I just realized it's "Gay Days" @ WDW

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
I just realized it's "Gay Days" @ WDW
11
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 4:48pm

I was clicking around Mouseplanet and saw that the exact time we will be there is Gay Days. The main events seem to be at a non-disney hotel, but there is a gay day at MK and a gay day at AK and sea world (June 3rd, June 1st and June 2nd respectively). Anyway, has anyone been to wdw during this annual event? Is there any real impact to us general 'family fun' guests? Obviously it might increase the number of a certain type of visitor. That's ok. I just don't want to suddenly be a part of a party or crowd that I wasn't anticipating ;-)

Pam

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 6:15pm

I would just see what days they'll be at which parks, and avoid that park. Also, avoid Pleasure Island, I've read it can get pretty wild also, but I doubt you'd take your kiddos there anyway.

Steph

Avatar for laurieh88
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 6:27pm

My next door neighbors attend this every year, and we've had discussions about it.

Everyone there for this particular "convention" (or whatever you call it!) wears a red shirt. Apparently, the red shirts have been known to jump in on a parade or take over an area of one of the parks at any given time. But it doesn't sound disrespectful to me....just odd IMO. Seems like there would be better locations for this kind of thing!

My neighbor told me that prices go up during this time, but I'm not exactly sure what prices he was talking about. Maybe hotel rooms?

Hopefully this event won't get in your way. At least it won't be a surprise for you.

Laurie, mom to
Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

Disneyworld trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Hoping for a December 2006 trip!


LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 6:31pm

Don't wear red. LOL Red is the chosen color of the group so they can identify each other when they go to the parks on the scheduled days.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 6:48pm

Thanks...I am now unpacking my red shirt ;-)

Pam

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 7:54pm

Until 2004, all the reports I had ever read were that Gay Days were very tactful (maybe hand-holding, but nothing out in the open).

In 2004, they made it on national news with lewd acts (??) at MGM. I don't know if they've wised up and toned it down again last year.

Now, remember, this isn't a Disney-sponsored event and the "event" people probably aren't to blame at all for the news coverage--just individuals, which could definitely happen at any time of the year, gay or not.

I don't mean anything against gays with this post. I also wouldn't want to see teenagers or newlyweds "necking" or any other public displays of affection (other than hugs & sweet kisses). Not at a family place!

Pleasure Island, I wouldn't take offense to as long as it was "decent" (no nudity, you know) because that's not necessarily a family place...that is the playground for adults at Disney.

Alysha




Edited 5/31/2006 8:01 pm ET by alygator

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Registered: 09-03-2005
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 8:32pm

Seems like there would be better locations for this kind of thing!

I agree. It just doesn't seem to match the 'theme'. Even Universal would seem better suited than 'little kid friendly' Disney. Perhaps the organizers wanted to dent Disney's reputation? Who knows. Anyway.... I have no issue with the folks, just the behaviors that a large group celebrating their s e xuality might display, be it 'straight day' or 'gay day'! lol

Kinda like BIKE weeks. I know lots of great 'biker' folks..no problem, but bike week would not be for me or my kiddo!

Pam

Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 8:56pm

From reading the history of the event, it seems that Disney was chosen becuase of it's popularity and wide spread appeal. In 1991 the community was only just beginning to 'come out' publicaly and try to be accepted.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 11:51pm

Well, I guess it's just like, "Why would a bunch of graduating seniors want to "play" like kids at Disney?" but yet they have Grad Nights (which IS Disney-sponsored).

Speaking of that...not that this has anything to do with Disney or this board or this post..lol. Every year a local high school raises money throughout the community to have an alcohol-free party after graduation. They rent spacewalks!!! and other things like that, a DJ, etc. It's a big deal and the seniors love it!

Alysha


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2002
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 10:36am

Dont worry, we were they 2 years ago during Gay Days and will be there this year too! We saw nothing, never noticed a group in red shirts or anything, that said we avoided the park they were attending that day, to avoid the crowd. We leave Sat for this trip and plan on avoiding MK on Sat and Epcot on Sun (their chosen parks). We have friends that go every year during Gay Days because they swear the crowds are lighter in the parks the group isnt in.

Tawnya

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 11:52am
We went in 2004 during gay days... while I never noticed the "red shirts" I did notice above average (meaning more than you might see in the mall) gay groups. I don't have a problem with it and would go again during this time, except there were the occasional making-out session. That really bothered me and like someone earlier said that would bother me if it were two teenagers or an older married couple alike. My kids know what gay is and don't have issue, but I don't think they need to see it first hand, ie kissing, groping, etc. which we did see.

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