Does Disney inform guests about special events?

[idlewoman1]

The reason I ask is because I was talking with a family member who was not aware that Disney has special events held thru-out the year that bring in certain groups and can make the parks more crowded or maybe undesireable for some families to want to be there at that time. I am specifically referring to the Gay/Lesbian week. I heard about a man who planned his week long trip unknowingly over this years Gay week at Disney. He is very upset about this as he was never informed by customer service when he was making his plans with them. Obviously this is something he does not want to expose his children to, but he will incur a $400 fee for changing his flight and he has already arranged time off far ahead from his work to set this specific week aside for their first family vacation. I can totally understand his disappointment as I have often wondered why Disney even sponsers something like this. What is wrong with just letting those who are gay/lesbian enjoy the parks "normally, without the fanfare and undue attention" anytime of the year like the rest of us? Someone who had been there at that time was advising him to make the trip change as it was very disturbing to him to have to explain to his young children why there were all those people in the parks wearing as little as possible (or allowed by the park) or boys kissing boys, etc. Just curious if Disney is aware how this effects those of us who are straight and would prefer not to have that lifestyle brought to the forefront for a specific week.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Gay Days is NOT a Disney-sponsored event. Why should they inform guests of an event that is not sponsored by them?

 

[idlewoman1]

But they allow it and the man was told he could attend the parks up until a certain time and then they close the parks for the gays. Was he misinformed? I have read on other boards the special events schedule and it is clearly stated what weeks have what going on. So I am thinking if Disney allows it then they are in a way saying they are making special arrangements for them by closing the parks early to regular guests.

 

[idlewoman1]

I guess by Disney not promoting it but also not trying to discourage it either, they are trying to be politically correct which is crazy to me as it is a place where many many families come to enjoy themselves and the parents should not have to expose their kids to that. Seems to me from what I have read on other boards things have gotten more liberal and out of hand as the years progress. And yes there is a gay day schedule for each of the parks during that week.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Yes, he was misinformed. They do not close the parks at anytime for this event. Disney has no part in organizing or facilitating this event. They cannot "allow" or "disallow" certain groups of people from visiting the parks. If the behavior of the guests is a problem, they will address that. What would you propose they do? Ask every guest at the gate if they are gay and turn them away if they are? That would cause a public relations nightmare and probably get them sued.

Do a search for threads on this topic. Most people who have been there during the event say that the difference in crowds is very limited and the behavior of the gay and lesbian guests is not outrageous. The best advice is to google the schedule for the event. There is one park each day that is on the schedule, but that doesn't mean the participants in the event will only attend that park on that day. But it might help your family member avoid the crowds a little.

 

[idlewoman1]

I did Google it and found a very straight forward gay man who commented about the whole thing and how it has deteriorated over time. It was on wdwinfo.com I understand Disney can't discriminate but if they know this happens every year the first week in June, why not just make mention of it when someone is making their reservations. It may not matter to many but then again it just may and better to have an informed happy guest than a very disappointed unhappy guest. Just my opinion.

 

[DVCLiz]

Gay Days is not a Disney sponsored event - your friend was misinformed. If the parks are closed early and only certain people allowed in, it is because they have rented a park for a private event - something available, for a price, to any group of people who want to take advantage of it. Otherwise, a large group of people who have planned to attend a park because a)they have something in common, like their sexuality or their love of a particular Disney message board and b)like to have fun at a Disney park are all welcomed, without discrimination. That's something I am happy to expose my children to.

I find your posts to represent a narrow-minded and bigoted point of view, and hope that once you understand the facts you will be more willing to accept that Disney welcomes well-behaved visitors of all genders and sexual orientations.

 

[eeyoregon]

He is very upset about this as he was never informed by customer service when he was making his plans with them. have to explain to his young children why there were all those people in the parks wearing as little as possible (or allowed by the park)

Uh, WHY WOULD HE BE NOTIFIED??? Gee, I went last year and there were MASSIVE groups of little humans and most of them were in these rolling cart things that kept ramming my ankles!! I can't believe Disney didn't tell me that there would be large groups of kids in strollers !!


"Wearing as little as possible"??? You mean to tell me there was a nudist convention at WDW and I missed it?? Sheesh. Honestly, the only partially dressed guests that I have seen were under age 3 and were wearing swim diapers. It just doesn't happen, EVER.

 

[bumbershoot]

I did Google it and found a very straight forward gay man who commented about the whole thing and how it has deteriorated over time. It was on wdwinfo.com

wdwinfo.com is the Dis. It is us. The person who wrote that felt those things, but not everyone who attends feels that way.

It's not an event hosted by Disneyworld, just like the one in Anaheim isn't hosted by Disneyland. Just like Bats Day, a day when "goths" have fun at Disneyland, isn't sponsored by Disneyland. Or homeschooling days, or if Dis'ers had a huge meet there...not sponsored by Disney, not their work to tell people about it!

