Gay days rate question...

[nottellin']

Hi all! We are planning to go to Gay Days this year o support my brother. But saw on another post that the rate isn't for supporters this year.

I guess I have a few questions. We were planning on doing the family lunch at the Plazza inn on Saturday and the big picture at 2 pm. Because we aren't signing up for any of the parties (we have kids, so they are all no gos) do we even qualify?

Is that rate only for the people who are going to the parties?

TIA for any insight you can offer.

 

[Geemo]

The following is a link to the reservation page for Disney rooms there is a phone number. Along with a little of their info.

You might want to call and explain your situation and see if you qualify.

Good luck
geemo

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=10345192
This site has been created for the special contracted group whose name is noted above. Only guests that are participating in this Special Event or convention are eligible to use this site in order to get access to the pre-blocked rooms and/or Theme Park Tickets at the special contracted rate. Your reservation and ticket order will be audited against the Special Event registration list and should it be necessary we reserve the right to contact you to request proof of registration. If it is discovered that the reservation and/or ticket order is not for a Special Event or convention participant, the reservations and/or ticket order will be cancelled, the tickets blocked (if applicable), and any deposit or payment will not be eligible for a refund. In addition these tickets cannot be purchased for the purpose of or with the intention of being resold. In addition reservations for this event MUST include a stay on one of the following nights, October 3, October 4, or October 5. You will be contacted to verify your reservation if these nights are not included.
Housing/Reservations Contact:
Phone: 714-520-5005

 

[Nonsuch]

Hi all! We are planning to go to Gay Days this year o support my brother. But saw on another post that the rate isn't for supporters this year.

I think you should qualify, since you plan to participate in the "big picture". The paid events are very small, only involving a few hundred, compared to the thousands of red shirts in the park

You might want to call and explain your situation and see if you qualify

OP will need to call, since there is very little availability remaining online. Last year, friends booked on the phone after rooms were "sold out" online.

 

[nottellin']

Thanks! We do already have our room booked and I just assumed because we were participating that it would be ok. I will call on Monday to make sure. I just kind of panicked after reading supporters are not eligible.

 

[Tinker1972]

We are in the same situation as you. We are attending Gay Days in support of my brother in law, and also my husbands best friend. I was worried about booking the Gay Days rate so I contacted the Disney group bookings and they were very grateful that I took the time to contact them and ask. I was told as supporters, we absolutely qualify for the Gay Days rate. They put that disclaimer on the website to discourage people who are not part of Gay Days from booking, as has happened alot in the past. My husband is attending the Plunge party with his brother and best friend. The kids and I are obviously not. I had visions if us checking into the GC, only to be told our reservation is not valid, but after contacting Disney, I feel much better! This will be our first time at Gay Days. My BIL has been for the past 5 years and my husbands best friend went for the first time last year. Can't wait til October!

 

[Ingrid0382]

I'm checking the website daily hoping more events to come up. We'll be with the kids that week and even the brunch at Jazz Kitchen is 21+ , there isn't a lot going on for families with young kids. There wasn't anything we could register for that they could match our name up to, you know?

We'll still be there with our red shirts on, participating in all the in-park stuff though

 

[junmatno]

This is another situation of Guest Services giving different information. Their booking site says if you ARE NOT REGISTERED, they are going to contact you. These rates are a huge discount even from our AP rates. Being a supporter is wonderful, but you have to Pay for something to get that VERY low rate. At least register for ONE of the parties.

I registered for the 92.50 package on the Gay Days website because I wanted to make sure I was in the up and up. Even if we don't go to one if the parties I am a PAID REGISTRANT as required. We don't know anyone going, however we absolutely support other lifestyles and their rights being equal to ours.

Taking a picture and going to lunch I don't think qualifies you for a rate and I'm not sure that person gave you the right information. Just be aware because from what I've read, this is the first time they've had that disclaimer on the reservation page. So it's obviously there for a reason.

