Disney pulled a fast one and got the TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) implemented when it had/has no right or reason to have them. The SOLE purpose of them getting TFRs in place was to cut down on all the aerial advertising that was going on over their parks. Disney argued it was for the "safety and security of their guests," but anyone with half a brain can deduce that a terrorist isn't going to honor a TFR and that they could violate the TFR and cause havoc in the parks within seconds...even in a small airplane. Even more ironic? It was my former Senator, the late Ted Stevens of Alaska who was instrumental in sneaking the Disney TFR's through! Regardless, it's a small and unimportant piece of Restricted airspace and it really isn't enforced, according to my friend at Orlando Approach Control. They enforce Kennedy Space Center, though...don't violate that one.
Yes, there are waivers in place to fly in the Disney TFR, however, they are exactly the same as those TFRs put in place for major sporting events/stadiums. Essentially, military, police and rescue aircraft can operate in the TFR at any time, and other aircraft can as well, PROVIDED they're providing broadcast services (news helicopters/blimps), or ferrying team personnel, family members, or equipment to/from the event. Otherwise, you're not
supposed to fly in the Disney TFR "
under penalty of law" (that's not enforced). I last went to Disney World 2 years ago and there was an aircraft flying a banner over EPCOT and another aircraft skywriting "Jesus Saves". Obviously, these 2 pilots were putting their pilots licenses at risk...but there doesn't seem to be much risk about it. Allegedly, Disney calls Orlando Approach fairly regularly to complain about "TFR Violators," but Orlando does nothing to enforce it.
Here's a fun little article from a decade ago that I found that was originally published in the Orlando Sentinel:
http://disneytfr.wordpress.com/how-these-tfrs-got-started/ It's pretty factual and (I thought) pretty interesting.
Anyway, back to topic...