One of the preferred locations for viewing the Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom is at the Plaza Landing near the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street USA. There are several tables with precious little umbrellas.
This photo of it depicts the perfect little quaint image of Disney. There is no better area at the Magic Kingdom to sit and enjoy my double scoop of Chocolate Mint in a cone which I just purchased at the Main Street Ice Cream parlor a few yards away. A quiet, comfy, secluded area, it is my place of choice except for one small thing: it is a designated smoking area at MK.
So, I have to ask the Disney powers that be, why is this treasured spot designated as a smoking area in the Magic Kingdom? With all of the other smoking areas inside the park, can’t we forego just this one?
I mean, I have nothing against people who smoke. In fact, 3 of the most precious men in my life were smokers: my daddy, my grandpa and Walt Disney himself. Unfortunately, they all died of lung cancer. Most families that I know don’t want to breathe second-hand smoke, and we especially don’t want our children breathing it. Come on Disney — rethink this smoking area – PLEASE!
What do you think of the smoking sections at Disney World? Let us know in the comment box below.
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“All the other places to smoke”…um….NO. There are 5 places in the MK that are designated smoking areas. FIVE. Yes, this is one place that happens to be “nice” that they allow smoking. So, clearly, more than overwhelming 99.5 percent of the park is smoke-free. You can’t find anywhere else to relax and watch fireworks? I doubt it. Disney wants to try to make EVERYONE happy, not just uptight nonsmokers. Ya’ do realize that one breathes in more toxic chemicals everyday just driving the highway than they do being next to a smoker for 2 mins? Do your research, leave smokers alone and let them have their measly 5 places to relax like everyone else.
No matter where they are, someone will take issue with them, so please don’t minimize your complaint with a “shoo-off” as you did. This one is bothersome to you, & if they do away with this one, someone else will be uber bothered by another one & want THAT one moved. It’s OUTDOORS for crying out loud. The paranoia is absolutely befuddling! WOW!
Smoking cigarettes in this country is not illegal YET! Those of us who smoke should be able to enjoy ourselves just as much as nonsmokers. I still question the supposed health issues caused by “second hand smoke”. We all grew up with everyone around us smoking and it didn’t kill us all off. No I don’t believe in blowing cigarette smoke in a child’s face, but come on people let’s have some balance here!/
I can’t believe that a magical place such as disney would allow cigarets to ruin ones atmosphere. Most places are smoke free. Why isn’t disney world? Think of the children with asthma. If a child had an asthma attack at disney wouldn’t that memory live with them forever!
Any arguments in defense of smoking are moot. There is absolutely nothing good that comes of smoking for those who do it and those around them who have to breathe in the noxious fumes. You simply cannot defend any excuse for doing it. You started for a bad reason and now you are addicted to it. So many people with addictions can’t or won’t think beyond their own cravings to the detriment of themselves and others. To quit you must replace the bad habit with a better one. I’ve heard it is difficult to quit, but don’t you owe it to yourself and your health, and that of you kids, pets and family, to quit? It is simply an addiction to a product that causes sickness and death, period. Smokers are so addicted and in defense of this act that they don’t see smoking bans as help to curb their habits along with preservation of non-smoke filled environment for the majority of people who don’t smoke. I feel bad for those addicted to smoking and I wish that all of them could find the strength and support to quit. That said, Disney properties should be smoke free. There are far too many kids around to have smoking allowed.
The Smoking areas are clearly marked on the park maps……
That is a good point. There are a lot of other smoking spots in the park, yet for me, its 50-50 for the way I like the park. I agree with you 50%.
Wow, I am just appalled at the attitudes expressed in the posts I’ve read. I agree with the article. Non-smokers should not be kept from enjoying some of the most relaxing spots in WDW because they are DSAs. Move the DSAs to spots that are totally secluded. Also, children should not be allowed in DSAs. I feel sorry for those addicted to nicotine, but your addiction does not mean I have to be inconvenienced. We were shocked when we hit that DSA behind the castle because my husband has a lung condition and your smoke could send him to the hospital. There was no warning that we were entering a DSA, just boom, all of a sudden we were surrounded by cigarette smoke. Your habit is a danger to other people and instead of demanding the best spots in the park to indulge in your habit, you should be more than happy to go to a secluded area where you will not affect others. That’s just common courtesy.
