Gay Day Crowds?

[legalkill]

We are going to be there the weekend of GAY DAY which i think ends June 5th. We were however planning on the parks for the week following (7th-10th). Was wondering if there was any extra crowds from any overflow during the week.

 

[abline]

I was there last year and on that Saturday the Magic Kingdom was mobbed. I only did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and then went back to the hotel for the rest of the day. Just plan your trip around that Saturday and you should be fine. Just to give you a heads up we had ALOT of rain that week so stock up on ponchos. Go to the dollar store and pick up several sets then you can just throw them out at the end of the day. We had those things drying out all week and it was a pain. Hopefully the weather will be better for you this year but that is Florida's rainy season and it wasn't the typical half hour afternoon shower Florida is famous for. Good Luck and enjoy.

 

[abline]

I was there last year and on that Saturday the Magic Kingdom was mobbed. I only did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and then went back to the hotel for the rest of the day. Just plan your trip around that Saturday and you should be fine. Just to give you a heads up we had ALOT of rain that week so stock up on ponchos. Go to the dollar store and pick up several sets then you can just throw them out at the end of the day. We had those things drying out all week and it was a pain. Hopefully the weather will be better for you this year but that is Florida's rainy season and it wasn't the typical half hour afternoon shower Florida is famous for. Good Luck and enjoy.

 

[legalkill]

Thanks for the poncho tips (dollar store here i come), Last time we were there it was 94-97, so we were glad for a shower or two (this was july).

I was thinking that the following week would be ok (well normally crowded). I wanted to avoid the weekends anyway.

Is the baby girls first time she is almost 3 (well she was there in last time we went, just at 8 months inside the womb) so we are getting excited for this trip.

 

[Stiff]

well, also remember that the entire east coast got drenched for months last summer

most rain Ive ever seen in a summer

 

[loriandmatt]

were there the week after Gay Days in 2002. I ditto about the rain, and crowds were high in all parks, but not excessive. I don't believe it was spillover from the Gay Days just ending, but just the typical crowds for that time of year.

- lori

 

[missyc]

I have a question for those who are not gay, but went on gay day.
I don't want to offend anyone, but I've heard that there are some pretty bizarre things during that time. Like men in drag in the parade.
Others have said that it's no different than any other day, and the crowds are actually smaller due to Christians and families w/ kids who don't want to "be exposed".
Anyone want to share their experiences?

Remember.....don't get offended. Please. I just want info!!

 

[Uncle Donald]

We were there a few years ago on gay day. Never again. Not only was it very crowded, but there was a lot of... flaunting... going on, if you know what I mean.

 

[DVC Jen]

We go every year at that time and just avoid the MK on that Saturday. Otherwise it really isn't too bad at all.

There WAS a ton of rain last year. We laughed when we saw the Disney Pin of Mickey wearing one of those yellow ponchos. Of couse we had to buy that pin.. it was the perfect souvenior.

 

[legalkill]

I knew to avoid the day if you were not gay, just wondering about the week after crowd wise. I am sensing that it will be just normally crowded.

I looked into the gayday event calander and seems like all official festivities are over monday.

 

[WhispyPixie]

We are going at that time as well this year and we are just scheduling our days separate from the days that I know is the Gay Day's special park days.

I would hope that we dont encounter situations that are uncomfortable, either by either gay or heterosexual people. Regardless we are having a small nonchalant chat about what they might see from either on the way down.

After reading the thread about the disgusting things that people have seen at WDW, I am more concerned about that..lol We are going to have a great trip...NO MATTER what we encounter. Remember it is your family vacation and your children will respond in a similar manner that they see you do. What a great opportunity to teach your kids the lost art of consideration and tact.

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by missyc
I have a question for those who are not gay, but went on gay day.
I don't want to offend anyone, but I've heard that there are some pretty bizarre things during that time. Like men in drag in the parade.
Others have said that it's no different than any other day, and the crowds are actually smaller due to Christians and families w/ kids who don't want to "be exposed".
Anyone want to share their experiences?

Remember.....don't get offended. Please. I just want info!!

Avoid MK on Saturday, but mostly because of the crowds. Other days that week we noticed a lot of same sex couples, but not any offensive behavior. I agree with the theory that there are as many people staying home as gays visiting. We did notice that a lot of groups of gays migrated to Epcot Saturday afternoon and evening to get away from the crowds at MK. They were much more noticeable than in the other parks that week, but didn't increase the crowds enough that we would avoid it next time.

 

[BeamsofLight]

Our honeymoon coincided with Gay Days in 2001. I didn't realize this until after we'd booked, so we were quite worried about crowds as well. However, we didn't notice any real difference in crowds than in other times we've gone in late May. We went to Epcot on 'the' Saturday, and didn't really find it crowded there at all (for that time of the year that is). We heard from other people in Epcot, though, that the MK was indeed very, very crowded.

The following week, it was perhaps slightly less crowded but I don't think there was any big change in wait times or crowds.

We did get a letter under the door earlier in the week that said all the parks would open at 7:30 a.m. that day, only for resort guests since they were "expecting a very busy day at the Magic Kingdom Park."

Behaviour-wise, well, I can't comment on MK because we didn't go over there for the 'main event', but at Epcot and the other parks during the week, I can't remember seeing anything that we haven't seen at WDW at other times of the year.

 

[legalkill]

Time is drawing near and am getting excited (not too much work being done). Wanted to bump for any more last moment tips advice from experiences on or near gay weekend.

 

[stacilee]

I don't want to offend anyone here either, and have not been to MK on that big day, but have read here and elsewhere that if you DO want to attend the parks but do NOT want to be identified as a "participant" in the Gay Days Celebration and do not want to be confused with those that are, it would be wise to avoid wearing the color red.

 

[legalkill]

***mental note - bring no red items of clothing to vacation***

I'll just tell my wife and her friend to wear matching red shirts...

 

[exnortherner]

DW and I went to MK on Gay Day in 2002. Unfortunately, we did not know that it was Gay Day and were overwhelmed when we walked into the park. I mentioned to DW that had we known, we would have gone to another park that day and reserved MK for another day.

This conversation was overheard by a CM who offered to have a Disney driver take us to any park of our choice. They took us through a CM doorway to a mini bus and drove us right to MGM, where we spent a lovely day. The following day (Sunday) we returned to MK where the crowds were now down to a manageable number.

I was very impressed with the CM's handling of this situation.

 

[airhead]

there was flaunting going on!!!????!?

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by legalkill
***mental note - bring no red items of clothing to vacation***

I'll just tell my wife and her friend to wear matching red shirts...

*snerk* Yes, but then you'll look like their "DD."

[Note to non-family: it doesn't mean DearDaughter or Designated Driver in this context.]

 

[wannabebelle]

To missyc and others concerned about "gay day,"

Regardless of your feelings about homosexuality, there is, IMO, a lot of pda (public display of affection) in the park on gay day. This PDA would disturb me whether the couple was gay or straight. I would not want to explain to a child why any couple was kissing or touching or groping that much. To be safe, try another park.