The Fake American Flags At Disney

[@Dremth]

The flag code is not mandatory; i.e., they did not legally have to do this, as there is no punishment for not following the code. Granted, with all the backdoor deals Disney has done with the state of Florida, it wouldn't surprise me if there was an agreement made somewhere in writing about this.

[@firewing5592]

It is respectful though, specially with as ‘pro military’ Disney is not to surprising (though a back door deal wouldn’t be surprising either lmao)

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

No it's not. BUT what's interesting is usually the people who break it the most are the ultra conservatives

[@protipskiptoendofvideoandr286]

Flag code means jack shit nowadays

[@perfesser944]

It may not be mandatory. It is not mandatory to honor and respect your country, your parents, and your fellow human beings, but you do it anyway. That is a prime requirement for being a decent human being.

[@lilycreeper5246]

It's a paradox, as it *is* illegal, but you also can't be punished for free speech, which this counts as

[@johnathanmcfadden8978]

I think that those flags are also used as wind socks for the fireworks... It lets them know whether or not they can continue with the fireworks or not.

[@WillTFB]

I guarantee they use more advanced systems than this for safety reasons. If something were to go wrong, they'd be screwed if they only used a flag as a safety indicator.

[@johnathanmcfadden8978]

@@WillTFB actually the flags are actual windsocks and that's the reason why look it up....

[@pher8902]

@@WillTFBmaybe today they have technology but originally that might not have been the case

[@stanb990]

My father was on the original zReedy Creek fire department Part of their job eas fire watch from ekevated positions around the park You are correct

[@DarkAttack14]

Correct

[@DOCTORJAN714]

I would've guessed that they replaced one of the stars with a hidden Mickey.

[@hanhanthegreat]

Omg the flag but instead of stars it’s all mickey

[@DOCTORJAN714]

@hanhanthegreat Now you're thinking outside the castle!!!

[@mherrmann81687]

​@@hanhanthegreatmy thoughts exactly... that's where I thought this video was going. Then was disappointed that they were just a non-current version

[@stanb990]

That would be altering the flag

[@mherrmann81687]

@@stanb990 It would be a decorative version, rather than an official one. Which is basically what they have up there so they can avoid the care regulations of official flags, they just are not Disney-fied. I cannot tell you how many "American Flag" patches, pins, statues, etc do not have the correct number of stars. And some even have the wrong number of stripes. However, these are decorative and artistic takes on the flag for quality, space or esthetic purposes; since many small items lose so much detail, they limit the stars... and few people even notice the 6 or so fewer stars (but some only have 10 or so and it is very obvious). Sure, I'm not pledging allegiance to them anytime soon but they are still generally recognizable as American Flags at a glance... Think about it, a while ago the American Flag emoji didn't have the right number of pixels, let alone the right number of stars.

[@sallyperrie3007]

No one else does. There’s flags up 24/7 everywhere

[@TolliverHiker]

Most companies and especially city’s and gov buildings. Hospitals and school etc. my work lights the flag at nightmare simple little solar light. My other job would take it down nightly. Flags are also required to be at half mast when ordered. There’s an app/website for that. Holidays are just a day. But when people like Supreme Court Justice RBG does it was weeks if I recall right

[@YeetLord666]

Because there's no penalization for keeping it up. The flag code is basically there to say that out of respect, you need to do this, but if you don't, you're not going to get ticketed, fined, or put in jail. Most high schools have a ROTC unit, and they will go out and put up the flag in the morning and take it down in the afternoon... other than that it's still kind of a fucking Wild West out there

[@TheCrazierz]

Flag code isn't law. You don't get punished if you don't follow it. I know schools in my area take down the flag every night and raise it in the morning to follow the code and be proper but it's not a legal requirement

[@piperp9535]

​@@TheCrazierzActually it is law, but the law was not intended to be enforced as criminal code, but it is law all the same, duly passed and amended several times over.

[@niyah000]

@@piperp9535it’s not truly a law if not enforced. the flag code is really there for government buildings and is far from applying to civilians. i’ll bet you most people don’t hang/fly their flag properly at home but that doesn’t suddenly make them disrespectful to the country.

[@adog7787]

If they are older versions of the flag of when he was born they are indeed real flags.

[@perfesser944]

Should be obvious that a company and a team that pays such obsessive attention to detail will have avoided those obvious pitfalls.

[@dwderp]

Absolutely right. Any “official” American flag from the past is still considered as correct as any modern official flag. In other words, they never go out of date, regardless of the number of stars.

