How much do Gay Days affect crowds?

[SDFgirl]

Planning a trip for June 1-8 and see that Gay Days falls at the start of the trip. Will the crowds be higher because of Gay Days? I could reschedule for June 4-11, but not sure if that would make much of a difference. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[fla4fun]

So long as you avoid the park of the day on their schedule you shouldn't notice any issues with increased crowds. Each day they visit different parks (if I remember correctly Saturday is MK day) so those parks will have increased attendance.

 

[ArielSRL]

For one: they are only going to a specific park per day and you can google the Gay Days calendar for that info. I've looked to make sure my days don't overlap but I forget the specifics other than Saturday 6/3 is MK day. Two: we went last year on the Saturday and Saturday at MK is busy regardless so I can't tell you if it affected it much but I think its fairly easy to schedule park days around their schedule, so that's what we did.

 

[BrianL]

Yes, check out their schedule and just plan around it. I haven't been around that time, but I hear it doesn't have a huge impact. It's a busy time anyway.

 

[yulilin3]

It doesn't have a true impact on crowds, even if you are at the designated park for that day

 

[OKW Lover]

I've been to the MK on Gay Day for the past several years. Can't say its really any worse than other Saturdays at that time of year.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

My birthday is June 7 and our annual trip (my gift to myself) almost always falls some time during Gay Days. It has never, in over a decade, been an issue. Although you may notice groups traveling together with matching t shirts, that happens every day at WDW any way. It is really not a problem. Like others have said, check the calendar and you can avoid parks on certain days if you think it will impact your trip.

 

[AngiTN]

We've been there over Gay days and didn't notice any impact on crowds. We'll be back there again this year for our summer trip

 

[SDFgirl]

Awesome! Glad to hear it! I think I'll keep my trip as-is.

Having said that, I've never been in June before. I was hoping early June would be slightly less crowded as some kids will still be in school. Will it be middle-of-July busy? We've successfully done spring break times and October using rope drop and fastpass, but I was told to avoid summer at all costs. Any insight into the crowd feel in early June? I can handle moderately crowded but hate wall-to-wall.

 

[ArielSRL]

Awesome! Glad to hear it! I think I'll keep my trip as-is.

Having said that, I've never been in June before. I was hoping early June would be slightly less crowded as some kids will still be in school. Will it be middle-of-July busy? We've successfully done spring break times and October using rope drop and fastpass, but I was told to avoid summer at all costs. Any insight into the crowd feel in early June? I can handle moderately crowded but hate wall-to-wall.

If you have done Spring break, early June will be fine. It will be busy (but certainly not wall-to-wall) and it will be hot. We plan RD, midday break, then late night touring. If you prefer not to take a break, plan a leisurely late lunch or early dinner plus the inside show type attractions during the hottest part of the day.

 

[Alpha1]

Planning a trip for June 1-8 and see that Gay Days falls at the start of the trip. Will the crowds be higher because of Gay Days? I could reschedule for June 4-11, but not sure if that would make much of a difference. Thoughts?

Thanks!

I hear the parks on those days are fabulous!

Honestly, I have been there twice during this "gay" week and you won't notice much of a difference in crowds.

 

[mrzrich]

A secret that I have come to know is that many of the Gay Days participants aren't Disney Geeks like us, so, many don't know the beauty of rope drop. Often you can accomplish a lot before the crowds arrive.

Another thing to know is that many non gay day visitors avoid MK on the first Saturday of June thinking it will be crowded. Sometimes it is crowded, for a few hours. Until 3 or 4 pm. There are Gay Days parties and events elsewhere that night. MK is often pretty quiet on Saturday night during Gay Days.

 

[mindeola]

We have been a couple times during that week. The only time I noticed a difference was later in the evening at MK. I cant remember the day of the week, but between Gay Days, normal crowds and Star Wars once HS closed for the evening , it was wall to wall people.

 

[DavidNYC]

How does it affect crowds? They're fabulous! : )

 

[Holly324]

I was slightly worried about the possibility of an increase in crowds this week, too. Super glad to hear that this event won't cause that. Thanks everyone!

 

[ArielSRL]

A secret that I have come to know is that many of the Gay Days participants aren't Disney Geeks like us, so, many don't know the beauty of rope drop. Often you can accomplish a lot before the crowds arrive.

Another thing to know is that many non gay day visitors avoid MK on the first Saturday of June thinking it will be crowded. Sometimes it is crowded, for a few hours. Until 3 or 4 pm. There are Gay Days parties and events elsewhere that night. MK is often pretty quiet on Saturday night during Gay Days.

We didn't find this to be the case last June (2016). It wasn't packed but it was definitely busy.

 

[DisneyOma]

Early June is busy - Gay Days may draw a crowd, but certain other people will not go to the park associated with a Gay Day event, so it balances out.

 

[mrzrich]

We didn't find this to be the case last June (2016). It wasn't packed but it was definitely busy.

I guess it's all relative. I was there that Saturday night last year 2016. We thought it was great and were able to snag many "same night" fast passes

 

[ArielSRL]

I guess it's all relative. I was there that Saturday night last year 2016. We thought it was great and were able to snag many "same night" fast passes

Yes, I guess so, bc we see there about 4ish to 11ish. We did book a couple additional but they were for pirates and tomorrowland speedway...the easier ones to get.