Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 890; Flight Crew Type 500
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
While flying traffic watch; we were sent to report on [an event] occurring [near Anaheim]. Before entering Fullerton's (FUL) airspace from the east over the 91 freeway; I called FUL and requested a 91 west transition and informed the controller I would be headed into the Disney TFR. At that time I got cleared for the transition; but no squawk code. Noting that; I requested a squawk code and again informed the controller that I would need to be working inside the Disney TFR.I was told to standby and I continued west along the 91 freeway. A moment later I received my code from the controller and was asked if I was turning south towards Disney. I replied that I was and was then given a frequency change to SoCal (TRACON). SoCal was extremely busy so by the time they replied to my initial calls; I was already beginning to circle the [event] inside the TFR. Shortly after I was asked to ident. SoCal saw my ident and stated that I was inside the TFR; asked me how I felt about that; and stated that I had not received clearance into the TFR. I was then asked to leave the area. No statement of violation was made at that time.I was given a discretionary code and had informed TRACON of my intentions. In the past I have worked inside of the Disney TFR by using the same method. I have always asked TRACON to enter; but to my recall have never heard the phrase 'cleared into the TFR'.Another consideration was that I was rushing a bit to get to the scene of the [event]. Also; FUL's airspace abuts the northern edge of the TFR with its southern border where I entered. Time was short.Going forward I will be sure to not only get a discretionary code; but I will be sure to receive an actual clearance to enter the TFR.
Traffic watch pilot reported entering a TFR on correct code and was later questioned by ATC as to not having a clearance into the TFR.