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ShelbyH
03-15-2011, 03:43 PM
Am I the only one who saw this? I was at Disneyland today, and around 12:45 or 1:00ish I noticed everyone looking up at the sky, so of course i looked up too and there were a bunch of planes doing skywriting. I think it was pretty windy so the letters were smearing quickly, but the one I saw three times was "RIDE SUPERMAN 5D" and I was like :confused: because the only Superman ride I know of is in Magic Mountain, and then I was like :eek: Magic Mountain is advertising over Disneyland!

Some google searches later I found that MM revamped the Superman ride and it's opening this weekend. I couldn't believe how ballsy it was to advertise another park over Disneyland.

Did anyone else see this? I couldn't make out many of the letters so I don't even know if it said Magic Mountain--did anyone else catch more of it? And has this ever happened before?

I put some pictures up on my blog: My Year With the Mouse (http://myyearwiththemouse.com/2011/03/15/an-ad-for-another-theme-park-at-disneyland/).

kelli1rose
03-15-2011, 04:27 PM
I did not see it, but I just wanted to say hello to Shelby. (waving)

The only time I remember seeing skywriting about Disneyland was a "marry me" type message, pre-9-11................way uncool of Six Flags IMHO

disney42dude
03-15-2011, 04:33 PM
That's smart marketing! Trying to draw some of the spring break crowd.

Toocherie
03-15-2011, 04:38 PM
I thought there was a "no-fly" zone over Disneyland? anyone?

really low-class of MM--but then, what do you expect?

Aysle
03-15-2011, 05:01 PM
Its a 1 mile no fly around DLand, but with sky writing you don't have to be over it to sky write "above" it.

Thats smart MM marketing... no reason they shouldn't take advantage of getting as many visitors as possible.

cstephens
03-15-2011, 05:05 PM
I thought the no-fly zone was an urban myth.

It's actually pretty smart of them to do that. It's not all that different from buying a giant billboard across from a competitor.

Aysle
03-15-2011, 05:12 PM
I thought the no-fly zone was an urban myth.


It does exist. I learned to fly out of Fullerton Airport, We would fly down the 5 then turn before hitting DLand to get the coast very often (using it as a marker) but my instructor was very clear to stay 1 mile away as you are not allowed to fly over it.

Although I also know that ATC can give exceptions to the exclusion zone... Generally its given to News Choppers with a good reason... last time I remember it happening was on the last day of the Electrical Parade years ago when they let tons of news choppers close by to report on the crowds and such.

Toocherie
03-15-2011, 05:36 PM
Its a 1 mile no fly around DLand, but with sky writing you don't have to be over it to sky write "above" it.

Thats smart MM marketing... no reason they shouldn't take advantage of getting as many visitors as possible.


I thought the no-fly zone was an urban myth.

It's actually pretty smart of them to do that. It's not all that different from buying a giant billboard across from a competitor.

A friend of mine is also a pilot and has told me about the no-fly. In fact, once we were at the park and she and her boyfriend (also a pilot) were remarking because there was a plane flying over and they were wondering if they were in violation or had gotten permission to fly over the park.


In any event, not that big a fan of guerilla marketing.

If the people are locals, I'm sure they will see plenty of ads for the "new" ride.

If they are coaster fans I'm sure they already knew about it.

If they are out-of-towners I doubt they will change Disney plans to drive to Valencia (assuming they even had a way to get there).

BTW, if it's the ride I saw on Channel 5 a week or so ago, it's basically the same ride--except that you go backward instead of forward. I wouldn't go on it in either direction! :D

Malcon10t
03-15-2011, 06:03 PM
It does exist. I learned to fly out of Fullerton Airport, We would fly down the 5 then turn before hitting DLand to get the coast very often (using it as a marker) but my instructor was very clear to stay 1 mile away as you are not allowed to fly over it.

Although I also know that ATC can give exceptions to the exclusion zone... Generally its given to News Choppers with a good reason... last time I remember it happening was on the last day of the Electrical Parade years ago when they let tons of news choppers close by to report on the crowds and such.Double check your Jeppesen and NOTAMs. The TFR says you cannot fly below 3000' over a 3 mile radius off the Seal Beach Vortac. (Disneyland is in the middle of this.) If you are above 3000', you can go right over the top.

Now, add to it, all it takes is a "Center, Cessna 5 5 Mickey Mouse requests permission to descend to 270." And wait for your approval. Having flown over Disneyland below 3000', its not a big deal.

NOW all that said, they aren't going to give sky writers permission.