Wow, I am just appalled at the attitudes expressed in the posts I’ve read. I agree with the article. Non-smokers should not be kept from enjoying some of the most relaxing spots in WDW because they are DSAs. Move the DSAs to spots that are totally secluded. Also, children should not be allowed in DSAs. I feel sorry for those addicted to nicotine, but your addiction does not mean I have to be inconvenienced. We were shocked when we hit that DSA behind the castle because my husband has a lung condition and your smoke could send him to the hospital. There was no warning that we were entering a DSA, just boom, all of a sudden we were surrounded by cigarette smoke. Your habit is a danger to other people and instead of demanding the best spots in the park to indulge in your habit, you should be more than happy to go to a secluded area where you will not affect others. That’s just common courtesy.
NOBODY CARES IF YOU HAVE SYMPATHY FOR SMOKERS OR NOT
Excuse me Miss holier than thou.. us smokers are not dumb , you are the dumb one telling your children that smokers are dumb.. how dare you? I am not dumb by any means and I don’t appreciate you saying any of us smokers are. We pay the same money as you do so we should be allowed to have designated smoking areas. So Miss soccer Mom with too much perfume on, get off your high horse and leave us alone. If you don’t like the smoking areas then I have an idea.. STAY HOME
It has been awhile since I have been to WDW so I was surprised to read that the Disney folks allow smoking in the park at all.
I would have thought by now Disney would have taken the progressive next step and made their park entirely smokefree, especially with so many young impressionable kids as their customer base.
Disney would achieve a gold star in public relations if they posted a big sign at its entrances, “Welcome to a Smokefree Magic Kingdom.”
With 590 cities and municipalities in the USA that have already enacted smokefree park laws Disney should do likewise.
Tell a smoker he/she can not smoke and see how rude they get.
First of all let me say, I am not a smoker but I almost lost respect for this site on this one. Smokers aren’t allowed to have the perfect place to watch fireworks? People have such self rightous attitudes about everything anymore! What happened to freedom? Did all these soldiers give their lives so the government can tell us when and how to do everything including go to the bathroom anymore! I understand not smoking in buildings but you are outside for crying out loud. If I learned anything in school it was smoke rises so walk around the area. So all I have to say to this is MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Too bad you don’t know how to teach your child without belittling others. Perhaps you could teach her the consequences of smoking without name calling. I truly hope your daughter never sees you drink any kind of alcohol. Do you drink coffee or tea in front of her…….these are both “baD” for you as well……….just wondering.
I am ok with my daughter thinking smoking is dumb especially if it keeps her from smoking someday especially since she was recently diagnosed with asthma. Smoking and second hand smoke has been known to be unhealthy at least since I was a child. So yes, I don’t have sympathy for most smokers.
I avoid them all all costs. I hate walking by the smokers. I have people in my family who smoke too- but I’m not around it. In ohio it’s banned in restaurants and I love that. Whenever we travel I forget it’s not like that in other places.
I think this is perfect smoking section and i do not smoke. My sister is a smoker and we know all the smoking areas at the parks, this is one of the better ones, because she can take a smoke break and I can normally take dd for a potty break. And while we were at the Dessert party this past November, she was able to have a smoke, while the rest of our party was enjoying the party and not have to go too far. This spot was chosen as a smoking area for a reason, and when Disney decides it should not be one, then that will change. It will not change just because people think it is good viewing spot and the smoke bothers them. There are plenty of other places to see the fireworks within the park.
There have been plenty of times, when my sister and other guests have been in the designated smoking areas and a non smoker sits down to complain, not noticing the clearly marked smoking section. On our last trip a woman actually hit another smoker with her hat, yelling at him, he cannot smoke. When my sister or other party members stop for a smoke, we normally take the time to stop too, but away from the smoking section, because we do not care for the smoke. We are not rude and complain because we do not like the smoke, Disney is big enough for everyone to enjoy and have room (well, i saw pics from this past week, so I maybe wrong on that thought)
I do not drink, but I do not put down others who do and tell Disney they should stop serving alcohol at Epcot and do away with the Food and Wine Fest because people cannot hold there booze and act like drunk fools during my stay there.
