Park traffic patterns for Gay Days weekend?

[Gina]

Can someone please help me out in trying to guess at the crowd patterns for gay days? DS & I seriously try to zig when crowds zag at WDW, but my instincts for this DL trip seem to go against the crowd predictions.

We'll be there next month from about lunch time on Friday the 5th through later afternoon on Monday the 8th. Our first trip to DL. Allergic to crowds and lines, lol. (It's why we go to WDW in February!) I know that weekends are bad at DL, and long holiday weekends are even worse, but this was the only time we could go. So...

At WDW, we take advantage of EMH pretty much every morning. Had Sunday all set for MM at DL, but now have come to find out that ends just a few days before we get there. I guess we could do Saturday, but I was thinking that it'll be extra extra crowded because that's the day set aside for DL on the Gay Days schedule?

Also, it looks like there are big parties Saturday & Sunday nights outside of the parks -- does that mean the evenings might be a tad less crowded at the parks?

Trust me, I couldn't care less if it's gay days, or polka dotted sock day, or bring-your-llama-to-DLR day... I'm only trying to avoid more crowds if I can.

Thanks!

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

The people there for Gay Days don't tend to follow of particular touring plan, so you'll just want to use the usual tricks for most of the day. Get there early, hit the most popular and slowest lines first (Peter Pan, Space Mtn, Star Tours, etc...) and gather fast passes as you go.

There are a couple of gatherings at particular rides or attractions, like the riverboat ride and the Tiki Room sing along (you can find them all listed here.), so you might want to plan around those, but otherwise the red shirts will be pretty spread out.

I didn't find the crowds to be significantly smaller in the evenings during the parties, because not everyone goes to the parties (a large part of the Gay Days crowds are families) and more locals come into the parks.

I can't really give much advice for DCA, because CL has changed all the rules over there. Last year, DCA was still pretty dead in the mornings, even on the Sunday of Gay Days, but I imagine that won't be the case this year!

 

[Girimama33]

You should use your MM on Saturday. The Gay Days park hopper tickets do not come with MM. Go early while crowds are low, take a break if necessary and go back in the evening.

 

[Gina]

The people there for Gay Days don't tend to follow of particular touring plan, so you'll just want to use the usual tricks for most of the day. Get there early, hit the most popular and slowest lines first (Peter Pan, Space Mtn, Star Tours, etc...) and gather fast passes as you go.

There are a couple of gatherings at particular rides or attractions, like the riverboat ride and the Tiki Room sing along (you can find them all listed here.), so you might want to plan around those, but otherwise the red shirts will be pretty spread out.

I didn't find the crowds to be significantly smaller in the evenings during the parties, because not everyone goes to the parties (a large part of the Gay Days crowds are families) and more locals come into the parks.

I can't really give much advice for DCA, because CL has changed all the rules over there. Last year, DCA was still pretty dead in the mornings, even on the Sunday of Gay Days, but I imagine that won't be the case this year!

The Tiki Room singalong sounds fun!

Thanks for your insight... I keep forgetting that Cars Land is a new thing and all the historical crowd data for DCA is pretty much useless because of it. We'll just do as you suggested and stick with our touring plan, and use the same tricks that work for us at WDW.

You should use your MM on Saturday. The Gay Days park hopper tickets do not come with MM. Go early while crowds are low, take a break if necessary and go back in the evening.

Thank you for this!!! I had no idea about that... That makes a huge difference! We will definitely plan for MM on Saturday. Thanks!!

 

[fairytalelover]

When is gay day?

 

[Girimama33]

When is gay day?

October 5-7

 

[bumbershoot]

This thread is making me sad that my BIL and his partner aren't going with us. My BIL is very buttoned up, but I've recently gotten to spend some extra time with him and I think he has a hidden FABULOUS! side that I haven't yet seen. Also, I adore his partner. I wonder if we have enough frequent flyer miles to get them down there for the weekend....must research...

 

[Girimama33]

This thread is making me sad that my BIL and his partner aren't going with us. My BIL is very buttoned up, but I've recently gotten to spend some extra time with him and I think he has a hidden FABULOUS! side that I haven't yet seen. Also, I adore his partner. I wonder if we have enough frequent flyer miles to get them down there for the weekend....must research...

I hope they are able to make the trip with you. Check Lastminutetravel.com. They have great rates for flights/hotels.

