gay day at disney

[travellinmom]

I am trying to plan a trip to WDW with my dh and dd who is 4 years old. We picked June 1-4 to go and I discovered that June 5th is Gay Day there. Has anyone ever taken their family there on the days prior to Gay Day and what were the crowds like?
I have no problem with gay people but I am not sure that would be the most appropriate time to take our 4 year old.

 

[Microcell]

We moved out entire vacation time to avoid it. I just don't want to have to explain it all to a child. I would think it would be crowded, it is well advertised on many web sites.

 

[doug65]

Oh, my. What's the aftermath like? My wife's parents are there for a pharmaceutical convention on the 4th. We will be joining them that evening and going to the parks on the 5th through the 8th.

Is the celebration focused on the Magic Kingdom or is it everywhere?

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Two points:

Try posting this on the strategies forum as this is for trip reports

and

relax. I've been to WDW during gaydays more than once and I've never witnessed anything a 4 year old or anyone else would be bothered by...... I suggest you stay away from the Magic Kingdom on that Saturday but only for the crowds.

I am also wondering what you mean by "aftermath", doug65?

 

[HaleyB]

Ditto what CrazyforGoofy said.
Many of the "gay Days" plans are for off site meets. Magic Kingdom meet on Sat. the 5th.

 

[doug65]

crazyforgoofy writes:

"relax. I've been to WDW during gaydays more than once and I've never witnessed anything a 4 year old or anyone else would be bothered by...... I suggest you stay away from the Magic Kingdom on that Saturday but only for the crowds.

I am also wondering what you mean by "aftermath", doug65?"

First, thanks for the reply. The reason I was nervous is that I've been told (obviously by someone who doesn't know) that gayday at DW was much like the french quarter during Mardi Gras: lots of drunkeness, drug abuse and public sex. I'm glad to hear that this event is more civilized.

"Aftermath" referred to crowds on the 6th, 7th, & 8th. Specifically, is it still as crowded as it will be on the 5th?

As far as posting in this forum, this is where the question was posted. But thanks for the tip.

Doug

 

[crazyforgoofy]

doug65, I wouldn't take small children to Pleasure Island during GayDays but I wouldn't take small children to Pleasure Island any night. I doubt you'll find examples of much rowdy behavior at any public area in Disney World. Any group of happy partiers is likely to get a mite out of hand but Disney Security keeps things much calmer than during Mardi Gras in NoLa. There may be private events during GayDays or any gathering that might allow other behavior but that's not an issue for those not invited.

I didn't notice extremely larger crowds June 6-8 last year.
Have a great trip.

 

[PeterPan20]

Originally posted by doug65


lots of drunkeness, drug abuse and public sex. I'm glad to hear that this event is more civilized.

Doug

...yeah...you've really gotta watch out for those darn gays...they'll getcha every time.

 

[Maleficent13]

I've been told (obviously by someone who doesn't know) that gayday at DW was much like the french quarter during Mardi Gras: lots of drunkeness, drug abuse and public sex.

I'm sorry...this made me roar! My family has been down there plenty of times during this week, and will be getting there most likely in the midst of it this year. We never have had a problem...if anything, the crowds are friendlier than normal. I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Have a great trip!

 

[suevee]

"First, thanks for the reply. The reason I was nervous is that I've been told (obviously by someone who doesn't know) that gayday at DW was much like the french quarter during Mardi Gras: lots of drunkeness, drug abuse and public sex. I'm glad to hear that this event is more civilized."

Been there twice during this time with children and grandchildren and everything was fine. My kids just wanted to know about the red shirts, then tried to get one on Dad! He was oblivious. :We never made it to Paradise Island though. We went to all the parks, even MK on Saturday. We stayed at the CR at the time and there was some kind of get together there, but nothing overt. In fact heteralsexual teens and young adults have given my grandkids a lot more to ask questions about!

BUT, if everyone else is scared off, then it may become a great time for the rest of us to go to the parks!

