Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Go Smoke-Free
Move to smoke-free is in response to increased
guest demand for smoke-free rooms
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 1, 2007 – 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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