Gay Week in Orlando??

[kjmc]

Ok, just informed that my plans for Jun 4-8 will be right in the middle of gay week. I have an 11 and 13 y/o that I'm not sure I want exposed to this. Has anyone been during this time before? Any suggestions? I can postpone the trip until end of Sep. Please let me know what you think.

 

[campingcorgi]

As with any large event, if you know their schedule and do something different you will be better off.

Go to gaydays.com to see the schedule.

I go during this time every year and have not found anything to be a problem as long as I don't try to fight the crowds at MK on that Saturday.

Have fun planning!

 

[Aunt K]

We took our 8 year old grand-niece during this week in 2000. We didn't know we were going to be there during gay week until a few days before we left. We were mostly concerned that the crowds would be increased, but it didn't seem to be a problem. Take a look at their park schedule & go to a different park for the day. As for exposing your kids I wouldn't worry. First, there must be gay and lesbian people in the park year round anyway - they don't all wait to go during that one week. Second, we neither saw nor experienced anything during the whole week that caused my niece to ask questions or we felt compelled to explain. Gay and lesbian folks are at WDW for the same reason you are -- to have fun and enjoy the magic. Don't worry. Go and have wonderful time.

 

[Chuck S]

As someone who has been to GayDays for the last several years, my advice is to go and have a great time with your family, avoid the MK on Saturday June 7, it will be crowded. Pleasure Island is not an area I'd consider "kid friendly" after about 8pm, no matter what time of year, nightclubs, drinking and kids don't mix.

If you avoid the "park of the day" you'll probably NOT notice one thing unusual. Even the "designated" parks are generally OK for families with children.

Of course, only you can make these decisions for your children, but I take my 78 year old Mom, who is in a wheelchair, and have yet to see anything I'd consider "over the top".

Remember that many of us will also be traveling with our own parents/children/families and share many or the "public display" values as every parent/family.

Saturday is, of course, the busiest, most crowded day. The other parks, designated or not, have light to medium crowds. Personally, I don't find an "empty" park nearly as enjoyable as a somewhat busy park...guests add to the overall experience.


Schedule is:

Thursday - AK
Friday - Disney/MGM
Saturday - MK
SUnday - EPCOT

 

[nativetxn]

Hi kjmc. Welcome to the DIS, I'm really glad you decided to join us.

Chuck stole my answer, so I thought I would give you a big, happy DIS welcome instead.

If you want to avoid the crowds caused by this event (lots and lots of people at the MK on the first Saturday in June) you can check the official calendar for this event. You will find that calendar right <b>HERE</b>

Enjoy planning your trip here on the DIS, that is half the fun for me

Katholyn

 

[disrailfan]

I have 12 and 15 year old daughters and we went two years ago during this event and it was really not a big deal. My kids at that time were obviously two years younger and did not understand all of that but now understand most of it and don't have a problem with it.

We always go the first week of June and we are there this year from May 31 to June 1.

I would advise staying away from the MK the day that they are there as it does tend to get very crowded.

 

[Ned Land]

Not sure how it is at WDW, but we went to Kings Island during Gay Day in 1994.

We had no idea that this was taking place during our visit, but we quickly found out. The first thing that we noticed was that there were many people who were dressed unusual. We saw people wearing lots of beads and many dressed in leather. We did not think much of it. Later we saw men kissing and people who were half dressed.

We did not like it and complained. We got our money back and left. We read in the paper the next day that several people were asked to leave and one guy was arrested for indecent exposure.

I have not heard that this is typical at Disney, however.

 

[Golter]

Ive also noticed people dressed weird and in leather, but I don't think it had anything to do with sexual orientation. Its just bad style. I cant stand public displays of affection, regardless of who it is. Gays and lesbians are not more likely to do so, it just probably is more noticable because you don't see it everyday.

You probably wont even notice a thing!!

Lets celebrate our differences....

 

[Piglet203]

Hello everyone! Well, last year I was in WDW during the first week of June which is Gay Day time. I honestly can say that I would go again during this time. Yes, there are many people celebrating their sexuality, but there are ways to avoid the festivities. I would go to the website and see what parks are planning events for Gay DAy. For instance, one day my ex and I went to the MK not knowing that many people were meeting there. So, we just ate breakfast and hopped over to another park. It really wasn't that big of a deal. Besides, if you are having fun and keeping busy, you won't even notice. Have a great time!!!!

 

[sha_lyn]

Chuck .. I always enjoy reading your post on this subject. I know in my case, that until recently my only exposure to homosexuals was on TV. I think that "perception" colors what many people expect to happen at Gay Days. Your posts really help convy the fact they you are no different than I am.

BTW the worst/most reveling dreesed people I've seen at WDW always at least appear to be "straight" (ie the girl in a see through dress, hanging all over her boyfriend).
I also don't think I've ever see PDA bwtween a same sex couple in WDW(or anywhere as far as that goes) but I have seen many "straight" couples that needed a bucket of cold water thrown on them.

 

[mulgar]

Hi,
Thought I would pipie in.
As you can see I am from conservative middle america.
My outlook is, and yes we will be honeymooning at the end of gay days.
That pda's are great as long as people don't wonder why you aren't in a room somewhere, that goes for straight and gay couples alike.
We will be very affectionate with each other but I think all the real stuff will happen in private

Thanks for reading

Shawn

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
Chuck .. I always enjoy reading your post on this subject.