 

[doug65]

Josh writes: "...yeah...you've really gotta watch out for those darn gays...they'll getcha every time."

You do when you're walking down the street and you see a couple of guys in leather jockstraps "frightening the horses" while a crowd cheers them on. My daughter's five, she doesn't need an education that advanced.

As I said, I'm glad these folks are more civilized. And I appreciate the feedback from those who have been there during gay days.

We've only got four full days so we're probably going to avoid Downtown Disney, etc. The kids are going to be overstimulated as it is. They don't need the finest marketeering money can buy thrown at them as well.

Thanks to everyone who's replied. I'm sure glad this list site is here.

Doug

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by PeterPan20
...yeah...you've really gotta watch out for those darn gays...they'll getcha every time.

PeterPan20, a sense of humor goes a long way, my dear. Thanks. Sometimes it can save the day.

 

[flclarkkent]

It's nice to see so many on this board be so open minded.

One thing I wanted to add is that for a lot of gays and lesbians, "Gay Days" is a family event. When I was there about two years ago, I saw many same sex couples at the park with their kids in tows. I also saw a lot of big family gatherings -- parents, grandparents, grandkids, etc. Needless to say, these weren't rowdy groups!

I think a lot of people don't realize this, and consider "Gay Days" to be sort of a "Disney World meets gay nightclub" type of thing. That's just not the case. For a lot of gay and lesbian people, it's a family vacation.

I didn't see any inappropriate behaviour. But that doesn't mean someone didn't act up, and make out in public or something. Chances are good, though, that you might encounter inappropriate behaviour on any given day at any theme park.

Bad taste isn't limited to any one group.

 

[johare]

Gaydays runs from June 1st thru June 7th, but the only real impact you'll see on crowds are the Magic Kingdom on the 5th and to a lesser extent, Epcot Center on the 6th. I had originally booked a stay for June 1st thru the 5th, but moved it earlier to avoid the whole week. Was originally going to move it to the week after, but figured crowds would be picking up more by then (more kids out of school) and was also slightly disturbed thinking of what might have been going on in our room/bed the week (or night) before if we stayed immediately following gaydays.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by johare
Was originally going to move it to the week after, but figured crowds would be picking up more by then (more kids out of school) and was also slightly disturbed thinking of what might have been going on in our room/bed the week (or night) before if we stayed immediately following gaydays.

johare, I'm hoping you're joking. If not this is for you Seriously, what a thing to say!

 

[johare]

I'm hoping you're joking.

Yeah, I'm joking. It's wrong to avoid going to WDW just because more children are going to be there. If your refering to the other reason, I'm only half joking there....well, maybe 3/4 joking. ;-)

 

[PeterPan20]

Originally posted by johare
Yeah, I'm joking. It's wrong to avoid going to WDW just because more children are going to be there. If your refering to the other reason, I'm only half joking there....well, maybe 3/4 joking. ;-)

Wow

 

[skuttle]

If you check out gaydays.com you can see their schedule for the week. That should help you to plan around their designated parks so that you can avoid the crowds, explaining things to your child, or for whatever other reason.

DH and I honeymooned at WDW during gaydays...we arrived on the Saturday, their Magic Kingdom day, so we didn't actually see much of gaydays since we arrived towards the end. It didn't affect our trip at all. The most we saw was a rainbow flag hanging from a balcony at the GF.

 

[faithinkarma]

Wow

Well said PeterPan20.

 

[BobbinWeez]

Originally posted by johare
was also slightly disturbed thinking of what might have been going on in our room/bed the week (or night) before if we stayed immediately following gaydays.

I worry about beds/rooms in any hotel whether or not gays or straights are in staying in the room before me...thank goodness Disney seems to be better at cleaning rooms and changing sheets than other hotels. have you ever seen those Dateline specials on..."How Clean is Your Hotel Room?" Those programs are gross!!!