Gay Days?!

[TIMLEO007]

HI,

Not being anti-gay, but has anyone been to WDW during GAY-DAYS, the first week in June? I am scared and cannot change my travel dates again. Please tell me #1 it isnt as crowded as i think it will be, and #2 its not as bad as i am imagining.


thanks,
timleo007

 

[Pat_Elliott]

TIMLEO007

There are about six threads in the last two weeks addressing this issue. As someone who's about to be in Disney for their sixth Gay Days, the simple answer:

#1 Yes it is as crowded as you've heard, but easy to avoid. Number one, stay the heck away from MK on Saturday the 7th. I'm part of a legion that says stay away from MK any Saturday, but this is one Saturday night even the diehards want to avoid. I've heard figures of up to 100,000. Disney doesn't release figures, and that sounds a little high to me, but even if it's an exaggeration, someone must have been impressed to pull that number out of a hat. And maybe it's accurate. Point being, it's crowded.

#2 iS Is it that bad? That question alone can cause a debate a mile long, let's hope it doesn't happen again. Simple answer: First, even the most homophobic person on earth would find that the their greatest fears are way overstated. The attendees, for the most part, are no worse than young heterosexual couples, and probably better. I find any display of public affection that goes on more than ten seconds absurd. You're as likely to see it the following Saturday as you are Saturday the 7th.

But there's an easy solution to all this. Go to www.gayday.com. They have their schedule. They are kind enough to let you know their every step. Personally, what I'll avoid is MK on Saturday, and probably PI on Saturday night. And it's because of crowds. No male has ever propositioned me during Gay Days, and the only couple I ever saw half naked in the bushes at Disney was a young boy and girl at AK.

Hope that helps. This is obviously a question that makes folks tense with each other. I don't think there's anything out of hand with Gay Days. But to those that may have a problem with it, look at the schedule!

Pat

 

[Deb & Bill]

We try to go in early June since that is when school gets out and we are usually dying to go. We went a few years ago and arrived on Friday night. We were staying offsite at the Wyndham Palace near DTD. The only, and I repeat only, problems we had were the crowds of people trying to get to the private party at Typhoon Lagoon that evening. No other problems at all. We drove that way once that night then took the road past OKW to get back to the hotel.

 

[tar heel]

This will be my family's (mom, dad, three sons) fourth visit during Gay Days. I'm so unconcerned about it that I'm not even using the Gay Days schedule in my park planning except for not doing MK on Saturday. I agree with Pat_Elliott except I would add that I dont think even MK is that much more crowded than usual by late in the day. There are evening parties elsewhere that will draw away some of the crowd. One year, my middle son and I rode the monorail over after dinner at Epcot and stayed until closing -- I think we got there about 9 and it closed at 11 -- and we did Splash Mountain consecutive times without getting off b/c there was no line.

Two years we actually went to MK on Saturday b/c in 1999 Pooh was opening that day and in 2001 Buzz Lightyear had been closed all week and was reopening that day. We left mid-day, and it was very crowded by then.

 

[stlrod]

TIMLEO007, being scared or apprehensive is natural. I am sure that there will be a few gays present who will be nervous about how they might be perceived by some of the traditional families present (for some of them, it might be one of their first experiences in "coming out.") As with any big event at Disney, know where the crowds (whether cheerleaders, church groups or gays) are going to be and avoid the crowds. I'm not sure what you're imagining, but if you are concerned about children, try imagining this. If they see two men or women holding hands, hugging or even gently and quickly kissing, it will be an opportunity for you to impart to them your own message of acceptance in an environment conducive to that type of discussion. If you see more flagrant displays of public affection (which appear to be remote from other posts I have read), it will be an opportunity for you to explain the inappropriateness of the behavior regardless of the sex of the people involved. Most importantly, relax and have a great time.

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by TIMLEO007
Not being anti-gay, but has anyone been to WDW during GAY-DAYS, the first week in June? I am scared and cannot change my travel dates again. Please tell me #1 it isnt as crowded as i think it will be, and #2 its not as bad as i am imagining.

As long as you are not among those who are offended just by the thought of being in line with gays, it won't be a problem.

Avoid the MK on Saturday, and PI on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and you may not even notice they are there.

 

[nativetxn]

Hi TIMLEO007! Welcome to the DIS, I'm really glad you found us.

I was there last year during that week and the worst problem I found was a huge crowd at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday. There is <i>always</i> a huge crowd at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday, I don't know what I was thinking to go over there on a Saturday. I simply hopped on the monorail and went to EPCOT instead.

Pat_Elliott posted a link to the website for that event on this thread. Go to that site and note which days are the "official" days at which park.

Then, simply avoid those parks on those days. That is what I would do. Not because there is likely to be objectionable public displays of affection, but because heavy crowds drive me mad. I try to avoid heavy crowds

June crowds tend to be moderately heavy at WDW because school is no longer in session over most of the country. Magic Kingdom is notoriously crowded every Saturday. Add the crowd from a huge and popular convention and you get <b>lots of people</b>. I think you will be fine if you look at the calendar for this event and plan your park days, accordingly.

Don't worry so much. With careful planning and using fast pass, you are going to avoid spending a lot of time in line and make the most of your time at WDW. You're going to have a ball.

While you are there try to relax and let the magic find you, it's so much fun when it does and that's what the DIS is all about-- opening yourself up to the magic by planning carefully.

Enjoy planning your trip. This convention is not bad and not nearly as bad as you imagine. Go and have fun

Katholyn

 

[December99]

Just an fyi that the link didn't work as written.... it's actually got an 's' at the end of days....

www.gaydays.com

I was looking some info up for a friend visiting at that time. Thanks for that link.