 

[nottellin']

We are in the same situation as you. We are attending Gay Days in support of my brother in law, and also my husbands best friend. I was worried about booking the Gay Days rate so I contacted the Disney group bookings and they were very grateful that I took the time to contact them and ask. I was told as supporters, we absolutely qualify for the Gay Days rate. They put that disclaimer on the website to discourage people who are not part of Gay Days from booking, as has happened alot in the past. My husband is attending the Plunge party with his brother and best friend. The kids and I are obviously not. I had visions if us checking into the GC, only to be told our reservation is not valid, but after contacting Disney, I feel much better! This will be our first time at Gay Days. My BIL has been for the past 5 years and my husbands best friend went for the first time last year. Can't wait til October!

I have the same visions. I wonder if we should do something similar and maybe I will go to one of the paid events with my brother. I actually had not really thought about that.

I do wish that they had a few more family friendly events.

 

[philliplc]

You have to "register" (easily done) on the Gay Days site to be able to view the discount room/ticket pages now. I doubt Disney would make it a requirement to purchase tickets to one or more of the Gay Days pay events to qualify for the Disney discounts. If they do any cross-checking it will probably be emails/addresses against those registered at the Gay Days site.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm checking the website daily hoping more events to come up. We'll be with the kids that week and even the brunch at Jazz Kitchen is 21+ , there isn't a lot going on for families with young kids. There wasn't anything we could register for that they could match our name up to, you know?

We'll still be there with our red shirts on, participating in all the in-park stuff though

I bet there are a lot of people who will be participating in BEING in the parks with red shirts, etc, who aren't signed up for a paid thing. I know if my BIL and his partner went, they wouldn't have the money to go to the paid events, nor would they be their "scene". But they'd still be there, participating in the unpaid things.

 

[junmatno]

You have to "register" (easily done) on the Gay Days site to be able to view the discount room/ticket pages now. I doubt Disney would make it a requirement to purchase tickets to one or more of the Gay Days pay events to qualify for the Disney discounts. If they do any cross-checking it will probably be emails/addresses against those registered at the Gay Days site.

Actually you don't have to register for anything to get to the rates page. And if you do now, you didn't a month ago. Also, the disclaimer says that you have to be attending the event or convention, which means paying to attend the special events. If you really think Disney is just going to look at emails on that site, I don't think so. They want to make sure that people saving at least $100 bucks a night are saving it because they are participating in the convention. In order to participate fully you have to pay something. Amazing that people don't want to pay a little extra when the average savings is $100 bucks a night for PP.

 

[Nonsuch]

...In order to participate fully you have to pay something. Amazing that people don't want to pay a little extra when the average savings is $100 bucks a night for PP.

I am concerned than anyone is buying tickets for events they do not plan to attend. The paid Gay Days events are small and generally sell out, so this could prevent someone else from enjoying a special event.

 

[junmatno]

I am concerned than anyone is buying tickets for events they do not plan to attend. The paid Gay Days events are small and generally sell out, so this could prevent someone else from enjoying a special event.

But wouldn't you agree that if they aren't registered to attend anything at all that they should not be entitled to a lower rate? That's why they block the rooms right?

I guess my point is that people that aren't registered run a HUGE risk of DL doing their jobs and contacting them. They would lose their deposits and their room. And hotel rates that weekend are very high.

 

[Ingrid0382]

I am concerned than anyone is buying tickets for events they do not plan to attend. The paid Gay Days events are small and generally sell out, so this could prevent someone else from enjoying a special event.

And this is why I hesitated to buy the VIP pass. I have no problem doing so if it somehow "proves" I'm there as a participant, but a.) I have children and can't attend any of the activities the VIP passes include and b.) it doesn't seem fair to buy a pass that I'm not going to be able to use and deprive someone who CAN of the option to purchase it.

We've purchased the shirts and pins and I'm offering to volunteer. Other than that, I have no idea how to show I'm a participant. I'm hoping more events and ticket sales will be announced in the coming weeks. I'm obviously getting a great rate on our room and I certainly want to support this event in any way possible besides going under the premise that I'm just there to be in support of the cause.