Agreed. Thanks, Chuck.

Originally posted by sha_lyn
I know in my case, that until recently my only exposure to homosexuals was on TV.

At least, not that you were aware of, right? We all live around and work with gays everyday even if we are not aware of their orientation.

Originally posted by sha_lyn
I think that "perception" colors what many people expect to happen at Gay Days. Your posts really help convy the fact they you are no different than I am.

So true, many expect to see the parks full of "flaming" gays. They expect to see the female impersonator-types featured on Jerry Springer.

Originally posted by sha_lyn BTW the worst/most reveling dreesed people I've seen at WDW always at least appear to be "straight" (ie the girl in a see through dress, hanging all over her boyfriend).
I also don't think I've ever see PDA bwtween a same sex couple in WDW(or anywhere as far as that goes) but I have seen many "straight" couples that needed a bucket of cold water thrown on them.

Again, very true. I have never been during gay days but have seen some embarrassing PDA (for the record: it was hetereosexual teens) when I was at the parks with my husband and 5 kids.

 

[raidermatt]

We were there last year during this week, and avoided the park of the day to avoid any increased crowd levels and it seemed to work.

The only time we even noticed an indication that gay week was going on was at Epcot on Saturday. We saw a lot of red shirts and more leather than one would expect in June. Clearly some of those at WDW to celebrate gay week had the same desire to avoid the crowds at MK as we did. Nothing inappropriate however, except for one borderline PDA, and a conversation overheard while exiting a restroom. (the conversation was the only thing "inappropriate", no actions). That could happen at anytime I suppose, but this just happened to be the only time any of our group witnessed anything.

If you re-schedule for September, you'll get smaller crowds and shorter hours in general. If that's what you're looking for, then re-schedule...otherwise, I would just schedule around the "park of the day".

 

[ZachnElli]

We will be there the whole week. My concern was the crowds and really I think with Disney it's just MK on that Saturday. Pleasure Island and the water parks have stuff planned too, but it is very late at night. We are planning to hit the parks early in the morning and if they are up all night, I'm sure they will need to sleep in the morning! I do hope there is an extra Spectromagic planned for Sunday night like last year (I looked on an old calendar). I really don't want to have to wade through the crowd on Saturday night, but I will if I have to!

 

[leahannpen]

I've been there during this time and have not had anything bother me. It's just a bit busier.

Wow, so far this thread has been helpful and friendly. Let's hope it stays this way!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by disrailfan
We always go the first week of June and we are there this year from May 31 to June 1.

Very short trip?

 

[buzzlightyear]

I was at WDW 2 years ago for gay day. We did not know about it until we were at MK on Saturday of course! It was very crowded. lots of red shirts around. I did not notice any PDA. Overall it wasn't too bad. My 5yo DD did notice that many boys were dressed like girls though. She quickly forgot. We did have one problem on the parking lot tram though. We had a very loud young man telling about his experiences at the bar the previous night, I was glad that both my kids 5 & 3 yo DD did not seem to hear him as they were very tired! I would have been equally offended to hear about the sex life of a heterosexual couple! It was not appropriate behavior for disney world.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by buzzlightyear
I would have been equally offended to hear about the sex life of a heterosexual couple! It was not appropriate behavior for disney world.

Agreed. You can can get inappropriate behavior at WDW anytime from anyone.

Also, those concerned about "dress"...CMs enforce the normal dress rules, whenever they see someone without a shirt, they are told that shirts are required (Gay Day or Not) etc. Disney has a policy against what would be considered "costumes", so no real "Drag Queen" outfits. I've never seen a "man dressed as a woman" but I won't say it isn't possible, as even in "regular" society anyone who is pre-op transgender is usually required by a psychologist to live 6 months to a year as the "new gender" before the surgery, and I can certainly understand why they would be more comfortable visiting WDW during this time. You do see a little more leather than a usual day at the parks, but just think how MISERABLE those people are in that heat and humidity I have seen a few guys wearing Minnie ears and princess hats, but really, it was no big deal.

 

[sha_lyn]

I have seen a few guys wearing Minnie ears and princess hats, but really, it was no big deal.

Last yr my DH would wear DD's Minnie ear baseball cap (you know the red cap with white polka dots and minnie ears on ir) when ever DD got tired of keeping up with it. Well our joke was either he is very secure in his masculinity, or he's testing the waters to come out of the closet. LOL

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Golter said...

I cant stand public displays of affection, regardless of who it is. Gays and lesbians are not more likely to do so, it just probably is more noticable because you don't see it everyday.

So true! My sister is gay, and not only are most gays not more likely to participate in PDA, most are less likely because they are aware that the general public is uncomfortable with that. I love my sister and her wife. They are awesome together, and I hope that their marriage lasts as long as or longer than mine (DH and I got married first).

As far as exposing kids to it, my DDs are 4 and 18 months, and as far as they are concerned, Aunt "E" and Aunt "K" go together. Eventually, I will have to explain the realities to my DDs, but right now, of the 4 Aunts/uncles (DH has a married sister) they have, Aunt "E" is DD4's fave and Aunt "K" is DDs18mo's fave. I'm not worried about the explanation because my kids have been around their Aunts their whole lives.