[@robinnicole4466]

No they weren't saying they were "old flags" they were saying Disney made the number of stars match the states when Walt was born and also that it was a rumor

[@Smorb42]

​@robinnicole4466 regardless they would still be real. Just because a new version exists doesn't mean that old versions are invalid.

[@SeanHts15]

​@@Smorb42 it's not an "old flag" it's a flag with a random(in this case the number of walts birth year) number of stars. It's not like they just used one of our older OFFICIAL flags and put them up there. Geez it's amazing how dumb people are

[@TimothySpadano]

It actually is super simple to get to the top of those buildings. I’m a 3rd party contractor for Disney and there’s easy access to the roof of every single one. It’s really just one big roof with a stylized facade sticking up over it to make it look like multiple buildings. The second floor houses all the electrical and hvac equipment and there’s another staircase from there that goes to the roof.

[@adamnaameeazim6365]

This is actually a really common myth and I'm kind of annoyed that it keeps getting spread. US flag code is not law. Disney does not have to follow it. However, there is a real reason why almost all the flags are missing a couple of stars. Main Street USA is meant to be an early 20th century town. The number of stars on the flags are meant to reflect this, since the US would have had fewer states at the time.

[@Go_Fak_Yorself]

US flag code is 100% a law. However the language of the law makes it so people won't be penalized for breaking it as it's almost impossible to do so.

[@ObamaoZedong]

Disney does have to follow flag code if they don't want to be seen as bigger dicks than they already are.

[@phillyphakename1255]

It 100% is law, 4 USC 1-10, it's just almost entirely unconstitutional if ever enforced, so it isn't.

[@billy5402]

We call Americans "flag shaggers"

[@ablazescarf3328]

@@phillyphakename1255 I was going to say, that seemed REALLY unconstitutional, tf.

[@willnye9788]

Disney is a private company, Flag Code does not have to be followed because it is not law. Flag Code is supposed to be followed by Gov't institutions only nothing more. If they do it for safety reasons too that I strongly support.

[@thephoenix6870]

And even if they had to, putting an electric motor on a flagpole is not that expensive for a theme park

[@EggplantHarmesan]

Maybe it was law back then

[@daltongalloway]

@@thephoenix6870no when you lower the flag you have to fold it up. It’s not suppose to touch the ground.

[@thephoenix6870]

@@daltongalloway ah ok, didn't know

[@nubgaming5342]

@@daltongallowayno you don’t. You can buy a U.S. flag and do whatever you want with it. There are no punishments for “violating” the flag code. It is completely meaningless

[@enjoyerofcontent]

"I'll be deep in the cold cold ground before I recognise Missourah!" - Walt Disney, probably

[@erraticonteuse]

Ironically, he grew up in Missourah.

[@tonysisemore958]

I love Missourah.

[@Ya_boi_jasper]

I know damn well McDonald’s ain’t listen to any of that. Nor anywhere else. 💀

[@patrickazzarella6729]

Our mcdonalds did

[@flash2tz]

Generally, McDonalds has them lit up at night.

[@Blandopinion]

I know for a fact my neighbors have never lowered their flag.

[@Citrakite]

Mine used to, way back in the day.

[@nispen]

The Flag Code is simply a guideline for proper flag etiquette. The law does not provide penalties for violation of any of its provisions

[@MrVnick1]

When in Cub Scouts I learned about this, yea it’s a code. nNobody is going to count the stars, but I’m sure Disney Parks can afford the light bill.

[@AlteFore]

It isn't even a law lol

[@kingofthebungle8612]

This isnt the reason. It's just because main street is meant to take place in the early 1900s so they use old flags.

[@ItsZeOwl]

The flag retreat ceremony is so special! My grandfather got chosen to lower and fold the flag one time. Not only was it special for him, the cast made sure the kids (me and my cousins) were entertained, learned some cool stuff, and even got to meet the Dapper Dans. I’m pretty sure he got to keep the flag too!

[@pikachuthegayatheist6215]

I heard that they’re used as wind socks for aerial performances, “mainly Tinker Bell‘s white at night,”

[@taylorebenguard6998]

this girl is that one friend that talks non stop but you cant help but to wanna listen

[@Trogladyte]

The flag code also says that it's okay if you have a light pointed at them all times of the day

[@wmeuse2375]

But they would still need to come down in the rain.

[@stevevernon1978]

@@wmeuse2375 The flag code also allows for "all-weather" flags to stay up in the rain.

[@A2ndVoice]

Ve-hic-i-lar is so violently Texan it actually gave me flashbacks.

