wendy & the Goof Troop- Day 7, part 2- patriotism lives, and so does Buzz Lightyear!

[wendy*darling]

Day 7, part 2- June 29th

I was in the color guard group, hurried the guys out of AK and found a bus to the Magic Kingdom with no problem. This morning the adults who were supposed to be "off-duty" found themselves deep in piles of smelly, wrinkled scout uniforms. They collected them all, washed, dried and folded them and brought them all over to the MK for the ceremony. ALL the scouts and adult leaders had to be in full-dress uniforms for this event. We let them out this morning in their scout shorts and t-shirts, and had them change and get spiffy in MK just before we started.

We arrived at about 3:20, found our laundry helpers and located the security guys who would help the boys with the proper way to do this retreat. The troop had selected 5 scouts for this honor- our Senior Patrol Leader, my older son (a Life Scout), 2 younger scouts (2nd class and full of enthusiasm) and the birthday boy (this was his 14th birthday). These 5 guys thought it was OK to be doing this, but they really didn’t have any idea what importance it held.
Scouts: "So, we're gonna take the flag down, right?"
Me: "Uh, yes, that's right... with a brass band playing, doves flying over your head and hundreds of people watching. Just take the flag down. You have 60 seconds to get that 10 foot by 6 foot down and folded- OK? "
Scouts: "Sure, no problem."
Well, then they met with the security guys and started practicing... and practicing... and we were over on the side groaning and thinking… Are they ever going to get this right? Can’t they stand up straight? Oops, the flag is twisted... And the people just sitting around in Town Square were totally confused as the flag came down... and up... and down... and up... about 5 times . They didn’t look quite as calm now... At some point they were pronounced proficient and were allowed to get cleaned up and dressed. They other scouts were all arriving and dressing and at 4:50 we were all out on the square ready for this ceremony. The color guard looked especially impressive in their spanking white gloves.

This isn't posting correctly so it must be too long, scroll down for the "rest of the story"...

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Linda aka: wendy*darling
Intercot Staff: Disney & Orlando Dining
[email protected]

DVC owners at the Wilderness Lodge Villas
WDW:
4/92 (MK day trip only); 9/93 (Poly); 10/96 (DL & BC); 6/98 (YC); 2/00 (Contemporary); 12/00 (BWI); 6/01(FW tent camping with the Boy Scouts!!)
Next trip: June 2002 (ASMovies and VWL)

[This message has been edited by wendy*darling (edited July 24, 2001).]

[wendy*darling]

OK, here's the rest...

The security guards lined our color guard up on the square in front of the train station, facing the Castle. They stood at perfect attention, as did all the leaders and scouts in a circle around the flag post. An overhead announcement was made to call everyone's attention to the flag retreat and a brass band began playing and marching out from the fire house. They marched around to right behind our guys and played "America, the Beautiful." Midway through the song the scouts were instructed to begin marching forward, they reached the post and our SPL released the ropes. He waited for the start of the Star Spangled Banner and began lowering the flag. All the scouts snapped to a salute and stood perfectly still as the flag came down. Halfway down the pole, the dozens of white doves were released from behind them and flew straight down Main Street toward the Castle. My son and the birthday boy were to hold the ends of the flag and fold it. The 2 younger guys assisted in keeping the flag up (off the ground) and in making creases for the triangular fold. As the national anthem ended, the band went right into "You're a Grand Old Flag" as the scouts finished up the folding and presentation of the flag to our SPL. They all stood at attention, and then marched out of the square and around the circle to near the hat shop. The rest of the troop marched out in single file behind them.

I was SO glad I had volunteered to video tape this ceremony for one of the leaders- or I would have been weeping. I'm such a patriotic sap As it was, all the adult male leaders were saying how they intentionally wore their sunglasses to hide their red & wet eyes. We're ALL patriotic saps The birthday boy's dad, who couldn’t be with us on the trip, said he cried while watching the tape!! It really was BEAUTIFUL... they did a superb job, not a glitch in the whole routine. They all received nice certificates for participating and everyone was VERY proud of having been a part of this very moving- and everyday- ceremony at the Magic Kingdom! I

I highly recommend planning on being on Main Street someday at 5:00pm to see what a wonderful job they do each and every day! They don’t always have guest participants (in fact they rarely have them- we were very honored!), but the security CMs do a fantastic job.

After it was over, the birthday boy was given a MK "Today is my birthday" Pin from City Hall (his mom got it for him). And his mom gave him some birthday presents from her. This is the boy who is also the new and fervent PIN COLLECTOR!! Yes, I created a monster, and he in turn made little clones of himself So his mom had an easy job of finding gifts in WDW!! A box FULL of pins… at least a dozen, maybe more. He got a birthday pin and a few others he wanted to keep- but he was already planning on trading away his new pins That's what his mom figured he'd do- so everyone was happy!

I think we all decided to stay in the MK for the evening. It would be our last night in the parks. But we all split up and headed in different directions for dinner and rides. My husband & I ate at Pecos Bill's with the birthday boy's mom and another adult. No kids…very pleasant dinner in a back room nearly all to ourselves. Yummy burgers and a GREAT fixin's bar. I loved the sautéed mushrooms. My goal for the evening was to see Spectromagic... I didn’t care what else happened. Somewhere along the line we contacted the group my kids were in (by 2-way radio) and had them all meet us in front of Tony's at 8:45. We would all watch the parade from there. I know we rode It's A Small World, and the Liberty Boat, but I don’t remember what else we did that last evening. I remember that Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh lines were way too long. I think we walked through Toon Town, and rode the big train around at least part way. I know we did some pin shopping & trading, too. None of us were anxious to ride anything else, but we all wanted just to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere one more time. I love Magic Kingdom at night- the sights, sounds and smells are intoxicating. We were in no rush to get anywhere.

