Gaydays? With young kids?

[nataliesdaddy]

Ok so we I have the opportunity to take my daughter to WDW again and I am wondering about gay days. What are the crowds levels like? what are the crowds themselves like? Anyone with experience during this period? What level of inappropriate behavior is there?

We went began a vacation during the last day of Gay days one year, and other then a few old geezers dressed (or lack of dress thereof) that made them look rather skeezy and cheesy I did not see anything too overtly lewd.

Anyone been there during the full period of gay days? Any insights or observations? I know we for sure won't be staying at the Hotel royal plaza if we go during that time, but other then that...

 

[Puffy2]

It used to be that you should avoid the Magic Kingdom on that Sat. but I think they might have changed the schedule this year - www.gaydays.com I think will have the schedule when they post it.

And Sat. should be avoided at the MK year round anyway because of the crowd. Generally, the t shirts some wear are red in color - if this would bother you, don't wear red to the parks those days.

Inappropriate behavior is no different than any other inappropriate behavior from any other guest on any other day. You might see it and you might not. Just because it is a time when many homosexual families get together doesn't mean that it's some sort of "sex fest" - it's not like mardi gras in New Orleans when all the hetrosexuals (and others) loose their minds and "show all/do all".

What you will see is probably some hand holding, etc... just like you would see on an average day at Disney from hetrosexual couples.

My kids have know about gay couples and people since they were very young -it's not a shock or surprise to them and it's not something we hide so it's really no big deal and generally not an issue anywhere we go.

 

[lulu71]

Just because it is a time when many homosexual families get together doesn't mean that it's some sort of "sex fest" - it's not like mardi gras in New Orleans when all the hetrosexuals (and others) loose their minds and "show all/do all".

Hey now - we leave some clothes on, Mardi Gras is early this year so it will probably be cold.

 

[phillybeth]

I was there for Gaydays a few years ago and didn't notice a thing- and I knew in advance. We did avoid the MK on Saturday but we do that every trip, weekends at the MK are crazy. I did see hand-holding and some kissing but it was pecks, not full-on slobbering . But that was from the hetero teens in line in front of us on JC. I've seen more inappropriate behavior from hetero couples every time I go than I saw on those 'wild and crazy' gay days.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

My family and I have been to WDW twice during the time when GayDays was occurring, once in 2001 and again in 2003. On the 2001 trip we did avoid the MK on the day they were scheduled to be there due to the crowds. This last year my wife went there in the morning and said it was quite crowded - wall to wall people.

My daughter decided that afternoon that the wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom. We went there, expecting huge crowds and long lines. Were we surprised ! We were able to get fastpasses to major rides till about 7~8 pm, and noticed that the wait times on many rides were shorter than expected. I guess most of the "straights" had been scared away. It's a shame, too, as there was nothing that occurred that we would have had to explain to our 10 y/o daughter. I saw the same thing that we usually see in the Magic Kingdom - alot of people having good, clean fun. In this case, you just saw a little more red clothing than normal.

Saw one with a particularly good sense of humor. His t-shirt said " I see RED people." Think Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis and you'll get it.

 

[ndmommy]

We were at WDW during GayDays in 2001 and will be there again this year during that same time. (Eight of us going, 4 adults and 4 children.) So obviously we didn't think that the crowds were bad. We avoided MK on during the day on Saturday, but did go that evening as it was the only night while we were that there was Spectro. It was our first time there, but I didn't think it was that crowded, and I certainly didn't see anything I considered to be inappropriate. We basically tried to avoid the designated park of the day.

As Puffy2 said the schedule has changed this year. There are two websites for Gay Days. From what I understand, there are two different websites. This is the information I got from another Diser. "They are competitors. The original GayDay at Disney was set up by the owner of www.gayday.com (no S) where the new schedule is posted, the promoters-travel people-party planners at www.gaydays.com are sticking to the traditional schedule."

I just checked and they are still showing different schedules. One shows MK day as being Sunday and one shows it as Saturday. So I just plan on avoiding MK on both days to avoid crowds.

 

[tar heel]

It would be the very rare young child who would notice anything about gay days. We've been there three times and my youngest (5, 6 and 8) still doesn't know he's been to gay days. Adolescents, on the other hand, will notice -- made for some healthy discussions, actually.

