Gay Days or Not?

[Travito]

Of course I expect most everyone's opinion will be biased, having been to a Gay Days in the past, but I need some advice:

I am currently planning a trip for WDW in 2010. It will be my fourth Disney venture, but my boyfriend's first and our two lesbian friends first as well.
Originally, I was set on attending during Gay Days, simply because I think it would be fantastic (and our two lesbian friends just recently came out, so it will be even better for them to be able to be in a comfortable environment).

HOWEVER, I was just curious as to what the crowds will be like. Or what they were like before? I don't want their first trip (and my first trip with my bf) to be a standing in line-fest.
Thoughts??

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Actually, we don't find the crowds to be too high. We enjoy many of the attractions as near walk ons at the MK.

For the other parks, it's the same. The atmosphere is the thing. It's great to have other gay folk "out" in the red or other identifiable clothing.

It's not like we all aren't always there, it's just a really nice time when we can all recognize one another and not have to rely on gaydar.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I agree with the above post.

It's not really about the rides or shows, although they are fun, and manageable.

It's all about the atmosphere. Like no other day!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I can't wait!!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

There are a couple of attractions that will fill up (Peter Pan and Country Bear Jamboree for 2), but in general the lines are much lower than they would be mid-summer.

 

[rpmdfw]

Actually, we don't find the crowds to be too high. We enjoy many of the attractions as near walk ons at the MK.

For the other parks, it's the same. The atmosphere is the thing. It's great to have other gay folk "out" in the red or other identifiable clothing.

It's not like we all aren't always there, it's just a really nice time when we can all recognize one another and not have to rely on gaydar.

Ditto!

It's the most amazing time to be at WDW!

 

[SandrA9810]

Crowds are very easy to manage. The 1pm Bear's show fills up fast. Last year there was a sea of red in the middle of Frontierland. It took 6 shows or more to get through every one. And don't worry, Kari make's sure it's a good time. And last year big gay Jon did 4 of the shows. Considering the show is 18 mins long from load to unload time... it took well almost 2 hrs to get through every one, but the line at Thunder was like 20-30 mins long.

Peter Pan... there isn't a day in the whole year there isn't at least some sort of line for that ride. During the summer it'll top 90+ mins.

 

[niceguy27834]

My partner (of 5 years) and I will be visiting for our 3rd gay days in 2010. The lines have not been huge in my opinion. There are some that you have to wait for, but overall tolerable. My favorite part is that we can walk through each of the parks holding hands without someone shouting obscenities.

 

[Travito]

My partner (of 5 years) and I will be visiting for our 3rd gay days in 2010. The lines have not been huge in my opinion. There are some that you have to wait for, but overall tolerable. My favorite part is that we can walk through each of the parks holding hands without someone shouting obscenities.

So amazing to hear. When you live in Kentucky its hard to imagine that is possible anywhere outside of a gay bar.

I think after discussing it with the boyfriend and our two lesbian friends, we are going to look at June 3-10 that way we're at least there for most of it.

 

[TummyGummi]

My partner (of 5 years) and I will be visiting for our 3rd gay days in 2010. The lines have not been huge in my opinion. There are some that you have to wait for, but overall tolerable. My favorite part is that we can walk through each of the parks holding hands without someone shouting obscenities.

My partner and I didn't hold hands at gay days as much as we do on a regular day at WDW, mostly because we're to busy hugging everyone we haven't seen in a while.

 

[jiminy.cricket]

So amazing to hear. When you live in Kentucky its hard to imagine that is possible anywhere outside of a gay bar.

Haha--or when you grow up in the mountains of Kentucky, where no one has heard of gay bars. Beyond stoked for my first Gay Days trip evarrrrr!!!

 

[AKL Ranger]

Of course I expect most everyone's opinion will be biased, having been to a Gay Days in the past, but I need some advice:

I am currently planning a trip for WDW in 2010. It will be my fourth Disney venture, but my boyfriend's first and our two lesbian friends first as well.
Originally, I was set on attending during Gay Days, simply because I think it would be fantastic (and our two lesbian friends just recently came out, so it will be even better for them to be able to be in a comfortable environment).

HOWEVER, I was just curious as to what the crowds will be like. Or what they were like before? I don't want their first trip (and my first trip with my bf) to be a standing in line-fest.
Thoughts??

I will say in earlier years people were much more OUTgoing and friendly. In recent years Gay Days did not feel like the big happy family, some would say it even can be a bit cliquish. In years past people would wave to each other, strike up conversations. I miss that.
I am all for creating "Aggressively Friendly" moments. If you are planning on attending and you are in your own group. Remember, smile and share the Joy of Disney with your Gay brethren.

 

[december]

Crowds are very easy to manage. The 1pm Bear's show fills up fast. Last year there was a sea of red in the middle of Frontierland. It took 6 shows or more to get through every one. And don't worry, Kari make's sure it's a good time. And last year big gay Jon did 4 of the shows. Considering the show is 18 mins long from load to unload time... it took well almost 2 hrs to get through every one, but the line at Thunder was like 20-30 mins long.

Peter Pan... there isn't a day in the whole year there isn't at least some sort of line for that ride. During the summer it'll top 90+ mins.

Is there a significance to the 1pm Bears show? Or is that just a popular time no matter what? Big Gay Jon??????

Sorry to hijack, but I'm going May 31-June 7 with my ds12, dd10, and dd1, and my baby sister and her ds7. My kids and are are pretty open minded. My sister is pretty uptight. I let slip the other day that we are going during Gay Days, and she freaked. (Almost as bad as she freaked when her 7 yr old walked in on me nursing the baby, completely covered mind you, and when he asked what I was doing I told him I was feeding my baby in a special way....she acted like I had shown him porn). The only day we'll be in the designated park is that Sat at MK. I just told her not to wear red and not to be offended if we were mistaken for a couple. I would hate to take her into a designated event, though! (even though it could be kind of fun......)

I'm very happy to hear that you all think the crowds aren't too bad. That is what I've read in other places as well.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

She might do well with attending the CBJ at 1:00 then. You'll never see that show in the same way again, if you do!

 

[december]

Very tempting, but I need to hear more......

 

[OrlandoMike]

Very tempting, but I need to hear more......

It's no big deal really...

In the gay community a bear is a bigger usually hairy guy. One year the "bears" decided to all meet at the CBJ at 1:00, and the rest as they say is history. It has grown so large now it takes about three shows to get all of the bears through the show.

 

[wallyb]

It's no big deal really...

In the gay community a bear is a bigger usually hairy guy. One year the "bears" decided to all meet at the CBJ at 1:00, and the rest as they say is history. It has grown so large now it takes about three shows to get all of the bears through the show.

The bears have grown larger ... the show has grown larger ...
the event has grown larger ... or all 3?

 

[OrlandoMike]

The bears have grown larger ... the show has grown larger ...
the event has grown larger ... or all 3?

All I'm saying is they double the staff on that Turkey Leg cart that day!

 

[rpmdfw]

It's no big deal really...

In the gay community a bear is a bigger usually hairy guy. One year the "bears" decided to all meet at the CBJ at 1:00, and the rest as they say is history. It has grown so large now it takes about three shows to get all of the bears through the show.

And it's so funny to go watch all the big burly guys sing along with the cute little girl bear animatronics as they sing "All the guys who turn me on turn me down"

 

[december]

OMG-I so want to check this out now, but she will seriously freak out.......I have to add this to my stash of info and figure out what to do with it later.....

Any other unofficial events I should know about?