Carefully read entire post before replying because...

[Sleeping Becca]

If you are strictly looking for ways to avoid the crowds. I would look up the days that they will be in the parks and avoid that park for that day simply to avoid the crowd.

We went during Gay Days and I saw nothing over the top/ innappropriate/ in your face displays. I did avoid the scheduled park days to avoid the crowds. I saw families and friends at the resort having a great time. Yes, there were more Gay folks than at other times, but in no way did it interfere or distract or bother our family's vacation.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Wow. Thanks for the replies.

I wanted info on touring the parks during Gay Days and I sure got it.

I'm not offended by gay people.

I'm not easily offended, period.

I don't want to see non-stop, over-the-top behavior during my vacation, in any form, from anybody, regardless of their sexual orientation. I've been to Disney, other theme parks, the beach, etc. I've seen over-the-top and it aint pretty!! Quite frankly, I've NEVER seen over-the-top from gay people in person - that's been provided by heterosexuals!! I have needed to explain PDA and other junk to my kids before, nothing new there.

So, why did I post about Gay Days? Because, like so many other people on here, I had questions about that particular week. Crowds? Special events? Any other info - which includes clothing, behavior, etc. goes right along with that and any other week at Disney.

As to my "intolerance", please please please re-read the original post. Do you see intolerance there?

Am I a monster, teaching my kids that "gays" are evil? Nope. "Gays" are really just "people".

Are there right and wrong ways to act in public? You betcha! Is that based in any way on sexual orientation? Not on your life.

Then, please accept my apology. I totally misread your first post.

 

[Paul6725]

I have been there when it has not been Gay Days, I did not see these people engaging in inappropriate behavior, nor did I see grown men walking around in leopard printed loin cloths.

When you did see that guy, you should have gone and asked for his autograph. Then looked at it and said "Hey, this doesn't even look like it says Tarzan!"

 

[Donnainnj]

We haven't been since June 2000 (our 10th wedding anniversary) but would go again if it worked with our schedule. (can't take kid's out of school that long anymore)The real problem we found was it was very crowded that weekend. That was because we had those very difficult to get breakfast in the castle reservations for that Saturday before I learned what was going on. We also ended up in Epcot on their day. The only question we had to answer from the kiddos, 3yrs 3 months and 7yrs 3 months at the time was, "Why is that man wearing Minnie ears?" when we were walking around at the Poly. If I went again I would avoid the group days only because of the crowds. As each day passed the crowds were lighter and lighter.
Donna

 

[Me!Thatswho]

I too am on the conservative side ideologically speaking and unknowingly had our summer vacation last year overlap with Gay Days. To be honest, other than on the monorail and a few times in the hotel we really didn't notice much that offended us. Yes there were plenty of offense shirts and dozens of narcissistic individuals craving attention that seemed to go out of their way to be offensive, but, as others have said, there were more people there just to experience WDW. While I don't agree with their chosen lifestyle, they have as much of a right to be there as I did. If you can't reschedule your vacation, my best advice would be, as others have said, avoid MK and riding the monorail on Saturday and as well as the park that is part of Gay Days during the week (it was AK on the Thursday last year).

As to the political side, I always find it amusing that the very same people who preach, nay demand tolerance are so intolerant of others beliefs. Each to their own, I guess.

 

[rosiep]

...this is about Gay Days.

We are considering changing dates for our June 2009 trip to include the first full week, which historically has been Gay Days. Now, not to sound like Senator Craig, but I'm not gay nor have I ever been gay!!! I'm married to a woman and we have two young kids.

An aside: My wife and I try to follow the teachings of Jesus and love everyone just as they are, are trying to teach this to our kids, and so we cannot condone homosexuality. We want to love and respect ALL people, just as they are. Once we are blessed enough to get to know someone (anyone!) and develop a relationship with them, then maybe they will understand why we believe what we believe and we can share our story with them. Now, back to this post...

