Disney hosted Marines and Sailors in port for Los Angeles Fleet Week, a salute to U.S. Sea Services Members held over Memorial Day Weekend each year. The company surprised 100 service members with a day at Disneyland and California Adventure. This shares a quick look at their visit, along with our experience in the parks on the same ‘Distinctly Patriotic’ day and commentary.
According to the company, the Sailors and Marines had the chance to “Celebrate Happy” during the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration by enjoying attractions inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey’s Toontown. Service members also had the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse in his brand new 70th attire in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
To wrap up the day, they got to experience the return of “Paint the Night” parade and “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular. Here’s a rundown of the rest of the day offering a Salute to Service Members at Disneyland Resort…
Special Flag Retreat Ceremony
Most notably, Cast Members and guests had the chance to honor their valiant service with a special flag retreat ceremony in Town Square, accompanied by the Disneyland Band, The Dapper Dans and special honoree, Rear Admiral Richard W. Meyer, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, U.S. Navy.
“How many times in your life do you have the opportunity to actually get to participate in the events that are happening at Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth?” said Rear Admiral Meyer. “To be able to come here, share that with the public, participate in the events, get to see some of the cool new things at Disneyland, and get to show off the Sailors and Marines to the community — I think that’s what made this a really special day.”
Daily flag retreat ceremonies have been an integral part of Disney parks operations since the opening of Disneyland almost seven decades ago, continuing with Magic Kingdom since its opening in 1971. This beloved tradition continues with security cast members raising and lowering the American flag each day, as entertainment cast members contribute musical performances to bring emotion to the time-honored ritual.
Over the years, Disneyland Resort has honored countless service members, veterans and their families, including Fleet Week Sailors and Marines last year. Disney is honored to host these service members who work tirelessly to defend our country, and create happy memories with a day at DCA and Disneyland.
“Disney really embraces our veterans, and it’s been part of the DNA of the Disneyland Resort. You see it everywhere you go — from the flag retreat to Veteran’s Day to Fleet Week 2025 — it’s always at the forefront of what we do here every day,” said Ariel Elias, category manager, Disneyland Resort, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Honoring & Remembering the Fallen
Among the celebration, it’s also important to pause, reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending these United States of America–especially over Memorial Day Weekend.
One of the ways Disney recognizes these fallen heroes is by displaying Missing Hero Tables, which are meant to symbolize and honor those brave service members who gave their lives in service to our country or went missing in action and have not found their way back home.
At Disneyland, a Missing Hero Table was reserved at Tiana’s Palace Restaurant to honor the brave and selfless American military members who never made it home. We dined at Tiana’s Palace on May 22 and saw the table from our seats–it was a solemn reminder of the sacrifice, and one that made us even more thankful that we were free to enjoy a fun day in the parks.
Missing Hero Tables feature the following:
- A slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
- A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those who have sacrificed all.
- An inverted glass is symbolic of those who cannot toast with us at this time.
- The chair is empty, the seat that remains unclaimed at the table.
“The Missing Hero Tables we display at this time are meant to be a strong visual symbol of those who are no longer with us, that those who see them may stop for a moment to reflect and hopefully show appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy due to the great sacrifice that these many heroes have given for us,” explained Disneyland Resort main entrance operations manager and U.S. Navy veteran, Nick Filippone.
Disney VoluntEARS, Sailors & Marines Give Back
Ahead of LA Fleet Week, Disney VoluntEARS had the opportunity to work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for a special clean-up project at the Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove.
Since 2012, Disney has contributed funding and media support to non-profit organizations that focus on creating happiness for veterans and military families.
The Walt Disney Company is grateful to not only get to recognize heroes within Disney parks but also through charitable giving and relationships with organizations like the USO, Blue Star Families, Fisher House and Student Veterans of America or through hiring initiatives like Heroes Work Here.
Turning to commentary, we happened to be in Disneyland and DCA on this day (May 22), and it was a fantastic experience. I really wish I would’ve taken more photos and video, but it was just a “for fun” visit to take in the Disneyland 70th Anniversary with our daughter, and without the pressure of documenting anything “for research.” (We try to strike this balance with our park days.) I didn’t plan on covering this, as I didn’t even realize it was an actual ‘event’ until later in the afternoon.
What we really appreciated about the U.S. Sea Services Members Day at Disneyland was the atmosphere. I know we throw around the phrase ‘Distinctly Patriotic’ a lot as a Salute to All Muppets But Mostly Sam Eagle, but this really was a distinctly patriotic day. Disney indicated in its release that the company surprised 100 service members with a day at Disneyland. I would’ve never guessed the number was so low. It felt like thousands.
