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.
Note (Sept 2018): Occasionally WDW alters the time of the Retreat Ceramony (by 15 to 30 minutes) due to other goings on. If you intend to view this wonderful ceremony be sure to check in Town Hall for the correct time the day you visit.
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 a person as being a veteran.
I believe that in order to do this to do this they observe those entering the park looking for those who look the part.
Most likely they will do this first ting in the morning at “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 magic band scanners, 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.
- Arrive in time for rope drop
- Get there early enough to be in front so you can be seen byDisney 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 (Camo Back Packs)
- SPort a high and tight
- 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!
Recent reports say that Disney has modified their process and now will choose someone at the front part of Main Street (closest to the railroad station) each morning before 10 am or so.
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.
For More on WDW’s Retreat see these pages and posts:
Disneyland has a FLag Retreat also
I hope you enjoyed this post, it’s part of the Patriotic Disney Series, check out the rest!
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Amy Y says
7 September 2011 at 12:30We 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.
Steve says
7 September 2011 at 16:48Hey Amy, I think that’s the key… look as military as you can.
Beth Powell says
5 November 2011 at 16:00We 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!!!
Beth Powell says
5 November 2011 at 16:04I forgot to mention we visited City Hall about 15-20 minutes after park opening.
Steve says
5 November 2011 at 17:41That 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.
Jeanmarie Keller says
11 April 2012 at 09:42Just 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…
Steve says
11 April 2012 at 17:21Hi Jeanmarie,
That is a very good idea. The turnstiles could be set alert the castmember on the small screen they have.
Stephen Bugaj says
16 April 2012 at 20:02My 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.
Steve says
16 April 2012 at 20:46I 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!
Paul Hewson says
22 June 2013 at 22:17My wife was selected as the Veteran of the Day last week. She was not wearing anything particularly military in fashion nor was she asking any cast members about this. Rather, we took our military tickets (which she purchased on base) to the Will Call booth first thing in the morning to activate them. While they were activating our tickets, they said, “please wait there, someone is coming around to speak with you.” We thought we had done something wrong at first, but this man arrived and began asking my wife about her branch of service, MOS, and so forth. Then he invited us to participate and gave everyone in our group a fastpass for any attraction, any time of day, just to make up for the time the ceremony would take from our schedule! The ceremony didn’t really last that long, but everyone in our party was asked to march in the parade following the flag retreat and my wife was given a collectible Veteran of the Day pin and certificate. Great surprise!
Steve says
23 June 2013 at 07:38Hi Paul,
That is Awesome!!!
I’m so glad that you guys had that great experience. You just never know. Others have asked and were able to participate.
What time did you guys arrive to activate your tickets?
Paul Hewson says
28 June 2013 at 15:19We activated our tickets right at EMH park opening for Magic Kingdom, so right at 8:00 AM.
Steve says
28 June 2013 at 20:14Early Bird!!!
Johnathen says
5 August 2013 at 00:44I have a question. Has anyone ever done the flag retreat ceremony in honor of another military person? Here is my thing. My best friend who was like a brother to me died in a car accident 12/2/11 and he was cremated. I have a small urn of ashes with me in Orlando and the rest are with his parents in Ohio where we are both from. He was going to be buried in a military cemetery but I or his parents can’t be buried next to him. So his mother never received a flag. I know I wont keep the flag from MK but I would like to participate in the ceremony in his honor. Do you think this would be possible? He was in the Navy and was a police officer. Thanks
Steve says
5 August 2013 at 06:56Hi Johnathen,
I would recommend contacting WDW ahead of time to try to coordinate this before you go! I don’t know if they do special requests like this.
Steve
Walt Disney World Guest Relations
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
This is the universal address! For example, if you want to write to the General Manager of All Star Music, or any other resort, address the envelope to the person and use the P.O. Box 10000 address.
Walt Disney World Guest Communications
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wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
Everett Wells says
12 February 2016 at 19:25My husband was picked for Veteran of the day on February 11th. This was such a proud day for him. I can’t thank them enough for choosing him. He fought in Vietnam in 1970 and helping at the flag ceremony was the best. Thank you foe making this day so special for him.
Steve says
13 February 2016 at 07:10Oh that is awesome! I’m so glad to hear that he was selected.
Carol O'Neil says
20 March 2016 at 07:54Gold Star wives are part of military with loss of husbands. We really have very little to show our status except pins. Just a reminder our military husband. died in service for their country.
Beni says
14 February 2018 at 18:51My boyfriend, Dave, was selected this past Monday, 2/12/18, as the Veteran of the Day. We were just chatting with a CM around Casey’s Corner about 10 a.m. and after a few minutes he asked if he would represent the Veterans at the ceremony; of course he said yes. This was our first time to even hear about Flag Retreat but we will make sure to go view it again while in the park.
Steve says
15 February 2018 at 06:16Awesome Beni,
So glad he got to participate!
Carl Jones says
21 March 2018 at 17:08Great to see a fellow veterans honoured this way, Thank you all for your service.
I am visiting later this year (May/June) and visiting Magic Kingdom on my birthday, as a twelve year UK Veteran does Disney allow us to participate is this great event?
Steve says
21 March 2018 at 17:26Hi Carl,
I wouldn’t think so, but it never hurts to ask.
Lynette says
9 May 2018 at 12:17My husband was picked in September 2016. We were coming in about 945-10am and my husband was wearing a USMC Retired hat. A nice older gentleman and my husband made eye contact and said good morning and then they got into a little friendly conversation and the rest is history as they say.
It pays to be friendly
Steve says
9 May 2018 at 15:30That is awesome Lynette!
Thanks for sharing.
Bill Denham says
28 March 2019 at 18:55I was chosen after going to will call to trade my military purchased tickets in for the actual passes although I didn’t even make it to the window. I was approached by a cast member and was asked a few questions. My father-in-law also happens to be a retired Army vet and so I asked if we both could do it. They said yes! It was a great experience! Our wives walked behind us as we marched down Main Street. We were also given a photopass for all of the pictures of the ceremony. It was a magical experience!
Steve says
29 March 2019 at 06:15That’s awesome Bill!