What should we expect if we tour the parks during Gay Days?

I'm asking this without preconceived notions, opinions, etc. We're not fans of public displays of affection regardless of the couple's gender. I'm obviously asking about same-sex couples in the parks, but I'm also asking about crowd levels in general.

I will not engage in sparring matches with any of you over my beliefs - they are what they are and I think I've explained them well enough above.

I'm simply asking a question that I feel is relevant to my family's trip.

Can you honestly say you don't see the hypocrisy of this statement? "Love everyone just as they are"..."We cannot condone homosexuality"??

 

[LorieR]

As to the political side, I always find it amusing that the very same people who preach, nay demand tolerance are so intolerant of others beliefs. Each to their own, I guess.

 

[perkinsrose]

I didn't say I would be offended. Re-read the original post.

As to "sad this topic exists in 2008" - huh? Why can't I ask a quesiton about a particular week at Disney the same as anyone else? What about all of the "is Christmas week busy?" posts? This question happens to be about Gay Days week. I don't know any other way to ask. I tried to explain in my original post that this was not directed at anyone - I'M JUST TRYING TO GET INFO!!!

I think the point is that you did not simply ask, "Is Gay Days Week Busy?" but mentioned many hot button issues below...

...this is about Gay Days.

We are considering changing dates for our June 2009 trip to include the first full week, which historically has been Gay Days. Now, not to sound like Senator Craig, but I'm not gay nor have I ever been gay!!! I'm married to a woman and we have two young kids.

An aside: My wife and I try to follow the teachings of Jesus and love everyone just as they are, are trying to teach this to our kids, and so we cannot condone homosexuality. We want to love and respect ALL people, just as they are. Once we are blessed enough to get to know someone (anyone!) and develop a relationship with them, then maybe they will understand why we believe what we believe and we can share our story with them. Now, back to this post...

What should we expect if we tour the parks during Gay Days?

I'm asking this without preconceived notions, opinions, etc. We're not fans of public displays of affection regardless of the couple's gender. I'm obviously asking about same-sex couples in the parks, but I'm also asking about crowd levels in general.

I will not engage in sparring matches with any of you over my beliefs - they are what they are and I think I've explained them well enough above.

I'm simply asking a question that I feel is relevant to my family's trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

Also Christianity is very tolerant of people, just not of immoral behaivor whether heterosexual or homosexual.

That is great ! So you are tolerant of people, unless you have judged them to be immoral. Lovely!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Don't go that week if you feel that strongly about it.

I did not mean this to be a rude response. What I meant was if you cannot condone homosexuality then maybe this is not a good time for you to visit. You will be hypersensative to your surroundings and might see things that otherwise you would not notice. Does that make sense?

 

[Otter49]

My wife and I are there almost every year during Gay Days to see the last concerts of F&G. (Not this year because the concerts ended early.)

I can honestly say I've never seen inappropriate behavior - I couldn't care less about hand holding or even modest PDA, but I've almost always seen objectionable shirts.

One that comes to mind is a large group of 30 and 40 something year old men all wearing shirts that said "I Love Boys". If it had said Men, I wouldn't have cared. But this wording was clearly intended to shock with overtones of pedophilia.

Oh, and we happened to be with a gay friend at the time and he completely agreed and was totally disgusted.

OP - You have every right to your value system and an obligation to live accordingly. You worded your inquiry very clearly and cogently.

 

[RussellDisney]

At last, I'm getting some good info. I didn't realize the event picks a particular park on a certain day. That way, we can avoid the crowds. See how easy that was?

I'm encouraged that there seems to be few reports of over-the-top behavior. But even if we do change our dates and encounter some wild "gay" goings-on, my response to the kids will most likely be the same as any other situation - goof balls will be goof balls!

By the way, I'm not thinking of changing our vacation days AWAY from Gay Days, but TO Gay Days.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

As to the political side, I always find it amusing that the very same people who preach, nay demand tolerance are so intolerant of others beliefs. Each to their own, I guess.