 

[philliplc]

Actually you don't have to register for anything to get to the rates page. And if you do now, you didn't a month ago.

you do now. this changed just within the last day or two.

Also, the disclaimer says that you have to be attending the event or convention, which means paying to attend the special events.

I'm not advocating anything in particular, but obviously many if not most genuine convention goers do not attend the pay events.

 

[Nonsuch]

But wouldn't you agree that if they aren't registered to attend anything at all that they should not be entitled to a lower rate? That's why they block the rooms right?

No, I would not agree.
The largest events are the photo meets, and no registration is required.

In my opinion (not in any way official), you just need to come to the parks to share the Gay Days love

 

[Nonsuch]

I contacted Gay Days organizers for an official response.

My email to gaydaysinfo@gaydaysanaheim.com:

Hi Day Days Organizers:

I have been reading a thread on the DIS Discussion Forums that some people feel they must buy Gay Days event tickets (without planning to attend the event) to qualify for the discounted Gay Days hotel rates. It is my understanding that these events generally sell out, so these type of purchases may prevent someone else from attending a special event.

An example post:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49095560&postcount=7

Full thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3147862

It would be helpful to have an official Gay Days response to the discussion.

It is great that people want to support Gay Days, but it seems buying tickets might not be a good way to do that.

Thanks
Nonsuch

Response from Gay Days Anaheim (posted with permission):

You are right, Nonsuch, there seems to be a lot of information and
mis-information out there.

This is the reality: The discounted rates available for Gay Days Anaheim
have been abused by people who take advantage of the rates but have no
interest in being a part of Gay Days Anaheim. In an effort to curb this
abuse, Disney has asked us to do what we can to insure that guests who are
booking are indeed Gay Days Anaheim guests. We therefore have created
the registration system, which Disney will cross-check with the
reservations.

We do not define Gay Days Anaheim guests as only those who have paid for
separate Gay Days events. We do, however, define Gay Days guests as those
who are in the park because it is Gay Days. So all of the people who are
going, wearing red, there to support absolutely qualify, regardless of
their sexuality and regardless of their desire to attend the parties.
Certainly friends and family of gay people who are attending Gay Days
fall into this category, too. The people who would not qualify are those
that have no intention of participating in anything related to Gay Days,
but are seeking a discount.

Does that help clarify?

Sincerely,

Eddie Shapiro
Producer, Gay Days Anaheim

I asked a followup question:

The registration system (on gaydaysanaheim.com) is new, should guests that already have hotel reservations register now?
Several friends booked months ago, so I want to make sure they register (if needed).

Followup response from Gay Days Anaheim:

...As for people registering who have already booked, it is not necessary
because Disney realizes that we had booking before we had this system in
place. But it also couldn't hurt.

 

[sage210]

The reservation blurb from Disney is their canned text for any conference. I've seen it for the software conference happening earlier that week.

I talked to a reservation cast member months ago and he said sometimes the conference hosts will check their rosters to compare, but not always. It's really up to them.

The software conference has an easy way to check; all their attendees have to register for the conference. I would guess Gay Days doesn't have it that easy.

But maybe as long as the paid events are selling out, the park is full of red, and all the people who are or support gay people have a great time, the amount they're spending to comp the rooms no matter who is in them is worth it.

 

[nottellin']

No, I would not agree.
The largest events are the photo meets, and no registration is required.

In my opinion (not in any way official), you just need to come to the parks to share the Gay Days love

I tried to quote your email to Gay Days and their response but my iPad wouldn't let me. But thank you for emailing. I was also concerned that if we bought tickets to something that someone else would not be able to attend.

We booked our hotel before registration was needed but I went to the Gay Days site and registered anyway.

So Thank you again for contacting Gay Days directly

 

[Chachi]

I am coming and not staying on property. I have a handful of local friends there that will all be going to the evening events and we purchased VIP PASSES. I think the event attracts a lot of locals who would not take advantage of the special room rates which balances out others being able to use them. I personally don't have an issue with it. And feel every person participating in any way adds to the success of Gay Days.