Disney World – Magic Kingdom’s Flag Retreat

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RM-Flag-Retreat1Better than the Hall of Presidents, more heart-melting than The American Adventure in Epcot, the Flag Retreat, if you haven’t seen it, is a must-do for your next Disney World visit!  The Voices of Liberty may give you goose bumps, but the Flag Retreat will touch your heart (and maybe make you cry)!

Disney World – Magic Kingdom’s Flag Retreat

On Disney’s website, the Flag Retreat doesn’t sound like something worth stopping for.  They describe it this way, “Pledge allegiance and hear patriotic songs as the flag is lowered, folded and a special Guest is selected to participate.”  It’s so much more that that!  A veteran is pre-selected to gather by the flagpole at the beginning of Main Street U.S.A. with the uniformed Color Guard members who lower the flag.  On the day we were there, The Dapper Dans were standing by to bring their special musical flair to the solemn and extremely patriotic 15 minute ceremony.  The veteran chosen that particular day had served in the US Coast Guard and he stood at attention, eyes on the flag, as the Color Guard slowly and carefully brought the flag down and meticulously folded it.RM-Flag-Retreat3

At this point in the Retreat, the announcer invited guests to join the Dapper Dans in singing God Bless America (one of my most favorite patriotic songs) and I tried – I wanted to sing with the Dapper Dans and the rest of the gathered crowd, but a huge lump had moved from my chest right up into my throat and I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes.  I watched those very serious and reverent cast members hand that flag to the serviceman, moving in uniformed precision and I couldn’t sing a single note.  Moments later, a certificate was slipped into the veteran’s hands behind the flag.  The announcer introduced the special guest and the ceremony concluded as the Color Guard, veteran, and other Cast Members marched away.

RM-Flag-Retreat5I’d been hoping to see the Flag Retreat for a long time.  We arrived after the Pledge while the National Anthem was playing and when I realized what was happening I practically ran over to see as much as possible.  This short, seemingly routine daily activity is a wonderful opportunity for Disney guests to remember those who have fallen for our freedom and show appreciation for those brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.  I encourage you to put this 15 minutes of extra-special Disney magic in your plans for the next time you visit the Magic Kingdom at Disney World – you won’t be sorry.

Thanks to Facebook follower Deborah W. who requested more details about the Flag Retreat.  Deborah – thanks for asking and thanks for following!

 

So Long Star Wars Weekends

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Yoda Yum! / Starring Rolls CafeI’ll admit I’ve got an emotional attachment to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  I first visited as a newlywed when the park was new – how exciting and completely different the attractions and atmosphere were way back then!  The changes to the park over the years caused mixed reactions in our family – some of them very welcome, some not so much.  It’s been difficult here lately to watch this once very unique and interesting park lose much of its luster…and the losses keep on coming.

So Long Star Wars WeekendsRM-SWW-Parade

Yesterday, in this article from the Orlando Sentinel, it was confirmed that Star Wars Weekends have officially been discontinued.  I get that Star Wars will, at some future time, have a much greater presence in the Studios.  And that the additional Star Wars real estate will be made up of enough rides, attractions, shows, shops, restaurants, etc. to satisfy even the most avid Star Wars fan and make special weekends in the early summer unnecessary.  I’m still disappointed.Wookie in Star Wars Parade

Star Wars Weekends were fantastic!  The end of May has always been one of our favorite times of the year to visit Walt Disney World and the undeniably fantastic extra addition of Star Wars Weekend activities made our vacations that much more fun!  In 2014, we enjoyed what we now know was our last Star Wars Weekend – we made time to rope-drop the park one morning to soak up the fun – there was always extra excitement in the air as Star Wars fans showed their love for the franchise in a wide variety of ways.RM-SWW-Parade2

The motorcade was the highlight for us.  There’s normally no parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so this event was very special indeed.  Star Wars characters and celebrities made up this popular spectacle and it was worth finding a place along the route well in advance (and waiting in the hot Florida sun).  RM-Star-Wars-Motorcade-John-RatzenbergerIn 2014, John Ratzenberger was in the parade and I could not have been more thrilled to see him!  I suppose that’s the biggest disappointment about the demise of Star Wars Weekends – the end of the gathering of stars from across the Star Wars universe and the excitement of the crowds who gathered to see them.RM-SWW-Stormtrooper

“I do not like to repeat successes, I like to go on to other things.” – Walt Disney

Progress marches on, I suppose.  I know additions to the Studios as opposed to closures will be a most welcome change.  I’ll have to trust that the presence of Star Wars in the future will be better (or at least as good) as the Star Wars events and festivities of the past.  Let’s get going!

