How do gay days effect crowds?

[dejavu]

My DD and I were there this year during gay days. We stayed at POR and to be honest I don't think you would even notice it was gay days- We saw nothing objectionable as far as behavior and we just stayed clear of the designated park on any given day just to avoid the crowds- In DTD there were quite a few gay couples and groups but I never noticed any overt affection-I would seriously doubt any small child would even notice- I think the worst attention was straight couples who semed "freaked out". Honestly I don't know where they are from but they act like they have never seen a non hetro couple before! Go and have a good time.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Isn't it important to remember that there are two different groups that plan events during that time-frame?

Don't gayday.com and gaydays.com both have slightly different schedules, or am I incorrect? I know one has the '07 schedule posted and the other does not. I could be wrong...

I've been twice during that week, back when I would blindly go and not give a flip which park I went to, and I don't remember anything out of the ordinary. Granted, I think the event has grown since then and if I'm not mistaken, I was there during the very first one, on my first June trip.

I say go; plan properly and if you find anything offensive, treat it as you would anyone else doing something offensive in a Disney park.

 

[mrzrich]

Isn't it important to remember that there are two different groups that plan events during that time-frame?

Don't gayday.com and gaydays.com both have slightly different schedules, or am I incorrect? I know one has the '07 schedule posted and the other does not. I could be wrong...

You are right I always check both schedules. Never had a problem.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

We were not there during gay days, but came in just after on the 5th. Everything was so busy, you couldn't even move sometimes. I am hoping that the last of May will work out better.

 

[Coopsmum77]

We do the same thing now, after having an experience similar to the one described in the article linked above. We saw a LOT of overt behavior that we felt was designed to create controversy. I think those couples that were engaging in bedroom behavior at the parks that day did more damage to the cause of gay rights than any bigot. People who came to the park that morning neutral or even supportive of gay people may not have left that way. I know that the behavior of a small percentage of people should not change our attitudes about a whole group, but we all know that it happens.

I avoid it just on the chance there is overt, in your face behavior. My partner and I avoid the in your face stuff, and people accept us for who we are. I don't want to get dirty looks from people because of other folks behavior. I don't like to see a hetero couple all hot and heavy on each other either.

On the same note, I avoid the "South American schoolbreak" time of year as well. I can't take people, no matter who they are, who don't know how to act in public. JMO.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I don't like to see a hetero couple all hot and heavy on each other either.

Exactly. Bedroom behavior in the parks is NOT appropriate, period. We have been in lines more than once where couples have decided to "pass the time" by engaging in activities more appropriate for the hotel room. It makes no difference what the orientation of the couple participating, it just isn't right. In some cases it's just unconcious behavior, people forgetting that there are others on the planet-but in some cases it seems to be designed to generate a reaction from other guests. Not the time or the place, ladies and gentlemen. I'm happy you have found the love of your life, but you really don't need to show me.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Just an FYI that I hope you will find informative, not flaming . Being gay is not a lifestyle -- living on a yacht (or in a trailer), traveling a lot, working a lot -- those are lifestyles -- you have real choices. Being gay is an orientation.

I only mention this so if you do go during gay days, you don't inadventently offend someone, especially since it is clear that your heart and intentions are in the right place.

You are totally right. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I apologize if I did. Thanks for educating me. I never thought of it that way before.

I'm really just concerned about crowds, not necessarily that my children would be exposed to 2 men or 2 women holding hands. Sorry, but I just don't think there's any harm in seeing that. I know some may disagree. But if the park is unbearably crowded, that would definitely be a problem, since one of my children is autistic.

 

[Brianhog]

We have been numerous times during that week. Most of the times you would not even be aware that it was going on. However, my only advice would be to avoid MK on the designated Saturday. We were there once on that Saturday and the crowds were wall to wall with people. You could barely move around the park much less do anything. That also seems to be the only time we ever saw anything that was totally inappropriate. As someone said above things better done in your bedroom and not in public.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I'm really just concerned about crowds, not necessarily that my children would be exposed to 2 men or 2 women holding hands. Sorry, but I just don't think there's any harm in seeing that. I know some may disagree. But if the park is unbearably crowded, that would definitely be a problem, since one of my children is autistic.

Same here! I've asked the same questions before on other forums, and you have to be so careful to word it correctly, or everyone assumes that you're a bigot.

My only concern is 150k extra people at the parks! I don't care if they're gay, straight, pink, purple or aliens. If they're taking up queue space, I'd rather avoid them.

Right now I have two reservations going, because we have yet to decide if we want to risk the crowds, but have the trade-off of more time, or go Spring Break where we have crowds, but better weather. We're starting to lean towards March again, because if I'm going to have crowds (Which in my opinion, March wasn't bad at all), I'd rather them not be sweaty.

More troublesome to me, is a trip report I read not too long ago about people staying on-site and Disney gave people notice that such-and-such park was expected to have higher than normal attendance on such-and-such day, and their suggestion would be to attend another park that day. So, for those of us who follow certain tour plans, that take gayday(s) into account, it can still mess up your plans.

 

[njchris]

Wow I was planning on going the first week of June in 2007 but after reading the link from Nbtstatic's post above I am seriously reconsidering. I completely trust Pete Werner (the founder of this site) had to say concerning gay days. Thank you Pete for your report and opinions.

Don't trust that story.

Trust this: I've gone about 5+ years in a row on that week. Only the first saturday in June in the MK is very crowded. If you are just concerned about crowds, avoid the MK on the first Saturday in June. Otherwise the "schedule" for the other parks doesn't get tons of people.

I have not seen any bad behavior that would upset anyone other than those who are hateful in the first place. I've never seen anything "hot and heavy" in the parks either.

 

[mrzrich]

My only concern is 150k extra people at the parks! I don't care if they're gay, straight, pink, purple or aliens. If they're taking up queue space, I'd rather avoid them.

More troublesome to me, is a trip report I read not too long ago about people staying on-site and Disney gave people notice that such-and-such park was expected to have higher than normal attendance on such-and-such day, and their suggestion would be to attend another park that day. So, for those of us who follow certain tour plans, that take gayday(s) into account, it can still mess up your plans.

If this is the case, take this advice invest the $18 and join TGM. He takes the gay days schedule into account as well as other factors (ex. what the CM's are telling people) and he tells you where to go and how to maximize your touring during that busy week.

As I said before its not just gay days, its the end of school, and the begining of blackout dates. I also just remembered that its Star Wars weekends and the Flower festival at Epcot (with entertainment on the weekends)

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

If this is the case, take this advice invest the $18 and join TGM. He takes the gay days schedule into account as well as other factors (ex. what the CM's are telling people) and he tells you where to go and how to maximize your touring during that busy week.

As I said before its not just gay days, its the end of school, and the begining of blackout dates. I also just remembered that its Star Wars weekends and the Flower festival at Epcot (with entertainment on the weekends)

I do use TGM (Bless him!). Our March trip was wonderful thanks to him!

I just figured that it would impossible for him to be able to accurately plan June's days, because I didn't think he'd know which parks the CM's would direct people to.

Guess I need to take this over there, if we decide to keep our June trip. Goodness knows, it'll be cheaper to go then!