Walt Disney was a proud American, who not only embraced, but exemplified the American Spirit of Exceptionalism.
This is evident still today with attractions like The Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure.
Visitors to Disney theme parks will notice that each park has a large flag pole proudly flying the American Flag.
Retreat Ceramony
The Magic Kingdom theme park holds a daily Flag Retreat Ceremony, which I highly recommend you watch if you can fit it into your touring plan. The ceremony is conducted by Disney Security cast members with an assist form a veteran touring the park that day, who is chosen at random.
Epcot’s American Flag
While each theme park has a large flag at the entrance, nowhere is the American Flag more evident than on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom flag pole stands in the middle of Town Square and every building surrounding the square and on down Main Street is topped with many smaller flags. Standing on the second floor of the Main Street Train Station looking towards Cinderella Castle you’ll see the Red, White, and Blue on every building leading up the street. It’s a very moving sight for me!
Main Street USA’s American Flags
US Flag Flies At Night?
As I mentioned there is a daily Retreat at 5 PM during which the large flag on Town Square is taken down for the night. But what about all the others?
The US Flag Code says:
“It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”
The flags on the top of the Main Street buildings don’t have any special illumination so why would they be left up all night?
American Flags at the Magic Kingdom’s Town Square
A Bit Of Trivia
Well here is a bit of Trivia for you, courtesy of the Keys to the Kingdom Tour which I took for the first time last November. The flags on the tops of the buildings, which are never taken down, are not American Flags. They do not have 50 stars (count them) only 45, so they are not officially American Flags!
The Other Parks
At the other WDW parks WDW Security lowers the flags without fanfare at the end of each day.
Disney Hollywood Studios Flags
Animal Kingdom’s American Flag
Epcot’s American Flag
It was really nice to hear that Disney put such detailed thought into the proper and respectful display of our Nation’s Flag while still being able to have the American Spirit added to the show.
Patriotic Disney Series
I hope you enjoyed this post, it’s part of the Patriotic Disney Series, check out the rest!
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45 stars also makes sense because when Walt lived in Marceline there were only 45 states in the union. #46 Oklahoma joined in 1907; #47 New Mexico & #48 Arizona in 1912; and finally #49 Alaska & #50 Hawaii in 1959.
Awesome, never thought of that!!!
I love this trivia! I remember asking why they were up one night as we were leaving. Now, I know and can impress everyone within ear shot next time I’m there. And love the theory about the youngest 5 states!
Thanks, Desiree.
Little tidbits of knowledge are fun!
The 45 Star flag is indeed an official flag of the United States. It became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1896 when the 45th star was added for Utah. All flags of the USA there were previous official flags , are STILL official flags, and deserve the same respect and display customs of the current 50 star flag. This includes the Betsy Ross 13 star flag, as well as the 48 star flag that flew prior to Hawaii and Alaska being added to the Union of States. SO, whoever decided that it was OK to disrespectfully display the 45 star flag is badly mistaken.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for posting. I love the sentiment.
There is only one official flag of the United States at a time. The 46 Star Flag became the official flag of the United States (replacing the 45 star) On July 4,1908, with the addition to the Union of Oklahoma, and so on.
Just my thoughts bases on the wording.
Well, yes and no. The answer seems to be that only 50-star flags are “official” but it is appropriate to display earlier examples. A publication sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America states “Historic U.S. flags are due the same honor and respect that are given today’s colors. When a historic flag is carried or displayed with a present-day flag, the modern flag takes precedence.” These do not appear in the Flag Code nor the Executive Orders covering the flag, but they make sense. And there is no official law concerning the flying of previous versions of the flag – As a former Scout leader and CAP leader, we have discussed this issue before. While the 50 Star flag is indeed “official” , there has never been any law enacted that would make the previous versions “unofficial”. Those of us who have fought for what that flag represents, as well as what the other versions represented (same thing as today), ALL versions of the flag are worthy of respect and reverence, and to do otherwise is a show of disrespect. I am hopeful that whoever is not giving the flag its due respect at Disney is doing so out of ignorance and not malice.
Also using an “unofficial” flag to get out of proper etiquette is pretty disrespectful to the currently flag. They are using it as such they should treat it as such.
Since the park lighting is never turned off, and brighter work lighting is normally used on third shift for park cleaning maintenance, the glow of lighting never leaves Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom.
The 45 star version of the American Flag is the one that Walt grew up with in Marceline, MO between 1906 and 1908; it was replaced with the 46 star version in 1908, but the 45 star version looks more balanced.