Wilderness Lodge "Flag Family" question....

[SeaSpray]

What exactly does the flag family do while up on the roof? I've seen some pictures and it looks like more than 1 flag is raised. What are all the different flags, and is there a ceremony or just basically attaching the flags to the poles and raising them up...? Also, this can only be requested once you are checked in, and not in advance? Thanks!

 

[ALDISNEYFAN]

Hello, This was one of the most memorable things my family did while staying at the WL!!! As soon as you check in ask that you be given a date for this activity. You will meet your guide that morning around 8am in the lobby. you will then go to the roof thru the hotel lobby and various out of the way staircases. Once on the roof you will each be given a flag to "raise". There are 5 flags. The American flag, Florida State flag, A WL lodge flag and two others that have specical meaning for Disney and the lodge. There were 4 in my family. We each got one to raise alone and then the kids did the last one together. Our guide was a wonderful older man who does only this, he is retired from Disney and for several years worked at the WL. He was FULL of great stories and tips. All the guides allow you time to take pictures and the views you have are incredible!!!!

I highly recommend it! We still talk about doing it again. You recieve a sighned certificate too at the end.

 

[berly1657]

We did this a couple of years back. We each raised a flag. You raise flags for Dis, FL, USA, Wilderness lodge, you say the pledge of allegiance. There maybe another flag? I think it took about 45 minutes. You request it at check in. Awesome views. And it was neat to see the flags flying over the lodge all day - with the thought of "Hey we put those up there! You get a certificate too.

 

[MinnieM3]

I didn't think this was worth getting up early for, but listening to ya'll's stories, we are going to request it this time! Sounds like it is memorable and wonderful! Thanks for sharing! Wish us luck!

Beth

 

[oogieboogie]

This was a lot of fun. We did it back in September and it was a suprise for the kids. We were scheduled to check out anyway that day and we told them to get up bright and early to move out to our next resort.

When the flag guide CM came and told us to follow her, the looks on the kids' face was priceless when we went past the concierge lounge, up a ton of stairs and then all of a sudden they were up on the roof!

Each of the boys got to raise 2 flags and the last flag they raised together. Then the CM allowed us to take as many pictures as we wanted and stay up there for a while.
Then back down to get our certificate.

That was definitely a great moment for the kids! They were so thrilled and that day everytime we passed the lodge or saw it from MK, they would go "Look, I raised that flag!"

 

[DVC Jen]

Our guide was a wonderful older man who does only this, he is retired from Disney and for several years worked at the WL. He was FULL of great stories and tips.

That would be Stan. He is a very special man. When we were flag family 2 years ago he told us he would be retiring soon. I was so sad to hear that. It is hard for me to imagine the WL without seeing him around.

When were you flag family? I would love to be able to at least say good morning to him again while we are there in June... if he is still around.

 

[SeaSpray]

So Stan tells you to say the Pledge of Allegience? Has this been everyone's experience? I had read about the flag family thing before but had not seen anyone mentioning having to recite the pledge of allegience.

 

[plutospup]

When we were Flag Family 5/02 it was the first time DD4 heard of the Pledge of Allegience. We practiced it many times over the next few months until our next WL trip 11/02. DD searched for Ranger Stan in the lobby, and very proudly recited the Pledge all by herself!

 

[luvthatduck]

Can guests of the Wilderness Lodge Villas be a flag family or do you have to stay the Lodge itself?

 

[DVC Jen]

So Stan tells you to say the Pledge of Allegience? Has this been everyone's experience? I had read about the flag family thing before but had not seen anyone mentioning having to recite the pledge of allegience.

He has us recite the pledge. Wasn't a problem for us.. but I have a feeling if it was a problem for someone a polite "we would rather not" would be sufficient

 

[DVC Jen]

Can guests of the Wilderness Lodge Villas be a flag family or do you have to stay the Lodge itself?

Definately! We have done it twice when staying in the Villas.

 

[Kasmir]

That sounds like such a wonderful family activity....