What are your thoughts on the loss of Star Wars Weekends?  Will more of an everyday Star Wars presence make up for it?

 

 

 

Walt Disney’s Encyclopedia of Animated Characters

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The weekend has finally arrived!  That means it’s time to kick back with a cup of coffee and stroll through the fun and fantastic articles over at Disney Musings.  For this week’s Saturdays With Nick, I’m sharing another book from the amazing and seemingly endless collection (no, it’s not your imagination, you do detect a hint of jealousy) Nick and Barbie have amassed through the years.  This book is wonderful and would be an excellent addition to anyone’s Disney library.  I’m heading over to ebay now to see if I can pick up one for myself.  Enjoy!

Walt Disney’s Encyclopedia of Animated Characters

By Nick

Back when I was a kid, I had to walk to school, uphill, both ways. Television? We had 3 networks and PBS. That’s it. And we had to get information out of things called books. For instance, if I wanted to know something about a favorite animated Disney character, such as Humphrey, instead of Googling, I’d open up this wonderful tome.

The Encyclopedia of Walt Disney’s Animated Characters by John Grant was purchased at the Disney Store I was a Cast Member at back in 1993. There is a forward by Disney Archivist Dave Smith, as well as a special forward from Roy E. Disney for this Second Edition.

With the dust jacket off.

This book is a wealth of knowledge, starting way back with the Laugh-O-Grams, The Alice Comedies, and Oswald, and going through to Aladdin, with a description of every character from every short, animated feature, and television series in between.

Oh, and another thing about television, to change the channel, we had to get up, walk way over to the 13 inch TV screen and do it ourselves!

For more Disney awesomeness, be sure to follow Nick, his wife Barbie, and friends:  Disney Musings Blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, On Instagram, On Pinterest.

Show Your Love at Disney World

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Animal Kingdom's Dinosaur RideLove is patient and kind, right? Love is about sharing and compromise, giving and taking. This applies even on vacation. Because you’re here with me, you know I’m talking Disney vacations specifically – and never have I found a place with more opportunity to practice showing love than at Walt Disney World. It’s not easy sometimes to step outside your comfort zone and take one for the team. For today’s Friday Five, I’d like to help you…

Show Your Love at Disney World!

Wear It:  Push aside any thoughts you might have of looking silly, childish or stupid – if your family wants to wear matching t-shirts, Earhats, or all-inclusive, themed costumes for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, do it! For sure you won’t be alone and you might just enjoy yourself even more.Meg and Joe at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Ride It: Unless you have a medical condition that would prevent you from being physically able to enjoy a ride or attraction safely, don’t knock anything until you try it. If your family wants to go, please don’t stay behind because you don’t think you’ll like it. This is about making family memories. Together!Kali River Rapids / Disney's Animal Kingdom

Wait For It: If you don’t have any patience for waiting, figure out how you’re going to deal with waiting at Disney World because wait you will! If a member of your family suddenly wants to add parade watching or princess meeting to the agenda, give it your best try! A little research ahead of time will clue you in on where the best and worst waits are – choose your FastPasses accordingly.Exterior of Indiana Jones Theater / Disney's Hollywood Theater

Stop For It – The view is different for everyone and magical details and surprises are everywhere. Unexpected delights will spring up from time to time and someone will want to stop and check them out. Pay attention and share the moment of awe and discovery. Maybe there’s a giant peeking into the shop you’re in. Maybe there are footprints in the walkway. A door might suddenly open to reveal a surprise.It's a Small World Clock

Go Along With It – Get over yourself! Nobody needs to be “that guy”. The one who won’t pose (and smile) for pictures with characters or sits glumly at a character meal. You should be trying to be a part of Enchanted Tales With Belle.  Wave at parade characters, visit with Cast Members, play along with your server at Whispering Canyon or 50’s Prime Time Café – let yourself be part of the magic! Your family will love it and you might love it too.

What’s your favorite way to show love to your family at Walt Disney World?