Disney's theme park no-fly-zones may be at risk from new legislation co-sponsored by Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene

May 10, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Wednesday May 10, 2023 12:23pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

More congressional Republicans want to join in with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' targeted retaliation against the Walt Disney Company by introducing legislation to strip the entertainment giant of its theme park no-fly-zones.

Flights directly over Disney parks are generally not allowed by FAA restrictions

Congressman Troy E. Nehls originally introduced the Airlines Independent of Restrictions (AIR) Act in 2022, shortly after The Walt Disney Company spoke out against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' so-called "Don’t Say Gay" bill.

Nehls last week reintroduced the bill that would direct the Secretary of Transportation to rescind the two no-fly zone Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM's) over Disneyland and Disney World.

"I’m proud to reintroduce my bill, the Airlines Independent of Restrictions (AIR) Act, in the 118th Congress to revoke Disney's special no-fly zone privileges,"said Congressman Nehls. "Theme parks like Disney should not receive special treatment just because they are well-connected. Our national security should not be compromised to fit the needs of one corporation."

Parts of Disney theme parks are FAA designated no-fly-zones for public safety

Since September 11, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California have FAA designated no-fly-zones for the safety of the tens of thousands of guests at the theme parks. The Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions were issued in October 2014 and require that no aircraft come within 3,000 feet in altitude of the theme park for a radius of three miles. Congresswoman Boebert appears to ignore the obvious safety risks, and instead suggests that Disney is "grooming children," and if they "Go woke, go broke."

"Woke corporations shouldn’t get any favors from the government,” said Boebert in a statement on Nehls' website. "The FAA has no business granting a no-fly-zone over Disney parks. Universal Studios, Hershey Park, Six Flags, and other theme parks don't have no-fly-zones over them, and it’s time for Disney to get the same treatment. No corporation should get preferential treatment from the government—especially when it is grooming children. Go woke, go broke."

Co-sponsors of this legislation include Representatives Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Scott Perry (PA-10), and Greg Steube (FL-17).

Discuss on the Forums

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mktMay 15, 2023

Yeah, I've been to abandoned malls before.

JoeCamelMay 15, 2023

You ever been in a de-commissioned nike site? It's cool to drop into the silos if no water and spooky to see the remains. I did 50 years ago, probably couldn't today, it was complete with an old runway you could go way fast on......

mktMay 15, 2023

That's what they want you to think maaaaaaaan

DisneyCaneMay 14, 2023

It's definitely the bigger risk but still probably not a big risk. Pilots are well trained and if they collide with another aircraft they usually end up dead so they don't get careless around other aircraft. I can't think of a banner plane collision at a major sporting event and they circle around those all the time.

JoeCamelMay 14, 2023

Well that is the story they told.......

networkproMay 14, 2023

The closest Nike Hercules battery to Orlando was HM69 in the Everglades and was decommissioned in 1979.

DisAlMay 14, 2023

I agree with you. By the time you recognize the problem it is already too late to do anything about it. I would be more concerned about collisions between the annoying banner towing aircraft and the mosquito cloud of helicopter tours than terrorists.

DisneyCaneMay 14, 2023

If someone had a drone capable of lifting enough weight what difference would it make if there is a no fly zone? They could launch it from somewhere on property and hit a target before anyone would have time to report it.

Bullseye1967May 13, 2023

You are forgetting about the Nike AA missile battery on top of Cinderella's castle. :hilarious:

lazyboy97oMay 13, 2023

A drone doesn’t have a conscious. It’s not going to object to flying where it’s not supposed to fly. Even if it has software limitations, those are not universal, absolute or free from being worked around.

TP2000May 13, 2023

Already lots of good points in this thread for both sides of this issue, of which I'm still considering. And heavy duty civilian drones bought on Amazon that can fly 20 miles with a decent payload weren't a real option in 2002. But I will say this, I remember pre 9/11 when Disneyland would almost always have a flying banner or two above it for the local Toyota dealership or a local pizza chain or something. Those were so tacky! :depressed: But on the flip side, somehow I never minded when the Goodyear Blimp would do a few circles around Disneyland in the early evening on its way to Angel Stadium for the night. I thought that was far classier and classic Americana, just like Disneyland. It helped that Goodyear was a longtime sponsor of Disneyland's PeopleMover, and Tomorrowland had planters and benches in the shape of the Goodyear logo. Pre 9/11 the Goodyear Blimp was allowed to be much closer to the ground, but now it's much higher. It still will travel past Disneyland on its way to Angel Stadium, but it doesn't circle the park any more and it's so high in the sky it's all rather pointless. TP2000 Official Opinion: Flying Banners For Car Dealerships = Bad & Tacky Goodyear Blimp = Fun & Festive

JoeCamelMay 13, 2023

Theme park fans can be very unstable.....

TraumaMay 13, 2023

I don’t think the type of people doing these things need inspiration. They operate at whole different level of sick.

BrianMay 13, 2023

Just a friendly reminder that Disney fans aren't the only ones with access to the internet. You'd probably feel pretty terrible if you unintentionally inspired someone with malicious intent. Please be mindful when posting about "what ifs."