Disneyland as a No Fly Zone Puzzling to NBC News

[Babette]

I just caught a news story on the local NBC4 broadcast. Chuck Henry was investigating the fact that there is a no-fly ordinance over Disneyland, but not other SoCal theme parks, San Onofre or other potential terror targets. Apparently this ban was "secretly" added to a senate bill in 2003. It is in effect 24/7 and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is upset because Santa Clause could not skydive into a local mall last December.

It was just such a weird "investigation". Not much detail, but you can see video on the NBC4 website (http://www.nbc4.tv/news/13081370/detail.html#).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I just watched an advertisement for Loretta Sanchez. Not a good one, either. :rolleyes:

[Ghoulish Delight]

OMG, they allow airplanes to fly over airports! Run for the hills!!!

Hmm, let me think, why does Disneyland get special treatment? Let's look at the following hypothetical Afghanistan Times headlines:

"Some Berry Farm in the land of the Great Satan got hit by a plane."

"Hijacked airplane headed for some place called San Onofre shot down miles away because no-fly zone or not the Great Satan's probably got someone watching for anything actually suspicious not just some dude in a piper cub trying to make a point."

OR

"Glorious Marter Wipes Disneyland Off the Map".

Yes, Disneyland gets special treatment. Slow news day much?

[Chernabog]

We chatted about this on another site and there are some regulations below a certain altitude over Disneyland, but it is not a no-fly zone at all altitudes.

[RStar]

I have seen planes and helicopters fly over Disneyland and thought there was a no-fly zone. So the altitude must make the difference.

[Ghoulish Delight]

We chatted about this on another site and there are some regulations below a certain altitude over Disneyland, but it is not a no-fly zone at all altitudes.
Yes, there is a floor at 30,000 feet. It's not an infinite ceiling, but it's significantly higher than any surrounding area.

But, um, duh. Who cares if other places are more densely populated with tourists or whatever, terrorism, at least the kind that lead to 9/11, has nothing to do with how many people die, it has everything to do with hitting something with world-wide prominence. Disneyland is an American institution. Hell, it's a world institution. Knott's barely hits the radar outside of Southern California.

Now, I won't necessarily argue that the no fly zone is particularly effective, though I'm sure there's some benefit in the form of alertness. But the indignation that this report was trying to engender due to Disneyland's "special treatment" is really reaching.

[Morrigoon]

She just bothers me anyway

[parkfreak]

I saw this report and I thought, "It must be sweeps or something". What a stupid thing to be upset about! And we pay tax dollars for Loretta Sanchez to go on TV to make some kind of stink about this?!?
Personally, I am glad for this regulation. I think it's great idea.

[€uroMeinke]

I'm pretty sure there's a no fly over San Onofre - of course military aircraft are exempt. Maybe the Destroyer parked off shore is considered enough of a deterrent?

[Alex]

It's 3000 feet, not 30,000 feet.

It is ironic because for years it was an urban legend that Disney had purchased a no fly zone over Disneyland. Completely untrue.

Then in 2003 they really got one (with no known involvement by Disney).

But it certainly wasn't secret. It has been discussed several times over on MousePad since 2003.

[Kevy Baby]

Wasn't Disneyland listed as one of the potential targets considered for the 9/11 attacks?