[@shofisstar]

It would be cool if one had Mickeys instead of stars

[@kreuner11]

Disney land got better public transportation than actual American cities 😭

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Has better

[@hejichs]

I just realized the 48 stars on the flags 😂

[@stevevernon1978]

The one i could count was a 45 star (1896-1908) version

[@Minuslife1]

You sound exactly like Maze love😊❤❤

[@myster5y]

If you read the flag code it will say if it rain proof you can fly it.

[@VaLonFrandsen]

Lightning rods... I've worked designing the lightning rods and grounding at Disney. That place is safe! A bit over designed, but safe.

[@Cameronthain]

Thank you Natasha Lyonne. I learned something new from you again! ❤

[@arkadandfortuna1582]

We gotta remember that DisneyParks and a lot of theme parks in general are basically designed like Hollywood backlots mixed with retail & amusement. It’s all part of the look&feel. It’s entertainment.

[@htomc42]

You would think that Disney, of all people, could figure out some automated way to lower the flags into a protective enclosure each day.

[@jamesfoskey2804]

The height of the castle is very specific. FAA regulations state any building above 200ft needs lights at night. The castle is 189ft, so no faa light are needed

[@valkdon3952]

What's interesting is, Main Street USA is based off of two places. Walt Disney's hometown, Marceline, Missouri, and a portion of Fort Collins, Colorado, known as Old Town.

[@thesharky1173]

My Dad was the veteran of the day one time. It was amazing

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

The stars on the flags are probably mickeys 😂

[@MattHare714]

In elementary school the kids each took turns raising, lowering and folding the flags. It took two kids to fold it. A day or two after my turn I got called to the office. They asked me if I would do it everyday with another kids because I actually folded it correctly and never let it touch the ground. I was honored

[@mustard_cat322]

It's Disney. I'm sure they could figure out a way to make it go up and down electronically 🤣

[@cesarnieves6884]

Former Cast Member here. Those buildings are offices in the back.. Took many training courses in them.

[@thetexanbuzzsaw3145]

"No Peter, I said supported."

[@mukfay]

It wouldn't be easy for them to lower it every day, but they could certainly light it.

[@psychochicken9535]

Unless you're in the military, you don't really have to worry about this.

[@daviddunn860]

It's amazing that Disney would fly an American flag at all.

[@jakdmavika9233]

I would've expected the stars to be mickey silhouettes

[@jenniferkoester8672]

I actually got to do the flag retrieval as an active duty soldier. I was the first female soldier to do it at Walt Disney World Florida ever. It was actually the reason why I chose to end my service in the military shortly afterwards. I chose to take my daughter to Walt Disney World during my mid tour leave and when they chose me to do the ceremony, they had my family follow the band in the parade. My daughter was crying the entire time saying the army is taking my mommy away again. Which being a single mother at the time broke my heart and helped me decide to get out at the end of my contract instead of continuing my service.

[@G9000v]

Good to know thank you!

[@carlonayres8419]

Disney, fake flags? Get out of here!😂😂😂

[@diagnostician001]

There's an american flag over the bridge that goes over our river. I'm pretty sure there's not a poor smuck required to go take it down every night and put back up every morning. Plus the bridge is also a major freeway as well. Located in tri-cities, WA.

[@colethewolfboy]

We have one at a car dealership in Tacoma, I’m pretty sure he has enough lighting not to worry about it aside from inclement weather.

[@billygoat4591]

Those flags are not fake, they are quite real. They are just not within the Federal Flag Code :)

[@alexmunch9275]

It’s a fake US flag

[@EdwardSnortin]

Alex is right, they're fake. The flapping isn't even real, just cgi

[@billygoat4591]

@@EdwardSnortin I knew it! 🤣

[@alexmunch9275]

@@EdwardSnortin What is not understood about it not being a real US flag? I’m not saying it’s not a real flag, I’m saying it’s not a real UNITED STATES FLAG

[@bwknowles98]

​@alexmunch9275 Except it is, it's just an older version with fewer stars due to fewer states during Disney's life

[@k.m.186]

Yeah call me unpatriotic, but flag codes and all this obsessing over the symbol but not as much the meaning behind it is kinda BS. It’s all been co-opted so that someone can have massive respect for the nation we live in and might use a flag in a form of protest and people care more about a piece of cloth than citizens suffering. Edit: never said there was any legal repercussions, just that people care about nitpicking folding and lighting a flag way more than the people, values, and rights they represent. Including when using the symbol to protest or try and call attention to dire issues facing our citizens, ya gotta choose if you care more about the superficial patriotism than the real deal. Whatever happened to ‘I may not agree with what you say but I fight to the death for your right to say it’

[@_lynnmariee]

agreed

[@xhypiseepyx]

you get it

[@toejamandearl8110]

What?