Malcon10t
03-15-2011, 06:15 PM
I thought the no-fly zone was an urban myth.When I think of "no fly zones", I think of places like the White House and Edwards Air Force Base. These are "no flys." You cannot fly over, at any flight level, period. Get too close, you might find yourself with an escort. (The shot in Soarin' is taken right from the edge of the No Fly I was told.) Having "skirted" Edwards (it sits right in the path of a flight I used to take monthly) a few times, there is a big difference between "DO NOT FLY OVER AT ALL" and "Stay above a half mile in this area."

ShelbyH
03-15-2011, 06:16 PM
Hey Kelli! :)

That's interesting about the no-fly zone, but Malcon10t complete lost me ;).

A commenter on my blog said that she saw it on the way to Knott's too, so I'm wondering exactly where they were positioned. I first saw the writing as I was standing in between the Nemo line facing the Matterhorn just past Tomorrowland Terrace and I could read from left to right. I then circled around the Matterhorn onto the circle and could still read it. Then they swung north and the last picture I took on my blog was over Small World and they were writing upside-down, so you'd have to be way north of the park to look back and read it.

I just found it so ballsy! I'm sure Disneyland wasn't thrilled. But I agree with Toocherie-- locals and coaster fans will have heard about it and out-of-towners aren't going to change their plans and drive up to Valencia anyway.

Aysle
03-15-2011, 06:48 PM
As malcon stated it is 3000' ft... I tried to simplify it to much... You can't fly over and wave at your friends :)

Never tried request permission from ATC to fly over low though... interesting if its easy... will have to do that next time as the out of town visitors will love it. Just generally avoided it as I don't usually fly much above 3000' especially since I usually am just taking the joy riders to the sea wall for some landing practice. For those that want to read the exact restrictions here is the NOTAM.

http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_5145.html

As for the sky writing... Prob. didn't cost them that much and if 15 extra people decide to go, with food costs and such they made money off it.


For those wondering the simplest explanation of a VORTAC would be like a freeway for planes... Its a set route to navigate via that is on maps.8

But malcon is right its not a technical No Fly zone... the airforce wont be visiting you or anything your just not supposed to go there...

Malcon10t
03-15-2011, 07:41 PM
the airforce wont be visiting you or anything your just not supposed to go there...Nope, but you could get a letter in the mail informing you of your "mistake". Or depending on what you do, if you are messing around big time, you might get met at the airport when you land. (When you mess around up here, they have to guess who it was, but with mandatory transponders in LA, they know who is messing around usually.)

I am curious how the writer got approved, or if he did....

disney42dude
03-15-2011, 09:30 PM
I thought there was a "no-fly" zone over Disneyland? anyone?

really low-class of MM--but then, what do you expect?

Not really "low-class." Just smart. Why take it personally? Haha.

Mouseketeer1955
03-16-2011, 10:14 AM
This requires an anecdote about DLR v. MM.

In 1993, I and my family went to Magic Mountain for the first time. To put this into perspective, I was 38 at the time and, with the exception of being in the military, I have been a resident of California since 1956.

Observations

When we got to Magic Mountain, and boarded their tram, it was scratched, and the places where bare metal was showing, had signs of rust. Once we got into the park, the employees looked more like carnies and gang bangers, and less like Magic Mountain employees. When we climbed on their monorail, it was dirty and the operator had a surly attitude. In fact, at one point, my daughter, who was 9 at the time, shifted in her seat and the operator began yelling at her to sit down. Needless to say, as soon as the monorail stopped, we got off.

As we passed by one of the water rides, the water smelled stagnate, and the area looked like it needed maintenance and cleaning. When my wife and daughters went into the women's bathroom, they saw some female standing in there topless and changing clothes.

As we walked around, one of the roller coasters broke down and the riders were upside down. And they were still upside down as we left Magic Mountain.

We spent about an hour and a half there before having enough of it and left. As we left the park, we saw eight security guards, standing side by side, at the entrance. After getting on the rusty tram, we went back to the parking lot, and as we walked toward our car, we noticed that a parked car had its trunk broken into, and the contents removed and tossed on the ground.

The Remedy to the Start of a Crappy Day

After leaving Magic Mountain, I didn't want the day to be a total wash, so I drove down I5 to Anaheim, and we went to Disneyland. Talk about a complete 180 degree difference. Clean park, polite happy cast members, and all in all a bad day was salvaged and turned into a great day.

Conclusion

Magic Mountain is a pit to be avoided. I've never been back there since that day, and in fact, my wife and I turned down free tickets to Magic Mountain. I will never go back there, I don't care what promotions they have.