I think this article is so one sided and just needless, next thing you know, there will be an article on how Disney needs to see a doctor’s note for all the people who rent EVC’s, to see if they really need them. Get off the soapbox and enjoy your vacation!
I am not a smoker but honestly as long as they allow smoking in the parks…WHY NOT let them have this spot….there are a lot more wonder spots to watch the fireworks and move on with my family to do more things in the parks. Smokers like to relax when smoking so it’s a perfect spot for them to sit and relax. I will sit near the castle with my 3 kids watching the fireworks then RUN over to Pirates of the Caribbean afterwards….. Both parties are happy. Leave them alone it’s clearly a spot out of the main walking paths of most. I don’t believe no one should be smoking ” behind the dumpsters”.
Why? That one is a great one! I enjoy people watching from this one as much as the one with the “precious little umbrellas” – it’s called the lower seating area of the Plaza Restaurant, by the way.
The one across from Aloha Isle usually has 10-15 people and we talk and laugh and people watch and it’s especially fun to watch how impatient folks get waiting for that Dole Whip!
Here’s a thought – WDW is (IMO) the Happiest Place on Earth! How about we live and let live and if I want to smoke, and am over 18 years of age, I may do so at the designated areas. And if you want to cut in line, run me over with your ECV, force your screaming child onto a ride they clearly are afraid to go on, snap a flash-picture during POTC or Peter Pan’s Flight – go right ahead. Even if you want to use Chip & Co. website to blog about a complaint instead of entertain, inform or provide some form of valid Disney related information, I am OK with that too. I will still smile at you and say “Hello” and still be happy in what I call, “My Happy Place”
Wow……way to teach your children tolerance. Smokers are NOT necessarily dumb, and most of us can read. Most of us would also never teach our children to call people dumb. The smoking areas are few and far between….give us “dumb smokers” a break.
You have way too much time on your hands to have given this non-issue so much thought! LOL
i am sorry but i am soo tired of all the self righteous people.if people want to smoke and risk their health then that is their right by being a citizen of this FREE country! from what i seen the designated smoking areas are usually out of the way and the ones that are not, are in an open area to where you can walk on the other side. i would much rather see someone smoking then listening to parents screaming at their kids which happens alot down there
I think there should be no smoking in the parks. It stinks and causes health issues with young and old.
I hate the smoking areas that are on paths that actually go somewhere (and they are usually the less crowded paths – wonder why).
On our last trip, we kept taking the path along the river from Frontierland to Liberty Square. When I remembered I exited before the smoking area.
But the worst smoking area IMO is the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. When you come in from the Epcot resort area there is no way to avoid it. It is only supposed to be one side of the path, but people smoke on both sides and no one stops them. (When my daughter complains I usually respond with “they’re dumb enough to smoke, they must not be able to read either”). Plus the designated smoking area is near the Kim Possible check-in station.
Make them in undesirable locations that go nowhere. I’d rather see it outside the gates well away from the pedestrian approach areas. At Epcot, they could easily move it outside the International Gateway entrance to the unused bus drop area. But, then they would need extra staff to man the increased traffic at the gate.
Maybe they should go to a mostly smoke-free park with an admission-fee smoking area well away from anything else. Then they can profit from the smokers.
This past December our family noticed the extreme amount of smoking in the park. This was my biggest complaint. Cast members would walk by people smoking outside of the designated areas and not say anything to the people. It was very frustrating. I also think that the walls around the smoking areas should be higher to contain the smoke. It was spreading into the parks and was disgusting!
really we have to complain about the ONLY 1 good spot in the whole US that smokers have. Last I checked we live in a free country that is as long as you don’t smoke. Don’t get me wrong i have no problem with smoking sections I do not believe your children should be subject to anything that may harm them. However I also don’t think it is fair to compare us to people who DRINK. Smoking does not cause us to stager, fall down or become loud and rude. I personally would like to thank Disney for taking us smokers into consideration.
As a smoker myself I do understand that others don’t want to be around it, so that’s why they made designated areas. So get over it!
They made MK “dry”, make it smoke-free as well. I don’t care if someone else smokes, just not around me and my family. If adults who drink can make it through the day without a “cold one”, why can’t a smoker??
I also wish they would move the one across from Aloha Isle.
they have cut back on so many of the smoking areas . it is just the left side that is smoking . So they try to hide the smokers away from everyone . ..