A group of congressional Republicans want to end no-fly zones over Disney World and Disneyland, calling them a special perk that no other theme park gets in the United States.

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas reintroduced legislation on Wednesday that would rescind the Disney flight restrictions. The no-fly zones were created in 2003 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Without a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Congress bent its own rules to help Disney secure the no-fly zones at the urging of at least one well-connected company lobbyist, according to a 2003 Orlando Sentinel investigation.

Critics argued that Disney used terrorism fears to gain a commercial advantage and ban aerial advertising and sightseeing helicopters near its parks.

“Theme parks like Disney should not receive special treatment just because they are well-connected,” Nehls said in a prepared statement.

Disney did not respond to a request for comment.

The legislation’s co-sponsors include the firebrand conservative Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, along with Florida Rep. Greg Steube.

The move comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis wages a nationally watched battle with Disney. That feud started last year with Disney’s opposition to the DeSantis-backed Parental Rights in Education Law, which critics called “don’t say gay.” That law limited classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.

DeSantis and his allies in the Florida Legislature then seized control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special district that allowed Disney to self-govern its theme parks and resorts in Central Florida.

Disney sued DeSantis and other state officials in federal court, alleging a “targeted campaign of government retaliation.” The new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which replaced Reedy Creek, countersued in state court.

Nehls first introduced the no-fly legislation in June 2022, a few months after Disney spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education legislation.

sswisher@orlandosentinel.com