sensitive topic

[Chicago526]

Okay, right off I want to say I have no problems with alternative lifestyles WHAT SO EVER.

But I did see a report last night on a cable news network saying that there was a lot of mis-behavior by guests during the un-official Gay Days at Disney World. Again I have no problem with the event in and of itself. But the report showed hidden camera footage of very explicit behavior in Pleasure Island, the resorts, and even the parks itself.

I don't trust the source of the video, the behavior in the footage shown would have security in a second throwing people out, regardless of their orientation. But on the off chance this really did happen, I wanted to know if anyone has been to the parks during this time and what you've witnessed. I'm a travel agent, and if there really is crude behavior going on, I want to advise my clients who may not appreciate being at Disney during this time.

I hope this is exaggerated or out right un-true, but I'd really like to know.

 

[Rikku]

There's actually an entire post about this in the debate board I think. I know I read it somewhere around here today. The thing is though that footage was taken over a six year span and I've seen any different combination of people doing any combination of acts in the parks in "out of the way"places so it's not relegated to this group of folks.

Remember O'Reily is a button pusher...so take it all with a grain of salt. I've been down there during Gay Days and seen nothing out of the ordinary save for nomal affectionate behavior and so long as this doesn't bother your clients they should be fine.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

Well I'm not sure what video you saw, but we were there last year and even though it was very busy, there was no rude/crude behavior.

I think bad judgement on ANYONE's part can happen at anytime, doesn't matter if they're gay or straight.

We actually had a great time, other then the crowds during this event. I think it was a more adult crowd and thus made for a more pleasent time.

I had my little one and my teen there and they have been taught to accept everyone, no matter what color, sexual orientation, or ethnic background people are and I don't think they noticed a thing. I can say I knew about it in advance, but I didn't notice anything either, expect more adults then normal.

Pam

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

I was there a couple of years ago. We saw some hand holding, but nothing to put anyone in an uproar.

 

[lwestwise]

We were there this year during Gay Pride Week and beginning Friday, the parks were extremely crowded. There was some hand holding but the most outward show of affection I saw was a couple sitting on each others lap. That was because it was raining and one was on the edge of the bench at the side of the awning and was getting wet. The rain and crowds were the main issue with our family.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, that's a relief! I kind of thought that was the situation, but one never knows. Thanks for the feed back!

 

[angey77]

I've been to Disney two Memorial Days that happened to be Gay Week and have never seen anything outside of occasional hand holding, and that was few and far between.
HOWEVER...
Pleasure Island was a different story. I think PI is where all the guys go that week and all the women somewhere else. There were TONS of shirtless guys in Mannequins and some of them getting just as far on the PDA as straight couples.
So, you may want to warn adult clients about that. Personally, I didn't mind all the half-naked guys dancing with me! Grrrr.

 

[erikthewise]

This sort of "news story" is 100% about manipulating viewers. "Button pushing" describes it well. The line between highly selective reporting of events that fit your story and just plain making up a story is a very thin one.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I was there with my friend back in 1998 and we are not gay nor was the man involved in this story.

Walking through Pleasure Island at night, a very drunk, very crude man approached us and when I refused his advances became very aggresive and rude.

Also, was there a few years ago with my then 4 year old neice and a girl, who obviously had a severe form of retardation , about age 15 came running almost naked out of the ladies room at one of the parks screaming at the top of her lungs that she "had (another word for) poop all over her butt" . Luckily her parents caught her and contained her before anyone saw much. I happened to be coming out of the bathroom about the same time so I saw more than most and I'm sorry, I feel sorry for her and I know it's not her fault, but her PARENTS should have known better than to let her out of their sight for even a minute. My neice saw everything and heard it and was very confused.

Rude behavior happens everywhere; it's not a matter of a certain type of person, it's all in the individuals (or their parents in the case of the girl).

 

[Samirella]

They could probably come up with the same amount of footage from the same time span from a heterosexual celebration that goes on at WDW as well...Grad Night!

 

[cleo]

I've been to Disney many times during Gay Days and never even noticed until I found out about it from the boards a couple of years ago. Last year I went to Pleasure Island during that time and it was VERY obvious most of the guests at the Adventurer's Club were male couples because the performers made a big deal out of it......and it was absolutely hilarious! It was one of the best times I've had in a club there, and even with all the ribbing and inuendo, not one guest ever got out of line. It was great fun, never crossing the lines of good taste for adult humor.

 

[tar heel]

We've been there four of the past five years and never seen anything offensive. As other people said, hand holding, hugging, etc. -- exactly the same thing you see hetero couples doing every day. There are some private parties associated with the event -- an after hours thing at MGM and at one of the water parks. I didn't see the show, but I would have to wonder if the offending footage came from one of those.

 

[jdwright13]

stuff, mainly what appeared to be full make out sessions in line for rides. Not a lot of it, but there was some. Unfortunately, some people are that way, and it goes for straights as well. IMO, anybody participating in that kind of behavior should be ejected from the park.

 

[viluvsdisney]

When you pay to go to Disney, you're banking on the fact that you're buying wholesome family entertainment. That's part of the Disney appeal. When there is behavior other then "wholesome," it gets noticed - gay or straight. Another response said - and I agree - I'd be more afraid to take my kids there during Grad Night.

 

[ryanrop]

Anytime you have thousands of people in one place there are bound to be some troublemakers. I have been to disney 4 times and have never had any problems with troublemakers. It's all in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Remember, Pleasure Island is one big party area with Booze. Anytime that's involved then there are bound to be problems. Anything goes once you cross over to pleasure island. If you don't want your kids to see what happens during gay week then plan around it, that's what we do.

Ryan

 

[Gillian]

I think I would tell my clients about it anyway, especially if they seem like the type who would be upset about it. I would approach it as a crowd-avoidance issue, requiring a little extra planning. Also, hasn't Disney changed the early entry day in the past? I'd want my clients to be aware of this possibility. It's a difficult topic, though.

Luckily, Grad nights are closed to the general public. One less thing to worry about!

 

[angey77]

Yes, fortunately Grad Nites are closed to the general public, but the other events that come with it (trips to EPCOT, MGM, AK, Universal, Sea World) are during operating hours. I'm sorry to say, I was one of those thousands of students there one year and even I got annoyed with all the goofing off!

 

[disneygrrrl]

I think a good point that O'Riley did make was that if Disney was going to have these "special days" for different groups, NOT just gays, perhaps they should put up signs to let everyone know what was going on. This way they could make judgments for themselves and their families and be prepared for things they might not usually see....or decide if they didn't want to enter the park or whatever at that time. I've never been down there at that time, so I don't know if they have signs for these kinds of things or not........

And I agree, I've seen the same behavior from heterosexuals as well. And I do not condone either. Hand-holding--fine, hugs, sure, but full blown make out sessions are something I don't want to see as I'm stuck in line at close proximity. From anyone. Makes me want to tell them to "get a room".........

 

[photobob]

Remember these are not "special days" set by Disney, this is a group choosing to meet at Disney. I've been Memorial Day week three times, twice coinciding with Gay Days. The first time we found out about it a few weeks before and my wife was concerned due to the fact we have two small children. I researched and found their website and saw that they had a set schedule, so I set my schedule to not go to the parks that they were at that day. It was a nonfactor due to our planning...

 

[Kim&Chris]

It's really strange........my cousin, who is gay & lives in downtown Orlando, told me to avoid Gay Days at all costs. He has alot of friends who are cast members & they told him that it's a "madhouse" during Gay Days.

HOWEVER, a few of my friends have gone during these days, with their families, and said it was no big deal.