplayed. It took a long time for a more complete truth to come out. By then, people had been smoking for generations. I don’t recall WDW having designated smoking sections until the mid 2000’s. I remember being at the GF with my parents, and they didn’t have a smoking room available as requested. They told my mother to go ahead and smoke, they would do an extra thorough cleaning, as it was their error. It really wasn’t too long ago that smoking was still somewhat acceptable. I think Disney has compounded this problem, in a sense, by so greatly reducing the number of smoking locations. They are so limited now, that of course you’re going to have a lot of people clustered around, almost like a modern leper island(though I think actual lepers would be more tolerated). While I’m not thrilled by the decision, c’est la vie! I understand why people are happy, but wish some could share it without being so impolite with their choice of words. I’m very perturbed by it, and that’s putting it ultra politely. You never know when something you say could have a lasting negative effect on someone, who probably already has enough to deal with in life. I agree that Walt would not care for some of the choices made for his parks. That’s out of our hands. What is in our hands, is the ability to treat one another in the way that Walt would. Imagine keeping that part of Disneyland/WDW alive forever!
I wholeheartedly agree with new policy! Let’s all celebrate the hatred and intolerance of others! But Disney is not going far enough. I sometimes get offended by other people who do not meet my personal standards.l in other areas. What to do about alcohol drinkers, body art lovers, offensive T-shirt wearers, overweight people or those irritating handicapped people who slow down the lines. So glad the strollers were downsized. High time these selfish women are forced to refocus their concerns away from their kids and family and be concerned about me and my maximum enjoyment. I don’t need a stroller and don’t tolerate those that do.
All these people can potentially lower my maximum enjoyment and should not be allowed to so. Disney needs to alter their slogan to read “Disney is making changes the maximize the enjoyment of the park for everyone (who matter). “
Stephanie, no specifics on this, yet.
I agree with a previous poster. Disney blew this one. Designated smoking areas are clearly marked, don’t walk into one if you don’t want to. There is a difference between cigarette smoke and cigarette smell. The effects of the smoke will travel 20-30 feet. The smell can travel more. Are you telling me that Disney can’t develop a way to neutralize the smell? How hard can it be to have smoking areas where nonsmokers are clearly advised not to enter?
Some of the comments are just too funny. One person was complaining about the area next to Space Mountain. WOW!! Your nose must be pretty good to tell the difference between the fumes from the Tomorrowland Speedway and a cigarette Another who claimed to be a passholder complained about a smoking spot that doesn’t exist. And then she complained about an empty dining area in AK and the smoke. Well the 2 smoking areas in AK are not near dining areas.
I really hope that Disney will reconsider this. There has to be a way to accommodate all. BTW, if I am going to spend thousands on a vacation, it won’t be under these circumstances.
To the people saying vaping is smoking. Vaping is just like that humidifier you keep in your child’s room but with a lot less harmful chemicals than the vicks vaporub you put in it but I understand Karen’s gotta karen.
Smokers – the last group that it is okay to discriminate against. This is a ridiculous policy. Non-smoking guests are not going to get lung cancer from walking past a smoking area. Oh, and I am NOT a smoker.
After reading these posts I have one question. What happened to this country? Why is there so much hate why can’t people just live and let live? Some of the comments from people supporting the ban are down right rude. I was a smoker and yes cigarettes do stink and are harmful but the smoker is still not any less a person because of it.
Vaping will also not be allowed from what I have seen and is considered a form of smoking. Recent studies have shown that the chemicals that are put into an e-cig are just as dangerous as smoking a cigarette. Also, some people can have asthma exacerbated when being around stuff like this, so letting people vape freely could make a day going to Disney nearly impossible if a lot of people around them are vaping.