Is anyone else disgusted that SDC has made the observation deck for the PowderKeg launch a smoking area? We would always sit there with non-riders to watch the people's faces when the ride shoots off, but it's unbearable now to be around all those smokers. Terrible idea to put it there because I know when we were there today, at least 20 people turned back around when they saw all the smokers standing there.
Don't forge that the exit area to Wildfire is now a smoking area.... You have to walk thru a cloud to get to look at your pictures... That is 11 or 12 smoking areas in this park now. Just 2 years ago there was 4.
My biggest problem is the one they moved to the front of the Homestead, especially when the Picker's are playing. I don't have a problem with the one at PK, because IF you are sitting at the smoker's area, you CAN"T see the coaster launch. Maybe they should make it 1880's themed smoking, you know, when MORE men smoked pipes & cigars, than they actually smoke cigarettes, today, would that please everyone? Off of soapbox...
Well they have to put a smoking area at PowderKeg so that people can light their cigarettes every time the barrels explode, and the coaster launches. ;)
The only smoking area that seems out of the way is down by the train station. But there are just not a lot of places that aren't in the path of something else to put those areas.
As long as they don't allow open smoking all over the park you won't hear me complaining.
Designated smoking areas are defiantly a balancing act. I am sure smokers enjoy the ability to smoke while watching their friends, and family ride the different rides. I am sure they much prefer that over a little smoking hole shoved into a tiny nook of the park.
However, part of the excitement of Silver Dollar city is enjoying not only the beauty, but the fresh clean air of the Ozarks. So how do you balance it?
For me personally, the only smoke that I enjoy is the smoke billowing off of the old barbeque grill! :D
It wasn't that many years ago that SDC sold cigarettes in some of the shops. I'm disappointed that there are more smoking areas in a park that brags so much about supporting ecology.
First of all,I'm a Smoker and i know we are looked down on by Society and i wish i never started Smoking.I can understand non-smokers not wanting to be around it.I do think it was a bad choice for a smoking area.
Maybe the smokers have complained enough that the park thought they needed more than 4 smoking areas.
I do not want to get on a soap box but be carefull what you wish for. ( Those that demand smoking be banned in all public places) When the worlds governments start taking away rights things do not seem to end well for it's citizens. I could care less what they do with smoking areas. What is next??? Weigh in for buffets, or candy shops. If you weight to much you have to eat healthy? If you ride a hoveround because you are to fat you have to eat only healthy food? No obese people allowed in the park????
For me, the difference is that a person being overweight is only detrimental to their own health. A person smoking, on the other hand, is not only marring their own health, but the health of those around them.
[/soapbox]
Wasn't there already that one smoking area by the queue for FITH? Why add one so close to that one that has been there for as long as I can remember?
^I remember a pre-show guy for the Saloon Follies pointing out one time that it's right next to the Firemen's Cemetery. Always wondered if they planned it that way? ???
Good point, MSUbear. I always thought it was funny that they designated an area right in front of the cemetery for smoking. I love SDC's tongue-in-cheek humor. :D
Quote from: History Buff on April 15, 2010, 09:26:25 PM
It wasn't that many years ago that SDC sold cigarettes in some of the shops. I'm disappointed that there are more smoking areas in a park that brags so much about supporting ecology.
Better shut down the blacksmith's forge, then. Oh, and glassblowing factory, kettle corn, all the restaurants...
^...lye soap making, wagon wheel making...
However, this is a list of productive activities, with smells that are pleasant.
I do understand the idea about governments taking away rights, but rights are not the same as freedoms. The reality is, SDC sets the smoking policy for its park. I doubt this is about anything but money, but are they saying they will make more money by having more smoking areas? Unless they are selling tobacco products again, I doubt people stay away just because there on so few smoking areas.
How about they ban all modern cigarettes and sell more appropriate products to the 19th Century theme? Teach the kids to roll 'em themselves.
As a kid i remember corn cob pipes being for sale at the general store! I am not a smoker, but I respect the right for others to smoke as long as I don't have to be walking behind someone smoking and getting the effects of it. I think most of the areas are pretty well placed in that you might only have to walk by one side to get past....I would rather do something that I know is just as bad for me like eating fudge by the pound :)The tiramisu fudge is dang good!
How do all those people get to the park History Buff? I am sure that the delivery's at night are not made in electric trucks.
During my time on park, we were not allowed to smoke cigarettes in front of guests because it was out of theme. We were allowed to smoke pipes and cigars, or enjoy a "chaw" in front of people. I actually purchased a pipe and pipe tobbacco at the general store. Carried it with me while working, and occassionally smoked. Glad to say I outgrew that, and don't use tobbacco at all.
Watch out for my wife, her only gripe with designated smoking areas is that we're outdoors and she should be able to smoke where ever she wants.
I'm afraid I'd have to agree with her lol
Official reply from the park:
"To clarify, Silver Dollar City has not added new smoking areas for several years, the one you mentioned at PowderKeg is one of the original smoking locations and is not a new location. "
Always interested in "official replies from the park" about any subject matter here. If you are from within the park, or have a connection in the park, we welcome you and thank you for any input. Post away! Remember, sometimes misinformation gets spread on the Internet, but the opinions expressed on this Website are always from the heart...the people here LOVE all things SDC...We are the loyal and royal.
oldsdcer
I would have to disagree with your wife. I do not believe that anyone should have any rights taken away from them.......but I do believe that if you are going to smoke you should do so in smoking areas. I used to be a smoker and I always tried to get away from non-smokers. We never smoked in our house or in our cars. Smoking is a great pleasure for some......it is just as much a nasty smelling mess for others. Smoking areas are good ideas. Always remember the more rights you let the government take the more they will take.
Saw at least one guy that agreed with your wife. Was smoking on Hill Street. Really made me mad but I didn't say anything because I had the nieces in tow and didn't know how he would react. I felt it was really unfair though that he was the one breaking the rules and I got to suffer. I mean, they provide lots of locations to smoke, there was absolutely no reason not to use them.
Whether they see it or not smoking:
1. pollutes the air
2. is bad for health ours and yours
3. often pollutes the ground
4. is a fire hazard
I'm sure there are more reasons but hey, it's a theme park. Set a good example for the kids.
Getting off the soap box now..:)
At least they *have* smoking areas. It was always a pain standing line for rides at Worlds of Fun where you couldn't get away from it. (not sure if they've switched to designated areas or not)
My college campus recently became tobacco free however this is not enforced. It was basically put in place so we could be another Big 12 school on the healthiest campus list. Of course everyone complained their hearts out about having another aspect of their personal life controlled by the school. It's just common courtesy these days to not smoke near others. I like to burp but I'm not going to do it in someone's face!
Eww I remember from college , leaving seminars during breaks, and the mob of smokers around the entrances of the buildings was terrible. They have since on my campus moved the smoking areas away from doorways but can still smoke in select dorms, and outdoors as long as it isn't w/in 20ft of doorways.