MarieLightning
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 23, 2012
- Messages
- 882
My wife and I recently returned from our 6th trip to WDW.
We've never really made comments as far as LGBT couples treatment goes at the World, because I don't feel we've necessarily had any direct experiences in regards to our relationship. Society being the way it is, two young girls traveling together won't be regarded first and foremost as a couple, and although we're affectionate toward one another as any couple would be, our 'PDA' doesn't go much further than hand holding and quick kisses once in a while.
This recent trip, however, we were celebrating 5 years together. We, as such, wore the Anniversary buttons.
I have nothing to say about guest reactions - I didn't really notice any negative ones toward us, so either I just missed them, or people couldn't care less when they noticed us. So I'm mostly gonna highlight Cast Member reactions here.
We had a mix of responses, ranging from very positive to mildly negative. The greater majority of reactions were neutral. We had the typical Cast Member telling us congratulations as we walked by. That's something my wife usually does herself whenever she comes across people wearing anniversary or birthday buttons, so I view this as neutral.
We really only dealt with one outwardly negative reaction. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, while going through back check, the security guard noticed my button. He congratulated me with a smile. That smile died on his face as he noticed Amber behind me, probably realized she was the other half in question, and he remained silent and stoned face for the remainder of bag check.
All in all, definitely nothing terrible. Just a brief moment in time - didn't really even phase me. Like, move over sour face, don't got time for this, I'm going into the Magic Kingdom right now.
As far as positive responses, a few stick out a bit more clearly.
Meeting Goofy in the Character Spot was awesome. He was so thrilled when he noticed our buttons, and you could tell. We think he may have been a part of the LGBT family himself, because of his reaction. It definitely made us happy.
We also had two great PhotoPass photographer encounters. The first being in Hollywood Studios, we met with PhotoPass photographer John at the exit of RnRC, and then a second time later in the day on Sunset Blvd. He didn't make a big deal or anything, but he was very sweet.
In Animal Kingdom, we had pictures taken by PhotoPass photographer Jason. Now he was definitely awesome. For the first time in five years/six visits, we had a photographer who treated us as an actual couple. He instructed us to do several couple poses, and we had a blast with him. We came across him twice that day, and he was just as great the second time around. We left a good comment for him with Guest Services.
Unfortunately, the neutral kinda leads to the disappointing aspects of the trip though. These two PhotoPass photographers really were the only ones who responded to our celebration. Now, we don't wear buttons expecting freebies (though I'll admit we got a slice of green tea cake to share at Teppan Edo which was delicious, so you know, I'm not complaining either). We wear them because we *are* celebrating, as any other couple who visits WDW.
For the most part, we've never cared about being treated as friends rather than a couple when we get pictures taken. As I've mentioned, we don't expect it to be obvious, and I assume even if some CMs suspect, they probably don't want to advance themselves without certainty for fear of offending us. So we've done the regular, I'm just gonna stand here and smile poses. We've gone along with photographers instructing us to do friend poses and even what Amber refers to as sister poses (namely, standing back to back with arms crossed - when she was Walmart Studios photographer, she was taught to use that pose for sisters).
We also know that not all PhotoPass photographers will take more than a couple of regular shots, especially if they have a long line behind them.
But it's hard to ignore the difference in treatment when standing behind a straight couple in line, and watching that straight couple go first and be instructed to do sweet, coupley poses (hug, kiss, etc). Then we go up and get regular pictures.
Before anybody says, yes, I am aware that we have a level of control over what pictures of us are taken. If we wanted a kissing picture, we don't have to wait for someone to tell us to do it.
I'm just making this comment because there are cases, however, when it's just too obvious that a same-sex couple just won't receive the same treatment. I don't know if it's because the CM is against LGBT rights. I don't know if they just don't want to make us take a kissing picture because they are more concerned about the other guests walking by possibly taking offense to seeing two girls kissing, than they are concerned about treating us like a normal couple.
Still, I often see people wondering what kind of treatment people receive when they visit WDW and display their orientation/same-sex relationship. So this is my take on it.
Typically very little negative. A few bursts of awesome positive.
But mostly, just overlooked. So if this makes you feel better, because you don't want attention to be brought on yourself (which is typically how we go about it anyway), you'll feel right at home.
