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As of May 1, 2019, no ice, no smoking, and no large strollers will be allowed at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and Downtown Disney District in California. Currently all of these locations have designated smoking areas, which will be removed “to provide a more enjoyable experience for everyone who visits,” according to Disney World’s updated FAQ. (And yes, vaping is banned, too.) Smoking will now be limited to specific areas outside park entrances and at Disney resort hotels.

The smoking ban as announced on the Disney Parks blog yesterday and is bound to elicit some strong reactions, but it’s actually one of four new rules applying to Disney park guests. The second and third rules involve strollers: Guests will no longer be allowed to bring stroller wagons (essentially luxury rides for the toddler set) and stroller size will be limited to 31″ by 52,” the intention being “to ease guest flow and reduce congestion.” The FAQ notes that “many strollers, including many double jogging strollers, fit within these guidelines.” Guests who own strollers that are too roomy will have the option of renting downsized strollers at the park.

Last, Disney parks are cracking down on ice. Yes, the frozen-water kind. Specifically, they’re taking issue with “loose and dry ice,” which guests will no longer be allowed to bring into the parks. The ice ban will “improve guest flow, ease congestion and streamline the bag-check and entry processes,” the guidelines state. Reusable ice packs are allowed and “cups of ice are available at no charge” from any park location that sells beverages.

Disney notes that guests with disabilities will still be accommodated, as their policies have not changed in that regard.

The new rules will take effect prior the opening of Disney’s Star Wars-themed attraction Galaxy’s Edge. Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31 at Disneyland and August 29 at Walt Disney World.

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Benchmark has added the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at Gainesville to the company’s Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio. The recently renovated, 248-guest room property is located on the University of Florida campus, close to Gainesville’s Central Business District. The property serves a growing market of visiting alumni, parents and students, academics, and guests affiliated with the university. Its IACC-approved conference center, with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, attracts a significant number of meetings and events. The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at Gainesville is Benchmark’s tenth property in Florida, and the third hotel located on a major college campus within the United States.

“We are honored to be chosen by Hilton Hotels & Resorts to manage this exceptional property,” says Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. “We are also delighted to again expand our presence in Florida, where both our Gemstone Collection and Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brands are represented throughout the Sunshine State,” he said. Benchmark recently added two hotels in St. Pete Beach to its portfolio, expanding its presence to Southwest Florida.

Mr. Cabañas also noted the growing importance of conference center hotels to a university. “These hotels serve as a campus ‘guest house’, providing an authentic, on-campus experience while sharing ideas and resources,” he said.

The non-smoking, pet-friendly hotel includes 248 guest rooms and suites featuring HDTV, desks for work/study-related activities, and complimentary WiFi. Guests can enjoy the property’s outdoor pool and whirlpool and a 24-hour fitness center.

The University of Florida is a prominent research university, set on 2,000 acres in Gainesville, in North Central Florida. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in law, medicine, business and engineering.

The University of Florida campus offers an array of services and attractions, including an art museum, concerts, lectures, theater, libraries and sports events. Guests can enjoy collegiate football at the nearby Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, home of the Florida Gators. Other local attractions include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Gainesville Raceway. The surrounding region offers opportunities for biking, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming and wildlife viewing at one of seven nearby Florida State parks.

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