Just got back from a family trip to WDW. I noticed that the only aircraft I observed overhead were a Bell Jetranger and a Robinson. Both made frequent pass overs and appeared to belong to Disney. I saw no private aircraft. Since I know that pilots like to fly over interesting sites, I assumed that the lack of aircraft means its restricted. Is my assumption correct?
It’s restricted below 3000’. It doesn’t really serve any purpose other than reducing aircraft noise in the park.
Not that I know of. As long as the aircraft remain over 3000’ anyway.
I suppose I worded my question wrong. I didn’t mean restricted no fly up to space. So by those answers does it mean that there is no uncontrolled air space?
I am not sure if I am following you exactly but there is Class E & G airspace. It is almost completely uncontrolled and applies to much of the sparsely populated areas of the U.S. Class G airspace is usually 600 to 1,200 feet AGL and Class E is usually 1,200 - 18,000 feet AGL.
Around Disney from the ground to 2999’ there’s an explicit “Temporary Flight Restriction” (that’s been around for a decade so not so temporary).
Above Disney, Between 3000’ and 5999’ there’s what you’d generally call uncontrolled air space in that you can fly there all you want without talking to any air traffic controllers. Except for the circle around Disney, that area is “uncontrolled” airspace from the ground to 6000’.
From 6000’ to 10,000’ is controlled air space where you’d need to be talking to Orlando “Approach” air traffic controllers.
Then from 10,001’ to 17,999’ is more uncontrolled airspace. From 18’000’ up anywhere in the US is more controlled air space.
I’m doing all this from memory so I may have an altitude or two wrong there.
Here’s an airspace map of that area if you’re really interested…
Orlando Airspace
Oh, I see what you mean. I think silenus and I were actually agreeing but just worded it conversely.
I agree. We effectively simulposted and worded our answer both ways. How efficient of us, don’t you think? 
As Pixel Dent alludes to, the restriction was nominally imposed as a security measure post-9/11. Disney has quietly lobbied to keep it in place, and there’s not much point in flying over Disney anyway.
I went back through all of the past Terminal Area Charts (TAC) for Tampa/Orlando. There was however a note in the late 90s through 2003 that requested no flights under 2000’ AGL in the area. That was raised to 3000’ in 2003. There is now Public Law 108-199, Section 521, that prohibits flights at and below 3000 feet AGL. This is the same law that is around Disneyland as well. Since I don’t fully understand those laws that well I can only gather that it applies to a lot of stadiums and other places people may constantly be at.
Relevant text from here:
The temporary airspace created by this Special Security Notice is defined as a “National Security Area,” and its creation was a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11. Air traffic control has no idea when it is active, as it does not apply to aircraft under their direct control. Flight Service, the legal, blessed-by-the-FAA source of preflight planning information for pilots, also has no idea. Pilots who fly by visual flight rules (not under direct control of ATC) are expected to just magically know the location of every single stadium in the country that meets the above criteria, whether any of them fall under their route of flight, and also whether or not there is an event that meets the above criteria happening at their expected time of crossing. It can be a real headache. I know it just sounds like complaining, but 3 miles and 3000 feet can literally be covered in a matter of seconds in an airplane. It’s like most of the TSA rules - makes the public feel good, but doesn’t really do much, and is a huge PITA to those who have to deal with it on a regular basis. The worst part about this airspace restriction is that the public, who it was meant to impress, has no idea it even exists.
There is the same reason that we flew over certain things while I was in Army Aviation, because its cool to look at from the air.
Thanks for the answer. That is kind of what I expected.
I flew into Orlando one night on a commercial plan and while we weren’t directly above Disney, we were pretty close (but well over 3000’). But the fun part was we happened to be flying over during the nightly fireworks, so it’s the only time I’ve seen a fireworks show from above. That was pretty cool.
I don’t know what else to say, but Disney World has had a note on the TAC for the last 13-14 years saying to avoid the area under 2000 AGL. The law went into effect in 2003 from what I’ve seen on the charts. As for people not knowing, stadiums, race tracks, and other places that are large enough to hold 30,000+ people, they are generally charted. I would assume that if you don’t know the area you would know enough to stay away from them. There’s also the AFDs that pilots are supposed to check before flying as well.
I’m not a pilot, I update the charts so flying is something I don’t know much about. I would have guessed that either the pilot knows the area or has gotten the most current charts to know the areas to avoid.
I’m sure tourists would like it.
How much good does a restriction do? By the time an aircraft is detected violating the airspace it would be too late.
The problem usually isn’t knowing where the stadium is, those are listed on most charts, it’s knowing when there’s a game. In Gainesville, FL it’s pretty common to fly over the stadium on the way to the airport from the South and West, but you’re not supposed to do it during a game whose time may have been set the night before by the TV network.
It’s usually not a big issue, but it’s just an example of the gotcha rules that are pretty common for pilots.
I remember right after 9/11 they quickly passed a rule saying you weren’t supposed to fly over certain power plants, dams, and some other “national security” infrastructure. When a pilot group asked for a list of those places so they could let their members know where they were and chart them they were told that list was classified. So for awhile there was literally a secret list of places over which you could be arrested for flying.