WL flag family

[Disney st8 of mind]

Just wondering if they still do the flag family of the day at WL. We are planning our first trip to this resort and thought it might be cool to get in and not tell the kids until that day!

 

[tiger4me2]

Just wondering if they still do the flag family of the day at WL. We are planning our first trip to this resort and thought it might be cool to get in and not tell the kids until that day!

Yes they still do this but you have to ask when you check in. FYI it is not a guarantee that they will pick you to be flag family. Many people will be in front of you. Good luck

 

[dopey2]

When we were there at the end of May they had suspended the ceremony due to extensive work on the roof. They may have finished the work and reinstated the flag family.
We had inquired about the program and were assured the ceremony would resume after the roof work was completed.

 

[Polydweller]

Yes they still do this but you have to ask when you check in. FYI it is not a guarantee that they will pick you to be flag family. Many people will be in front of you. Good luck

Definitely wish good luck but as this post says there will be many in front of you. All of these special things, like the MK family in the parade, are popular and all kinds of people want the. Give it a shot but go with your expectations low so you won't be disappointed. There's lots of competition.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I definately do not have my heart set on it because I have read enough to see that you have to ask at check in. That's why we haven't even told the kids that they do this. We thought our chances might be a little better since we stay longer than the typical week long vacation. Thanks for your responses

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Wilderness Lodge Flag Family,
from someone who has guided many Flag Families and done the "ceremony" many times:

1) You request at-or-after check-in.
2) You cannot request prior to arrival date or check-in (WL guests only).
3) If you are staying a full week or more, you have a good chance.
. . . most people stay less than 1-week
. . . thus, the 6th day, 7th day, or later, may still be open
4) The other good chance is to check-in VERY early in the day.
5) First-come-first-served, but there is a wait-list.
6) Rules
. . . no more than 5-guests, since with guide, that is six people
. . . must respect the flag
. . . not handicap accessible
. . . climb stairs - one long steep inside stairway and one outside steep flight
. . . not afraid of heights, as you are about 90-feet in the open air
. . . fog, rain, mist can cause cancellation, with no rescheduling
. . . children must behave, because roof can be a dangerous place
. . . cameras and video recorders are allowed, as all four parks are visible
7) The Flag Family
. . . gets an escort to the top of Wilderness Lodge to raises all the flags
. . . gets a story on the flags and some WDW history
. . . can pose on top of the rooftop for photos
. . . can see every part of WDW, including all four parks
. . . gets a souvenir certificate with their name and date noting the occassion
. . . there is one Flag Family per day


NOTE: Requesting to be a Flag family ahead of time is not fair to others.
Also, there is no way to make certain you will keep your hotel ressies and
be there for your Flag Day. Should you not cancel, then there is a day that
someone else could have taken. It is just better to have people wait until
they arrive to request a day.

 

[Sue M]

I hope you get to do it, def. a highlight of our trip. We've had 3 stays at WL. and didn't get to be Flag Family till last stay! Good luck to you. If there isn't room at check in, I'd check other days periodically, sometimes people do cancel for whatever reason.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

Wilderness Lodge Flag Family,
from someone who has guided many Flag Families and done the "ceremony" many times:

1) You request at-or-after check-in.
2) You cannot request prior to arrival date or check-in (WL guests only).
3) If you are staying a full week or more, you have a good chance.
. . . most people stay less than 1-week
. . . thus, the 6th day, 7th day, or later, may still be open
4) The other good chance is to check-in VERY early in the day.
5) First-come-first-served, but there is a wait-list.
6) Rules
. . . no more than 5-guests, since with guide, that is six people
. . . must respect the flag
. . . not handicap accessible
. . . climb stairs - one long steep inside stairway and one outside steep flight
. . . not afraid of heights, as you are about 90-feet in the open air
. . . fog, rain, mist can cause cancellation, with no rescheduling
. . . children must behave, because roof can be a dangerous place
. . . cameras and video recorders are allowed, as all four parks are visible
7) The Flag Family
. . . gets an escort to the top of Wilderness Lodge to raises all the flags
. . . gets a story on the flags and some WDW history
. . . can pose on top of the rooftop for photos
. . . can see every part of WDW, including all four parks
. . . gets a souvenir certificate with their name and date noting the occassion
. . . there is one Flag Family per day


NOTE: Requesting to be a Flag family ahead of time is not fair to others.
Also, there is no way to make certain you will keep your hotel ressies and
be there for your Flag Day. Should you not cancel, then there is a day that
someone else could have taken. It is just better to have people wait until
they arrive to request a day.

Thank you for the details! Now I'm even more excited at the potential!! I appreciate everyones good wishes as well .... I'll be sure to let you all know if we make the cut

 

[PSULion]

Is there anywhere I can see pictures of where you climb to? Wondering about the "90 ft up in open air".... I think if I could see a picture I'd be able to better gauge if it'd be too scary for my 4 yr old.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

We were the flag family in August 2006.

We stayed at Coronado Springs Resort the night before, just so I could check in early at WL the next day. To make the transition smooth, we took a cab and arrived at the WL by 7 a.m.

Our vacation at WL was for 9 nights and 10 days. When I asked at check in, the cast member said the flag family spots were all booked, but that she would check her notebook just to be sure. All of the flag family spots were booked except for the day of our check out, and WE GOT IT!

I was so excited! It was a wonderful experience, and we LOVED every minute of it.

You are on the roof of the lodge. But I am scared of heights, and I never felt scared up there. At no time was I asked to go near the edge. I had a two year old with me, and I never felt like she was in danger either.

I will look for my pictures to post a few. From my memory, there was enough protection around us that I never felt nervous. I felt more like I do when I am standing on top of a big hill. The view is glorious!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We have not done it, but there are some pictures from a family that did here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44344440&postcount=2056

I don't think the height is too bad, since you're just on the roof, but the view sure looks great.

Enjoy!

 

[PSULion]

Thanks for the additional info and the picture link. I think it would be so neat to do! I know it's a long shot to get a spot anyway, but I think I'll at least try. We'll have a one year old with us as well, but he can go on my ergo carrier on my back. My husband can get a little funny about heights too (very situational) and I just don't want him to have to deal with a panicked 4 yr old.