Alternative lifestyles weekend

[surfsand]

I hope its ok to post this. We planned a 1st time vacation with our whole family, inlaws and kids the first week of June 09. On our last night of our recent vacation we met a couple that was there during the alternative lifestyles weekend in which I had never heard of. After hearing what they had to say we are not sure what to do. Does anyone have a take on the impact from DVC resorts to restaurants to the parks this weekend has. This couple was very disapointed.

Thanks, Rob

 

[vicki_c]

I'm pretty sure it's openly called "Gay Days". I don't think it has much impacts on the crowds in the parks except for the days the planners pick for a particular park.

And by the way, not sure about here on the DVC boards, but this is a pretty hot topic on the DIS in general, so be prepared for all kinds of answers!

 

[Chic]

If you're referring to the "Gay Days" event, the parks will be full of guys and girls alike celebrating their orientation and love for Disney. They will be identified by wearing red shirts. I don't think the event really has much of an impact on the DVC resorts. You will have to decide if you want to be in the presence of the event. Some families like to avoid explaining the alternative lifestyle to their young children while others considerate it a part of the world in which we live.

 

[Chuck S]

This is really not a DVC specific topic, I am moving this thread to the theme parks board.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Twice our family visited when it happened to be Gay Days. Honestly, we wouldn't have noticed if we hadn't known in advance. WDW has all kinds of groups, all year long -- cheerleaders, Pop Warner, Brazilian tour groups, Asian tour groups, high school graduation groups. This is just one more group in the larger mix of guests.

IMHO, people who were disappointed were probably looking for reasons to be disappointed.

 

[Belle1962]

Just go to the gaydays website and look up the schedule. As with any large group just be sure to go to any other park that day but be prepared to see them at all the parks--they are not restricted to the suggested park of the day but the majority will go to it. Proper planning and it will not affect your week any differently than other large groups.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

According to the website (and wow it's packed full of events) here is the Disney park schedule for 2009...

Note this doesn't include the many other things like the Science center or party events.

Thursday, June 4, 2009 - Animal Kingdom
Friday, June 5, 2009 - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Saturday, June 6, 2009 - Magic Kingdom
Sunday, June 7, 2009 - EPCOT

 

[bkfree]

Our first trip was during this week in June 2004 and I would say it had no impact at all at the parks. We are very open minded and explained to our children before the trips that they may see same sex couples and families.
And even though we were sorta looking for them, we really did not see any that we could discern from every other Disney fan and guest.

Go, don't worry and have a great time.
Disney always has all different kinds of groups and quite frankly the ones we try to avoid are the kiddie competition weeks and teenage gatherings.

 

[pooh98378]

Just go to the gaydays website and look up the schedule. As with any large group just be sure to go to any other park that day but be prepared to see them at all the parks--they are not restricted to the suggested park of the day but the majority will go to it. Proper planning and it will not affect your week any differently than other large groups.

Agreed.

 

[FallDisney]

Just go to the gaydays website and look up the schedule. As with any large group just be sure to go to any other park that day but be prepared to see them at all the parks--they are not restricted to the suggested park of the day but the majority will go to it. Proper planning and it will not affect your week any differently than other large groups.

Agree with this too. We were in the parks this June, toward the end of the week and honestly, we didn't see a huge impact. MK was the Saturday park, I believe, and we went there Saturday night. Great time and not too crowded.

 

[inkkognito]

We always visit during Gay Days (I'm open minded and my husband and I enjoy showing our support...I wear my "Straight But Not Narrow" shirt). It's hard to predict the crowd level. The MK event is the biggest, but the lines were really manageable in 2007 so we were hoping that 2008 would be the same. Nope!! It was CROWDED!! I don't know what made the difference, but the lines were so long this year that we just walked around and rode stuff with traditionally short lines like Wedway, saw Carousel of Progress etc.

You will see LOTS of red shirts at the 3 p.m. parade. That is a traditional part of the activities.

 

[pickles]

we went last week may first week june in 07 and we found it crowded, but we are dvc folks that go in late aug and in sept..slow times so it is easy for things to be crowded for us. we are not use to having to get up early and tour with a plan.
I did notice a sea of red shirts, whether they were all part of gay days or not, I don't know, but I felt like it had increased the crowds and I would not plan for that time frame again. I will stick with slower times

If its any comfort in jan 08 we were there on our last day when it was the first day when everyone from the state of LA migrates to disney. I wouldnt go then again either, although they sure were a fun crowd..brought their beads and mardi gras party to disney, that was rather cool.

 

[Orlando313]

We always visit during Gay Days (I'm open minded and my husband and I enjoy showing our support...I wear my "Straight But Not Narrow" shirt). It's hard to predict the crowd level. The MK event is the biggest, but the lines were really manageable in 2007 so we were hoping that 2008 would be the same. Nope!! It was CROWDED!! I don't know what made the difference, but the lines were so long this year that we just walked around and rode stuff with traditionally short lines like Wedway, saw Carousel of Progress etc.

You will see LOTS of red shirts at the 3 p.m. parade. That is a traditional part of the activities.

I like that! Where did you get that shirt??

