Disney World Is Just Inches Away From Breaking a Law

Comments for Disney World Is Just Inches Away From Breaking a Law

tower of terror getting struck by lightning

Credit: Disney

29 Comments

  1. LynnCarolFeinn

    I’ve actually ridden on both Expedition Everest and the Tower of Terror! I love both of them!

  2. Tom

    Guess it doesn’t matter that Disney World is covered by a no-fly zone. The FAA demands what it wants.

    1. Noah

      They could apply for a review and exemption. From the policy:
      “An FAA aeronautical study may reveal that the absence of marking and/or lighting will not impair aviation safety.”

  3. We rode on Expedition Everest soon after it opened, when it was really great. The roller coaster was much faster and the Yeti actually jumped out at you. Maybe I’m being cruel, but I had to laugh at the reactions of the little kids as they got off the ride–every one of them was terrified and in tears. So of course Disney had to tone down the ride by slowing down the coaster and stopping the Yeti from jumping out, so you only saw it in shadow.

    1. Duo

      Thats not the reason the yeti doesn’t jump at you. They had to stop running it, as the foundation was cracking because of it. They would have to tear apart the ride to fix it. Which is why it hasn’t been fixed yet.

  4. Phil

    You can also include the castle in this article since it is 199 ft for the same exact reason.

  5. James

    Did Disney build Tower of Terror, as Hollywood Studios? The rides at Hollywood Studios (“Rock ‘n Roller Coaster feat AeroSmith” , “Tower of Terror”, and Star Tours) were all carry overs from when it was Universal Studios.

    I love Expedition Everest, and hopefully they bring back the Yeti.

    1. B

      James,
      Hollywood Studios was never Universal Studios. They are 2 separate places. Disney built the Tower of Terror.

    2. Fred

      It was never Universal Studios, that is a separate park. Hollywood Studios used to be MGM Studios. The joint trademarking agreement expired and they had to rename the park.

    3. NopeRopeSaysWhat

      Where in the heck did you get your info? Universal never owned Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney’s MGM Studios Park).
      Keep in mind, Walt Disney purchased nearly ALL of the land Disney parks are on way before Universal Studios even thought about building a park in FL.

    4. Chas

      True WDW is a no fly zone..it however ..and what most don’t know..it does have a private runway/airport less than a mile from the Kingdom …if you run out of gas flying you can use it.. Sadly though, they wont let you take off.lol..youll be trucking that baby out

  6. RCF

    I wish that these stories were something about things that weren’t decades old

    1. Gary

      So this story is about Disney Completely following the law? I guess I almost break the law every day by driving the speed limit. I’m only 1mph from breaking the law. Sorry, but this is a non story.

      1. Chas

        I like your reply Gary..True.
        Its really not a story..more of perfection..As for going 1 mph UNDER the speed limit….that’s the story

  7. Collins

    Tower of terror hasn’t been that for a few years now. It’s been re-themed into Guardians of the Galaxy. Excellent research to who ever wrote this article. 🙄

    1. Carrie

      Not at WDW…it’s still Tower of Terror.

    2. Bob

      Yeah. So. Ouch there.

  8. Lizzy

    WDW is covered by an FAA no fly zone, so they don’t need lights.

    1. trh

      Disney has an TFR – TEMPORARY Flight Restriction. So it could be cancelled at any time. Also, a TFR doesn’t remove the requirement for aircraft warning lights over 200′. And in case you haven’t notice, there are helicopter tours over Disney World multiple times each day, so should they build something higher than 200′, they would be required to install the appropriate lights.

      1. NopeRopeSaysWhat

        trh- exactly! I hope you don’t mind that I expand on your comment!

        It’s not even just the helicopter tours.
        Under the TFR – law enforcement and medical emergency flights are fully able to fly within the area when necessary, and the lighting for structures greater than 200 feet would need to be present.
        There’s a resort structure that’s 250+ feet in height, but the “cosmetic” lighting was more than enough to provide adequate lighting to meet FAA regulations.

      2. trh

        And the actual TFR (#4/3634) is only to 3,000 feet above ground. Also has exceptions for aircraft authorized by and in contact with Air Traffic Control. So to call it a ‘no fly zone’ is not an accurate statement at all.

  9. Josh

    The FFA does not make laws, they can give guidelines and suggestions. For it to be a law it would have to be something passed through Congress.

    1. NopeRopeSaysWhat

      While the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) doesn’t make laws per se, not adhering to the regulations can rack up some serious civil fines.
      The FAA would love to catch and fry a big fish – such as WDW.

      Example:
      “Not following the requirements could cost you a civil penalty of approximately $10,000 for each violation, with each day constituting a separate offence. In one reported case, a company was fined $25,000 for failing to properly light two antenna structures, failing to notify the FAA, and failing to properly maintain structures.”

    2. Henrietta

      The CDC isn’t supposed to make laws either, but they do.

  10. D

    Talk about a NON-THING! In today’s news! Disney follows all FAA height regulations! Here’s how! They keep the height UNDER the limit!

  11. Turbo

    This is true except for Disney owns the air space above them. Do better people.

  12. Mr Pointless

    This isn’t news and has been known for years? What is the point of this article? Infact I am pretty sure you’ve several similar to this already.

    They are not inches from breaking the law either, they designed it to be with regulations so didn’t they have to ruin theming by putting the blinking light on.

  13. Phoebe L Ho

    Wow. What a close shave.

    If I ever make it out to Florida, I will be riding the Tower multiple times (ohh I miss it so bad!!!) and going on an Expedition Everest with my camera for a little game called Snap the Yeti.

  14. I thought all of Walt Disney properties were a -no fly zone- did this change???

Comments are closed.