[@AllrightIsee]

Excuse me??? My elder fled other countries and applied to be here. They swore an oath and promised to end allegiance with their former country. They had to have a sponsor to come here and promise to not become needy or indigent. They served in military. Maybe you have no gratitude or loyalty but many families do. For good reason

[@flash2tz]

​@@AllrightIseeAmen! My ancestor did the same and had to surrender any former allegiance to "Prince or Potentate" and have a sponsor who swore the immigrant was a man of substance who wouldn't become a burden on society.

[@traurigekatze]

I'm pretty sure it's because The modern flag is from 1959 and as such its correct to use an older flag

[@marceckert5659]

The 50th star was added on July 4th 1960 as it was the first Independence Day after Hawaii became a state in August 1959.

[@iLumberjack]

Embarrassing Disneyland story. The time of day when they perform the flag retreat is usually one of the busiest for people exiting the park and it can get pretty crowded right there by the fire station. We were slowly sneaking our way through the crowd right before the ceremony began. All the dignitaries were assembled including the veterans and troop of boy scouts ready to assist. My wife is disabled and was writing on one of those excessively heavy electric scooters and I was walking in front clearing a path for her when the person in front of me stopped suddenly. I stopped to avoid running into them and my wife then drove over my foot with this 8,000 lb electric scooter. The next few moments were interesting... Have you ever watched a movie when somebody goes into the wrong bar and you hear that record screech and all eyes turn toward you? When she drove over my foot, I let out a slew of profanity that would make a Marine blush .( I wasn't being abusive I was just screaming out in howling agony.) Suddenly, the entire square was whisper quiet. All eyes spun toward me and Disney ninjas apparently came repelling out of the sky. They quickly surrounded us to ascertain the nature of my despair... Within 10 seconds there was a wheelchair there and I was being whisked backstage for an evaluation. The whole thing maybe took 30 seconds. My big takeaway is that Disneyland and WDW are incredibly safe places. They clearly had incident response training and regular practice. They knew exactly what to do. I have absolutely no doubt that no matter what happened in that park, they would respond quickly and appropriately for guest safety. Still pretty embarrassing though haha.

[@Ariel-lol]

Disney ninjas 😂 sorry I laughed. I hope you don’t have long term damage from that, that sounds super painful

[@davidsantiagotate7380]

My fiancé works at Disney world where the cast members are trained for and have seen everything. If it makes you feel any better, they’ve all seen much worse!

[@The__Creeper]

There is no punishment for "violating" the flag code.

[@Kasserole1]

Yeah I think at this point it’s just customary.

[@member57]

As a Vet, i will NEVER visit a disney park.

[@SerenityMarbleCo]

There are ladders and it is super easy to access the flags. Walt and Roy were very patriotic, and there are a ton more flags in DW alone. Also, Even if they were periodic flags or something historic; they are still American flags.

[@ashenmoonclash]

I bought a led solar spotlight for 50 bucks when I got tired of raising and lowering mine😂

[@matthewyoung3083]

If they can add a tone of decorations in one night they should be able to add light to at least the flags

[@prospector442]

"It's not easy for Disney to do this." Disney has money, everything is easy when you have money.

[@dbeckMSP]

Shoutout to Disney understanding flag code better than people complaining about things that are totally legal in flag code ie kneeling.

[@adamblancas8938]

Land of the free. Home of the senseless "flag codes."

[@pooryorick831]

I once went behind the Mainstreet area when they had to close it off temporarily. It is amazing ho fake the buildings are. In the alley behind it looks like the alley behind a supermarket with trash dumpsters and loading docks. All of it is completely hidden from the front. All you see from the front is a thin veneer.

[@kitfox92]

The flags are part of the theme for Main Street. Main Street is specifically supposed to be a turn of the century (1890's-1910's) American city during the 4th of July. The American flag of that era had less stars on it because it had less states.

[@mmonroe2008]

With all the imagineering that Disney does, you're telling me they couldn't figure out a way to raise and lower the flags... I call bullshit.

[@Mailboxmoney-2023]

So I was once disneyworlds veteran of the day and recieved the flag as it was taken down. My mom was wearing here army mom hat and one of the parks people spotted her as we walked in and asked if I was with them and if I would participate in the ceremony. It was a neat experience. They give you a special mickey mouse pin that is patriotic and we got a ton of vip passes to skip the lines to use that day. My wife who was with me and is a huge Disney fan was very excited.

[@championbeam4018]

At Hollywood Studios, the Mickey on the tower out front is a lightning rod. If memory serves right, he is pointing up.

