I am like many people in the United States and around the world. I've got many fond memories of Disney. I watched “The Wide World of Disney” (Yes, there was a time before cable television) when I was growing up. I've seen so many Disney movies and have a long list of favorites. We provided my daughter with a typical Disney infused childhood. We even went as a family to enjoy Disneyland more than once. It is now best to use some type of ground transportation when visiting a Disney theme park. If you fly near Disneyland or Disney World now, you're in BIG trouble. Just like the White House, Disneyland and Disney World have been designated as No-Fly zones.
“Sir, our navigation equipment has failed. I'm not sure of our location.”
“This is serious. We've started to take anti-aircraft fire from the ground below.”
“Who could be doing this?”
“It appears there's a mouse giving orders. A duck is operating and anti-aircraft gun. There is some girl in a formal evening gown aiming a surface to air missile launcher at us.”
“Look out up ahead. There is a guy on a flying carpet, some lady with holding a carpet bag saying "Spit Spot," next to a toy yelling "To infinity and beyond" that just went past.”
“I've established radio communications with them. May day, may day, we are not armed. Please cease hostile actions. We're a cargo aircraft delivering much-needed snack food.”
“Get out of here right now before we shoot you down. Commander cricket has spoken. Oh, by the way, when you wish upon a star.”
This is an actual story. Below are excerpts of the story in bold and my important insights is in italics.
WASHINGTON – What do the White House and the Magic Kingdom have in common? Each is protected by a federally imposed no-fly zone. That's because for the past decade, Disney World and Disneyland have benefited from a deal slipped into a 300-page spending bill that designates airspace above both parks as no-fly zones. That means anyone caught trying to chopper into Cinderella’s castle could risk federal prosecution and jail time.
Federal prosecution and jail time for taking pictures? Now that is a great way to promote the happiest place on earth.
“What are you in jail for?”
“I robbed a bank and shot the teller. How about you?”
“I flew a helicopter that got too close to Cinderella’s castle at a Disney theme park.”
“That mouse is tough.”
“Tell me about it. My kids got sentenced to doing Cinderella’s chores and my wife has to take care of these seven weird dwarfs.”
“That's rough.”
The no-fly zones were put in place ostensibly for security reasons following 9/11 but have stayed in place in what some say is a cleverly crafted plan by Disney to keep pesky aerial advertisers out of its pristine airspace. The zones over the Disney parks in Anaheim, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., work the same way as those imposed when the president travels, during air shows and during large sporting events. Only Disney's zones are not temporary.
This makes perfect sense. (Sarcasm Alert) Terrorists are responsible for destroying the World Trade Center and seriously damaging the Pentagon. I'm sure the CIA knows their next targets aren't military or government related; they are going after Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion as well as Pirates of the Caribbean and more.
Critics say the no-fly zones, which cover a three-mile radius in each of the parks, are only in place to prevent pilots from towing advertising banners over Disney. They also say the no-fly zones will do little in the event of an actual terrorist attack.
This is all about planes pulling advertising banners over theme parks? I bet a lot of public gathering places would like to have that power. Maybe a plane should pull a banner just outside of the Disney no-fly zone that reads “Even a flying elephant could be put in jail for violating the Disney no-fly zone."
“We believe the airspace restrictions over large gathering places like sports stadiums and our theme parks continue to make sense for enhancing public safety,” a Disney spokeswoman told FoxNews.com in an email.
That's true, but sports stadiums and other large gathering placed don't have their no-fly-zones in place permanently.
“Let's fly around awhile.”
“We can't at this time.”
“Why?
“There is a no-fly zone in effect for any place where people gather. PETA made sure there is a no-fly zone for any place where animals are living. Save the Whales has a no-fly zone for the oceans and the seas.”
“So, we can't fly any place at all.”
“We can still sit in the plane and make engine noises.”
“Okay.”
An investigation into the no-fly zones by the Orlando Sentinel revealed that Disney’s government-granted security zones put them on par with those for President George W. Bush’s ranch, nuclear submarine bases and military stockpiles of sarin gas.
So? I bet none of those places make it possible to watch the Country Bear Jamboree show. President George W. Bush's ranch may be the only exception.
In 2003, The Walt Disney Company had 13 lobbyists on its payroll. In 2014, that number rose to 18.
Can you imagine meeting a lobbyist from Disney?
“There’s a mouse and a duck to see you sir.”
“You mean those Disney lobbyists are here again?”
I understand that 9/11 was a pretty frightening time for all of us. At that time, I would've supported protecting an American icon like Disney at all costs. Things are a bit different now. It seems like the only reason Disney has a no-fly zone over its theme parks is because Disney is a wealthy company. It's an organization able to pay lobbyists to get laws passed in their favor. This is all too common. It's just upsetting when a company so beloved by so many acts like just another corporate giant.
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Story on Disney No-Fly Zone
