F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft to take part in U.S. Air Force special flyover at Walt Disney World

Jun 30, 2023 in "Magic Kingdom"

Thunderbirds flyover of Magic Kingdom October 2022
Posted: Friday June 30, 2023 11:32am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The U.S. Air Force will conduct a special military flyover of Magic Kingdom at approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 4, honoring 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. 

The flyover will include one KC-135 'Stratotanker' flown by the 91st Air Refueling Squadron based at MacDill Air Force Base. It will be joined by several F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft flown by the 33rd Fighter Wing based at Eglin Air Force Base.

The flyover is also the latest example of Disney's long history of support for the military, dating back to Disney's founders, Walt and Roy Disney, who both served their country during the First World War. That tradition continues today with events like the daily Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom Park, where an active-duty military member or veteran is selected from the park's daily visitors to be honored. The Walt Disney Company has also been a leading proponent of hiring, training and supporting military veterans with the Heroes Work Here initiative, the Heroes Supply Here program and Disney's Veterans Institute.

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wtyy21Jul 06, 2023

Meanwhile, at the unrelated park in Anaheim (Disneyland), their 4th of July firework show (still use same theme as MK) saw all of their castle pyro elements removed, worse than MK perimeter firework cut.

WorldExplorerJul 05, 2023

That was awesome.

vikescaperJul 05, 2023

People have asked me why I go to EPCOT on the 4th instead of MK and I always say because of the tag’s finale.

CompedJul 05, 2023

That last minute or so, when they let off what must be a million worth of fireworks essentially at once... I'm surprisingly impressed.

Andrew25Jul 05, 2023

It's always been a thing, almost every single night during HEA. It's a decent view if you only care about the high pyro

jrhwdwJul 05, 2023

When is World Celebration really supposed to open?????

TTA94Jul 05, 2023

Next year should be better, hopefully. Maybe MK will have a nighttime parade again and Epcot will have the new show plus of course all the walls will be down so it’ll be easier to exit the park after the big event shows. Well, this coming NYE should have both of those for Epcot.

iMaxJul 05, 2023

Were you impressed?

jrhwdwJul 05, 2023

First time I've heard this..... Interesting...

DobergeJul 05, 2023

First time in a park on a big show date and didn't realize there are taped off spots for viewing *in the bypass*. This was at least on the east / Tomorrowland side. A CM said it's actually a pretty good view. I'm dubious but will try it out another time.

jrhwdwJul 05, 2023

Not counting New MK Prim. Or No Fountians or Lagoon Lights in WSL.............

gerararJul 05, 2023

I wouldn't say that about MK. If anything, it's decreased since 2019. Reasons explained above.

jrhwdwJul 05, 2023

LOL!!! Not sure I could handle it if I was there live! Thank Goodness for YT! Although, Epcot's 30th scared me a little even on YT! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

vikescaperJul 05, 2023

EPCOT’s Fourth of July tag always makes me smile….and my eardrums bleed.🤣