Gay Days and Crowds?

[8lovesmickey]

Hi All - Turns out we will be there in early October and our trip coincides with 'unofficial' Gay Days. Does this celebration have a big effect on crowds? Are there places we should go or avoid to miss giant groups? Anything else to know? Also is it tacky to wear a Gay Day shirt to show our support even though we're not gay? Just checkin'! Thanks-

 

[VandVsmama]

I've never been to DL during Gay Days, so I can't speak to its effect on crowds that weekend. But you should totally wear a red shirt if you'd like to support everyone. Totally fine to do that even if you are not gay. Many people do.

The Gay Days website (gaydaysanaheim.com) recommends to wear any red shirt even if you don't have an official Gay Days tshirt. But they're asking your shirt to not have any provocative slogans, words, sayings, or imagery on them since Disneyland is a family-centered park, so they want everyone to keep it G-rated.

The Gay Days website also has a lot of information on their website about meet ups & events during that weekend. Based on their schedule of events, Saturday appears to be the Disneyland day and Sunday is DCA.

 

[jammyjam25]

Not tacky at all! I ordered a Gay Days shirt from their website and will be proudly wearing it on that Friday (sadly leaving Saturday morning and won't be able to enjoy the rest of the weekend) in support of all my gay family and friends. <3

 

[Sherry E]

I've been there over Gay Days weekend (years ago), and I found the crowds to really pick up on Saturday afternoon. By nighttime it was especially crowded. In more recent years, however, people have reported fairly large crowds for most of the weekend. So, I'm not sure.

 

[McNs]

Our trips have coincided with Gay Days last 2 years (and will again this year). It definitely is busy, but we usually go to the opposite park each day (DCA on Sat & DL on Sun are a little quieter). Apart from being busy and lots of red tshirts, it is just like any other weekend, full of happy people enjoying the parks.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

We'll be there that weekend, too. Last time we went on Gay Days weekend, it was no more crowded than any other Saturday or Sunday, but that was years ago.

 

[bcwife76]

We will also be there that weekend (leaving the parks by 5pm on the Saturday in order to catch our 8:40pm flight home, boo!!)

 

[tarheelalum]

I was there last year and it was more crowded than usual but not terrible. But, as always, it will be crowded. Just show up very early and try to ride as many rides as you can before noon.

 

[8lovesmickey]

Thanks all - we are staying at the PPH so we will take advantage of early entry and then maybe hop to the park that isn't hosting the Gay Days festivities in order to have somewhat shorter lines later in the day. We also have tickets to the Halloween Party Friday night so we're super excited and will have fun as usual! Can't wait!

 

[trambach]

I'll be there this year too! I've been several times before, it's crowded but not too bad. Considering it's in October it's still not as crowded as summer time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also is it tacky to wear a Gay Day shirt to show our support even though we're not gay?

Not even a little bit tacky.

The only time we were there at the same time it was ALSO Columbus Day weekend. That's still a time off from school for CA kids (or they are celebrating my birthday- one of the two) so by the Sunday it was filling up terribly. Monday *morning* was unspeakably crowded IMO when I had to spend two of the last hours there fighting my way into the park to find the ONE place that had the funky clear skull/crossbones light muskets to replace the one DS bought, we had sent back to DLH, and it was broken on arrival. (the "pirates league" area they had that year had taken them all and were hoarding them!)

BUT very few of the huge crowd were wearing red shirts. So my money's on Columbus Day crowds.

And if a Columbus day is anythig like Memorial Day in my experience (DS's birthday is around then), by Monday afternoon everyone was going home.


But I don't know if GD is at that same weekend time this year. Just giving you the full story.

 

[Geemo]

GayDays is Sat 10-3 and Sun 10-4. This will be our first time going during at the same time as GD's. I figure it will be a busy weekend. With the weekdays being more enjoyable crowd wise.

We took a spur of the moment trip 2006 or 2008 in October thinking it would be a slow time. Only to realize it was Columbus Day. The weekend through Monday was mobbed!

Wearing "red" in support of Gay Days is a kind gesture.

Sunday Oct 11th is the CHOC walk at DL
Columbus day is Monday, Oct 12th. Plus is one of the MHP dates.

Never a slow time any more.......

Geemo