Flag Family at WL

[mgmnut]

Has anyone ever been selected as the Flag Family at the Wildreness Lodge? :flag:

Can we request to be the Flag Family for our trip or are you chosen at random?

If you can request, can you do it in advance of your trip or will we need to wait until we get down there and check in?

I hear the view from the top of the Lodge is amazing

[wildernesslady]

I tried on our last trip and all the slots were full. After you check-in go over to concierge and see if there is room during your stay. I do not believe you are able to sign-up ahead of time. One of these trips we will be able to.

[Jillirose]

Good Luck :thumbsup: We tried, but there were no openenings when we were there.

[KylesMom]

You cannot request the honor until you arrive at the front desk - they have a reservation book which tracks what days are open.

We have been blessed to have been Flag Family for the past five years at WL. Rangers Stan, Jack and Joe have made each and every time magical. Yes, the views are incredible - and having the privilege of raising the American and Disney flags & saying the Pledge to start the morning touches your heart. Last summer they had a PhotoPass photographer accompany us, which was delightful. One year, DS and I actually made it into the "Eyes & Ears" CM publication with a nice write up!

The date of availability has always been at the end of our vacation - 13 to 14 days after we check in. But there is also a waiting list, which I would ask to be put on. You never know who will be at evening EMH & won't be able to make it the next day! :flag:

[Basket Mommy]

I have requested to be flag family every time I've checked in at WL, but it's always full. One day I hope we get to do it! I'll keep trying.

[timandlesley]

We have done it years ago and it was SUCH fun. I asked at check in for an 8 night stay and thought for sure we would have a chance but they didn't have an opening. They put us on a waiting list and it came through for us, We just loved the experience. They gave us a certificate that we have framed in our living room.
Lesley

[pox24]

We had the pleasure before Stan retired. The view is spectacular. What really was neat was the view from the top of the lobby as you climbed the stairs to the roof access. It is a cherished memory.

[waymickey]

We have been a flag Family 3 times now and it is amazing. Great view, great honor to raise the american flag and disney flag.

We ask the minute we get there. It has always been our last day of our vacation. Last time we toured the 7th floor before we left with Ranger Joe. It was well worth getting up early.

[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 (WL guests only).
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 Flag 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.

[ginger19]

It's an amazing experience! We did it the first year we took the kids and got it our 10th day of our stay. DD was just a toddler at the time and DS a pre-schooler and they loved it. Ranger Stan was excellent but there were a LOT of stairs with the kids so I was nervous. I have our certificate framed and hanging up in our playroom.
I would highly recommend it if you can do it.

[waymickey]

I can attest that the roof top can be dangerous. My family was once a flag family and my Niece then 13 banged her knee on one of the pipes that stick up on the roof top. She was afraid to tell Ranger Stan and began to get nervous. She then passed out ! :ambal: We got her down off the roof and got her some ice for her leg and orange juice. We did return the roof a short time later to raise the flags. We have it all on video and Poor Ranger Stan was a nervous wreck. He said that has never happened in all the time he had worked there.