Need Help! First Trip Home Disasterous!

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by MermaidsMom
...... 5 years ago the tone of the responses was almost exactly the opposite as the tone today. People were very upset about the idea. It shows how the media has been able to influence peoples opinions in ways they aren't even aware of over the last few years. ....

Also, this event has been going on what...14 years? More and more people are having "first hand" experiences and sharing them with others. As more folks visit WDW during this week, they realize it is "no big deal" as far as affecting their park visits.

 

[crisi]

Disney is under no obligation to inform guests of any groups, organizations, etc. that will be at WDW when you make your reservations.

They should make exceptions though. I'm a very tolerant person, but one October we were there and there was a Linux convention. And worse, a Suse Linux convention - these people CHOOSE a decedant and immoral lifestyle I don't want to expose my kids to!

Let's not even get started on Mac users!

 

[lenshanem]

That is funny crisi!

Now that I think about it twinmomplus2new, I do recall talking with a tour group from Brazil last July. The group covered all ages, although mostly teenagers. They actually were behind us in line for the Land ride. My little girls had a good old time hamming it up for them. They were quite pleasant and fascinated by how blond my girls were. I don't recall seeing any other groups on that trip and it was 8 days long.

Maybe there should be a thread posting dates that could be crowded typically, but that is not official. Things like New Jersey week for example. Doesn't the whole state go during teacher conference week?!?

 

[kathleena]

I was at WDW in June 2002 during Gay Days. We stayed at OKW. A few days before Saturday ( MK Day), we had a letter in our room stating that they expected high attendance at the MK on Saturday and that for the convenience of the resort guests, the other parks would open an hour early (I think it was all three other parks) and that they advised visiting MK on another day.

We were at the MK on Friday to see Spectromagic and a couple of CMs were talking and not knowing that we could hear. We could tell they were referencing the next day and the crowds. So we said something and their eyes bugged out. "you know what we are talking about" "yes that's why we are here tonight" they told us that they are TOLD not to talk about the event in specific terms, only to say that they expect it to be busy.

For the whole week, we just saw lots of red shirts. Lots. There was nothing offensive going on.

So my advice to you is calm down, don't worry, have fun and whatever you do - DO NOT bring any red shirts!

Oh, and my Brazilian daughter-in-law has told me many times that Brazilian's are very rude. She thought Americans were rude until she came here and now she realizes that it is much worse in her country. And yes - almost all are taught English in school - especially the ones wealthy enough to vacation here. So don't let any of them play the dumb - I only speak Portugese - act. They understand - "Move all the way to your left"

 

[disneycm25]

I was down in Disney World last year during Gay Week. We didn't know it was Gay Week when we mad our plans. We found out ahead of time which park would be having events and then went to a different park. We had a great time. I wouldn't change my plans.

 

[umbluegray]

capt1633,

I sent you a Private Message.

 

[rocketriter]

the media has been able to influence peoples opinions...

Well, that's a factor. But anyone who works in corporate America knows that HR departments have absolutely no tolerance for discrimination across many different lines of diversity, and corporate workers are actively educated in these matters. For that matter, Disney is part of corporate America and has the same kinds of HR policies as everyone else.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Disney is not obligated to inform anyone of this event. It is not official

True, but when I was there one year the very end of May/early June, we received a letter under our door telling us that it was expected that there would be higher than usual attendance on that Saturday at the MK and we may wish to make our plans accordingly. GayDay was never mentioned, but at least they told Guests it would be a busy place.

 

[JudyS]

I say that ANY day at Disney World is a gay (as in happy) day!

I haven't been there during Gayday, but I bet I'd find it less offensive than the Little Mermaid's excessive cleavage!

 

[RJake1]

Serious question - I haven't noticed disposable toilet seat covers in WDW parks (mens room). Do they provide them? I would think especially during Gay Day this would be a sensitive issue (no pun).

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I wouldn't worry about gay couples as much as I do "teenage" couples. During our last visit we were in line for an attraction @ ToonTown and there was a boy and girl in front of us that both looked about 16. Their "petting" went from bad to worse right in front of my young children. I kept turning my back to them to block the view from my kids but finally I just couldn't handle it anymore and blurted out: "Why don't you get a room somewhere!" Well, they must have gotten the message because things immediately cooled down. So bottomline, inappropriate behavior in a public place should not be tolerated -- no matter who's involved!!!

