The Random 20-Minute CLOSURE That Happens Every Day in Magic Kingdom

There are a lot of unexpected things that can happen in Magic Kingdom on a daily basis.

Ride closures are a big one, for sure, but if it’s storming out, parade times may get changed or canceled (in which case, you MAY see a Rainy Day Cavalcade!), among many other things. However, there’s something that happens in the parks every single day that WILL affect your day if you’re walking through Main Street U.S.A.

Each evening in Magic Kingdom, right at around 5 PM, you can find the Flag Retreat happening at the top of Main Street U.S.A., right near the largest flag pole in that area of the park. This is where the American flag is retired for the day, and Disney often finds a veteran in the park to honor and ask to assist with the retreat.

It’s a very cool experience to watch, especially if you have an interest in the military, veterans, or just Walt Disney’s love of America and its traditions, but if you’re walking into Magic Kingdom during this time, you might find that this area is blocked off.

I recently got to see Flag Retreat for the first time a few months ago when I was working on an AllEars video, and learned that about 20 minutes before the ceremony begins, Cast Members line up around each entrance to that area near the flag (which is also where that iconic photo opportunity with the statue of Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse is) and close it off to prepare for the event.

The Flag Retreat at Magic Kingdom ©Disney

You won’t be able to walk through that little area at all or take a photo with the statue at that time (but it’s easy to walk around to the other side of the street, you just can’t cut through the area with the flag). However, the potentially more obstructing issue comes when the flag is actually being taken away. The band, Cast Members, the veteran, the Dapper Dans, and others involved in the ceremony will all march down Main Street U.S.A., and Cast Members were very careful to keep this area (in this case, the street) closed off during this time.

Now, it reopens quickly, as they move down the street within just a few minutes, but if you’re rushing into the park trying to make a ride return time or reservation, it’s probably in your best interest to plan to cut through the shops so you don’t get caught in the traffic. Otherwise, if you’re not in a rush, I do recommend stopping to see the ceremony! Tons of people, myself included, have never seen it, and it truly is a very heartfelt and impactful event that only takes a few minutes.