[15 mins to wdw]

Originally Posted by vlogilvie

I'm surprised that Disney is allowing this to fly overhead. I thought the there was a no-fly zone rule above the property.

I've also seen the planes spelling out messages over the parks. I saw this several times when I was on the college program.

The no fly zone doesn't really exist. Over the MK there is a flight restriction that requires any aircraft flying through this area to maintain 3,000 ft or more. All the other parks are normal height requirements. Thats why you see sight seeing tour helicopters over epcot and the studios all the time.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

Just curious about one thing...

Politics aside, what exactly does a presidential campaign hope to accomplish by circling a blimp over WDW in mid-February? The Florida primary is over, and how many people in the Disney parks are from states that still have primaries/caucuses left?

You would think that money could be better spent by circling a blimp in the states with upcoming voting dates, where the message would have greater effect. Doesn't seem like money well spent, unless the blimp pilot is just a fan of the candidate and is doing this on his own...?

My guess would be that the only reason to do that would be simply to get more eyes on the name of the candidate, and hope that someone will look up his positions? He's a guy with no chance whatsoever, so maybe the total point IS so someone will wonder "What's up with this wacky Ron Paul guy who doesn't even seem to know the primary is over?"

I don't know. <shrug>

[dznygrl]

Jeesh...I agree with Wish about the "reality" having no place in WDW.

It was bad enough when there was a MetLife blimp flying overhead the ENTIRE time we were there last week. A political blimp would have irked me even more! (Hey I'm the one who would change the channel every time DH tried to turn on the news at ASMu...WDW is no place for the "real world"! )

[cubsblue]

Originally Posted by Andrea

"What's up with this wacky Ron Paul guy who doesn't even seem to know the primary is over?"

I don't know. <shrug>

Wacky is a perfect description for him. Maybe he felt he would fit in well at Disney. Perhaps as a CM.

[15 mins to wdw]

Originally Posted by dznygrl

Jeesh...I agree with Wish about the "reality" having no place in WDW.

It was bad enough when there was a MetLife blimp flying overhead the ENTIRE time we were there last week. A political blimp would have irked me even more! (Hey I'm the one who would change the channel every time DH tried to turn on the news at ASMu...WDW is no place for the "real world"! )

The metlife blimp proably didn't have much choice about going over WDW. It was landing about 1 mile or less outside of the wdw property line. It was there for a little over a week, but I think its gone now. It's quite a popular spot for blimps to land when visiting the area.

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by 15 mins to wdw

The metlife blimp proably didn't have much choice about going over WDW. It was landing about 1 mile or less outside of the wdw property line. It was there for a little over a week, but I think its gone now. It's quite a popular spot for blimps to land when visiting the area.

I didn't really mind it being there...it was actually kind of entertaining because the last time we were in DL, there was a blimp overhead much of the time too. It's becoming a normal thing to see on our Disney trips.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

Just curious about one thing...

Politics aside, what exactly does a presidential campaign hope to accomplish by circling a blimp over WDW in mid-February? The Florida primary is over, and how many people in the Disney parks are from states that still have primaries/caucuses left?

You would think that money could be better spent by circling a blimp in the states with upcoming voting dates, where the message would have greater effect. Doesn't seem like money well spent, unless the blimp pilot is just a fan of the candidate and is doing this on his own...?

At first I'd agree about flying over Florida after the primary, but when you think about it, it makes plenty of sense. The Georgia primary was on Feb 5. as was Alabama's. There are still primaries and caucuses all the way to June 7. Something like 24 states still haven't decided yet. There are people from all over America vacationing in WDW, as well as Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens, and even Kennedy Space Center. Many of those people will have cameras. They will take pictures and show to their friends. Plus spring training is starting and many teams train in Florida. There's potentially a very big bang for the buck flying over these tourist rich areas.

Originally Posted by faerie dust

I agree he should respect our rights to not deal with all of this while we are there. I hope the FCC slaps him. and Yes Mickey mouse should run.. id vote for him. and minne for VP

The Ron Paul campaign is not connected with the blimp. The blimp is payed for by supporters on their own. It's similar to a certain group that ran ads against a certain candidate in 2004.
Not trying to be political about it, just offering the explanation in as neutral a way as I can. I'm sure you can all figure out what I'm referring to. They're not the same, they're just allowed the same way under current election laws.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by Daisee

If this is true, they are definitely breaking the rules. We witnessed a small plane that they use to spell out words with the exhaust (or whatever) flying over Epcot & OKW last June. They were spelling out Jesus U & other sayings.

Oh, it's true. There is a 3 mile ring around MK which extrend to 3,000 ft. All of which is a joke because if somebody wanted to do something bad all they have to do is fly over at 3,001 feet then dive in. Typical knee jerk reactions by people who don't understand.

And not a single general aviation plane was used in the 9/11 attacks.

Originally Posted by vlogilvie

I'm surprised that Disney is allowing this to fly overhead. I thought the there was a no-fly zone rule above the property.

I've also seen the planes spelling out messages over the parks. I saw this several times when I was on the college program.

Disney is powerful but the FAA controls the airspace.

[cubsblue]

Originally Posted by dznygrl

I didn't really mind it being there...it was actually kind of entertaining because the last time we were in DL, there was a blimp overhead much of the time too. It's becoming a normal thing to see on our Disney trips.

It would take a lot more than a blimp to ruin my time at the Magic Kingdom. I am sure whoever came up with the idea of putting it there did not want to anger anyone. We all do things that would look better in hind site.

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by Daisee

If this is true, they are definitely breaking the rules. We witnessed a small plane that they use to spell out words with the exhaust (or whatever) flying over Epcot & OKW last June. They were spelling out Jesus U & other sayings.

I saw this same plane in August!

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

I saw this same plane in August!

I saw it last weekend!

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

I saw this same plane in August!

Those planes seem to always be around now.
Also, seeing aircraft inside WDW airspace is becoming much more frequent over the last year.