The first year we went on Gay Days, we didn't know that it was Gay Days until we got back and our bible thumping town was talking about it. Unless you're really looking you will not notice it. It's not like there are same sex couples making out in the park, just like opposite sex couples would not be making out in the park (for the most part.) They don't go there to make a statement, they go there to have fun, just like everybody else. Personally I think the groups from Brazil or the sports teams or cheerleading squads are WAY worse than the people that attend Gay Days. At least Gay Day participants are adults and know how to behave like an adult (for the most part.) I do not think it is more crowded than usual. And I don't think the wait times are worse than usual.

I think you should go and have fun and not make a big deal about it while you're there. But then again, I'm very liberal and I love everyone equally, so I might be one of the few that doesn't mind going then. I love gay people just like I love straight people!

 

[centurythree]

Inkkognito I'd like to know who sells that shirt too. I want one!

 

[jsoren11]

I really like how Orlando 313 states that "I love gay people just like I love straight people!" but apparently has a problem loving "Bible Thumpers".

Funny to me how many people are so open minded about so much except when they dont agree with it. that, technically, isnt open minded, or liberal at all.

I personally love gays, straights, rainbows, you name it, my love is for mankind, all inclusive. and you know why I love everyone equally?????

wait
wait
wait for it.....

Cause the Bible tells me so!! that's why... Now, how offensive is it to you that I actually thump the Bible, yet love everyone equally, even you?

Sorry, I exploded in fury solely because of your very last statement. I think it was pretty rude.... "But then again, I'm very liberal and I love everyone equally, so I might be one of the few that doesn't mind going then. I love gay people just like I love straight people as if conservatives dont love everyone equally... how rude..

Im tired of being discriminated against for my beliefs...
OK, back to the original conversation, I feel better...

 

[karrit2000]

I'd be more worried about trying to explain the nearly unclothed Brazilian girls that run amuck and unsupervised throughout the year. As others have stated you can find the Gay Days schedule and avoid those parks on the specified dates accordingly. I personally prefer less crowded times of the year myself.

 

[centurythree]

I really like how Orlando 313 states that "I love gay people just like I love straight people!" but apparently has a problem loving "Bible Thumpers".

Funny to me how many people are so open minded about so much except when they dont agree with it. that, technically, isnt open minded, or liberal at all.

I personally love gays, straights, rainbows, you name it, my love is for mankind, all inclusive. and you know why I love everyone equally?????

wait
wait
wait for it.....

Cause the Bible tells me so!! that's why... Now, how offensive is it to you that I actually thump the Bible, yet love everyone equally, even you?

Sorry, I exploded in fury solely because of your very last statement. I think it was pretty rude.... "But then again, I'm very liberal and I love everyone equally, so I might be one of the few that doesn't mind going then. I love gay people just like I love straight people as if conservatives dont love everyone equally... how rude..

Im tired of being discriminated against for my beliefs...
OK, back to the original conversation, I feel better...

 

[DVCajun]

I really like how Orlando 313 states that "I love gay people just like I love straight people!" but apparently has a problem loving "Bible Thumpers".

Funny to me how many people are so open minded about so much except when they dont agree with it. that, technically, isnt open minded, or liberal at all.

I personally love gays, straights, rainbows, you name it, my love is for mankind, all inclusive. and you know why I love everyone equally?????

wait
wait
wait for it.....

Cause the Bible tells me so!! that's why... Now, how offensive is it to you that I actually thump the Bible, yet love everyone equally, even you?

Sorry, I exploded in fury solely because of your very last statement. I think it was pretty rude.... "But then again, I'm very liberal and I love everyone equally, so I might be one of the few that doesn't mind going then. I love gay people just like I love straight people as if conservatives dont love everyone equally... how rude..

Im tired of being discriminated against for my beliefs...
OK, back to the original conversation, I feel better...

LOL!!! You're kidding, right?

You're "discriminated against" for your beliefs.

Right.

But since you said "the bible tells me so" I thought of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv-viN70ILs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv6sDUgpZIc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOivqJy6cbk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tM5Wc6fA8g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl4SfRVEL88&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGC_dJXw-e8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL_QUAyaN2E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHkWk8-1oIc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akc-_RP4xBE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikq08fkyo7g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMRY-tD1W48&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRT6ytl2dis&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zWbIqkSvNI&feature=related

It may give you a different perspective.

 

[dobtia]

We go around this time every year. I am a teacher and we try to get there as soon as school is out. We have made a couple observations about the Gay Day periods.

* The vast majority of Gay Day people are pretty respectful. Sure you will see two guys leaning on each other. Sure you will see some hand holding. It is not full on make out session.

* If you avoid the park on their scheduled days you will be ok.

* If you know what you are looking for you will say to other..."Man there really is a lot red"....

* Lastly, we noticed the most traffic in Down Town Disney. Lots of couples and groups eating and shopping. The crowd really grows as the night get on. Most of them waiting for Pleasure Island to open. I wonder what PI closing will do for the evening time.

Just our thoghts. If you don't mention it to kids they probably wont notice. If you fell the need, prepare your kids. Our 5 year old has never made mention of it. He is almost 6 now.

 

[DVCajun]

Forgot to add:

If your kids *do* notice and ask questions like, "Mommy, why are those two men/women kissing?" The correct answer would be, "Because they love each other."

No further questions will be forthcoming. It's not a big deal unless you make it one.