Gay Days?

[annhjk]

We're planning an extended family vacation (20 people?) to Disney World, ages ranging from 2-70. As a whole, there are a wide range of views on Gay Day. Most don't have issues with it, but don't want it in to be in the middle of a "radical event" as listed on a website - or have to be explaining to our children what's going on. We live in a pretty sheltered area in the midwest. I know there are gays/lesbians around where we live, but there isn't a lot of PDA that our kids see.

Our question is if we go, but avoid the park that has the gay day event; will it be family friendly? It's really the only time that works for all of us to go (We'd be there Saturday June 2- June 8). Anyone have any exprience going during the event? I'm not looking for pro/anti gay rights comments - I'm not saying they don't have a right to go. It's just not something we want to explain to our kids the whole week - or ruin the first visit for 5-8 of them.

 

[SaraJayne]

Every day is Gay Days at Disney. If you've been there before, you've seen plenty of gay couples.

Bet you didn't notice, did you?

 

[SaraJayne]

We're planning an extended family vacation (20 people?) to Disney World, ages ranging from 2-70. As a whole, there are a wide range of views on Gay Day. Most don't have issues with it, but don't want it in to be in the middle of a "radical event" as listed on a website - or have to be explaining to our children what's going on. We live in a pretty sheltered area in the midwest. I know there are gays/lesbians around where we live, but there isn't a lot of PDA that our kids see.

Our question is if we go, but avoid the park that has the gay day event; will it be family friendly? It's really the only time that works for all of us to go (We'd be there Saturday June 2- June 8). Anyone have any exprience going during the event? I'm not looking for pro/anti gay rights comments - I'm not saying they don't have a right to go. It's just not something we want to explain to our kids the whole week - or ruin the first visit for 5-8 of them.

Oops, the rule.

 

[Granny square]

Every day is Gay Days at Disney. If you've been there before, you've seen plenty of gay couples.

Bet you didn't notice, did you?

Yep.

 

[clm10308]

We're planning an extended family vacation (20 people?) to Disney World, ages ranging from 2-70. As a whole, there are a wide range of views on Gay Day. Most don't have issues with it, but don't want it in to be in the middle of a "radical event" as listed on a website - or have to be explaining to our children what's going on. We live in a pretty sheltered area in the midwest. I know there are gays/lesbians around where we live, but there isn't a lot of PDA that our kids see.

Our question is if we go, but avoid the park that has the gay day event; will it be family friendly? It's really the only time that works for all of us to go (We'd be there Saturday June 2- June 8). Anyone have any exprience going during the event? I'm not looking for pro/anti gay rights comments - I'm not saying they don't have a right to go. It's just not something we want to explain to our kids the whole week - or ruin the first visit for 5-8 of them.

We were there at that time a few years ago. We didnt have any problems. The only thing I did was to check the schedule online and schedule our park days so that we did not match up with the Gay Days main park.

I would not hesitate to attend that week again.

 

[cah5525]

Just WHAT exactly... Will ruin their first visit?

 

[nilseks]

They just had Gay Days at our Six Flags park (here in the midwest) 2 weekends ago. We happened to go that day, not knowing. Not that I would have had a problem with the 'theme', but I would have avoided the crowds that day had I known, since we are season passholders and can go anytime.

I must just be very open-minded, because all I thought was, "Hmmm, this crowd looks a little different today." Then as we were waiting in line for a ride, I checked FB and a gay friend posted he was on his way to Gay Days at Six Flags. I was like, "ooooooh, yeah this makes sense now, lol!" We were there all day and the crowd definitely got a little more flamboyant as nighttime approached, but my 8 and 11 year old children didn't bat an eye. Never noticed anything different. So if explaining gay days to your kids is your concern, I wouldn't think twice about it. Besides (and this really isn't a commentary, it's fact) kids are far more open-minded than adults.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

DD and I were at the MK on the first Saturday of June this year. That's the day where the MK is the designated park for the Gay Days participants. Other than seeing a lot of red shirts, it didn't seem any different than any other Saturday in the MK.

We did arrive late afternoon because we'd spent the morning at TL. The crowds might have been larger earlier in the day, but we didn't find the crowds/lines to be unreasonable, especially given it was a Saturday. I wouldn't hesitate to go again during that time.

ETA: The Gay Days run from Thursday through Sunday so only the first two days of your trip will be during the Gay Days. If the schedule is the same as last year, AK will be the park for Thursday, HS on Friday, MK on Saturday, and EP on Sunday.

