One of my favorite things to do on a Walt Disney World Vacation is to see the Magic Kingdom Flag Retreat at least once while I’m there. It’s held every day at 5:00 PM in the Town Square on Main Street USA.
Just recently I spent a few days at WDW and was lucky enough to catch the Retreat twice. I took some new pictures on the first day and did a video on the second. You can see the pictures here and the video is on this page, it’s the top video the other is a Disney promo.
Disney Security members, Main Street Operations personnel, and the Dapper Dans Barber Shop Quartette conduct the ceremony along with a daily special guest. This special guest is a veteran who happens to be touring the Magic Kingdom that day.
New Selection Procedures
When spending time at Disney I’m always working to confirm my facts and tips to keep up to date and this trip I discovered a big change to the Retreat selection process.
In the past it was possible to volunteer to take part in the ceremony, you’d just go by City Hall in the morning to do so (first come first served).
But the new procedure is quite different. The veteran participant is selected at random by the Magic Kingdom Entertainment Department. They didn’t share how they make the selection but I have a few thoughts.
In order to make the selection Disney needs to identify who is a veteran. I see two ways they could do this:
- By monitoring the entrance turnstiles
- By spending time talking to people
Or perhaps a varied mix of the two at different times.
Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Tickets are very distinctive. Most Disney ticket media are flimsy papery/cardboard tickets, while the Armed Forces Salute tickets are hard plastic like a credit/gift card and have a distinctive logo, which when put through the turnstile comes out with the image up. MK Entertainment could be looking for one of these tickets as people enter the park in order to make their selection.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket
One on One
MK Entertainment could spend time chatting with guests trying to find a veteran. This could be very time consuming. If this method is used I’d think that the same method would be used that they’ve used for selecting parade participants. They’ll either strike up a conversation as you are walking down Main Street or at the morning rope drop.
Rope drop is the morning park opening, prior to the scheduled park opening people are allowed to travel to and pass through the turnstiles, but are barred from going further into the park by a rope. Typically Disney Characters (from MK Entertainment) entertain those waiting.
Do You Want To Get Picked?
Here are my thoughts on trying to be selected.
- Use the Armed Forces Salute Ticket to enter
- Use a turnstile with more Disney Castmembers around it
- Slowly use your AFS Ticket, put it away slowly, ensure the logo is seen by castmembers
- Arrive in time for rope drop
- Get there early enough to be in front so you can talk to Disney Castmembers on the other side of the rope
- Wear military distinctive clothing
- Wear tee-shirts and or hats to show you are military
- Service or Unit items
- VFW, American Legion, etc. items
- Chat with Disney Castmembers
- At The turnstile, at Rope Drop, walking down Main Street
- They could be in uniform or street clothes with a name tag
- Mention how thankful you are for the Armed Forces Salute
- Just ask a Castmember if they’ve selected someone yet, can’t hurt to try!
It’s All Random
Remember it’s random and if all your hard work trying to get noticed hasn’t worked you are still in the Happiest Place On Earth.
Enjoy your day and don’t forget to be in Main Street’s Town Square just before 5:00 PM.
Did you enjoy this post? If you’d like more like it, please share it through your favorite social media by clicking the buttons below to let me know.
Steve Recommends
Here are my recommendations for products and services I've reviewed that can improve your Disney planning. This is a short list since it only includes my top picks.
Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - Best WDW Planning book in my opinion
Hidden Mickeys - Kids of all ages will love finding Hidden Mickeys at WDW
Disney World Savings Guide - A great eBook by a former Disney Castmember
Ears or Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned
YourFirstVisit.net The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!
Simple Stroller Rentals - Beats WDW's prices, plus they offer a 10% Military Discount
TouringPlans.com - The website of the Unofficial Guides - Crowd Forecasts, Pre-made Touring Plans, plus lots of other detailed info
Disney World Lines iPhone App - Current Crowds, Recommended Parks, Wait Times, & Fastpass Return Times on your iPhone
My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App
Follow Military Disney Tips
Like our very active Facebook Page - Follow MDT on Twitter - Follow MDT on Pinterest
Get Steve's Free newsletter- The first place you'll hear about an Armed Forces Salute renewal!
We also recently discovered this during our family vacation to WDW in July. It was our Thank God for redeployment family trip. When we went to volunteer my husband they informed us of this new policy and also told us that they tend to pick people wearing military significant clothing.
Hey Amy, I think that’s the key… look as military as you can.
We were there on October 22nd, 2011 and while I knew that they usually choose a vet at random, I took my chances and inquired at City Hall. I gave a brief background on my dad’s military service and also mentioned my parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary that same day. While I was told by the cast member that they do choose the veteran of the day at random, she said she would check to see if one had been chosen for the day. About 10 minutes later she came back to tell me that everything was looking good, but that I had to wait for another cast member. About 5-10 minutes later another cast member came to speak to my family and informed my dad that he would be the veteran of the day. It was a surprise for him and he was so excited! By the way, he was not wearing anything that indicated he was military. So it NEVER HURTS TO ASK!!!! What an honor it was and a memory we will not soon forget!!!
I forgot to mention we visited City Hall about 15-20 minutes after park opening.
That is very exciting! I’m glad that it worked out for your Dad.
They say timing is everything, it’s great you went first thing.
This is really great news for those who’d like to try to participate in the wonderful ceremony.
Thanks so much for the report Beth.
Just a thought, with the current Salute to the Military including the military room rates, that’s another way they may be able to “tag” a vet if the name is attached to a military discount for the room rate in their systems…
Hi Jeanmarie,
That is a very good idea. The turnstiles could be set alert the castmember on the small screen they have.
My wife and I are headed to Disney world for our honeymoon shortly. I’m an active duty sailor and was wondering If I wore my dress whites if that might possibly increases my chances of possibly being picked.
I sure think it would!
Get to the Magic Kingdom early (in time for rope drop) and if no one approaches you head straight to Town Hall on Main St. USA to ask if you can participate.
Good Luck!