Disneyland - Flag Retreat Ceremony

Each evening the Flag Retreat is a patriotic display to remove the United States flag before sunset, at 4:30 p.m. generally.

During the ceremony you will hear the ‘Star Spangled Banner’, usually performed by Disney’s All-American Collegiate Band. The streets of Town Square are then cleared for the removal of the flag.

Walt witnessed an auto accident in which a car hit a light pole. Walt was so taken by the design of the light standard, that he went to the city and asked to buy it.
That light pole base is now the flag pole base in Disneyland.

If you have ever studied or read about Walt Disney, you already know what a great patriot he was.

Disneyland, especially Main Street USA, pays tribute to America in many ways. Before you even enter the park, a large American flag stands sentry over the Main Street Train Station.

Once you enter, though, you come across Town Square, home to yet another flagpole flying Old Glory. As you look down Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty Castle, you see even more flags lining buildings. In fact, these flags are actually missing one star and one stripe.

Why, you ask? Well, not out of a lack of respect, but rather because these flags aren't able to be lowered and raised as is proper flag etiquette. So, this way, the flags can remain standing throughout the night.