Local

Texas congressman pushes to eliminate no-fly zones over Disney parks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Texas congressman from Texas is questioning the no-fly zones over Disney theme parks in both Florida and California.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

This comes after Florida lawmakers recently voted to do away with Reedy Creek, Walt Disney World’s special taxing district.

In a letter to the secretary for the Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Troy Nehls points out that Universal Studios and other competitors don’t have the same kind of no-fly zone seen at Walt Disney World, which was permanently set up by Congress in 2003 as a response to 9/11.

READ: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers?

The no-fly zone states aircrafts can be no closer than an altitude of 3,000 feet and a three-mile radius from the center of Magic Kingdom.

“So the criticism of Disney Is that a no-fly zone doesn’t really protect them from anything,” said Dr. Richard Foglesong, author of the book “Married to the Mouse,” which chronicles Disney’s history in Florida.

READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you will

Nehls is asking them to reconsider the decision that led to these decision that made these “temporary” restrictions permanent, writing “measures designed for protecting our national security and public safety must not be co-opted by companies looking to gain.”

Read the letter below:

Disney has not responded to requests for comment.

Foglesong said he believes the letters are purely a political move against Disney.

READ: These companies may be caught in crossfire of DeSantis-Disney tussle

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Jeff Deal

Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

I joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in 2006.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.