 

[KateDrake]

I just feel the need to hijack the tread for a minute and say WHY ISN'T THERE A TIKI ROOM SING-A-LONG EVERY DAY??? BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!!!!!

OK, sorry. I now totally want to do this every time I go to DLR. It sounds like so much fun! Anybody wanna start doing it with me? Say every day at 3 p.m. or something????

As for Gay Days, it sounds like an all-around great event, and I am totally bummed that we'll miss it by a few days. Have a great time everyone!

 

[PatMcDuck]

My husband and I were at DL over Gay Days a couple of years ago.

I think we tried to just do the parks in the opposite order of the group, which probably meant Sat we did C.A. and Sun we did DL. But this crowd does not follow that suggestion 100% or anything, so expect to see folks in both parks on both days.

We saw NO impact on lines in particular. It was great, and I would even aim for this weekend if it worked out with my other schedules. Overall, great happy enthusiastic Disney fans! Many with their extended families, many couples, small groups, just all kinds of people.

There was lots of goings on at the GC the year we were there. DH went into one room where they had info and spoke to some of the organizers or volunteers, and even bought a T shirt, lol. He works construction, and frankly used to be somewhat close-minded but has educated himself and admits he was 100% WRONG in his old thinking. People can CHANGE and events like this are such a positive thing. IMHO.

Off my soapbox.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I just feel the need to hijack the tread for a minute and say WHY ISN'T THERE A TIKI ROOM SING-A-LONG EVERY DAY??? BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!!!!!

OK, sorry. I now totally want to do this every time I go to DLR. It sounds like so much fun! Anybody wanna start doing it with me? Say every day at 3 p.m. or something????

As for Gay Days, it sounds like an all-around great event, and I am totally bummed that we'll miss it by a few days. Have a great time everyone!

Ahahahahahaha! As I was reading through this thread I got to that post and copied and pasted it to my "research this" file.

I would LOVE a Tiki room sing-a-long! We must plan one!!!

OP: I wouldn't alter your plans too much due to Gay Days. It's a lot of hanging and visiting. Some riding.

- Dreams

 

[Gina]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts! I feel so much better hearing that the festivities shouldn't really alter crowd density and lines too much. Hopefully between early early park arrival (plenty of time to sleep when I'm dead!) and FP's, we'll be able to do most everything we want to do in spite of the massive hoards of weekend locals that have me terrified, lol. But DS & I are so excited to finally visit DLR!!!

 

[rwhistler92]

What? Not every visit to the Tiki Room is a sing along?
I can't help but sing along. Good thing it has never been busy when I go.

 

[Gina]

What? Not every visit to the Tiki Room is a sing along?
I can't help but sing along. Good thing it has never been busy when I go.

That's how I am with the Country Bear Jamboree. You'd have to duct tape my mouth shut to keep me from singing along in there.

 

[BlueBayou]

My husband and I were at DL over Gay Days a couple of years ago.

I think we tried to just do the parks in the opposite order of the group, which probably meant Sat we did C.A. and Sun we did DL. But this crowd does not follow that suggestion 100% or anything, so expect to see folks in both parks on both days.

We saw NO impact on lines in particular. It was great, and I would even aim for this weekend if it worked out with my other schedules. Overall, great happy enthusiastic Disney fans! Many with their extended families, many couples, small groups, just all kinds of people.

There was lots of goings on at the GC the year we were there. DH went into one room where they had info and spoke to some of the organizers or volunteers, and even bought a T shirt, lol. He works construction, and frankly used to be somewhat close-minded but has educated himself and admits he was 100% WRONG in his old thinking. People can CHANGE and events like this are such a positive thing. IMHO.

Off my soapbox.

We have been at "gay days" before and will be there at the right after the official end this year. We saw no real impact in terms of crowd size or behavior. Just people having fun.

But the one thing that bothered me was the fact they encourage folks to wear red shirts. Normally, not too many guys are in red shirts. That is what my DH normally wears to DL so I can spot him in a crowd. At one point early on when we were there on a "gay days" weekend day - I looked up and realized I had lost my DH in a sea of red shirted people.

Not a problem - just something I am keeping in mind for this trip. I think he will be easier to spot in in Orange golf shirt this year

 

[bumbershoot]

I hope they are able to make the trip with you. Check Lastminutetravel.com. They have great rates for flights/hotels.

I will; thank you.