Magic Kingdom Flag Retreat

[JD3419]

What time do they do the Flag Retreat at Magic Kingdom everyday? We will be there next week and I wanted to get some pictures.

 

[Feralpeg]

I believe it is at 5pm. I find it to be a very nice experience. It always amazes me the number of people that just walk by and ignore it.

I know I'm asking for flames. When I was young, I was taught that you stop walking when the national anthem is played and you turn to the flag until the song is over. I guess they don't teach that anymore. When I stop and place my hand over my heart, people look at me like I have two heads. Sad.

 

[JD3419]

I grew up on military bases all over the world, and everyday at 5:00 the whole base would stop and they would play music to go with the flag retreat and then the national anthem. I could remember when I played little league, we would stop games and remove our hats. They even played the national anthem before every movie at the base theater.

 

[NC State]

I believe it is at 5pm. I find it to be a very nice experience. It always amazes me the number of people that just walk by and ignore it.

I know I'm asking for flames. When I was young, I was taught that you stop walking when the national anthem is played and you turn to the flag until the song is over. I guess they don't teach that anymore. When I stop and place my hand over my heart, people look at me like I have two heads. Sad.

I feel the same way. I enjoyed watching this in Sept 05 and I was so proud to hear the national anthem in the park. I took some pictures, I'll try to post them today.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I like the flag retreat. I don't always go over to see it, but when I do, I'm glad I did. It's pretty well done.

I put my hand over my heart. I never noticed anyone looking at me funny. Maybe I'll look around next time and see for sure.

 

[JD3419]

Pictures would be cool, NC.

 

[nickelsfamily]

I love it too! Disney does a very nice job. We make sure we are there to watch it at every visit.
My DH is a Marine and when we lived in NC and would do things on base, at 5pm everything was put on hold for the flag ceremony. I remember going to the base theater and before anything everyone stands and you hear the National Anthem.
When I hear it, it brings a tear to my eye!
We live in palm beach now, and last july we went to watch fireworks and before hand they had someone from American Idol sing the National Anthem. DH and I were in line waiting for food (outside vendors) and he took off his hat, we turned and faced the flag-then we said the Pledge and the majority of people around us looked at us like we were nuts! We couldn't believe it, we were very sad!
Next year we plan to go back to NC-Naval Bases for the 4th of july patriotism we are accustomed too!

 

[dbenlee]

I haven't seen the Flag Reteat ceremony at MK yet. I am going to try to this year though. I too am saddened to see the number of people who either don't know to or are unwilling to stop and render honors to our National Flag and National Anthem. I was raised with the feeling that this should be done at all times otherwise the realization of what it takes to become free and what it takes to remain free will be lost. Before I get carried away on this particular soap box (I have been known to go to great lengths about this issue) I want to say "Thank You" to all of the men and women, and their families, who serve or have served in our Armed Forces.

 

[Tegra89]

I believe it is at 5pm. I find it to be a very nice experience. It always amazes me the number of people that just walk by and ignore it.

I know I'm asking for flames. When I was young, I was taught that you stop walking when the national anthem is played and you turn to the flag until the song is over. I guess they don't teach that anymore. When I stop and place my hand over my heart, people look at me like I have two heads. Sad.

You don't have 2 heads. I have experienced this with our Scout group. We have been asked to do a flag ceremony at the local park and some people stop and others just walk right through like we're all aliens. I think that you have to teach your children to respect things like that or it will die. As you can tell I'm a scout leader. My son will cross over to Boy Scouts the Saturday before we leave for WD. I guess a double celebration! I'm so proud of him. He's went from tiger to Webelo and now he's going to start Boy Scouts. He's put in 5 years so far.

