Experienced WDW'ers I have a question for u.

[WDWfirsttimer]

There is no offense at all intended with this question that I am about to ask. We are taking our kids to WDW this summer for the first time and I just learned that Gay Days are the 6/1-6/06 this year. We were planning on going 6/5-11/06. Would waiting until 6/6/06 be better for us to arrive and miss all of the hoopla or does it last longer than this? Or should we go earlier, like the week before ? Any advice?

 

[Debi]

I've never been to WDW during the Gay Day celebration, but I wanted to bump this to the top for you. Can anyone offer some advice?

 

[dward1961]

Please don't take this the wrong way....
I have never been to the parks during this time, but in WDW there are all kinds of people all of the time.

 

[momsgoofy]

We have been at WDW during gaydays twice...once when DS had just turned 7 and last year when he'd just turned 13...there wasn't anything going on that we saw any differently than we'd see back home. DS never noticed anything or if he did he didn't verbalize it to us on either trip...there was no having to have the "talk" right there at WDW. Besides, he and I had that talk about a year before...he has an uncle, who's gay, that he has not seen since he was a baby and he was curious why the uncle had never been back to visit his grandparents in almost 15 years...the grandparents (my ex in-laws) are still either living under a big rock, in denial or just plain stupid...he's a great guy, but I understand why he choses not to return here...there isn't anything for him anymore and it's sad that his own family acts the way they do.

The only thing you might consider is the crowd...when any large group heads to a park it makes a difference...last year we just chose to avoid MK during the day that weekend...would have avoided it anyway on the weekend because of the usual crowds then...but we went that Saturday evening after dinner and stayed the rest of the night...it was pretty empty and we walked onto many rides.

There are many factors that would influence your decision to go or not at this time, but it all boils down to you, your family, and what you want to do and I suppose your comfort level. For us, the first trip we didn't have a clue until 2 days before we left...still not a factor for us. When we planned the trip for last year, we knew exactly when we were going and again...not a factor for us. I didn't feel that we observed anything other than individuals, couples, and families who were at WDW to have a great time at the most magical place on earth.

If you do a search on the theme park planning board, you'll find several threads on this topic with a mulitude of opinions. There is a new Gay and Lesbian board here at the DIS...might find some answers there. Also, there are 2 websites for gaydays that have the schedule of events...one is the more official site while the other isn't...I can't remember which is which...but one is gaydays.com and the other is gayday.com...just can't remember which is which...sorry. I found it really interesting and very informative.

Well, I don't know if any of this was really helpful...I hope it was a little...like I said...do the search on the theme park planning board and you should find lots of threads on it...some unfortunately that turned pretty mean and ugly.

Whenever you decide to go...I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

momsgoofy is so right. It is totally about how your family is and your tolerance. We have been several times during that period and for us it is no big deal. The biggest thing to remember is the crowds. Large groups do make it a bit more difficult to navigate the parks. we see this same thing when the South American school tours come to Disney as well. Throngs of people following many "leaders" with flags. Gay days are really not a big deal. Just don't wear red shirts!

 

[tmt martins]

We were there a couple of times as well and I think due to the christian boycotters it was less crowded then at other times.I wore red and DD was about 9 the first time again no problems.They are there to just enjoy their selves like everyone else.

 

[Blackunicorn]

momsgoofy is so right. It is totally about how your family is and your tolerance. We have been several times during that period and for us it is no big deal. The biggest thing to remember is the crowds. Large groups do make it a bit more difficult to navigate the parks. we see this same thing when the South American school tours come to Disney as well. Throngs of people following many "leaders" with flags. Gay days are really not a big deal. Just don't wear red shirts!

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that it sounded like the OP was actually asking about if there was going to a big crowd?

I haven't been to WDW during Gay Days, but I've been to DL during Gay Days. It can get very crowded, but they have an itinerary which keeps them focused in one park or the other each day. If you check out their website, you might be able to get an idea. However, I didn't know about the boycotters, so like one of the previous posters said, it might actually reduce the crowd in the park. There, I've been terribly helpful, haven't I?

 

[eeyoreforever]

We were there last year during gay days. At first I was worried about what the crowds might be like, but it really wasn't a problem. Like others have posted, there is a schedule of which park they go to on which day. We just made sure we were in a different park (not because they were gay-because of the crowds). I was also worried about it being Star Wars Weekends at MGM, but that didn't pose any problems for us either (crowdwise).

As a matter of fact, we are going again this year at the same time. Go and have fun!

 

[WDWfirsttimer]

Hi and thanks to everyone for their responses. Yes, I was actually referring to the crowd levels during the first week of June. I know it is always crowded during the summer months but I figured this week would be exceptionally crowded. But thanks for everyone's inputs!!!

 

[maddhatir]

01-19-2006 11:08 PM

tmt martins

We were there a couple of times as well and I think due to the christian boycotters it was less crowded then at other times.I wore red and DD was about 9 the first time again no problems.They are there to just enjoy their selves like everyone else.
*********

Hi everyone,

Just browsing and i saw this post-- i am just curious what wearing red means??

Thanks!

Maddhatir

 

[Servants of Evan]

Wearing red for gay days is sort of the "unofficial uniform." If you're down there you will see scores of people wearing red shirts during that time. As much as anything, -- just as rainbows or equality bumper stickers on cars -- it is a quiet reminder for people that they are not alone in how they feel. DISers tend to sport lime green, gay days selects red. It's nothing to be concerned about...

 

[dbarker]

I'd be more concerned about the teenagers than I would be the grownups. We have been to WDW twice. Both during the same time--end of May-beginning of June. Our last trip I noticed a lot of red t-shirts. After a couple of days of trying to figure out which High School Band they all belonged to, I remembered what they were. There was nothing out of the ordinary with these people. However, there were also lots of High School bands there at that time also.

 

[HLAuburn]

Personally I would avoid it just like I'd avoid planning a trip ANY time there is an organized (or unofficial) event or holiday simply b/c of the crowds. That, and other factors, would convince me to change my dates. Just my opinion...

 

[maddhatir]

Wearing red for gay days is sort of the "unofficial uniform." If you're down there you will see scores of people wearing red shirts during that time. As much as anything, -- just as rainbows or equality bumper stickers on cars -- it is a quiet reminder for people that they are not alone in how they feel. DISers tend to sport lime green, gay days selects red. It's nothing to be concerned about...

Thanks for the explanation- i really was not aware of that. If i happen to go during that time.... I will wear my red.....in support!!


Maddhatir