Buying convention tickets while not planning on joining the convention... Ethical?

[CrazyDuck]

Ok all you by the book Dissers what's your take on this one? I'm going to be at DL, the week leading up to and, durring Gay Days (Oct 3-5). I know they are offering discounted rates on hotel rooms (which I won't need), and they will most likely be offering discounted tickets. Would it be wrong for me to purchase these discounted tickets if I have no intention on joining them in any of their conventions, group gatherings, group photos etc..? What if I support their lifestyle and am willing to even wear one of the official Gay Days t-shirts durring one of my days in the parks? So whaddyathink?

 

[disheadz]

Is there a limited number of tickets available at discounted prices?

 

[sonnyjane]

Well, your "by-the-book" response is that the official Disney site says "Tickets are not available for purchase at the Box Office and are only valid for convention attendees and their family and friends".

So, seeing as how this is the DISboards and we have rules against posting anything contrary to official Disney policy, this thread will likely remain quite short

 

[bumbershoot]

But in this case the Convention can be as simple as enjoying the parks with your loved ones, supporting the right of everyone to be with the fellow consenting adult that they love. I'm sure there are plenty of attendees who do nothing more than that but still feel they are attending Gay Days.

 

[ArchOwl]

Well, from what I understand, you wouldn't be buying your tickets from Disney, right? It would be through Gay Days? So I would go by their policy, whatever it is.

 

[sonnyjane]

But in this case the Convention can be as simple as enjoying the parks with your loved ones, supporting the right of everyone to be with the fellow consenting adult that they love. I'm sure there are plenty of attendees who do nothing more than that but still feel they are attending Gay Days.

Well, from what I understand, you wouldn't be buying your tickets from Disney, right? It would be through Gay Days? So I would go by their policy, whatever it is.

If you go to the official Gay Days site to buy the tickets, it links you to the official Disney site that sells convention tickets, which is where I copied and pasted that info above from.

Bumbershoot, you kind of bring up a good point in that there aren't really any presentations or talks for Gay Days, the whole "convention" is going and supporting the gay community. SO....in that sense it's not like you're "skipping out" on the events, but if that wasn't your intention going in, and just found that you can get discounts, then I guess I feel a little weird about it.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I guess the question is what constitutes joining their convention? Being in the park on Saturday Oct 6th since that is their main event? I know they have an after hours parties each night at a different place in DTD which I don't plan on attending.... So? Maybe I should ask the Gay Days organizers how they feel about it...

 

[taaren]

When we found out last year that Gay Days was happening during our trip we decided to have fun and wear matching rainbow Muppet tee-shirts for our party of 7 adults for that Sunday.

DH ended up popping into some of the conference rooms as we were going to DL through the GCH lobby and chatting with people and they handed him hats and stuff. We were using our APs and didn't know about the red shirt theme until we got there, but still felt like we were a part of the celebration ... I'd say to go for it, buy the tickets, and join the convention even if its just for a few minutes of your DLR trip. The convention goers are very welcoming. Totally fun.

 

[Schvinga]

To the original poster, I have to say thank you for your consideration. But no, there is no conflict in your buying tickets from our site. Gay Days is designed as a "mix-in" event wherein gay people are meant to enjoy the parks with their friends and family (both gay and straight), but there was never the intention to EXCLUDE anyone else. Obviously if you were expressing homophobia, we'd see your use of our discounts as hypocritical, but you are not. There is no "rule" that in order to utilize our offers you need attend our parties or any such thing. All that's expected of you is that you have fun! Thanks for asking, though. That was thoughtful.

 

[larina]

Schvinga, can I further ask, would it be welcome, as suggested above, for a visiting 'friend' to go into the convention rooms and check things out (not interrupting, of course)? I love this idea, and am tempted to try to organize a mixed group (gay and straight) of my daughters friends for this. We were already wanting to do a trip at that time, as her 19th birthday is October 4th, and this would be such a great event to attend and be a part of.

 

[CrazyDuck]

To the original poster, I have to say thank you for your consideration. But no, there is no conflict in your buying tickets from our site. Gay Days is designed as a "mix-in" event wherein gay people are meant to enjoy the parks with their friends and family (both gay and straight), but there was never the intention to EXCLUDE anyone else. Obviously if you were expressing homophobia, we'd see your use of our discounts as hypocritical, but you are not. There is no "rule" that in order to utilize our offers you need attend our parties or any such thing. All that's expected of you is that you have fun! Thanks for asking, though. That was thoughtful.

Thank you! See you in October! Look for me... I'll be the one wearing Red!