 

[TreeOfLife]

What, nobody knew every day is a gay day at the parks?

They are all over and many sat next to you in the monorails, restaurants and rides. And you survived, so what is the big deal?

 

[*Fantasia*]

just curious, how long are they there for? is it just for a week? we will be there in June 10...will they still be there?

 

[Sugardimples]

"They" are always there, every single day of every single year in every single park and restaurant. And "they'll" be there as long as the parks are in operation.

That said, however, the GayDays celebration is a weekend event, with activities scheduled from June 5 til June 8.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
just curious, how long are they there for? is it just for a week? we will be there in June 10...will they still be there?

I will still be there June 10 I'll be there in Mid-December, too. In fact, I'll bet "they" will be there whenever you are there.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I am not an anti-gay. I was just wondering if I will be facing more crowds during our stay or not. I just wanted to know so I can plan things around...or whatever I can do to to avoid more crowds. It is only going to be me and my two young children.

 

[Chuck S]

Scheduled "events" run Thursday June 5 to Sunday June 8. But, don't count on light crowds for Mid-June. I'm sure there is always some sort of large convention/gathering at WDW - whether it is publically announced or not.

 

[mystic_storm]

I am one who is not affraid to say I HATE HOMOSEXUALITY!!!!! Where did we as a society declare that disliking gay behavior is the same as racism. IT IS NOT!!!!! If one is Jewish, Christian or any other religion, he or she would know that homosexuality is WRONG!!!!!!!!


Part of WDW is the atmostphere. Watching homosexuals in every corner destroys that atmostphere. Before you bash me for making this post, ask yourself, would Walt Disney want his parks filled with gay behavior.

 

[photobob]

I've been twice during that time and checked their schedule before hand and it wasn't a factor during our stay. But do stay away from MK on Sat june 7. In the past Disney has had EE days at all parks on that day to encourage folks to go to other parks...

 

[PrincessAurora]

OK mystic_storm - here it goes.

No one said that "disliking gay behavior is the same as racism" but it is ignorant. Are you going to hate me for being a red-head, because that was the way I was born?

I don't know about your God, but my God loves ALL of his creatures. Gay people are also made in the image of the divine and who are you to question that? Are you a God? Are you perfect?

Would Walt want gays in his park? Well since he's dead and I can't ask him directly - I think that is a bit mute. I DO think that he would be INCREDIBLY proud of one of the best men EVER to grace Disney Studios, without whose talent we would not have The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast and Aladdin. I speak of the late Howard Ashman (God rest his beautiful soul). His lover stood PROUDLY at the Academy Awards to accept Howards oscar along with Alan Menkin. That was his place and I think Walt would have been very proud of Howards wonderful work!

How can you live with yourself, having so much hate in your soul, just because two people with the same genitalia LOVE each other? I don't hate you. I truly pity you.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Watching homosexuals in every corner destroys that atmostphere. Before you bash me for making this post, ask yourself, would Walt Disney want his parks filled with gay behavior.

"Gay behavior" only matters to the ignorant, illiterate and prejudicial. Racism and bigotry hurts much more.

I am an agnostic, but your "god" created everything as they came out of mama's belly. I teach my children to accept people for being different and not for who they sleep with. In fact, most religious fanatics I've met live double lives and hide how much they like to log on to enjoy pornography online... In secrecy.

And dear, I bet anything that in the last week a gay person rang your groceries, a gay person delivered your mail, a gay person sat next to you and you didn't even notice...

If they are born like that, hunny, it is not a moral issue!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by mystic_storm
I am one who is not affraid to say I HATE HOMOSEXUALITY!!!!!

Well, then you just go ahead and hate it. As long as you don't hate the people involved, then that's fine. I hate war. I also hate reality shows. I hate cauliflower. And I hate heavy metal music. I do not, however, hate the men and women of the military, the people on reality shows, cauliflower farmers, or heavy metal musicians. As long as you can distinguish between hating the practice and hating the people, then you just go ahead and volley your hate wherever it needs to go. We'll just watch.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

To mystic_storm as well as those taking pages of text to disagree:

I often comment on Gay Days because I'm there every year on business and have some experience with being in WDW during the event. And what these boards are about is folks with experience sharing. Personally, I think it no one's business how I feel about homosexuality. I bring to the table what knowledge I have of Gay Days because my fall trips have increased in enjoyment since I took the advice of those who go alot, and I figure the idea is to ask when you don't know, share when you do.

But looking at the OP and the diatribes that have followed, culminating with your own tripe which will serve only to stir other people into a frenzy, there's no purpose to your post. Do you have anything to add to the OP's question, which is what the crowds will be like, or do you just want us to know you're proud of hating homosexuals? I'm not sure if Walt would want his park filled with Gays, but I'm betting he wouldn't want it filled with Gay bashers.

Here's hoping the moderater puts a foot on this thread pronto. This is a subject that always has potential for raw exchanges, but has actually been civil this year. Most posters want to know if there will be big crowds and will it be obvious there's a lot of homsexuals in the parks. The answer to both is yes, and the solution is to get the Gay Day schedule and go to another park.

I don't recall anyone asking who did or didn't hate Gays. Your post was out of line. And for that matter, so are the posts from folks who want to chide people for wanting to know what to expect from Gay Days when they're taking their children to the parks. I've always enjoyed lurking here because of the wonderful exchange of information. I don't see much information here right now.