 

[NancyDVC]

Yes tolerance is the best way. I don't believe that you will even notice the folks attending 'Gay Days' unless you really looked for them. And staying away from the 'park of the day' is good advice no matter when a really large crowd is going got be there.
And as for the Brazilian tour groups they usually are most apparent in January/February-winter here = summer there. You just haven't 'lived' until you have toured a park with them.
For those of you who haven't experienced a Brazilian tour group here is a brief overview.
1) They all wear a tour group shirt and or windbreaker with the tour company's name on it.
2) The tour leader carries a 'flag' (like a school or team pennant) that matches the shirts/jackets and has the tour company' name on it too.
3) As they move from one area to another the tour guide raises the 'flag' and yells something (He/she has to yell or can't be heard.)
4) Then they move in one large mass to the next attraction/parade etc. Watch out at this point you will get trampled!

I did have one very pleasant experience with a group of Brazilian teenagers who were here on a tour with their English teachers. They were only allowed to speak English during the trip. No Portugese even among themselves! On of the teachers asked if we would mind having the students 'practice' their English with us. We said of course please do. It was fun. They asked directions, about meals and the parks. Their English was actually quite good and they were very polite!

There are lots of different groups at Disney all the time. Some book through Disney and some don't. Some are 'sponsored' by Disney-cheerleaders, sports groups at Wide World of Sports convention groups meeting at Disney hotels-and some like the Gay Days folks aren't. Don't sweat it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by RJake1
Serious question - I haven't noticed disposable toilet seat covers in WDW parks (mens room). Do they provide them? I would think especially during Gay Day this would be a sensitive issue (no pun).

What do you expect to catch from a toilet seat? New study states that toilet seats are cleaner than your desktop and keyboard.

 

[Rence]

I got thinking today about the can of worms that could be opened if Disney started to consider a policy to 'warn' people making reservations when 'controversial groups' were going to be present at WDW.

First they have to decide who is controversial and who is not. Now if they label some groups controversial, they risk alienating members of that group and their supporters. So, for example, let's say Disney did decide to 'warn' peopel about Gay Days. This could end up upsetting a lot of people, not just those who come on gay days. DVC has a number of gay owners, gays visit WDW all year round as do their friends and family. Disney also has a number of gay employees. OK, so this isn't going to work to just warn about gay days.

So then we have to come up with the criteria as to what makes a group controversial enough for a warning to go out. Almost every group on the planet has someone who objects to them. If its a conservative organization, liberals will object. If it is a liberal organization, conservatives will object. Antheists will object to religious groups who would object to atheist groups, etc. etc. etc.

And there probably would even be a few groups who would be upset if they were not labeled as being controversial, their feelings could be hurt.

Ok, any judgement call, is going to be tough so the only fair way to do this is to warn people making reservations about ALL groups in the parks.

So now your reservation calls will go soemthing like....

"OK, we have you down for the third week of August, before I give you your final reservation confirmation number I am required to inform you of all groups that will be at WDW during your stay. According to the computer system there are 879 groups who will be present at some point during your one week stay, please hang on while I recite the list of groups to you, this should take approximate two hours......."

The good side to this is that it will create a large number of openings for reservation agents as the average call time is going to go way up.

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
What do you expect to catch from a toilet seat? New study states that toilet seats are cleaner than your desktop and keyboard.

Not after women (like my mother) who are phobic about "sitting" on toilet seats opt to "squat" and pee...and miss!!! Ooooh, it is SO nasty...not to mention...THAT's why toilet seats are such "germ fests" anyway!! I can't recall the last time someone "pee'd" on my desk!



Beca

P.S. I can't BELIEVE I just wrote that!!! I'm at an all new low!!

 

[twotoohappy]

Originally posted by RJake1
Serious question - I haven't noticed disposable toilet seat covers in WDW parks (mens room). Do they provide them? I would think especially during Gay Day this would be a sensitive issue (no pun).

OMG! Get the facts! I really hope this thread is closed soon or moved to the debate board.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by Beca
Not after women (like my mother) who are phobic about "sitting" on toilet seats opt to "squat" and pee...and miss!!! Ooooh, it is SO nasty...not to mention...THAT's why toilet seats are such "germ fests" anyway!! I can't recall the last time someone "pee'd" on my desk!



Beca

P.S. I can't BELIEVE I just wrote that!!! I'm at an all new low!!

Well its certainly gross, urine is generally sterile. Your coworker who uses your phone for a conversation leaving traces of spit all over it is more likely to give you "germs" than sitting on a toilet seat that has urine on it (which - as I said - is gross - but not unhealthy).

Feces is another matter.

 

[TnRobin]

Okay guys - this threads has no relationship to DVC. It is totally of topic. Enough said.