I would avoid MK on the official Gay Day but otherwise wouldn't hestitate to go to WDW at that time. I'm sure there are exceptions, but most of the gay people we've seen seemed to be there for the same reasons as us -- to ride Tower of Terror, have their picture made with Mickey, etc. I've never seen anything that offended me, but I don't have a problem with gay people. I know there are people who would find men wearing Minnie Mouse ears offensive. There are groups of same-sex friends and a few interesting fashions.

I've posted this before . . . I've never really been offended at WDW but one time and it was by a heterosexual couple who, unfortunately, were following the same touring plan as us. They were all over each other, and -- how to put this delicately -- had neglected to shower after their previous amorous endeavers. Yuck.

 

[Martha7]

We've also gone during this time, and not only was the weather beautiful, but we found the crowds to be no big deal. If you check the gay days web site, you can zig when the crowd zags. Young kids especially, tend to be oblivous to things that the rest of us might pick up on. We didn't witness any displays of affection at all, just lots of families dressed in red, and having a nice day at the park. I did dress my husband in a red shirt during our trip, not realizing that red was the designated color for participants, but that made no difference either. Plenty of people wear red at the parks. (I dress my husband and my youngest son in bright colors, since they tend to wander off from me!) It was no problem, since the crowds were never overwhelming as long as we tried to be apprised of which parks would be the most crowded during the week. I'd go again at this time in a heartbeat, but now, we're only going during our high school boys' breaks. I seem to recall that Disney slid a note under our door at the YC notifying us that the MK would be the park used for the Gay Days event that day, but they didn't say "Gay Days". I don't recall how it was worded, but seemed to be an effort to notify people of the event and the anticipated crowds. My opinion is that it's not an issue to worry about at all. We were completely unaffected during our stay. Go and enjoy!

 

[eeyore0062]

The Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on the 1st Saturday in June, and you will see many wearing red T-shirts. Other than that, you shouldn't notice anything different. If you are worried about having to answer questions you aren't comfortable answering, just stick to the other parks for that Saturday.

Go, and don't worry about a thing!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

It used to be that you should avoid the Magic Kingdom on that Sat. but I think they might have changed the schedule this year - www.gaydays.com I think will have the schedule when they post it.

And Sat. should be avoided at the MK year round anyway because of the crowd. Generally, the t shirts some wear are red in color - if this would bother you, don't wear red to the parks those days.

Inappropriate behavior is no different than any other inappropriate behavior from any other guest on any other day. You might see it and you might not. Just because it is a time when many homosexual families get together doesn't mean that it's some sort of "sex fest" - it's not like mardi gras in New Orleans when all the hetrosexuals (and others) loose their minds and "show all/do all".

What you will see is probably some hand holding, etc... just like you would see on an average day at Disney from hetrosexual couples.

My kids have know about gay couples and people since they were very young -it's not a shock or surprise to them and it's not something we hide so it's really no big deal and generally not an issue anywhere we go.

Puffy, thank you for your thoughts and observations. Yeah I would for sure not take my kids to Mardi Gras, or Fort Lauderdale during spring break either.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I was there for Gaydays a few years ago and didn't notice a thing- and I knew in advance. We did avoid the MK on Saturday but we do that every trip, weekends at the MK are crazy. I did see hand-holding and some kissing but it was pecks, not full-on slobbering . But that was from the hetero teens in line in front of us on JC. I've seen more inappropriate behavior from hetero couples every time I go than I saw on those 'wild and crazy' gay days.

Thanks for your post Lulu

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I was there for Gaydays a few years ago and didn't notice a thing- and I knew in advance. We did avoid the MK on Saturday but we do that every trip, weekends at the MK are crazy. I did see hand-holding and some kissing but it was pecks, not full-on slobbering . But that was from the hetero teens in line in front of us on JC. I've seen more inappropriate behavior from hetero couples every time I go than I saw on those 'wild and crazy' gay days.

Thanks for sharing your experience Philly

 

[nataliesdaddy]

My family and I have been to WDW twice during the time when GayDays was occurring, once in 2001 and again in 2003. On the 2001 trip we did avoid the MK on the day they were scheduled to be there due to the crowds. This last year my wife went there in the morning and said it was quite crowded - wall to wall people.

