do they still do the flag ceremony in town square?

[julieannbabe]

at 5pm in the magic kingdom?

i have never seen it but is it worth going back to town square to watch it?

thanks,

xjx

 

[safetymom]

Yes they still do it. It is worth watching. I do it every chance I get. On or around certain holidays they have a longer ceremony with the Voices of Liberty singers and the band from MK playing.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Yeah they still do it. My family watched it either this past trip or the trip before I forget, I didn't find anything great with it but it depends on the person I guess.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

yes, they still do it. I think it depends on who is in your travel party as to whether to do it or not. I did it for the very first time last week because my mom (79) asked to see it. It's very moving, but can be boring for the young ones. My mom and I were really moved by it, but DS12 really didn't care about it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

With Cinderellabration and its accompanying fireworks, sometimes the flag retreat ceremony is delayed 15 minutes or so. When I watched it, there was a guest veteran who helped. There's recorded music, but my guess is that from mid-June to mid-August, there'll be a live band (my guess is based on the fact that that's how it is at DL-DS was in that band, and I think there's a similar band at both parks). It's only about 15 minutes, but I think it's rather moving, especially if you go in the summer when they have the live band doing the Star Spangled Banner and the theme song from each branch of the military.

 

[mickeymom55]

My family saw it this past December - just happened it was beginning as we were leaving the park. I understand that it may not be a thrill ride, however, it symbolizes a respect for our country, flag and veterans. I would encourage anyone who goes to WDW to attend the ceremony and take the opportunity to use it as a learning tool for their children and even some adults. No, it's not "exciting", but it was a special way to end our day of freedom with our family at WDW.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

They were doing it in Oct. we stopped and watched took our hats off while the flag was lowered hand over hearts, It amazes how many people keep walking and ignore this like it nothing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

They were doing it in Oct. we stopped and watched took our hats off while the flag was lowered hand over hearts, It amazes how many people keep walking and ignore this like it nothing.

I'm glad someone else mentioned that. Somehow it really bothers me (we all have sore points, this is mine) when people keep walking, talking, etc. when the flag is being lowered and the Star Spangled Banner is being played.

 

[heidica]

My husband got to be The Veteran of the Day and help with the flag lowering ceremony when we were there last June (It was June 26th to be precise). It was really special. With the WDW marching band and folding the flag and seeing my husband, it brought tears to my eyes. My husband had spent a year in the Gulf for the Coast Guard and this was our first vacation since he had been home. It was also our last day at the World and it was a really great way to end our special trip. He was given a certificate and pin. Also, the WDW photographer took a bunch of photos of the ceremony and we were allowed to have 4 photos for free. I also bought some others because his photos were alot better than mine. At then end of the ceremony, the marching band marched down Main Street and we followed behind and then they took a picture of our whole group with my husband. I encourage everyone to at least see it once and if just happen to be in the area when it happens, please stop and respect our flag and country. I wish more kids would see it and stop to learn some more respect.

Interestingly, we also got to see this ceremony at Disneyland during the Christmas holidays and they do it differently. Mainly, they don't have a Veteran of the Day help with the ceremony. It is also a shorter ceremony. We were in the Mad Hatter store in Town Square and the ceremony started and everyone stopped, took off their hat and put their hands over their hearts (including the Cast Members in the store). Unfotunately, my MIL was sitting on a bench out side the store where she heard a man say "I'm not taking my hat of for that, they aren't playing the Mexican anthem." My MIL wasn't very happy and told him if he wanted to hear the Mexican anthem, then go back to Mexico. If just huffed and walked off. Wished I could have seen it - especially since my MIL is half Mexican

 

[julieannbabe]

thanks everyone - i will try my best to be in town sqaure at 5pm the day i hopefully go to the magic kingdom.

heidica - that was a great story.

xjx

 

[8caliace]

heidica-Did you do something in advance of your trip to get your husband into the ceremony? I am active duty military and have been trying to find a way to participate in the retreat. Thanks.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

The commotion during flag lowering upsets, me, too. But, I think there are probably a lot of people whose parents and schools never taught them that they are supposed to be quiet and still when the flag is being lowered. And there are a lot of foreigners, too. We can't expect people from England to participate in flag lowering anymore than they'd expect us to bow to their queen (or whatever they do with her.)

Flag lowering isn't supposed to be exciting, so if you're wondering if it is "worth it" on that account, no. But they do a nice job, and often have a veteran assisting, so you can't help but be moved.

 

[heidica]

heidica-Did you do something in advance of your trip to get your husband into the ceremony? I am active duty military and have been trying to find a way to participate in the retreat. Thanks.

