Fireworks ban and Disney

[NYDisneyKid]

I know Disney is in Orange Country but I was reading the news this morning and see there is a ban on fireworks in Osceola County (so far). If they extend the ban to Orange would that mean no fireworks at Disney. I mean a ban is a ban.

 

[WTP]

I would think that Disney, with the boon that it is to the local economy, will have enough lobbyists and friends that the ban will either not come to their county, or it will be written with an exception for the such and such drainage district that is the Disney property. I'm not worried at all.

 

[torinsmom]

Doesn't Disney have it's own "county" in a way? I know they have some autonomy from the counties it is located in. I think the name is "Reedy Creek". I know it made building easier, as they didn't have to go through those counties for inspection.

 

[rock_doctor]

The WDW complex is large enough that Orange Country would not bother with them. Remember the area is under a fire risk and they don't want people to ignite anything that would start a fire or hurt themselves. WDW has its own fire department plus they are experienced pyro-techicians. Imho even if Orange does this also Disney will ignore it and go with business as usual.

 

[KrysiaG]

I wouldn't be worried about Disney's fireworks to be honest with you. I am sure that ban won't apply to them. Ohio has a state law that bans fireworks. See this:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/ente...ireworks-can-you-set-off-in-ohio--794619.html

However, we have Kings Island very close to me (huge HUGE theme park/amusement park) and they set off fireworks every single night.
http://www.visitkingsisland.com/pub...fireworks_two_times_larger_than_last_year.cfm

 

[NYDisneyKid]

with all due respect,,,must be nice to be above the law

 

[Aunt Cawa]

A number of years ago we were staying at the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom. Since it was July 4th weekend we were very excited to be able to see the fireworks from our room, we thought. You guessed it. Because of the fire conditions, all fireworks were cancelled even the planned July 4th fireworks. So Disney is not above the law.

 

[Reddy]

with all due respect,,,must be nice to be above the law

Not above they just have their own laws - different area with different people in charge. I think the first will be no fireworks for people who aren't permitted to have them(so they keep the theme parks fireworks but no one else) Disney does a great job at keeping them safe & alot of the newer stuff is using less & less of them (more lights & water effects)

 

[Pjimmeyer]

This is an interesting point. I thought that since technically the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) is the immediate governing jurisdiction for the land of the Walt Disney World Resort, they would not have to go by County imposed ordinances unless they wanted to.

From a wiki article:
"However, Disney knew that their plans for the land would be easier to carry out with more independence, and they petitioned the Florida State Legislature for the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which would have almost total autonomy within its borders. Chapter 67-764[1] of the Laws of Florida was signed into law by Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. on May 12, 1967, creating the District. On the same day, Governor Kirk also signed the incorporation acts for two cities inside the District: Bay Lake (Chapter 67-1104) and Reedy Creek (Chapter 67-1965). (The City of Reedy Creek was renamed to the City of Lake Buena Vista around 1970.)"

another tidbit:
"The Improvement District has far-reaching powers. Through the District, Disney could construct almost anything within its borders, including a nuclear power plant (which it never built, opting instead for a more traditional plant that supplements power from outside of the District). The District, as with any municipal corporation, can issue tax-free bonds for internal improvements. This became a point of contention when a 1985 law limited the amount of tax-free bonds in Florida. The eligible bonds were chosen randomly, causing the District to beat out Orange County, which had planned to build low-income housing, in 1989.

In addition to the power of eminent domain outside the District, the one other power that the District was given (that it would not have had if it were simply the two cities) was an exemption to state zoning and land use laws. When the state later established the Development of Regional Impact study process, Disney, through the District, was able to avoid the paperwork and streamline the process to build theme parks and other attractions. On the other hand, county taxes, including property and sales taxes, still apply within the District."

So does this mean that Disney compliance with the county ordinance would be voluntary?

I mean I have no problem with this. They are experts with fireworks under any conditions.

 

[juliebug1997]

A number of years ago we were staying at the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom. Since it was July 4th weekend we were very excited to be able to see the fireworks from our room, we thought. You guessed it. Because of the fire conditions, all fireworks were cancelled even the planned July 4th fireworks. So Disney is not above the law.

That was probably the same year that the second race at Daytona was canceled/postponed.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Many times when it come to laws like this there are clauses or amendments that will exempt professionally licensed pyrotechnicians. If you just hear the ban reported on in the news then it won't go into all the fine print, but it is often there.

I think we can all agree there is a big difference when it comes to fire risk between something professional and planned out with a fire department on standby and contingency plans in place, and some drunk dude setting off fireworks in a field on a Saturday night. The latter obviously has a much greater risk of setting off a major fire.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Doesn't Disney have it's own "county" in a way? I know they have some autonomy from the counties it is located in. I think the name is "Reedy Creek". I know it made building easier, as they didn't have to go through those counties for inspection.

if that was the case then why do they have "orange county" sheriffs there?

 

[chartle]

I wouldn't be worried about Disney's fireworks to be honest with you. I am sure that ban won't apply to them. Ohio has a state law that bans fireworks. See this:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/ente...ireworks-can-you-set-off-in-ohio--794619.html

However, we have Kings Island very close to me (huge HUGE theme park/amusement park) and they set off fireworks every single night.
http://www.visitkingsisland.com/pub...fireworks_two_times_larger_than_last_year.cfm

Completely different situation.

PA also bans all the "good" fireworks but every Fourth we have a fireworks show.

The ban is for what a person can set off on their own without a permit.

KI has a permit that allows them to set off fireworks. They have to use professional people, pyrotechnitions (?) and have a plan that shows exclusion zones and such.

The ban proposed in FL is due to fire risk. Which if the state or county wanted to they could suspend WDW's permit.

WDW is not immune from fires. One popped up in the area between FW and the TTC.

ETA: I read the article on whats banned in OH, in PA we can buy and use better stuff like fountains with under a certain amount of powder.

 

[snykymom]

Massachusetts has had a fireworks ban for years (people drive into neighboring New Hampshire to buy them), and yet we have fireworks every 4th on the Esplanade in Boston, and in most cities & towns.

Most fireworks bans refer to individuals buying fireworks to shoot off in their backyard, not fireworks which require permitting, licensing, and various safety requirements. In fact, the news reports make just such a distinction:

During this year's July 4 celebrations, citizens are encouraged to enjoy professional, permitted fireworks displays at Celebration, St. Could Lakefront or at an area theme park.

http://www.wesh.com/r/28232448/detail.html

 

[Pjimmeyer]

if that was the case then why do they have "orange county" sheriffs there?

They actually contract with the Orange County Sheriffs department to help provide security.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

They actually contract with the Orange County Sheriffs department to help provide security.

oh thats right,,,they have guns,,,disney security doesnt

 

[Cloudwatcher]

oh thats right,,,they have guns,,,disney security doesnt

Correct, they don't give guns to rent-a-cops.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Correct, they don't give guns to rent-a-cops.

thank god for small miracles

 

[pilferk]

with all due respect,,,must be nice to be above the law

They're not.

There isn't a law, in their county, right now. At least not the one where the fireworks are being deployed.

And if a law were written, targeting their county (or even if one was introduced by the state), there would be exemptions granted (and it wouldn't just be to Disney).

 

[rie'smom]

If the ban is due to drought, then I wouldn't think Disney would be excluded. If it's because they don't want people popping fireworks willy nilly, then it seems like Disney would not be included in the ban.