Gay Days Weekend--Recommended for younger child???

[beachdreamr1229]

As others have said, if your concern is crowds, it will be packed. We went last year. It was a very crowded weekend.

In terms of seeing anything inappropriate? I guess that depends on if two people of the same gender identification being in love offends you or not. Personally, I took all 3 of my kids last year (ages 5 and 1 1/2) to celebrate Gay Days with their very happily married grandmothers. I did not feel that there was anything there that would be inappropriate or offensive.

My oldest son (now 6, then 5) actually loved it. He has a rainbow Mickey cup he got and it's his favorite thing in the world.

 

[grnflash]

I didn't see anything regarding fear in your OP, even though some of the responses seem to reflect that. ...

I'm not sure fear is the right word regarding the OP's post but the responses referenced have been born because of the thread title - "Gay Days Weekend - - Recommended for younger child???"

"How packed is Gay Days Weekend?" - that's a thread title expessing concern about crowd levels. Instead the concern was about the young child. Then the post starts off with "I hope I don't start some sort of controversy..." That right there speaks to the primary concern - cause asking about crowd levels certainly doesn't raise the spectre of controversy. The OP further references looking for Google images (of Gay Days) - cause that's how anyone ever researches crowd levels? Uh uh.

I think there are a lot of people out there that are good and kind people that none-the-less buy into the flamboyant gay stereotype, hence such questions. And replies.

 

[Geemo]

We have gone the past few years during Gay Days. That time of October works with my families schedules.
I will be there again this year with my three oldest grandkids (DGD-19, DGS-22 and DGD-23).
We expect the weekend to be VERY busy, with the crowds slowing down when the weekdays arrive.

Knowing what to expect ahead of time allows for planning not only for GD but anytime you go to the parks.

Have fun! I know I'll be having a BLAST.

Geemo

 

[Kindermouse]

I don't understand why this is so sad. Lots of people stay away from the parks on grad nights. Does that mean they hate teenagers? No, they just want to avoid a particular type of obnoxious behavior that is more prominent among teen agers, and more exaggerated with large numbers of teenagers. If you've ever been to San Francisco during the gay pride parade, then you would understand why the parent is concerned. There are obnoxious people in every group, and there have been reports of the obnoxious ones on gay days, as well as with other groups. The question was not meant to malign, just understand the atmosphere.

My son is a part of his schools GSA (gay straight alliance) and I assure you I would not take him to the SF pride parade but I dont hesitate to bring him to Disney during Gay Days. SF Pride weekend is not family friendly. But neither was the recent "Go ?Topless Day", or the Bay-To-Breakers race where a lot of people of all persuasions choose to run the race au naturel.

I think this question has 2 parts-1. Is it a family friendly event and 2. Does the event make the parks crowded? The answer to both is yes (though I have heard many people say that they don't feel like they see big rise in crowds I can tell from Gay Days attendance number that there is a large amount of additional people drawn to the parks for the event.

 

[bcla]

Pride is very different then gay days though. Gay days happens with in the confides of a family friendly park.

If crowds were the issue that is completely different. I don't agree with sterotyping grad nights or gay days. Not all teenagers are rowdy and disrespectful and not all gays are obnoxious. If that is what you are genuinely worried about it is an issue you could have any day grad night, gay days, or neither.

There are participants in Pride parades who are fully looking to shock and offend. Not everybody, but certainly a segment. Even with that knowledge, it doesn't stop families with kids from attending.

Now I do remember being in San Francisco with my kid when participants from the Folsom Street Fair were filtering through the neighborhood. That can be something a little hard to explain.

I have no problem with the former since my kid's schools have had many two dad or two mom families. But leather thongs and Whips/chains are a completely different matter.

 

[wilkeliza]

There are participants in Pride parades who are fully looking to shock and offend. Not everybody, but certainly a segment. Even with that knowledge, it doesn't stop families with kids from attending.

Now I do remember being in San Francisco with my kid when participants from the Folsom Street Fair were filtering through the neighborhood. That can be something a little hard to explain.

I have no problem with the former since my kid's schools have had many two dad or two mom families. But leather thongs and Whips/chains are a completely different matter.

That is why I said Pride is different. I go to NYC Pride every year so trust me I've seen it all. I've also gone to Pride parties with my LGBT friends and seen how little some can wear. With that said I would never compair Pride to Disneyland and you wouldn't someone just in chaps wearing only a thong at DL. Maybe at one of the private ticketed events but not out in the parks or Downtowns Disney.

 

[LWcalif]

My question is regarding crowds. We will be there with two 4 yr. olds & doing the kiddie rides and shows at both parks. We are staying at DGC for the close proximity in case we need to break for naps. We are arriving on that Wed., (doing MHP that night) and departing on Sun. So, we will have 3 full days with park hoppers.

For those of you who have been there in the past, how much more crowded is it? I checked the Gay Days schedule and there is a full day of events planned for Sat. at DL. Sat. is also EMH at DL. Would we be better off going to DL early on Sat. & hit Fantasy Land then Toon Town? Or avoid DL that day & go to DCA?

Our goal is to do as many rides as we can in the mornings, break for lunch and then go to shows, or back to the hotel pool. And then back to the parks for a bit after dinner.

 

[gsp4ever]

Thank you, all of you, for your insights and tips--from LOTS of different perspectives. Sometimes it's difficult to word things in a manner that will please everyone. We are looking forward to our trip. Haven't been to DLR at Halloween since 2013.

 

[tarheelalum]

I went to gay days a few years ago and I honestly did not even know it was some special event until I ran into my niece who was there with her girlfriend and she told me it was gay days. Your kids will not even know unless you bring it up to them.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We are staying at DGC for the close proximity in case we need to break for naps. We are arriving on that Wed., (doing MHP that night) and departing on Sun. So, we will have 3 full days with park hoppers.

We are also staying at GCH and attending MHP on Wednesday. You are very wise attending the Wednesday party, since the Friday party is more crowded. We have attended 2 parties several times, but this year we will skip Friday.

...For those of you who have been there in the past, how much more crowded is it? I checked the Gay Days schedule and there is a full day of events planned for Sat. at DL. Sat. is also EMH at DL. Would we be better off going to DL early on Sat. & hit Fantasy Land then Toon Town? Or avoid DL that day & go to DCA?

The Saturday EMH will still be very helpful. By the afternoon, DL will be packed.