 

[mjkacmom]

I guess I live in a very different area, but my kids have known about homosexuality pretty much their entire lives - what is so hard to explain? It's a simple explanation that takes about 30 seconds.

 

[Granny square]

Little kids won't notice and big kids probably already know.

 

[Leajess99]

We're planning an extended family vacation (20 people?) to Disney World, ages ranging from 2-70. As a whole, there are a wide range of views on Gay Day. Most don't have issues with it, but don't want it in to be in the middle of a "radical event" as listed on a website - or have to be explaining to our children what's going on. We live in a pretty sheltered area in the midwest. I know there are gays/lesbians around where we live, but there isn't a lot of PDA that our kids see.

Our question is if we go, but avoid the park that has the gay day event; will it be family friendly? It's really the only time that works for all of us to go (We'd be there Saturday June 2- June 8). Anyone have any exprience going during the event? I'm not looking for pro/anti gay rights comments - I'm not saying they don't have a right to go. It's just not something we want to explain to our kids the whole week - or ruin the first visit for 5-8 of them.

We've been there a couple of times during that period and NEVER had an issue. You always have people of different backgrounds at Disney and honestly I answer any questions my kids may have honestly.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If your problem is offensive clothing, you can complain to a cast member. There have been complaints that some years it can get out of control, but I've never been, so I don't have a first hand account to give. And I believe it's be tone down considerably.

If your problem is seeing a same sex couple, that can occur any day of the year in any park.

 

[annhjk]

If your problem is offensive clothing, you can complain to a cast member. There have been complaints that some years it can get out of control, but I've never been, so I don't have a first hand account to give. And I believe it's be tone down considerably.

If your problem is seeing a same sex couple, that can occur any day of the year in any park.

Same sex isn't our issue at all. It's the over the top, in your face that we were worried about. If it seems to be mainly at 1 park each day, we'll just plan around it. I know my kids know what it is and have seen it - and don't really question it. I'm pretty sure the younger ones won't notice, the older ones see it anyway. Thanks for the input!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Same sex isn't our issue at all. It's the over the top, in your face that we were worried about. If it seems to be mainly at 1 park each day, we'll just plan around it. I know my kids know what it is and have seen it - and don't really question it. I'm pretty sure the younger ones won't notice, the older ones see it anyway. Thanks for the input!

I've seen more offensive behavior from teens in the parks than from any of the same sex couples I saw on the MK Gay Day. I saw a few same sex couples holding hands and maybe a quick peck.

 

[Granny square]

"Gay days" was not offensive at all, and we have been in the same park. Frankly, crass people exist, and the percentage is no larger in the gay population than straight.

Your kids will be busy having fun. Don't sweat it.

 

[KY*Figment]

Gay Days are:
5/30 AK
5/31 HS
6/1 MK
6/2. Epcot

I'm not answering because I agree with you. I don't want to subject the gays & lesbians to any more bigotry than they already get during their celebration.

 

[Granny square]

I'm not answering because I agree with you. I don't want to subject the gays & lesbians to any more bigotry than they already get during their celebration.

How true.

 

[Tiger926]

Gay Days are:
5/30 AK
5/31 HS
6/1 MK
6/2. Epcot

I'm not answering because I agree with you. I don't want to subject the gays & lesbians to any more bigotry than they already get during their celebration.

I guess I live in a very different area, but my kids have known about homosexuality pretty much their entire lives - what is so hard to explain? It's a simple explanation that takes about 30 seconds.

In response to OP, you will see many loving couples at Disney World during any time of the year.

Tiger

 

[Art 1]

We're planning an extended family vacation (20 people?) to Disney World, ages ranging from 2-70. As a whole, there are a wide range of views on Gay Day. Most don't have issues with it, but don't want it in to be in the middle of a "radical event" as listed on a website - or have to be explaining to our children what's going on. We live in a pretty sheltered area in the midwest. I know there are gays/lesbians around where we live, but there isn't a lot of PDA that our kids see.

Our question is if we go, but avoid the park that has the gay day event; will it be family friendly? It's really the only time that works for all of us to go (We'd be there Saturday June 2- June 8). Anyone have any exprience going during the event? I'm not looking for pro/anti gay rights comments - I'm not saying they don't have a right to go. It's just not something we want to explain to our kids the whole week - or ruin the first visit for 5-8 of them.

You probably won't notice it as much as you think. We ended up being there once by accident one time, other than red shirts we didn't notice too much else.

 

[Granny square]

We went with my brother and partner when they took my nephew. They thought it might be sort of good for my nephew to be around. but he didn't notice or care. It was pretty funny!