[@Swbaert6]

The flag code is a suggestion, disney would not be breaking the law if they didn't lower their flags at night.

[@panther122]

In Disenyland there is one white flag on main Street to detect wind for the nightly fireworks show there is a fact that there is a command center whete that flag is that controls the fireworks show so the role goes.its nice that Disney picks on military vet for the lowering of the real flag.

[@CrazedKen]

I thought the stars were mickey heads

[@GW71093]

Who caaaares about “flag code” this much

[@starhawke380]

Even if they did have to follow flag code, nothing states how bright the lights shining on the flags need to be. They could have lights shining that dont interfere with anything else in the park.

[@tufgbhw6986]

50 stars and 13 stripes in case anyone wanted to know. The number 13 is associated with a lot of masonic culture but the 13 stripes could be contributed to there only being 13 states when our independence was declared.

[@CircleOfInevitability]

You would think because the inside is a hollow facade.... it would be easy to get up there

[@googleuser7219]

I’m surprised Disney doesn’t just make all these buildings full real authentic buildings at this point. Would be a drop in the bucket for them and you can charge like $10,000 a night for people to stay in the top floors.

[@KailyKail]

I’d love to help lower the flag at Disney. I’d even bring my dress whites.

[@petestackow]

Sounds pretty easy to just put a damn light on it... But I digress.

[@medranochav]

free us from the military industrial complex

[@911life5]

It amazes me Disney still even flies a flag

[@brandonfrancey5592]

That's because you are neck deep in the propaganda.

[@only_2_genders]

Figured they would only be flying the Alphabet flag by now

[@SomewhereAbove]

America’s obsession with its flag is so fascinating from an outsider’s standpoint

[@stevendillard3421]

Looks like an American flag to me, close enough for me, I don't care that much.

[@Snipe4261]

The US flag code is a set of guidelines, not legal requirements. They could use real flags and it wouldn't technically matter, but it could conceivably be considered disrespectful.

[@bocat7482]

Since 911 my work displayed a massive flag on the side of our production building, I'm retired now not sure if it's still being done, company had been sold since. All old flags went to the Cub Scouts for the fire procedure.

[@ashelyywalters165]

Actually the second and third floor of some of the buildings are offices on the inside behind what you see on the outside and the roof is accessible quite easily

[@ruaine83]

You need to update your report, it's themed after the turn of last century, not the most recent

[@viclionsden6752]

So you can burn em but can’t leave them up overnight 🤣

[@Rider-co1vs]

Wow. And I thought that Disney wants to create something like an ilusion of a magic place where cartoon come to life or something but no you just look up a few degrees and bam! a frickin American flag.

[@JanSunnie]

Hey google, raise all the flags.

[@memarks]

That's weird. The protocol will still APPEAR to be broken.

[@outlawtaylor3]

Actually you don’t have to raise and lower it every day if you don’t want to but you do have to retire the flags properly if they become too damaged or worn out

[@jeffjohnson6709]

They're still going to have to replace them a couple times a year

[@JimmyCasket02]

They follow the flag code better than 90% people that fly flags

[@LexiLunarpaw]

That doesn't surprise me that Disney is too lazy to put up real American Flags

[@donothing7930]

You should see the Tokyo Disney American flags tho

[@duffmann2021]

Disney is so awesome

[@gullsarekool4164]

America having that law is so totalitarian

[@tyranus1111]

Youd thonk the imagineers could come up with an electronic or even automated with a schedual method of raising amd lowering the flag also the flags would get damaged eventually theyd have to take them down and change them eventually

[@eternalmiasma5586]

America hard on for its flag is so weird

[@jbbradford9847]

And and I'm sure it's traditional to take it down but there are many patriotic people who will keep it up

[@miloSILO]

Remember, disney is specifically for children.

[@ElZamo92]

I love that the US gov doesn’t even know what hat colour or shape its flag is, but they have a rule for raising an lowering every flag every day.

[@not_even_me5035]

It's not even a rule, it's just customary.

[@stevevernon1978]

they do know both those things.

[@mookitty2396]

There’s no law that says you even need to have flags in the first place. Disney just being Disney

[@jlemaire9418]

I aint surprised.

[@pyotrberia9741]

Looking from outside this country, the obsession with a flag is bizarre.

[@Johnny6919731]

The turn of which century, we experienced one just 24 years ago.

[@wellstrung2]

Disney makes me sick

[@katytuecke4051]

They should have made the stars Mickey Mouse heads. BOOM. Problem solved, and hundreds of new hidden Mickeys.