gay days......

[BrerMama]

Mama Twinkles, thanks so much for your intelligent, rational post on this subject.

To answer Nosybuddy's question, Disney does not plan anything for Gay Days. Gay Days is independently organized by what I assume is a gay/lesbian organization (actually I believe it's 2 different organizations). They designate a park for each day of the celebration, but the Disney company has nothing to do with this. It would be similiar to a Single Parent organization saying "Let's all go to Orlando at the same time. We'll go to these parks on these days and everyone wear a green shirt so we can recognize you."

 

[drusba]

Go here to see their 2004 schedule:

http://www.gayday.com/otherevents/..\schedule\default.asp?gi=110

If you want to avoid most of the gay crowd follow a park schedule that is different from theirs. If you want to join the crowd go with the schedule. As to whether you will feel uneasy if you are not gay, it depends on you. If you are from a large city with a significant gay population (like we are) you hardly notice anything. If you are from nothern North Dakota and listen to Russ Limbaugh religiously, you may have a different reaction.

 

[snyderla]

IMHO, this is just another "what should I expect" question, like all the others on these boards. Is this event like Mardi Gras or Fantasy Fest, or is it more like a family reunion? I've heard "Night Of Joy" at the MK is one of the wildest nights there. I will avoid it because I don't want to see a bunch of wild teenagers misbehaving! I can see that at home, thank you! I have friends and family who are gay and who are not. Depending on the event they are attending, some of my friends and family will be a little crazy or a lot crazy. (there is no "not crazy" when discussing my friends and family!LOL) People are people and events sometimes take on a life of their own!
No one is trying to offend anyone here...I didn't know what to expect at the parks during the summer until I'd been there. Sure didn't think I'd see some of the things I did. And now I know.

I know this is a sensitive subject sometimes for some people, I think the original poster had a question that was reasonable. We all want to know what to expect at WDW!

Lori

 

[pnelson]

Personally, I would rather be at Gay Days with my child then be there when the Pop Warner cheerleaders are around. I've never seen a group act worse than those cheerleaders. I've even said to my child "There is an example of how not to act!" There parents didn't raise them right! My entire opinion, however, is that WDW is a much more enjoyable place when it is not overly crowded and for that reason, we try and avoid special events to begin with.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I worked Rock n Roller Coaster during the One mighty Party in 2001 and enjoyed it much better than the drunk conventions we've had ( ya know corps that rent out coaster and tower and have a free bar) Most people were very well behaved, and only a few were over the top-

Disney does try to give those that are uncomfortable, jobs that are not as guest oriented and those that want it the jobs like the preshows etc that are in a dark room- Even on a normal day its amazing what ya can see there-

-em

 

[DisneyVillain]

We were there again during that time last year. I don't even recommend avoiding the park they are going to be visiting, except for the MK on Saturday. I think that there are just as many people avoiding those parks because of the gays, as there are gays visiting, and we didn't see any inappropriate behavior from the gay couples there.

One thing we did notice this time, was that gays also get tired of the huge crowds at MK that Saturday. We were at Epcot, and beginning in mid-afternoon, we saw more and more groups of proudly (and sometimes loudly), gay men and women who had abandoned the MK because of the crowds. (No big deal. We still won't avoid Epcot that day.)

I do have a funny family story related to Gay Day. We were on the boat from the Epcot resorts to the Disney/MGM studios on the Monday before Gay Day 2003. The boat captain announced that everyone should arrange a time and place to meet, should you become separated. Without hesitation, my 17 yo son turned to his 13 yo brother and said "Cinderella's castle, Saturday noon. Wear a red shirt."

 

[DizBelle]

As with any group that shares similar interests, some tend to go to extremes when they get together.

Heck, if I wore my leopard print mouse ears and the lanyard with blinking pins on it (like I wear all over the place at WDW) to my local mall, I imagine that I would get some looks. But when with a large group that shares similar interests (like EVERYONE that spends $ and time at WDW), my mouse ears and blinking pins aren't strange at all. This is where I feel I can let my "Disney-ness" show.

I was just wondering if there were any participants in Gay Days that exhibited extreme behavior during this time when the group gets together to express themselves the same way I express my "Disney-ness" as soon as I get to WDW.

 

[momoftwins98]

"If you end up on Small World or something like that with a bunch of "red-shirts," you'll probably have to endure them all singing along for the whole ride, and like any large group (family reunion, cheerleaders, etc), there will be lots of squealing and hugging and all of that as they see each other from opposite ends of the parks!"


My girls love It's a Small World, they would get such a kick out of everyone singing. If only that would happen!

 

[garylpn]

my only experience with gay days was sat,mk during 96 visit, it did seem to bump up the crowds more, i understand gay wek has gotten a lot larger and more organized since then
pleasure island was a little over the top that night, but in a humerous kind of way, lots of interesting dresses /tutus etcetera being worn
that was the year that many participants were wearing the red shirts with the slogan " a day of magic, a night of pleasure"
no different from any other large crowd
gary

 

[CanadaPT]

... and will avoid MK on Saturday simply because of crowds as well. Any event that draws big numbers is going to get in the way of our detailed planning!! I don't expect Gay days to be any different than any other special event.

 

[Baloo]

My family was there in 2002 and didn't even realize Gay Days were going on until we got back and I read it here on the DIS! We noticed the weekend got more crowded at Epcot and MGM.We never go to the MK on a Sat. anyway so we were unaware!

 

[Grumpy37]

Originally posted by drusba
If you are from nothern North Dakota and listen to Russ Limbaugh religiously, you may have a different reaction.

Yup, us dumb bumpkins from the midwest are all one big prejudiced mob.

But you sophisticated folk from the big city are all open minded and tolerant and would never prejudge any group of people based on where they live, etc. Oh, wait, except when you prejudge US dumb country bumpkins, then its OK.

 

[Baloo]

Okay folks a friendly reminder of Board Guidlines,that pertain to this particular thread, before this topic goes waaaaaaaay off topic and has to be locked.C'mon lets play nice this is a trip planning board not a debate board!

The purpose of these boards is to give the fans and visitors of Walt Disney World an opportunity to share their experiences with one another. This is to be a fun and enjoyable exchange. The boards are open to anyone who happens to find their way here.
There are a few limits on what may be posted. They are listed below:


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[Valentine]

All I have to say is WOW!! It is such a pleasure to read Adult responses... Thank you to everyone here who responded in a positive and nonchalant manner... This is why I love the DisBoards!! This topic could be a sensitive issue.. and I have to say that this thread is the first that I have read with such a positive twist!!! Thank you all!! Sorry if I am off topic.. but I had to say thanks!! and to be On Topic.. the Gay Days is just like all have said here.. no different than any other disney day.. just avoid the Magic Kingdom on Saturday... unless you are gay.. then wear red.. and be there with everyone else!! I wish I could be there.. but I never seem to be able to get the time off that week!! Rats!!

Thanks again...

Kathy