Best Gay Friendly Hotel

[mabenoab]

Hi all:
My family is going to WDW for 4th of July week, and my brother and his partner are driving up from Miami to spend a couple of days with us. We haven't seen him for nearly a year, so we're very excited! My brother loves the quality, theme & atomsphere of the Grand Floridian, but thinks its a steep amount of money for a 2 night stay. They've already checked the Florida resident discounts, but those aren't significant enough to him. He'd like to stay in a gay friendly, high quality but reasonably priced hotel in the WDW area...can anyone recommend any place in particular?

Any help or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Beth

 

[ConcKahuna]

Every hotel on Disney property is gay friendly. A very large percentage of the CMs are gay, so they'd have to be

For example, I know at the Polynesian, 2 of the front desk managers are gay, and the GSO (the FD managers' manager) is also gay. I also know one of the housekeeping managers and at least one of the Ohana managers are gay. And they are outnumbered by the gay CMs by quite a bit LOL

 

[mabenoab]

I'm sure they are gay friendly, and I didn't mean to suggest that they are not.

I didn't think it was a stupid or offensive question to ask, but if so, my apologies.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm sure they are gay friendly, and I didn't mean to suggest that they are not.

I didn't think it was a stupid or offensive question to ask, but if so, my apologies.

Your question is neither stupid, nor offensive. It is simply a difficult question to answer...since there are many definitions of "gay friendly". It runs the gamut from the Disney style of "Friendly to EVERYONE" to the "hook-up friendly party house" type gay resort. If you are talking about styling or atmosphere that gays find appealing, that varies so mush from individual to individual. For instance, personally, I don't think I'd be comfortable in the Grand Floridian, it is just too "over the top" elegant for my taste, I prefer the Contemporary for a Deluxe, the OKW for DVC, and the POP Century for a value class.

If your Brother and his partner like the upscale opulence of Grand Floridian, there is not something "similar" nearby that I am aware of, except perhaps the Peabody in Orlando, but I haven't stayed there. Most Disney area offsite hotels are more the "family friendly" or "business friendly" Holiday Inn, Marriot, Hampton Inn type.

 

[mabenoab]

Thanks Chuck. I talked to my brother and his only real concerns are pricing, and wanting to feel like they fit in and can just be themselves. They are a conservative couple, not wild and crazy; but almost every couple has discreet moments of PDAs, and they want to be feel comfortable with that, and able to relax in a place where they won't distract, or offend or even anger. Especially at romantic dinner or during evening cocktails at their hotel. I can't believe that they have to worry about it, but they are a little (worried, I mean). They are sweet & romantic, and I want them to be 100% comfortable on this mini vacation. Thats all I meant by "gay friendly." Not just gay tolerant, but gay accepting.

They've never been to WDW before, perhaps they're overthinking it?

 

[Chuck S]

. Thats all I meant by "gay friendly." Not just gay tolerant, but gay accepting.

They've never been to WDW before, perhaps they're overthinking it?

I think all Disney hotels are probably equally "gay accepting" it is the other guests where a problem may arise, but he'd get that anywhere, except a resort that is exclusively gay. Any Disney resort should be fine, he should pick the style and amenties that appeal to them. If any other guest "has a problem" it is just that, the other guests problem, not your brothers problem.

 

[mcco5543]

I say CSR. It is true that all of Disney is gay friendly, CSR is the "convention hotel" and I hear is a little less kid oriented (southewestern theming..go see buzz's website, you can search for buzz on these boards and click on his link). The conventioneers have never been very visible. But for PDA's between him and his partner this is the place i can think of that would notice the least because of the lack of curious kids. That's partialy why my partner/wife/whatever picked it.

Have fun!

 

[Tony-NJ]

I think all Disney hotels are probably equally "gay accepting" it is the other guests where a problem may arise, but he'd get that anywhere, except a resort that is exclusively gay. Any Disney resort should be fine, he should pick the style and amenties that appeal to them. If any other guest "has a problem" it is just that, the other guests problem, not your brothers problem.

I agree - we have dinners / cocktails all the time with just each other. We have only once had an issue, and that was a waitress at Citrico's, and many years ago. I think no matter where they stay - they will enjoy themselve's!

 

[T&KHayes]

We have only stayed at POP Century, and they were fabulous! We had a terrific experience there and loved the atmosphere, and it is one of the more budget friendly resorts!

 

[lillielil]

I agree with everyone else who says that all the hotels are gay-friendly. The authors of Queens in the Kingdom report that the only hotel at which they observed anything homophobic was at Pop. They are also quick to point out that it was an isolated incident involving one bone-headed guest, not the CMs. My wife and I stayed at Pop last time, and are staying there again next time. We've also visited nearly all the hotels, and felt very welcome everywhere (and we're not exactly subtle about the PDAs).

 

[mabenoab]

This is all so wonderful to hear! As a first time visitor to WDW, I think my brother thinks its going to be very conservative, Ozzie & Harriett style family fun. Now I'm confident that I know he'll be comfortable, be able to fit in some romance and have a blast!

I loved the recommendation for Coronado Springs, too. I forwarded him Buzz's web address, and I hope they stay there! Its beautiful!


Thanks again for all the kind responses,
Beth

 

[OrlandoMike]

Ozzie and Harriett?

Hmmmm More like an episode of Bewitched focusing on Uncle Aurther and Endora!

I'm sure your brother and his partner will meet many friendly gay CM's.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

By the same logic of choosing CR for the atmosphere, if they wanted to spend a little more (but not as much as the GF) OKW is a great place. Yes, there are families, but there are Families too. Follow?

It's a huge sprawling resort, and they could request accomodation toward the "back" of the resort (near the DTD walkway). It's about as private as you can get and still be on WDW. It is our preferred place to stay.

 

[mabenoab]

Ozzie and Harriett?

Hmmmm More like an episode of Bewitched focusing on Uncle Aurther and Endora!

 

[mabenoab]

By the same logic of choosing CR for the atmosphere, if they wanted to spend a little more (but not as much as the GF) OKW is a great place. Yes, there are families, but there are Families too. Follow?

It's a huge sprawling resort, and they could request accomodation toward the "back" of the resort (near the DTD walkway). It's about as private as you can get and still be on WDW. It is our preferred place to stay.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm sending him a link to the OKW info as well!

 

[Sillyminny40]

Go. Have fun! Enjoy your fantastic family. The Disney resorts are wonderful to everyone that is what makes it magic!

 

[ElizabethB]

If they want a lovely and romantic atmosphere for a good price, I agree with the posters who suggest CSR. It's gorgeous at night, with the lake and all the buildings lit up (and the bar makes a mean margarita!). The rooms are fine, too. Not fancy, but fine.

Another idea -- if you're at GF, your brother and his partner might want to consider Wilderness Lodge. It would be easy to meet up with you at MK since the boat from WL to MK is very convenient and its price is not as outrageous as GF. There are lots of kids and families at WL, but it's WDW, so I guess that's true of all the on-site hotels. Another possibility is AKL -- it's romantic and exotic and, again, less expensive than GF.

I can't really comment on which hotels are the most gay-friendly as I don't have experience with that -- although, as others have said, they all seem like they'd be friendly and accepting. I heard WDW just announced that same sex partners are welcome to make use of Fairy Tale Weddings, which seems great to me and a good indication that all of WDW is gay friendly and only becoming more so.

Whatever hotel they choose, I hope you all have a wonderful time!