WL Flag Family

[RBrooksC]

While this won't affect me for another two years, it may for those who are going, so I will ask.

When we went to WDW in 2007 and stayed at the WL, we inquired about being a Flag Family. We were told, all the slots were taken and there was no waiting list.

Now, my question is this, if the slots are that full and there is no waiting list for people who drop out, how does one get to be a Flag Family, if one does not feel like checking with the front desk every day?

[pox24]

Good question. All I know is we went to the front desk the afternoon before to give them our names and they called our room around 6pm to let us know to meet Ranger Stan at the check in counter at 6am the next morning.:confused:

[ginger19]

We got to be Flag Family on my children's very first trip to disney. The key for us was that we stayed for 11 days which put our stay past many who had checked in before us for only a week. Out of the 11 days we were staying, only the last 2 mornings were available so it's hard to get. Checking in early helps and longer stays seem to be the key.
It was an experience we will never forget and our certificate still hangs on our wall :mickey:

[deedeebee]

What is a Flag family? We have stayed at the GF and the POLY, but have not heard that term before.

[TheRustyScupper]

Wilderness Lodge Flag Family, from someone who has guided many Flag Families and done the "ceremony" many times:

1) You request at-or-after check-in.
2) You cannot request prior to arrival date or check-in.
3) If you are staying a full week or more, you have a good chance.
. . . most people stay less than 1-week
. . . thus, the 6th day, 7th day, or later, may still be open
4) The other good chance is to check-in VERY early in the day.
5) First-come-first-served, but there is a wait-list.
6) Rules
. . . no more than 5-guests, since with guide, that is six people
. . . must respect the flag
. . . not handicap accessible
. . . climb stairs - one long steep inside stairway and one outside steep flight
. . . not afraid of heights, as you are about 90-feet in the open air
. . . fog, rain, mist can cause cancellation, with no rescheduling
. . . children must behave, because roof can be a dangerous place
. . . cameras and video recorders are allowed, as all four parks are visible
7) The Flag Family
. . . gets an escort to the top of Wilderness Lodge to raises all the flags
. . . gets a story on the flags and some WDW history
. . . can pose on top of the rooftop for photos
. . . can take see every part of WDW, including all four parks
. . . gets a souvenir certificate with their name and date noting the occassion
. . . there is usually only one Falg Family per day


NOTE: Requesting to be a Flag family ahead of time is not fair to others. Also, there is no way to make certain you will keep your hotel ressies and be there for your Flag Day. Should you not cancel, then there is a day that someone else could have taken. It is just better to have people wait until they arrive to request a day.

[KylesMom]

if the slots are that full and there is no waiting list for people who drop out, how does one get to be a Flag Family, if one does not feel like checking with the front desk every day?

Actually, we've been fortunate enough to be the Flag Family for the past three years at WL. However, it's always beeen my understanding that there is a standby list in case folks cancel. I would bet it (cancellations) happen fairly often due to the time you need to be at the front desk.

However, since the "Flag Family" reservation book is at the front desk, that's the only place you'll be able to try and reserve your time slot.



What is a Flag family? We have stayed at the GF and the POLY, but have not heard that term before. Only at WL, each morning (weather permitting), a family is brought up to the very top of the hotel and asked to raise the flags for the day. These include the American Flag, the Florida State Flag, the Disney Corporate Flag and two Wilderness Lodge flags. You then get to recite the Pledge of Alliegance with Ranger Stan.

Not only is it really cool to visit with Ranger Stan, but the views for picture taking are phenomenal. We stay for 15 days, and the first opening is usually at the very end of our trip. :mickey:

[RBrooksC]

5) First-come-first-served, but there is a wait-list.
.[/I]

I do remember reading there was a wait list prior to when we went. When we checked-in we asked to be put on a wait list for it. We were told they did not keep a wait list anymore. I don't know if that changed since September 2007.

[LarryBoy]

How early in the am do they do this? Is it worth it?

[KylesMom]

How early in the am do they do this? Is it worth it?
We've always been asked to be at the front desk by 8 am.

And yes, it's worth it. Usually we're up at the crack of dawn anyway - so we're usually out of our room by 8:00 or before. Last year they started offering breakfast on the club level when you were done, which was a nice touch. We raised the flags, took a bunch of pictures, talked with Stan for a bit and then grabbed a quick bite. We were out of W/L on the way to one of the parks by 9:00. It really is special, in our eyes, and as I mentioned before we feel very priviledged to be able to take part in it. :mickey:

Two years ago we got our picture in the "Eyes and Ears" CM publication, which was an extra bonus!

[TheRustyScupper]

Not only is it really cool to visit with Ranger Stan,

1) Stan Moore does it Wed-Sat.
2) Sun-Tue it is done by Concierge.

[LarryBoy]

We are checking in on a Monday early, hopefully before 10 am, and are staying for 7 nights. Do you think we have a chance of being the flag family?

[kakn7294]

We are checking in on a Monday early, hopefully before 10 am, and are staying for 7 nights. Do you think we have a chance of being the flag family?If I remember correctly, I'm checking in that same week as you and I'm hoping to get selected too. Maybe we should exchange cell phone #'s so if one of us gets selected, the other can tag along. Wanna become relatives?

[TheRustyScupper]

We are checking in on a Monday early, hopefully before 10 am, and are staying for 7 nights. Do you think we have a chance of being the flag family?
. . . you just never know
. . . a 7-night stay is on the edge
. . . a 8-10 night stay is almost a lock



Maybe we should exchange cell phone #'s so if one of us gets selected, the other can tag along.
. . . not a bad thought
. . . but, remember, 5-guests total, maximum

[LarryBoy]

If I remember correctly, I'm checking in that same week as you and I'm hoping to get selected too. Maybe we should exchange cell phone #'s so if one of us gets selected, the other can tag along. Wanna become relatives?

How many people do they allow? There will be four of us.

[kakn7294]

How many people do they allow? There will be four of us.According to the post above, it's only 5 people max. We have 4 as well so if that's the case, I guess that wouldn't work.

[LarryBoy]

According to the post above, it's only 5 people max. We have 4 as well so if that's the case, I guess that wouldn't work.

Yeah, but thanks for the idea. Hopefully we'll just both get to do it. I'm not going to mention it to the kids unless we get it. It doesn't hurt to ask right? :fingers:

[TheRustyScupper]

it's only 5 people max.

1) It is considered a safety issue.
2) One guide can only watch up to five people successfully.
3) Beyond five, folks could wonder without being watched or controlled.
4) And, like any roof 80-feet above the ground, it can get dangerous.
5) So, the rule was set at five.
6) And, yes it does get dicey when there are families of six or seven.
7) We have had to have family members wait in the lobby for our return.
8) Some were mad, but most understood.
9) And, no they can't go up afterward - one trip that's all.