Could someone tell me about Gay Days?

[yearofthemouse]

Should I be embarrassed or what?! I've never even heard of Gay Days let alone known how popular it seems to be!

What's the run down on this? How long has it been celebrated? Who here has participated? Thanks!

 

[ConcKahuna]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Days_at_Walt_Disney_World

It has become a pretty much city-wide event, with all of the local clubs having special events and concerts (Salt & Peppa performed this year). They also have the after-hours parties at the water parks (one at Typhoon Lagoon and one at Wet & Wild).

It is a HUGE event. I think the city of Orlando was expecting about 200,000 this year. Not all of those people even go to the parks, though, so it isn't necessarily much busier.

You also get the entire gay spectrum there, from the twinks and circuit boys to the bears. Lesbians abound, and so do gay families with children.

It's just a fun time to go when suddenly being gay becomes the "norm".

 

[yearofthemouse]

That's really awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Who here has participated and which city did you attend in? Did you come with your family? A loved one?

 

[VernonP]

It has become a pretty much city-wide event, with all of the local clubs having special events and concerts (Salt & Peppa performed this year). They also have the after-hours parties at the water parks (one at Typhoon Lagoon and one at Wet & Wild).

It is a HUGE event. I think the city of Orlando was expecting about 200,000 this year. Not all of those people even go to the parks, though, so it isn't necessarily much busier. You also get the entire gay spectrum there, from the twinks and circuit boys to the bears. Lesbians abound, and so do gay families with children.

It's just a fun time to go when suddenly being gay becomes the "norm".

Is the Anaheim event as big/popular as the Orlando event?

 

[DrGaellon]

Who here has participated and which city did you attend in? Did you come with your family? A loved one?

2011 was the 21st year for the original GayDays, which is Orlando/WDW. This was my 7th year attending; I've gone with a large group of friends, a small group of friends, alone... this was the first year I went with a boyfriend.

 

[DrGaellon]

Is the Anaheim event as big/popular as the Orlando event?

From what I understand, no... but neither is the Anaheim park as large.

 

[alby87a]

I have gone with friends every year. Its my 6th time doing it this past year. Plenty of eye candy ha but its fun. I recommend it because you meet a lot of people. Its been celebrated for 20 yrs. I enjoy it every year especially the parties and lets go play at typhoon lagoon

 

[colaboy29]

I go every year mainly to see friends I haven't seen since the year before. I walk around the Kingdom just saying "hi" to my friends who pass by. I usually don't stay all day because it's Summer in Florida and the heat and sun can be brutal.

I love finding the funniest t-shirt I can and wearing it to see what comments I get. I actually already found one (in red, of course) for next year with a great saying on it.

Here are links to my photo albums of past years:

GayDays 2010

GayDays 2009

A few previous years' photos.

 

[zulemara]

I echo what previous posters said. I've gone 3 years now(unfortunately never got to experience it when pleasure island was open) but I go to the day events(mainly MK) just to see friends and meet DIS people. I don't go for the rides or anything. It's just fun to see so many people united together and it's a very positive environment inside MK.

For the rest of the weekend, I try to do a little of what I want and a little of what friends want to do. This last year I did Phouse on Thursday night(which is, IMO, the best night out) then Fri did dinner at Ohana with DIS friends, Sat MK, and Sun DATW at EPCOT. I've pretty much found my "routine" and I love it. Next year I would like to get to the typhoon lagoon party though. MMmmmm twinks in speedos LOL