We made our way back to Town Square- I got a Mickey Bar at the stand where the ice cream parlor is supposed to be. Yum. We went into Exposition Hall to see the "professional" photos that were taken of our flag ceremony. Unfortunately, we were not impressed. There was ONE halfway decent photo of the birthday boy, from the side, that his mom bought. One of the benefits of having a digital camera is being able to see what you have BEFORE you get home... and we already knew that my husband's photos were MUCH better than these. So we didn’t buy any more photos.

We all sat on the porch in rocking chairs and watched Spectromagic, my favorite parade. The kids had ice creams or sodas and relaxed. They had battled the Zurgs for most of the evening and were tired (and victorious). The parade was beautiful and I enjoyed everything. Then we slowly gathered our scouts and other things and headed out to the boat dock for a launch back to Fort Wilderness.

As we were waiting for a boat- the Electrical Water Pageant started right out on Seven Seas Lagoon- it seemed like just for us (although we WERE in a group of thousands ). I had missed seeing this quaint little show this trip- and there it was- like magic. The kids liked it (a little) and I think it stamped a perfect ending to a truly magical day.

Tomorrow- one more program (Production Arts and Sciences at MGM) and our final group dinner together at Chef Mickey's. Then we have to pack up and say goodbye.


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Linda aka: wendy*darling
Intercot Staff: Disney & Orlando Dining
[email protected]

DVC owners at the Wilderness Lodge Villas
WDW:
4/92 (MK day trip only); 9/93 (Poly); 10/96 (DL & BC); 6/98 (YC); 2/00 (Contemporary); 12/00 (BWI); 6/01(FW tent camping with the Boy Scouts!!)
Next trip: June 2002 (ASMovies and VWL)


[This message has been edited by wendy*darling (edited July 24, 2001).]

[DisneyWizard]

I can't believe it's almost over. I always feel like I'm there in your reports.

Looking forward to the last day...

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-Casey
(Kc, Wizzy, DizWiz)

"...I say believe in the future. The world is getting better."
-Walt Disney

[PolyGirl40]

Linda - I literally had goosebumps reading about the flag ceremony....You must have been SO proud of "your" boys!!!..I know I was, just reading about them!

What a glorious ending too!

You've done a spectacular job re-living your trip for us!..Thank you!~

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~Carol
"To get to the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain."

[Beast_fanatic]

Another fantastic day for the Goof Troop!

Loved your tip about the park passes - I'll have to remember that.

Also, the part about elephants eating 300 pounds of food a day - I think we do that when we're at WDW too!

Looking forward to more!

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Rhonda

[bradleysnana]

Ok, now I am crying. That was so cool!
I can not believe your trip is almost over. Thanks so much for all the behind the scenes trip reports.

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Nana to Brad, Alex (and Dustin-not yet born)
Becky (aka Bradleysnana)
Intercot Staff
[email protected]

Do you hate having to pay long distance calls to Disney only to be placed on hold? Are you looking for the best resort rates available? Call Kingdom Magic Travel at 1-800-425-0306 or http://www.kingdommagictravel.com

[indymom]

It sounds like your scouts have a lot of wonderful memories to share for many years to come. What a fantastic trip!

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74-offsite
76-Poly
80-Poly
83-Poly
90-GF
93-CBR
96-offsite
99-offsite
99/00-SOG
next up-02-FW Cabin
I'll always remember the Magic!!!!!!

[beth]

Now I'll have to make sure that I'm in MK for the flag ceremony next trip!

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beth
[email protected]
Intercot Staff Member

"Love and Mercy that's what you need tonight. So Love and Mercy to you and your friends tonight."

For more fun on all things Disney, check out our sister site, www.webdisney.com

For fun and info on the land that started it all check out our sister site: www.intercotwest.com

[Pongo]

I was getting anxious waiting for this but it was definitely worth the wait. I had tears in my eyes reading this report. Add me to the list of patriotic saps.

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Lori (aka Pongo)
[email protected]
Intercot Staffisneyland

[ChipDale]

What a wonderful experience for your boys! I love watching the Flag Ceremoney (at WDW and Disneyland) and get very upset when people don't stand at attention, or when men don't remove their hats. I'm a proud patriotic sap, too!

Linda, thanks so much for taking the time to share these amazing experiences with us!

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Jane

[TiggerRPh]

That was wonderful!!! You got me getting kinda weepy!!! You must be so proud!!




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...the most wonderful things about Tiggers, is I'm the only one.

Ray(aka TiggerRPh)
Intercot Staff : Disney & Orlando Dining; The Water Cooler

[spiceypj]

Please where are these rocking chairs that you can see the Spectomagic from?

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[beth]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spiceypj:
Please where are these rocking chairs that you can see the Spectomagic from?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Right outside of Tony's Town Square and the Exposition (Kodak) Center. (on your right hand side as you enter the park)



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beth
[email protected]
Intercot Staff Member

"Love and Mercy that's what you need tonight. So Love and Mercy to you and your friends tonight."

For more fun on all things Disney, check out our sister site, www.webdisney.com

For fun and info on the land that started it all check out our sister site: www.intercotwest.com

[MORTIMER]

As I was reading your report, I started getting sad. It was almost as if one of my own trips was coming to an end!

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Sept '99
Sept '00
May '01
Next trip - Dec '01