What were the helicopters?

[stites1]

I swear I'm not a grassy knoll type, but when we were at the Dis in August, everyday we saw a blue and a red helicopter flying around. Does anyone know what these may be? We thought they were Orlando air tours or Disney Security.
Just curious.

 

[Tracy Savage]

We were there last Sept and we saw them too! I asked a cm and he said he didn't know what they were for . That led me to belive they may be some kind of security. I mean, come on, you work there and you don't know why there are helicopters buzzing you head?

 

[safetymom]

There are several companies that run helicopter tours that fly over the parks. Nothing sinister but tourists getting a great view of the parks.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

 

[we're all mad here]

The last I heard, WDW had a no-fly zone for general aviation in effect. There should be no aircraft within 3 miles of WDW and under 3,000 feet in altitude. The helicopter could be either an aerial survey or possibly a VIP getting an express ride to the airport. If someone can get a close view of the helicopter and note the tail number, you can look it up on the FAA's website and it will display the owner which may help solve this mystery.

 

[civileng68]

Actually those helicopters are tourists helicopters. If you take Hwy 192 east (West Irlo Bronson) and go east over I-4, you'll notice a helicopter service on the left a few miles down. This is the red/white helicopter you see. There are more companies but the red/white ones are here.

Also, the No-Fly zone is only for airplanes under 3,000 feet. This no-fly zone for Walt Disney World does not apply to helicopters.

 

[jojosmom]

Thanks, we saw them in January and thought maybe they were security

 

[civileng68]

From www.globalsecurity.org.

Many are upset that the reason Disney wanted the No-Fly zone was for commerical reasons and not to protect it's guests. I've often agreed that a restriction as this is next to useless for protection purposes, but whatever your opinion may be, here is the ordinance below:




"Disney park officials have wanted to eliminate air traffic over the parks long before 9-11," said Phil Boyer, president of the 390,000 members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a group asking the FAA to toss out Disney's no-fly zones. "Did they employ lobbyists to convince FAA to finally 'ban' general aviation in the guise of security?"

Security experts say such no-fly zones -- barring planes from flying below 3,000 feet within 3 miles of the center of the parks -- provide little actual protection from terrorism. The job of enforcing the zones is especially difficult above places such as Disneyland and Walt Disney World, where Cinderella Castle is located near busy airports, they say.

A terrorist in a small plane, for example, could fly from outside the zone and reach a park within seconds, they point out.

"Apart from warning away law-abiding pilots, it's not clear to me what this is going to buy you," said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a defense think tank in Alexandria, Va. "It's not clear to me what difference this would make unless they're going to put some antiaircraft missiles in front of the castle or something to enforce it."

However, the no-fly zones do provide an effective defense against Disney's decades-old business foes, self-styled guerrilla advertisers who try to lure customers away from Disney to area nightclubs and attractions. At its height, the Orlando air wars daily featured biplanes towing banners, blimps and single-wing skywriters competing for attention.

Today, aerial advertisers, such as Kittinger, can't sell their services if they have to fly above 1,200 feet. Flying in the no-fly zones these days can cost them their pilots' licenses.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Yes, they are sight-seeing choppers.
2) The view of WDW from the air is unique.
3) You can see the attractions, but also the back-stage areas.

4) Plus, if there is an engine failure, you can drop in on a ride.
5) Enough people would probably run, that you end up first in line.
6) Kind of give a whole new definition to the term "Park Hopper".

 

[civileng68]

Just FYI, while some reports state that the airspace below 3001 (to be exact) is closed to airplanes only, and some state all air vehicles...........the actual rule/law does allow Disney to grant access to certain specific vehicles.

If these companies lobby to Disney or have any agreement with them, they can be provided airspace access. It can be cleared with ATC and those specific designated vehicles will be allowed in the airspace.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

My husband has the photos on a calendar but would just LOVE a ride to see WDW from a helicopter. Has anyone done this?? Where did you leave from? Cost?? Was it worth it? I would love to arrange this for DH for our Christmas trip. What a great gift for the WDW fanatic!!! Thanks.

 

[N&B'smom]

Oh my gosh, love your secret service type smiley! That's a crack up!

Shelby

 

[Harambe]

1) Yes, they are sight-seeing choppers.
2) The view of WDW from the air is unique.
3) You can see the attractions, but also the back-stage areas.

4) Plus, if there is an engine failure, you can drop in on a ride.
5) Enough people would probably run, that you end up first in line.
6) Kind of give a whole new definition to the term "Park Hopper".

 

[AdventureGuru]

From www.globalsecurity.org.

Many are upset that the reason Disney wanted the No-Fly zone was for commerical reasons and not to protect it's guests. I've often agreed that a restriction as this is next to useless for protection purposes, but whatever your opinion may be, here is the ordinance below:




"Disney park officials have wanted to eliminate air traffic over the parks long before 9-11," said Phil Boyer, president of the 390,000 members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a group asking the FAA to toss out Disney's no-fly zones. "Did they employ lobbyists to convince FAA to finally 'ban' general aviation in the guise of security?"


Security experts say such no-fly zones -- barring planes from flying below 3,000 feet within 3 miles of the center of the parks -- provide little actual protection from terrorism. The job of enforcing the zones is especially difficult above places such as Disneyland and Walt Disney World, where Cinderella Castle is located near busy airports, they say.

A terrorist in a small plane, for example, could fly from outside the zone and reach a park within seconds, they point out.

"Apart from warning away law-abiding pilots, it's not clear to me what this is going to buy you," said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a defense think tank in Alexandria, Va. "It's not clear to me what difference this would make unless they're going to put some antiaircraft missiles in front of the castle or something to enforce it."

However, the no-fly zones do provide an effective defense against Disney's decades-old business foes, self-styled guerrilla advertisers who try to lure customers away from Disney to area nightclubs and attractions. At its height, the Orlando air wars daily featured biplanes towing banners, blimps and single-wing skywriters competing for attention.

Today, aerial advertisers, such as Kittinger, can't sell their services if they have to fly above 1,200 feet. Flying in the no-fly zones these days can cost them their pilots' licenses.

I know youposted the link to this...but was there anything else on the globalsecurity.org site re: this info? I'd like to read more

 

[civileng68]

I know youposted the link to this...but was there anything else on the globalsecurity.org site re: this info? I'd like to read more

I'll see if I can find the specific link. It had a LITTLE more but not much. Most of the rest was simply talking about the "Conspiracy" about Disney wanting the no-fly zone not for security but to keep aircraft flying banners away from view of the park guests.

 

[civileng68]

My husband has the photos on a calendar but would just LOVE a ride to see WDW from a helicopter. Has anyone done this?? Where did you leave from? Cost?? Was it worth it? I would love to arrange this for DH for our Christmas trip. What a great gift for the WDW fanatic!!! Thanks.

I've not done it and don't know the price but, I have seen photos from someone who DID do it and they are spectacular.

However, after seeing them, I can say it's sort of like a behind the scenes tour. Just be prepared to see everything that you never thought really existed behind those gates. Trash bins, and no theming. They are impressive though.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I think I will put a new post on up to see if anyone has info. I would love this for a present for DH!! Thanks again.