 

[2Kds2K9]

First of all, it's not sponsored or promoted by Disney. It's an Orlando wide event. The groups picks a park for each day of the week as their "Official" park of the day. (MK, AK, Universal, Sea World, etc.) However, there is a hotel that is non-Disney that is selected as the official hotel of Gay Days. That hotel does inform it's guests of the activities that week to avoid any issues.

We happened to be at Disney two years ago during Gay Days. I heard on the news that this event brings in several million dollars into the Orlando area that week. Therefore, no one in the tourist business is going to discourage this group.

We were nervous at first, but quite honestly, other than the sea of red shirts, what we witnessed or the behavior of the participants was no different than an average day in August. I've seen less clothing on a teenager in August than any of the Gay Day participants in June.

My kids were 9 and 11 at the time and really did not pay attention to the crowds. Other than my DD looking at the 3 men dressed in Tutu's, wings, and crowns skipping along. DH just told her it must be "dress up day"!

Go and enjoy! My personal feeling is that if you have any issues with any type of person, then stay home. Don't go to a destination that is going to attract many different types of people from all over the world.

Leigh

 

[Magic Mom]

But they allow it and the man was told he could attend the parks up until a certain time and then they close the parks for the gays. Was he misinformed? I have read on other boards the special events schedule and it is clearly stated what weeks have what going on. So I am thinking if Disney allows it then they are in a way saying they are making special arrangements for them by closing the parks early to regular guests.

When you say that Disney "allows" it, what would you propose Disney do to NOT allow it? Genetic screening? PDA with the opposite sex to prove they are straight? There is no way for Disney to stop a group from planning a day and all showing up at the same time.

 

[idlewoman1]

I just felt bad for this man and his family who had planned thier 1st trip to Disney and then were informed by others of what was going to take place during thier 1 week stay. He is not aware of these great message boards that do a good job of informing all it's readers of a variety of things to make your "Magical Stay" more magical. And after reading the post by a 42 yr. old gay man who openly admitted that the behavior of many gays at WDW when he attended was embarrassing for him to see to him as a gay man, I do empathize with this family. So, with that said I just felt it would have been nice for this family and many more who will be going to WDW during this time to be aware of this. I am not one of those people who are accepting of this "lifestyle" just like the man who has planned his vacation during this time. I am not saying I disdain the people themselves, just their lifestyle. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, that was not my intention.

 

[2Kds2K9]

I guess I'm just looking at this whole issue from a different angle.

There will be gay people at Disney on any given day of the year. There will be more of them on certain days during Gay Days in Orlando. On any given day at Disney, or anyplace that attracts large crowds, you will see people that are offensive to you and others. I've seen PDA's between "straight" people that were almost pornographic. I've seen clothes that barely covered the necessary parts on a body. Both on "skinny" and "fat" people. I've seen men with hairy backs take off their shirts while standing in line for lunch.

I've pretty much seen it all at Disney. BUT, you won't see any more or less of it during Gay Days. You will see groups of men walking together. You will see groups of women walking together. Heck, I'd be more worried about a group of teenagers who are standing in line using foul language around my kids.

Go and enjoy.

Leigh

 

[momof3girls6712]

I find your posts to represent a narrow-minded and bigoted point of view, and hope that once you understand the facts you will be more willing to accept that Disney welcomes well-behaved visitors of all genders and sexual orientations.

agreed

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I understand Disney can't discriminate but if they know this happens every year the first week in June, why not just make mention of it when someone is making their reservations.

Because mentioning it would be discriminatory. Disney would have to make the assumption that vacationers may not want to be in the presence of homosexuals.

And while sadly, there clearly are people who feel that way, there are also people who don't want to be around those of other races or religions. For Disney to inform everyone of every ethnic group or religious club's event just in case the person on the other end of the phone was a bigot would be considered unconscionable. Why is it OK to discriminate against gays and lesbians in this way, but not against other groups?

My advice would be to search "gay days" on the G&L Board. There have been numerous threads there explaining how benign it really is. Perhaps it will put your friends mind at ease as to what kinds of things he and his family may see while there.

 

[PADISFAM]

Because mentioning it would be discriminatory. Disney would have to make the assumption that vacationers may not want to be in the presence of homosexuals.

And while sadly, there clearly are people who feel that way, there are also people who don't want to be around those of other races or religions. For Disney to inform everyone of every ethnic group or religious club's event just in case the person on the other end of the phone was a bigot would be considered unconscionable. Why is it OK to discriminate against gays and lesbians in this way, but not against other groups?

My advice would be to search "gay days" on the G&L Board. There have been numerous threads there explaining how benign it really is. Perhaps it will put your friends mind at ease as to what kinds of things he and his family may see while there.

well said & as a PP mentioned I hate foul mouths around my kids, you see (hear) that a lot more than PDA (gay or straight).