My daughter decided that afternoon that the wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom. We went there, expecting huge crowds and long lines. Were we surprised ! We were able to get fastpasses to major rides till about 7~8 pm, and noticed that the wait times on many rides were shorter than expected. I guess most of the "straights" had been scared away. It's a shame, too, as there was nothing that occurred that we would have had to explain to our 10 y/o daughter. I saw the same thing that we usually see in the Magic Kingdom - alot of people having good, clean fun. In this case, you just saw a little more red clothing than normal.

Saw one with a particularly good sense of humor. His t-shirt said " I see RED people." Think Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis and you'll get it.

Wow that is cool Scott, lower crowds in afternoon. I have to remember that. I have been trying to think of or find a new WDW strategy. Thanks for your reply on this issue.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

We were at WDW during GayDays in 2001 and will be there again this year during that same time. (Eight of us going, 4 adults and 4 children.) So obviously we didn't think that the crowds were bad. We avoided MK on during the day on Saturday, but did go that evening as it was the only night while we were that there was Spectro. It was our first time there, but I didn't think it was that crowded, and I certainly didn't see anything I considered to be inappropriate. We basically tried to avoid the designated park of the day.

As Puffy2 said the schedule has changed this year. There are two websites for Gay Days. From what I understand, there are two different websites. This is the information I got from another Diser. "They are competitors. The original GayDay at Disney was set up by the owner of www.gayday.com (no S) where the new schedule is posted, the promoters-travel people-party planners at www.gaydays.com are sticking to the traditional schedule."

I just checked and they are still showing different schedules. One shows MK day as being Sunday and one shows it as Saturday. So I just plan on avoiding MK on both days to avoid crowds.

Thanks for your post ndmommy - very helpful

 

[nataliesdaddy]

It would be the very rare young child who would notice anything about gay days. We've been there three times and my youngest (5, 6 and 8) still doesn't know he's been to gay days. Adolescents, on the other hand, will notice -- made for some healthy discussions, actually.

I would avoid MK on the official Gay Day but otherwise wouldn't hestitate to go to WDW at that time. I'm sure there are exceptions, but most of the gay people we've seen seemed to be there for the same reasons as us -- to ride Tower of Terror, have their picture made with Mickey, etc. I've never seen anything that offended me, but I don't have a problem with gay people. I know there are people who would find men wearing Minnie Mouse ears offensive. There are groups of same-sex friends and a few interesting fashions.

I've posted this before . . . I've never really been offended at WDW but one time and it was by a heterosexual couple who, unfortunately, were following the same touring plan as us. They were all over each other, and -- how to put this delicately -- had neglected to shower after their previous amorous endeavers. Yuck.

Thanks Tar Heel

 

[nataliesdaddy]

We've also gone during this time, and not only was the weather beautiful, but we found the crowds to be no big deal. If you check the gay days web site, you can zig when the crowd zags. Young kids especially, tend to be oblivous to things that the rest of us might pick up on. We didn't witness any displays of affection at all, just lots of families dressed in red, and having a nice day at the park. I did dress my husband in a red shirt during our trip, not realizing that red was the designated color for participants, but that made no difference either. Plenty of people wear red at the parks. (I dress my husband and my youngest son in bright colors, since they tend to wander off from me!) It was no problem, since the crowds were never overwhelming as long as we tried to be apprised of which parks would be the most crowded during the week. I'd go again at this time in a heartbeat, but now, we're only going during our high school boys' breaks. I seem to recall that Disney slid a note under our door at the YC notifying us that the MK would be the park used for the Gay Days event that day, but they didn't say "Gay Days". I don't recall how it was worded, but seemed to be an effort to notify people of the event and the anticipated crowds. My opinion is that it's not an issue to worry about at all. We were completely unaffected during our stay. Go and enjoy!

THanks Martha

 

[nataliesdaddy]

The Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on the 1st Saturday in June, and you will see many wearing red T-shirts. Other than that, you shouldn't notice anything different. If you are worried about having to answer questions you aren't comfortable answering, just stick to the other parks for that Saturday.

Go, and don't worry about a thing!

Thanks Eeyore

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Thank you everyone for your responses - thois has been very helpful -

Normally we avoid WDW entirely on the weekends anyway. We go to DC or SW for the weekends to avoid crowds...

thank you all for your comments and insights