View from the plane?

[ironz]

For the first time ever, this March on a JetBlue flight from EWR, sitting on the left side of the plane, we clearly saw Dolphin and Spaceship Earth as we approached for landing. Surprisingly, it was the turquoise form of Dolphin that caught my attention first, then I found SE.

Bill From PA

SE looks so SMALL from the plane!
I've been able to spot WDW a couple of times...I look for the Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon combo. Once I found it by spotting the bright colors of CBR. But like others said, it all depends on direction, etc.

 

[Bill From PA]

SE looks so SMALL from the plane!

Exactly, SE was what I was looking for when, to my left of it I saw Dolphin. It was minutes before 10 am this Feb 28, brilliant sunshine, when I spotted a small, greenish pyramid. We were headed for the BoardWalk so I tried to make that out, but no luck. SE is not the impressive structure I pictured when seen at a distance from altitude.

Bill From PA

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Just remember that MCO is actually on the East side of Orlando, and WDW is outside Orlando to the West. You could only see it if your plane flight plan would be to go near. But Disney, from what I have heard, has done alot to try to keep planes away from the parks to avoid any guest distraction.

 

[stopher1]

I have seen the world many times on my return trips home... as long as it's not a cloudy or rainy time, which of course seems to happen now and again in FL! I've been able to see pretty much all of it - from the DTD corner all the way across past the MK - with the AK tree of life in the background - and the Epcot ball in the center. It's a great view! My DS took a picture of it on our last trip - but the delay of the camera made it so the MK off to the left, and not centered as he'd hoped. Oh well - we'll try again another time!

 

[Poohbear123]

I flew this past weekend, and in many of my trips, have YET to see ANY of WDW! I must be too far East, of WDW!

 

[mom2aredhead]

We fly from NJ and have never seen anything. Wish we could though!

We've never seen it either. But my son swears he sees it every time we land. He looks out the window and saying "I see Mickey's house...I see Mickey's house".

Of course, he was only 4, so I'm not too inclined to believe him.

He also swears he sees the Statue of Liberty every time we land. Even when we're coming the route that takes you north up the Turnpike.

 

[boufa]

This quote I took from http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030511-disney01.htm

"Walt Disney Co. won a rare prize on the eve of the Iraq war when federal officials permanently closed the airspace above its theme parks in Florida and California -- ostensibly to protect against terrorist attacks."

While this searching this, I found a lot of people who thought this was just another Disney control issue, but I for one think it is a good idea. You cannot fly over a sporting event, due to the number of people there. (There are exceptions, media, blimps, etc) In the case of cleveland, it nearly closes the airport next door when the browns are playing.

Back to disney, while it may be possible to see it at a distance, the retricted air space would make it tough.

back off disney, the funny thing when i was little, we would drive on a freeway about 10 miles from cedar point, we would try to see if we could see the "needle" ride above the trees. Now you see several coasters, and it is hard to miss.

Has anyone tried the new "3d" option on maps.live.com? The view of disney is great!

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

Last year, our pilot on SW pointed out where WDW was located and said if you looked very carefully, you may be able to spot it although we were pretty far away. Of course, I was on the wrong side of the plane and couldn't see a darn thing. He said that occasionally, it is possible to see it from the plane - obviously, they know where it's at from the instrument readings and experience.

 

[mmmears]

It's always dark when we are landing, but I know I saw some fireworks last time (could be from US?) and some theme-park type locations all lit up, but since I couldn't make anything specific out I dont think it was really WDW.

 

[deej696]

Having lived in Orlando and Central Florida all my life, I am usually able to recognize the landmarks to look for when in the air. Seeing Disney is very difficult, mainly because the runways face North-South thus the patterns for most takeoffs does not take them over property. If your flight approaches from the South on landing, and you circle from the west side of the airport, then you may be closer WDW and you might catch a glimpse. In my experience, however, when we approach from the south, we usually do so on the east side of the airport, which of course is further from Disney. On this side, I've been able to spot Kennedy Space Center many times. The only time I have ever seen anything at Disney was on a super clear day early in the morning, I could make out the Dolphin, but thats about it....

 

[kxmeeh]

We traveled to disneyland in april 2002 and a cm told us that they are now a no fly zone because of 9/11. when i looked a little nervous, the cm said don't worry, and told me to look up. on the roofs of some of the buildings on main street were people...cast members who were actually posted there to watch for anything that looks suspicious. sorry to get totally off topic. we keep looking for disney. this time we are landing at 10.30, so i don't think we'll see anything that night. i wish fireworks went off that late. it would be cool!

 

[LizAgna]

On March 2nd when we were flying back to B'ham we saw Wishes from the plane...it was so neat...the fireworks that had been soooo big 2 nights before were tiny balls of light from the sky!!

 

[neutie88]

Last September we were flying back to Houston and went south, and I could not believe what I saw! I wasn't absolutely sure, so I started snapping photos and when I got home, sure enough, Epcot and MGM (now HS). I have a picture to attach, but I can't figure out how!
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/30832/sort/1/cat/502

 

[patink]

Keep telling me about times you have seen WDW from the air!! I want to believe.

 

[valenrandy]

In our many trips to and from orlando from houston we have always caught a glimps of the world atleast once. Its usually on the way to houston though.

Last time We flew right over the TTC, epcot, Pop, Allstars....... also got to see AK parking lot.

Its always better with pics!!!!!!

 

[valenrandy]

BTW..............

WDW is currently not a no fly zone. As you can see in my pics we were right over it. Also, that guy that flies over epcot everyday writing out frases.( God, I love you, be saved) to name a few. CM told us at KTTKT. SWA always seems to take the path over wdw when heading for houston.

 

[feline figaro]

I ve managed to spot Kennady Space Centre with ease but no sight of Disney . Its one of those things when you start telling yourself "thats it" & boy its not . Wish i could see it though, then again probably a good thing i cant see it as i ll get too excited, think id drive my df nutts. As it is hes dreading 9 hr 20 mins of me on a plane constantly going " are we there yet"

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

In September of 1996 we landed in Orlando about 11:00pm and we could see Spaceship Earth in all it's glory ! Last August we landed in the morning and could see no site of WDW.
I'm hoping we can get another look at Spaceship Earth this October.... we land at MCO about 9:45pm.

 

[PatriciaH]

In 2005 we flew from MCO to California and flew right over the Contemporary and MK. Great view. Around 1999 we flew in to MCO from MA and saw the fireworks going off at Epcot in the distance.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think it just depends on the direction the plane takes and on which side you're seated. I have seen the Epcot ball and ToT building a couple times, but I don't usually see anything.