It’s Veterans Day and we’re celebrating at Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom Park, a daily flag ceremony includes an honor guard of Walt Disney World Security Officers, The Main Street Philharmonic marching band, The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet (singing “God Bless America”), and announcements by The Mayor of Main Street. As the Philharmonic marches down Main Street to John Philip Souza’s “The Liberty Bell,” a honored veteran carries the folded flag. Here’s video of the flag retreat ceremony:
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More Walt Disney World Resort StoriesCelebrating Veterans at Magic Kingdom Park
by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks
Comments
Yup this is my Dream job, I’m currently in the Army and I hope that when I retire I can join the cast. Only 8 more years!!!!
Needless to say, as a veteran, I was extremely impressed and moved when I saw this. This is one of THE classiest ceremonies I have ever witnessed. It is one that should be seen by every visitor to WDW!
Just wondering if the veteran gets to keep the flag at the end of the ceremony?
The ceremony at Disney is truly inspiring. It’s a wonderful way to honor our veterans.
Thank you to Disney for doing this! Thanking veterans is extremely importrant!
I love the videos on this blog!
The flag retreat is a must see for me whenever I visit the MK.
My most fond memory of this ceremony was the time I was visiting just after 9/11/01. My family and friends had just arrived at the Magic Kingdom on after flying in from New York. We were one of the first flights out after they re-opened the airports after the 9/11 tragedy. The timing was amazing!!! As we came through the tunnel from under the train station, they were just beginning the flag retreat ceremony. We all stood there, watching this amazing event, focused on the moment. It was as if we were being told – everything will be OK – needless to say, there was not a dry eye around.
It is wonderful to see Veterans honored in this way – we owe them so much!!!
I’ve seen the flag retreat ceremony several times, and it brings a tear to my eye everytime. It’s yet another special touch that Disney does that most visitors probably don’t know about. Thank you for sharing the video and God bless our veterans and active servicemen and women everyday.
The flag retreat is such a moving ceremony! It brings a proud tear to my eye every time. Thanks for sharing this video!
The veterens would probably appreciate a more enjoyable experience in the Magic Kingdom like changing the Tiki Room and getting rid of Monster’s Inc, Laugh Floor (what is that doing in Tommorrowland?) and changing the stitch attraction to something that people will ride.
I’m thrilled to see this video, and it’s absolutely wonderful to see our friends the Dapper Dans! (Hi guys!) 😉 Our daughters were asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the flag retreat ceremony about a year and a half ago, and I still get goosebumps whenever I remember that day (and yes, I tear up, too!) Thank you, WDW, for having such a memorable ceremony and allowing Veterans and others to take part!
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