Don't you get it? I see the beauty of all religions and spirituality, but I draw the line when people use their beliefs to "hate".

 

[Snow Shoe]

We were at DLR 6/1-5 and at WDW 6/5-13 during Gay days. To be honest, it wasn't all that bad. There were plenty of the "red shirts indicating look at me", but we only saw two instances of PDA the whole time. One was in DL, and the other at WS at a table restaurant. As far as crowds during these days, it wasn't bad at all. I dought if I would go during this time again, but it really wasn't that bad. However I didn't have small children with us to explain what was happening either.

 

[Me!Thatswho]

Don't you get it? I see the beauty of all religions and spirituality, but I draw the line when people use their beliefs to "hate".

Case in point. What gives you the right to decide? What you label as "hate" is someone else's opinion/religious beliefs/morality. Are they not entitled to their opinion? As I said, each to their own.

 

[RussellDisney]

I failed to realize this earlier, but it sounds as though this week is also Star Wars weekend? Wow, what does that do to crowds?

Do these events only occur at DHS?

Are there lots of people in costume? I love Star Wars, but it's not a Disney movie and to be honest it would spoil things just a bit to see non-Disney characters in the parks.

I said I wouldn't spare with you over my beliefs, but here goes - how is not condoning homosexuality intolerant and unloving? Please look up the defination of "condone". Does "not condoning" in any way involve hatred, bigotry, etc.? I said I don't condone homosexuality - notice I didn't say homosexuals. How could I "not condone" a fellow human being?

 

[mla1977]

I didn't see any problems when we were there this year. If seeing the same sex couples is a concern for you, just visit a different park on those days. Touring plans has the designated park listed on their calendars.

That being said, I realized while we were at MGM one night, it was the designated park. I really didn't notice anything, not even a lot of couples, let alone PDA. That could have been because it was later, but I saw nothing that would cause anyone to be uncomfortable.

 

[Diehl2229]

I said I wouldn't spare with you over my beliefs, but here goes - how is not condoning homosexuality intolerant and unloving? Please look up the defination of "condone". Does "not condoning" in any way involve hatred, bigotry, etc.? I said I don't condone homosexuality - notice I didn't say homosexuals. How could I "not condone" a fellow human being?[/QUOTE]


I'm with you and agree To each there own I wouldn't be going that time of year either but thats just me

 

[agame2323]

This is actually an interesting topic. I never knew Gay Week was such a big thing (I have never been). My question is does Disney get involved with this? Is there any type of special theme in throughout the parks to symbolize Gay Week?

 

[Me!Thatswho]

I failed to realize this earlier, but it sounds as though this week is also Star Wars weekend? Wow, what does that do to crowds?

Do these events only occur at DHS?

Are there lots of people in costume? I love Star Wars, but it's not a Disney movie and to be honest it would spoil things just a bit to see non-Disney characters in the parks.

DHS is generally crowded earlier in the day, or at least it was last year. Many people flock there early to get the special items available only during SWW and, because, with the exception of the end of the day show, you can hit everything, including the parade which runs earlier, before lunch, as the day goes on the crows thin out. There are two areas for character meet and greets, one for the "good guys" (around Star Tours) and one for the "bad" (last year it was where they put in the new Toy Story ride, but, as we didn't go this year, I'm not sure where it was staged). Over the PAs, the usual soundtrack is replaced with SW tracks. The parade features the all the special characters, the 2 or 3 actual actors who are there for autographs, and, if you go during the first or the last week, members of the 501st (SW buffs who have their own costumes). The great thing is that if you aren't really into SW, with the exception of where they have the SW stuff set up, the park crowds are what you would expect them to be on a weekend.

The reason why we went in 2007 was to among the SWW crowd last year and, if you like SW even only remotely, you'll have a blast.