While in the parks, we saw Marines and Sailors constantly. It was like kind of like when you’re visiting Magic Kingdom during a cheer or dance competition and repeatedly get stuck in line behind the worst type of guests imaginable, and conclude that 70% of the park’s guests are there for the youth sporting event, when in reality it’s more like 7%.
It was only kind of like that because it was the exact opposite of that (no offense to cheerleaders). Every single time we saw the Sailors and Marines, they looked excited to be there. The energy they exuded is impossible to articulate–like one hundred Tom Cruises or Glen Powells for Top Gun: Maverick. Just a certain swagger and charisma.
We visited Disneyland during Los Angeles Fleet Week, a salute to U.S. Sea Service Members held Memorial Day Weekend, and had a chance to hear the 32nd Street Brass Band perform in DCA. Disney should give free tickets to service members every day if it means great music like this! pic.twitter.com/ocdcmpfxPW
— Disney Tourist Blog (@DisTouristBlog) May 26, 2025
This was all over the parks, but the highlight for us was at the Hollywood Backlot Stage, where we caught the 32nd Street Brass Band perform. This was purely by accident, as we made our regular pilgrimage to Schmoozies and Award Wieners (on a tangentially-related note, don’t sleep on the Mickey-shaped Confetti Waffles–literally the best Disney waffles we’ve ever had).
The 32nd Street Brass Band was fantastic. From their website: “The 32nd Street Brass Band performs upbeat music for homecoming ship arrivals and community events. By incorporating the styles of jazz, funk, Dixieland, and R&B, the 32nd Street Brass Band will be sure to keep you moving and entertained. The 32nd Street Brass Band brings a party atmosphere to any venue.”
Again, they had a certain swagger, making everyone in the audience want to dance. We would’ve spent hours back here had this entertainment been better publicized by the park, as our daughter absolutely loved this–it was the highlight of her day, and it was a visit that included meeting Mickey, Minnie, and Daisy. Disneyland should be giving out tickets to hundreds of service members every single day if it means music like this, and injecting energy into an otherwise dead corner of DCA.
Above all else, I’m really pleased to see Disneyland Resort offering a salute to service members, especially at a time when the company has become more of a frequent fixture of culture wars and erroneously accused of being unpatriotic in certain circles. To anyone who actually visits Walt Disney World or Disneyland, that’s nonsense.
Few Americans ever were more patriotic than Walt Disney. He was so distinctly patriotic that he even attempted to join the Army in 1918 but was rejected for being too young. Walt Disney went on to serve his country in many ways, and that legacy is still carried on at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland to this day. Paving over the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom for Cars Land doesn’t change that, even if it does sting (a lot).
Even so, entire lands like Main Street USA and Liberty Square, as well as the Rivers of America and New Orleans Square at Disneyland to a lesser extent, are patriotic. Then there are the more overt attractions, like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, The American Adventure, and Hall of Presidents. I would also argue that Carousel of Progress, Electrical Water Pageant, and more are patriotic. There are so many little ways that Disney celebrates America that go unnoticed by most guests.
We make a point of spending every Fourth of July at Disneyland, in large part because I can think few places more patriotic than Disney. (Okay okay, and the fireworks.) As with Memorial Day Weekend, there are always a ton of military bands performing in both parks at Disneyland over Independence Day (Anaheim is fairly close to San Diego, so it makes sense).
The bottom line is that if there are more patriotic theme parks than Disney, I haven’t visited them. What separates Walt Disney World and Disneyland from other ostensibly patriotic parks is that it’s substantive and not superficial window dressing. Disney showcases what it really means to be patriotic in sincere and thoughtful ways.
The last few years have been fraught with controversy and political standoffs between Disney and both California and Florida, leading some to question the company’s values. But the reality is that Disney has always been patriotic, and patriotism is not the same as politics. Sometimes it’s good to have a reminder of that distinction.
Ultimately, it was great to see Disney once again honor service members during this ‘Distinctly Patriotic’ Day at Disneyland. Too often, the military is viewed as an abstraction and people aren’t aware of the sacrifices these individuals and their families have made for our country.
I realize this is good PR for Disneyland, which is why Disney shared this story after the event as opposed to beforehand. But what I’d really love to see happen is for Disney to announce its plans for Los Angeles Fleet Week in advance next year and publicize it better. Like they do with Ducks Day at Disneyland or similar one-off events. Because these Sailors and Marines really did add a great energy to the park, and I know some guests would absolutely visit for the special Flag Retreat or other ways Disneyland Resort saluted service members.
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Your Thoughts
Would you visit the parks during Los Angeles Fleet Week or a comparable ‘Distinctly Patriotic’ Day were it to be announced in advance? Appreciate Disney saluting service members? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!