We've never really made comments as far as LGBT couples treatment goes at the World, because I don't feel we've necessarily had any direct experiences in regards to our relationship. Society being the way it is, two young girls traveling together won't be regarded first and foremost as a couple, and although we're affectionate toward one another as any couple would be, our 'PDA' doesn't go much further than hand holding and quick kisses once in a while.
This recent trip, however, we were celebrating 5 years together. We, as such, wore the Anniversary buttons.
I have nothing to say about guest reactions - I didn't really notice any negative ones toward us, so either I just missed them, or people couldn't care less when they noticed us. So I'm mostly gonna highlight Cast Member reactions here.
We had a mix of responses, ranging from very positive to mildly negative. The greater majority of reactions were neutral. We had the typical Cast Member telling us congratulations as we walked by. That's something my wife usually does herself whenever she comes across people wearing anniversary or birthday buttons, so I view this as neutral.
We really only dealt with one outwardly negative reaction. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, while going through back check, the security guard noticed my button. He congratulated me with a smile. That smile died on his face as he noticed Amber behind me, probably realized she was the other half in question, and he remained silent and stoned face for the remainder of bag check.
All in all, definitely nothing terrible. Just a brief moment in time - didn't really even phase me. Like, move over sour face, don't got time for this, I'm going into the Magic Kingdom right now.
As far as positive responses, a few stick out a bit more clearly.
Meeting Goofy in the Character Spot was awesome. He was so thrilled when he noticed our buttons, and you could tell. We think he may have been a part of the LGBT family himself, because of his reaction. It definitely made us happy.
We also had two great PhotoPass photographer encounters. The first being in Hollywood Studios, we met with PhotoPass photographer John at the exit of RnRC, and then a second time later in the day on Sunset Blvd. He didn't make a big deal or anything, but he was very sweet.
In Animal Kingdom, we had pictures taken by PhotoPass photographer Jason. Now he was definitely awesome. For the first time in five years/six visits, we had a photographer who treated us as an actual couple. He instructed us to do several couple poses, and we had a blast with him. We came across him twice that day, and he was just as great the second time around. We left a good comment for him with Guest Services.
Unfortunately, the neutral kinda leads to the disappointing aspects of the trip though. These two PhotoPass photographers really were the only ones who responded to our celebration. Now, we don't wear buttons expecting freebies (though I'll admit we got a slice of green tea cake to share at Teppan Edo which was delicious, so you know, I'm not complaining either). We wear them because we *are* celebrating, as any other couple who visits WDW.
For the most part, we've never cared about being treated as friends rather than a couple when we get pictures taken. As I've mentioned, we don't expect it to be obvious, and I assume even if some CMs suspect, they probably don't want to advance themselves without certainty for fear of offending us. So we've done the regular, I'm just gonna stand here and smile poses. We've gone along with photographers instructing us to do friend poses and even what Amber refers to as sister poses (namely, standing back to back with arms crossed - when she was Walmart Studios photographer, she was taught to use that pose for sisters).
We also know that not all PhotoPass photographers will take more than a couple of regular shots, especially if they have a long line behind them.
But it's hard to ignore the difference in treatment when standing behind a straight couple in line, and watching that straight couple go first and be instructed to do sweet, coupley poses (hug, kiss, etc). Then we go up and get regular pictures.
Before anybody says, yes, I am aware that we have a level of control over what pictures of us are taken. If we wanted a kissing picture, we don't have to wait for someone to tell us to do it.
I'm just making this comment because there are cases, however, when it's just too obvious that a same-sex couple just won't receive the same treatment. I don't know if it's because the CM is against LGBT rights. I don't know if they just don't want to make us take a kissing picture because they are more concerned about the other guests walking by possibly taking offense to seeing two girls kissing, than they are concerned about treating us like a normal couple.
Still, I often see people wondering what kind of treatment people receive when they visit WDW and display their orientation/same-sex relationship. So this is my take on it.
Typically very little negative. A few bursts of awesome positive.
But mostly, just overlooked. So if this makes you feel better, because you don't want attention to be brought on yourself (which is typically how we go about it anyway), you'll feel right at home.
sad: sad day for my self esteem) although we're only four years apart. But we have been asked plenty of times if we're sisters. Cause you know. We both wear glasses and have varying shades of brown hair 
