How family friendly is Gay Day at WDW?

[kraymer]

My family and I are headed to WDW the week of Memorial which as luck would have it is the same time as the Gay Day festivities. We have planned it so we will not be at the same parks as the official Gay Days (as published on gayday.com). Has any families that have been at WDW the same time as Gay Day offer any advice? How centralized are there activities? Just because we have avoided their schedule, should we stilll to have to do a lot of explaining to our kids?

Thanks!!

 

[LukenDC]

There have been many posts about this lately and you can find them by doing a search of the boards. Most families do not seem to have a problem with Gay Days.

 

[rascalmom]

We've been twice during the Gay Week activities. The first time was in 2001 when our youngest was 9. We had planned our activities to be at different parks than the official Gay Day schedule & hadn't encountered any problems whatsoever. We were staying at the Poly & rode the monorail over to the entrance of MK to catch the boat to WL. We were standing there waiting for the grandparents to catch up to us coming down the monorail ramp when my daughter notices all the red t-shirts. She says "look Mom - they must all be on a field trip together - I bet they're gonna have fun!" See, at her school, they always had the kids wear their school t-shirts when we went on a field trip so that everyone was easily identified & could stay together. My oldest, who was then 13 & had caught on to what the group really was got a hoot out of "knowing something" that little sister did not.

That was really the only thing my kids noticed all week. Honestly, we saw more disturbing behaviour from some of the "cheer" groups there this March.

My dh & I did encounter an absolutely hilarious drag queen on the monorail back from Epcot later in the weekend - the kids weren't with us though & we just enjoyed a good laugh with "her highness" - who was obviously having a great time & not hurting anyone but herself with her hot pink patent leather stilettos in the June heat! We helped him/her with directions to Pleasure Island. I don't think either of my girls would have known it was really a man.

 

[rcraw45425]

We were there last year and had no problems. I second the comment about the cheerleaders, even as the mother of two former all star cheerleaders!

 

[bubba73]

I can't say that I have been during Gay Day but I can say that I would avaoid it all cost. I puposely planned my vacation about 2 weeks after the event just to make sure they were gone (as much as possible anyway because they will still be there). I guess you could call me a homophope or whatever. I would say that I am responsible for the spirituality of my family and what they are introduced too. I know I can't shelter them forever but I want to make sure they know what is right and what is wrong before they get introduced to it.

If I offend, I apologize but we all have our feelings.

 

[Ronda93]

Yep, you're a homophobe.

 

[Mom to Will and Finn]

I'm hoping to see same sex couples holding hands, etc...just being normal couples. I think it will be good for my boys to be exposed to it. I was a little concerned about them overhearing rude, ignorant comments, but I asked someone who goes to Gay Days and he said he's not had any comments directed toward him and hasn't overheard any.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Well according to that website, it appears that this was the same time frame they went last year also. Does anyone know if this is always the case? We were planning a trip for that time in 2006.

 

[dreams4disney]

I will be there and I will have my 4 boy's there. I am sure that we will truley be at the happiest place on earth that week.

 

[jeast]

You'll just be surrounded my thin, professional, extremely well-groomed men! No big deal! All named Keith, Steve, and Brian.

Seriously, though, I think it's good for kids to be exposed to normal, loving behavior of a multitude of family types. However, I WOULD stay away from pleasure Island, Downtown Disney at night or other party spots.

 

[DVC4US]

Well according to that website, it appears that this was the same time frame they went last year also. Does anyone know if this is always the case? We were planning a trip for that time in 2006.

Gay Days in Orlando are always held the first week in June. It incompases all of Orlando, not just WDW.

We have been to WDW twice during Gay Days and did not have any problems at all. The only thing we do is stay away from the MK on Saturday because it tends to be really crowded.(I thought I read somewhere that they might have changed that day this year because of a conflict, but you can find out that information on their website)

To tell you the truth, I have seem more onoxious and rude behavior from some teenagers and young adults than I have from couples and families during Gay Days.

 

[whacked]

We ended up in DL once during a gay event.

It took us a while to figure it out.

My wife wondered why there were so many good looking guys in the park.

I would say that you are more likely to encounter well dressed well groomed people having fun and being polite than any other event I can think of.

Expect the good resturant's PS times to be booked if the gay friends our family has are any indication.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Thanks for answering!

 

[blueberry22]

I think as a general rule it would be a good idea to keep kids away from places where adults party- straight or gay.

Also please remember that kids are innocent- in the most wonderful way. My children knew many gay people from the time they were young- and never gave it a second thought. We explained that some women love men some love other women. They simply accepted it. They were (and are ) clear on the concept that loving others is a good thing for all of us- whether its family, friends or signifigant others. It wasn't until years later, when, age appropriately they started thinking about sex that it occured to them what all of the implications might mean. Their reaction is exactly what you'd expect- and exactly the same reaction they had to the realization that their father and I had actually "done it" ewwwwwww gross!!!!! lots of giggles etc etc.

 

[bubba73]

Maybe I should add to my message that I have several friends that are gay and we get along just fine. It is just something I don't want to open up to my kids just yet. Like I said, I have a job as the Spiritual leader of my family and I take it very seriously.

No offense taken.

Let me also add that I agree that I have seen a lot of teenagers that scare me even worse than the gay day crowd does. They are freaky, scary, and open about it with their piercings and tattoos. Scary to think what these kids have turned into.

 

[Stacey2grls]

Wow, how about accepting people for their actions not their sexual orientation? I personally couldn't care less what consenting adults do behind closed doors. I'm sure that the majority of the people at gay days will act more appropriately than some of the rude/nasty/pushy people I dealt with this week in the parks. I myself am straight with two DD's and when the time comes, I will have no problem telling them that not everyone is the same, and isn't that what makes the world interesting?

 

[fandango]

You'll just be surrounded my thin, professional, extremely well-groomed men! No big deal! All named Keith, Steve, and Brian.

And they all have track lighting!

We have been to WDW during gay-days and planned our trip this year at the same time. We found that if you study the schedule and do not go to the parks on the "chosen" day you can miss tons of crowds

No bad behavior noticed.

 

[blueberry22]

There are many many things that I didn't want to expose my children to.

Racism- "I'm not a racist some of my best friends are black". (sound familar??)

War- but unfortunately its on the front page of the newspaper every day.

Evil- but you have to teach your children to be self protective

Sexual preditors- but you have to explain for their sake that some people do hurt children.

None of us want our children to lose their innocnce before they have to. MY point was that if you handle your children's questions in a matter of fact nonjudgemental way they will simply accept what they see on a very surface level. Its not about sex. its about understanding that the world is full of different people- some who do things differently than you do in your family. Wasn't it just last week that our very own Pres went out holding hands with another man?? Just a different custom.

 

[Mykelogan]

You know what I look forward to seeing the most when I am in WDW for gay days this year??
(Besides myself in red & lime green!)

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Mickey mouse!!!

hehe
Mike

 

[ScottOKW2K]

The best t-shirt we saw at last years gaydays :

I see RED people !

And you are telling me that most of those people are GAY !?!

Come to think of it, I was pretty happy myself .........