I went to City Hall and asked if he could be Veteran of the Day. The actual day I went to City Hall somebody else had already been picked so the Cast Member pulled out a ledger and we went over the remaining days of our trip. I remember having a few days to choose from, so I picked the day that we had already planned on being there (which was our last day). I filled out a card with his name and information and they told us to be at the flag at 4:30pm so they could go over the ceremony with him. I remember before leaving for our trip someone had posted a phone number for City Hall and so you could call ahead to nominate your Veteran but when I called the Cast Member didn't really know what I was talking about and I never tried calling back and just did it in person. We surprised my DH and at first he was a little stressed, but settled down before the ceremony started. One thing I would have done different is at least give him an hour noticed so he could settled his nerves Others he was pretty happy about the whole thing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My husband got to be The Veteran of the Day and help with the flag lowering ceremony when we were there last June (It was June 26th to be precise). It was really special. With the WDW marching band and folding the flag and seeing my husband, it brought tears to my eyes. My husband had spent a year in the Gulf for the Coast Guard and this was our first vacation since he had been home. It was also our last day at the World and it was a really great way to end our special trip. He was given a certificate and pin. Also, the WDW photographer took a bunch of photos of the ceremony and we were allowed to have 4 photos for free. I also bought some others because his photos were alot better than mine. At then end of the ceremony, the marching band marched down Main Street and we followed behind and then they took a picture of our whole group with my husband. I encourage everyone to at least see it once and if just happen to be in the area when it happens, please stop and respect our flag and country. I wish more kids would see it and stop to learn some more respect.

Interestingly, we also got to see this ceremony at Disneyland during the Christmas holidays and they do it differently. Mainly, they don't have a Veteran of the Day help with the ceremony. It is also a shorter ceremony. We were in the Mad Hatter store in Town Square and the ceremony started and everyone stopped, took off their hat and put their hands over their hearts (including the Cast Members in the store). Unfotunately, my MIL was sitting on a bench out side the store where she heard a man say "I'm not taking my hat of for that, they aren't playing the Mexican anthem." My MIL wasn't very happy and told him if he wanted to hear the Mexican anthem, then go back to Mexico. If just huffed and walked off. Wished I could have seen it - especially since my MIL is half Mexican

The reason it was shorter when you went to DL is because of the time of year. WDW has a live band only in the summer, and so does DL, and I know their performance out there takes about 12 minutes (I know because I have it on tape!). However, DL doesn't do the Veteran of the Day, and I really like that part. But at DL, there are local veterans who make attending the flag retreat ceremony a daily ritual in the summertime. They stop off at DL on their way home from work (6:00), stand at attention when the Star Spangled Banner and when the hymm from their particular branch of the service is played. However, at WDW the Veterans are presented with the flag, aren't they? At DL, I only saw them present the flag once all last summer (DS was in the DL marching band at the flag retreat ceremony all summer, that's how I know). I love to see the veterans participate at WDW.

 

[Hanover]

We watched it on our trip in August and our whole family really enjoyed it.

 

[rabyoga]

I grew up military-dad was Air Force and married military-Hubby is Air Force. I do get a little teary eyed at the flag retreat ceremony. I also get a bit muffed at people who show no respect for the flag or the ceremony.
I'm glad to hear about veterans helping with flag ceremony. My hubby is currently deployed in Afghanistan and when he comes home.... We're going to DW!!! Hopefully he can participate in the flag retreat. While he loves serving his country, I think he would really enjoy helping Mickey with his flag duties more

Only 3 more months til Hubby is home and we see the Mouse in his House

 

[julieannbabe]

The commotion during flag lowering upsets, me, too. But, I think there are probably a lot of people whose parents and schools never taught them that they are supposed to be quiet and still when the flag is being lowered. And there are a lot of foreigners, too. We can't expect people from England to participate in flag lowering anymore than they'd expect us to bow to their queen (or whatever they do with her.)

Flag lowering isn't supposed to be exciting, so if you're wondering if it is "worth it" on that account, no. But they do a nice job, and often have a veteran assisting, so you can't help but be moved.

LOL - we don't bow to our queen!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I didn't know that this happened, thank you for the thread! I'll bring mom to see it in May. There is a flag lowering ceremony in Sunset Beach, Cape May Point NJ and it's a huge draw in the summer. Many people want to show respect for our flag and veterans.

Bobbi

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I cant speak for everyone but if I was in England or any other country I would be quiet and stand respectfully during a flag ceremony.