Why Disney World is the only theme park with its own no-fly zone

Disney World is the most magical place on Earth, but it’s also the only theme park with its own no-fly zone.

Usually when we think of the term ‘no-fly zone’, we think of it in a military context.

Disney World also has one in place, officially as an anti-terrorism measure.

But the move hasn’t gone over well with everyone.

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Why Disney World has a no-fly zone in place

When you go to Disney World, you can expect to see a lot of exciting things.

You’re guaranteed to see rollercoasters, an abundance of food, and if you’re lucky, you might run into your favorite character.

But one thing you won’t be seeing during your visit is a plane flying above Cinderella’s Castle.

The restricted airspace first came into effect back in 2001, alongside Disneyland in California.

Having been identified as potential targets for terrorists, the temporary order became a permanent one two years later under Operation Liberty Shield.

It was now illegal for planes to fly below 3,000 feet and within three miles of the park.

And that includes all aircraft, whether it’s a plane, a helicopter, or a drone.

It’s a shame about the drones, as we bet this flying castle would look amazing during a parade.

Not everyone is happy about this arrangement

No other theme parks in the US have flight restrictions like theirs, which has led some to protest that it has put them at a disadvantage.

For example, prior to the restrictions coming in, aerial advertisements being flown from planes were common sight from the park.

This stopped after 2003, shutting aerial advertisement firms out of the airspace, which they weren’t happy about.

In 2022, the Airlines Independent of Restrictions (AIR) bill was introduced to Congress, which would have rescinded flight restrictions over the Disney parks, but it didn’t pass.

The Disney parks are the only two non-governmental spots on the continental US to have no-fly zones in place.

The decision to grant the parks this status has been met with some controversy.

It was criticized by then-Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley, who had unsuccessfully lobbied for a flight restriction over his city.

“Mickey and Minnie have it. I mean, I can’t believe that. They get it first before we get it,” he said, according to The Los Angeles Times.

At any rate, Disney World still continues to draw in millions of visitors each year – and its films still bring in millions to the box office.

With stunt robots on the way and more expansions to the theme parks coming, the company isn’t slowing down any time soon.

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