 

[Tegra89]

I love it too! Disney does a very nice job. We make sure we are there to watch it at every visit.
My DH is a Marine and when we lived in NC and would do things on base, at 5pm everything was put on hold for the flag ceremony. I remember going to the base theater and before anything everyone stands and you hear the National Anthem.
When I hear it, it brings a tear to my eye!
We live in palm beach now, and last july we went to watch fireworks and before hand they had someone from American Idol sing the National Anthem. DH and I were in line waiting for food (outside vendors) and he took off his hat, we turned and faced the flag-then we said the Pledge and the majority of people around us looked at us like we were nuts! We couldn't believe it, we were very sad!
Next year we plan to go back to NC-Naval Bases for the 4th of july patriotism we are accustomed too!

I know what you mean about bringing a tear to your eye. Our Scout group got to leader the pledge at a college football game. As a leader I got to lead our boys out on the 50 yard line. I stood out there with them and when we finished they played the National Anthem. It was all I could do to keep from crying! I sure didn't want to embarrass my boys! LOL!

 

[foxfire]

I haven't seen the Flag Reteat ceremony at MK yet. I am going to try to this year though. I too am saddened to see the number of people who either don't know to or are unwilling to stop and render honors to our National Flag and National Anthem. I was raised with the feeling that this should be done at all times otherwise the realization of what it takes to become free and what it takes to remain free will be lost. Before I get carried away on this particular soap box (I have been known to go to great lengths about this issue) I want to say "Thank You" to all of the men and women, and their families, who serve or have served in our Armed Forces.

I certainly agree with all you said. I was also brought up to be respectful of our flag and what it stands for. We started class each day saying the Pledge of Allegiance and, to this day, my hand goes over my heart and I am proud to recite the Pledge and sing along when the National Anthem is played. The freedoms we enjoy came at a great price and we should honor those who paid that price. It's very sad to me that some find a public display of respect and patriotism as something unusual or odd. I also have a tendency to get on a soapbox where this issue is concerned so I'll end this here but I do know exactly where you're coming from.

 

[bella01]

My nephew is a Marine is getting a shipped to Iraq in March. Before he leaves he wants a family trip to Disney.....so of course that means we are having a Grand Gathering event March 10th-12th. I think it would be great if he could do the flag retreat....anyone know how to sign him up???

 

[zachnlucy]

Where in MK is it done? I'll be there.

 

[Feralpeg]

Where in MK is it done? I'll be there.

It takes place in the circle area directly inside the front entrance to MK.

 

[TnTsParty]

I believe it is at 5pm. I find it to be a very nice experience. It always amazes me the number of people that just walk by and ignore it.

I know I'm asking for flames. When I was young, I was taught that you stop walking when the national anthem is played and you turn to the flag until the song is over. I guess they don't teach that anymore. When I stop and place my hand over my heart, people look at me like I have two heads. Sad.

We had the same sentiment. We happened upon the flag lowering ceremony when we were there recently. We were up in the train station before waiting on the train and we turned around and DH took off his hat and put it over his heart. He mentioned that he felt like people were looking at him crazy ~ like no one has respect for the flag anymore. It was a really moving experience and I agree Disney does a good job with it. I will post pics if I can figure it out.

 

[makinorlando]

My DD and I happened upon this the other week for the first time... we stopped and showed our respect, many folks did as well. I wasn't in a great spot for photos, but I did snap this one.

 

[TnTsParty]

Here are my pics ~ and I must add there are alot of people showing their respect (on the ground didn't seem that way up in the train station but on the ground they seem to be showing respect)

 

[makinorlando]

Very nice photos!

Here are my pics ~

 

[PandyPaws]

As a CM at Main Street Operations, I am a participant in the Flag Retreat Ceremony every now and then....and it is an honor to do so
If I happen to be working the Main Street Train Platform during the ceremony (it can be plainly heard from up there ) I will take off my Conductor hat out of respect.

 

[foxfire]

TnTsParty, those are really nice photos of the ceremony. I like the angle of the shots.

Here are a few photos of my dad participating in the Flag Retreat Ceremony. Our family was so proud he was chosen as Veteran of the Day. It was a highlight of our trip.

Marching in with the color guard

Saluting as the flag is being lowered

Old Glory is lowered

Folding the flag

Folded flag presented to my dad

Saluting the flag

My dad with the color guard

My 84 year-old dad, former WWII Marine