CariBelle
03-16-2011, 10:25 AM
BTW, if it's the ride I saw on Channel 5 a week or so ago, it's basically the same ride--except that you go backward instead of forward. I wouldn't go on it in either direction! :D

So now you'll just be stuck in a different direction when that thing breaks down? Way to go MM. That ride is horrible and was broken 5 out of the 6 times I went to MM after it opened. And on the 6th time we saw it stopped at leats 3 times in that day.

ShelbyH
03-16-2011, 02:53 PM
I don't think that I would completely judge an amusement park based on a few hours there 18 years ago. I mean, let's face it--you will never find a theme park ever that is as clean, well-kept, and with such friendly employees as a Disney park. That doesn't necessarily mean that all other theme parks totally suck and aren't worth going to. Disneyland had some rather dumpy years too.

I think it just depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for nostalgia and ambiance, Disneyland is your place. If you're looking for roller coasters, it isn't. People go to Magic Mountain for the thrill rides, not to be transported into a world of fantasy and wonder. You really can't compare the two, in my mind.

Mouseketeer1955
03-16-2011, 04:13 PM
I don't think that I would completely judge an amusement park based on a few hours there 18 years ago. I mean, let's face it--you will never find a theme park ever that is as clean, well-kept, and with such friendly employees as a Disney park. That doesn't necessarily mean that all other theme parks totally suck and aren't worth going to. Disneyland had some rather dumpy years too.

I think it just depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for nostalgia and ambiance, Disneyland is your place. If you're looking for roller coasters, it isn't. People go to Magic Mountain for the thrill rides, not to be transported into a world of fantasy and wonder. You really can't compare the two, in my mind.

Nice try, but still not sold. You can pick Disney's worst year and it can't compare to that day at magic Mountain.

ShelbyH
03-16-2011, 06:34 PM
Nice try, but still not sold. You can pick Disney's worst year and it can't compare to that day at magic Mountain.

I'm not trying to sell (or argue) anything--I'm just saying you can't compare the two. It's like comparing a really nice restaurant (Napa Rose anyone?) and In-n-Out. The latter will never be better than the former, but that doesn't mean that In-n-Out is a bad choice if you're looking for fast food. :)

Disney will always reign supreme, but MM does offer things that Disneyland doesn't. *shrug*

Goodnplenty
03-16-2011, 06:51 PM
Here in Orlando I've seen sky writing many times over WDW and other attractions. As a matter of fact, DH and I noticed that since the recession we really don't see it anymore. I figured that nobody wanted to pay for that kind of advertising.
And as for the No Fly Zone, I had a family doctor who was followed down by the FAA because he was flying too close to a shuttle launch. And yes, it's a true story. He had the pictures of the shuttle still on the pad and then pictures of the FAA who decided to do some chasing for that launch. I believe my MD told me that planes were allowed within X miles of the launch and if you strayed they would radio you about it. But because the problem kept persisting they decided to actual send up some planes of their own and follow the pilots down.....I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen actual pictures of it and also saw it reported on the news. ( I think this happened in the '90's?)

GnP

Mouseketeer1955
03-16-2011, 09:57 PM
I'm not trying to sell (or argue) anything--I'm just saying you can't compare the two. It's like comparing a really nice restaurant (Napa Rose anyone?) and In-n-Out. The latter will never be better than the former, but that doesn't mean that In-n-Out is a bad choice if you're looking for fast food. :)

Disney will always reign supreme, but MM does offer things that Disneyland doesn't. *shrug*

Except that I've never had a bad experience at In-N-Out. BTW, good choice on Napa Rose. Chef's Counter is great and Andrew Sutton is tops.

ShelbyH
03-16-2011, 10:25 PM
Except that I've never had a bad experience at In-N-Out. BTW, good choice on Napa Rose. Chef's Counter is great and Andrew Sutton is tops.

And a fabulous wine list too! :)

Mouseketeer1955
03-17-2011, 07:34 AM
And a fabulous wine list too! :)

I'm an amateur when it comes to wine. The safe one for me is White Zinfandel.

However, Scotch is a different story.

houseofmouse
03-17-2011, 10:21 AM
Question: We live in a 3D world, add 4D to rides and attractions, i.e. water, smell ect..( To me still 3D) What the heck is 5D??

It is true you can skywrite a distance away and it can be seen all over for miles. What a crazy job those guys have!!

newhdplayer
03-17-2011, 10:53 AM
However, Scotch is a different story.

Now you're talking!