Disneyland Welcomes 100 U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines as Los Angeles Kicks off Fleet Week Leading Up to Memorial Day

Disney and the U.S. Military have a longstanding relationship that dates back to Walt himself.

The Disneyland Resort has invited 100 U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines to come enjoy the parks while they are in Los Angeles for this year’s Fleet Week.

What’s Happening:

  • The week ahead of Memorial Day marks Los Angeles Fleet Week this year, running from May 23rd through May 26th, 2025.

  • The event is Southern California’s Largest Memorial Day event, made even more meaningful by honoring the hundreds of visiting Sailors, Marines, and Coastguardsmen throughout the event.
  • The Disneyland Resort has helped mark the occasion by welcoming 100 U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines to the parks for a day of magic while in port for the festivities this week.
  • This is just another way that Disney has shown their long-standing respect for the U.S. Military service members, veterans, and their families.

  • While visiting, the members of the U.S. Military were able to check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey’s Toontown, home to one of the newest experiences in the park - Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
  • Later, a special flag retreat took place alongside the Dapper Dans on Main Street USA, complete with the Disneyland Band, and honoring the special guest, Rear Admiral Richard W. Meyer, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet.

While not Memorial Day, but Veteran’s Day, you can get an idea of a Flag Retreat ceremony in our video from 2023 below:

  • The Flag Retreat, a daily tradition that began on the opening day of Disneyland back in 1955, is known to be a bit larger in scale, scope, and tribute during these special days, though it still happens daily at Disneyland Park, and at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida.

  • The Walt Disney Company has a long-standing relationship and salute to the service of U.S. Military Members that started back with Walt Disney himself and his brother Roy, who both served during World War I. Veterans involved with the creation of the parks have also been honored, including U.S. Navy Veteran Admiral Joe Fowler - the namesake of Fowler’s Harbor at Disneyland Park.
  • Disney also installs Missing Hero Tables to honor and remember the fallen on Memorial Day, with tables set out at Disneyland, Aulani in Hawaii, and backstage locations at Walt Disney World, serving as a reminder to guests and cast members of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

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Tony Betti
Originally from California where he studied a dying artform (hand-drawn animation), Tony has spent most of his adult life in the theme parks of Orlando. When he’s not writing for LP, he’s usually watching and studying something animated or arguing about “the good ole’ days” at the parks.
View all articles by Tony Betti