Trying to avoid GayDays 2004

[DisDreamer]

I was just told by DH to plan a WDW trip for next summer - YAY!! We've only been once and that was for the Millineum celebration so I'm VERY excited!!! He will be taking my oldest daughter scuba diving in Cozumel, so the Disney trip will be myself, my mother, and my other 2 DD's ages 5 & 13 (at time of trip). I wanted to go May 28 and spend 7 or 8 days but now I'm learning that GayDays is June 3-9 of this year. Is it always at the same time? How can I find out when it is for next year? I would prefer to avoid this time - can anyone help?

Thanks so much, is good to be back in the disney groove - these boards were VERY helpful last time!! Looking forward to refamiliarizing myself with everything.

 

[BevS97]

they have a website www.gaydays.com but it only covers 2003 at the moment - but it does say

"Always the first Saturday in June, Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom (at Walt Disney World) is the signature event of the festival"

Everything i've ever read about this says that other than MK on the saturday you won't notice any difference in the parks, and are unlikely to even realise that it's happening.

they do list the parks they are visiting each day, so you could just choose to visit a different park if you would prefer.

Bev

 

[DisDreamer]

Thanks Bev, I did look at that site. I noticed it did mention the first Saturday but when I looked at the calendar I noticed some other activities taking place at Blizzard Beach, etc. - and also the range of the dates made it sound like MK day was towards the tail-end of the celebration, so I was a bit confused on what to expect for next year. I suppose when this year's gay days are over I can check back on their website and maybe the dates will be released for next year?

 

[Chuck S]

2004 Dates: (so far)

Thurs June 3, AK
Fri June 4, Disney/MGM Studios
Sat June 5, MK & Pleasure Island
Sun June 6, EPCOT

Most other designated spots are expensive private ticket events, including a private evening at Typhoon Lagoon and a DJ/Dance party at MGM.

My personal advice is to not let the gathering interfere with travel plans, except avoid the huge crowd at the MK on Saturday.

 

[DisDreamer]

You got it Chuck, thanks so much!!!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

 

[eek40]

As someone that is gay/lesbian, I would like to add that very rarely will you see anything that would offend you or your children. Most Gay/Lesbian, even Straight people avoid Public displays of affection in a theme park setting. Dont let this event concern you in the least, I bet if you didnt know it was going on you wouldnt even notice.

 

[DisDreamer]

Thanks eek! I would not be offended in any way - I have colleagues/friends/family members who are themselves gay/lesbian and it has never been an issue for me.....but my 4 yo, God bless the little honey -- she just notices EVERYTHING and I don't want her to be pointing and asking 101 questions when she should be focused 100% on Disney fun! There is a place and time in life for everything to be explained fully and Disney is not the place and 4 years old is not the time to be explaining alternative lifestyles. Like you said, and I agree, we probably would not notice a thing - we're going to be there that first week of June and we are really looking forward to it.

 

[eek40]

I know how difficult that age can be...as a former Nanny/Preschool teacher for over 12 years I know how they are I just wanted to point out that you shouldnt have any trouble, and I think that everyone will have a great trip. I am taking my Nephew (just the two of us) in November. Wish me luck.
Aimee

 

[Baloo]

Welcome to the DIS disdreamer and eek40!!

I was there several years ago not knowing it was Gay Days.I think it was just at the MK then.All I noticed was all the red shirts...I thought it was one huge family reunion!!!

My advise is check the website you were given and avoid those parks because of crowds on those specific days.

disdreamer... glad ya got your groove back!!!

We're here when you need us!!

 

[mcnuss]

I am so glad at the nice, positive tone on this thread. I was a teeny bit worried when I saw the subject.!

 

[DNSDisney]

I think at 4 or 5 that pda (if it isn't heavy petting) is easily explained. We were in downtown Atlanta when my dd was 5 at the midtown music fes. and on the way home got stopped at a gay cafe by a red light. My dd notice two men hugging for a long period of time on the patio of the cafe. She ask why they were doing that, I just said oh they must have not seen each other for a long time and let it go. Simple answers sometimes are the easiest to get away with.
Now fast forward to this yr planning our trip. She noticed that one day I was looking at the gaydays site (trying to plan to avoid the crowds) as we are going during that week. She had a terrible reaction when she found out we were going on the same week. She is 11 now so it was time for a long talk and some reality. She has known about gays since she was 6-7 thanks to public school kids. And ironically (to her reaction that is) she loves to watch Will and Grace, and love the character Jack. I was thinking (and was right) that her reaction was because of the unknown, fear of not knowing what to expect etc. SO ... I said to her you know J1 and J2 that we have xmas eve with at your aunts house every yr? she replies yes so... I said they are both gay. The look on her face at this point is one of shock. Then I add you know Uncle so and so brother that we have been around many times , she says yes , I said he is also gay. At this point she knew these people very well and her reaction totally changed towards the thought of seeing and being around the parks on those days. She is now fine with it and hopefully this attitude will prevail throughout her life now.
Sorry so long... just felt the need to share this.

 

[vicb]

Just went thru a similar thing with my just turned 11 year old DD. A teacher at school talked about his brother being "gay". My DD came home confused and said there must be another meaning of gay because half the class was giggling. I asked her what she thought "gay"meant, she said "you know like in the Disney movies and songs... happy and gay" so I explained the other meaning and she was sort of like . But then I too pointed out people already in her life, a girl on her sport team that has two moms (one of whom was a helper on her team) and two women neighbors who share a home in our sub and that normalized it for her... kind of like "oh I know them, they're ok, no big deal".

 

[eek40]

I must admit that at first I was also worried about this topic. Being part of the glbt (gay/lesbian). And had the claws ready to go...but learning the reasons for why the poster was looking for a way to avoid these times was the key. It wasnt because of a fear, it was more a crowd issue, and a question issue with a young child. I think I got myself all ready for a fight because I worked for a major airline vacation company that someone called and threw a fit because they were at wdw during these days. But the difference was, that their complaints were based off of stupidity, and baised beliefs. Sure I know my lifestyle is subject to a lot of debate. And I know that there are many that dont agree with it, but being open minded (including me not jumping the gun, and getting angry at the poster before understanding the situation)is the key here.
Aimee

 

[chager]

We planned our vacation this year without knowing about gaydays. As it works out we arrive the 8th right after most of the activities take place. Crowds are our biggest concern.That weekend is also a Star Wars weekend so I know Sunday will be busy when we arrive!! I am glad to read that even if there are activities going on everyone is discreet. We have an 8 yr old and have already had to explain gay doesn't always refer to happy. However he tends to make a HUGE deal out of ANYONE hugging and kissing! (I sure hope he outgrows this!)We have a couple close friends that are gay so the lifestyle is not an issue for us.

I am also really glad that the posts are so friendly. I was almost afraid to read them for fear of nasty remarks. I have found them informational.

Carolyn

 

[eek40]

This thread has taken a great turn for the best And I just have to say I think its great
Aimee

 

[mcnuss]

I do believe that kids get most, if not all, their attitudes about this subject from their parents, and clearly, we have a lot of level headed, open minded parents here on this thread. My DB is gay, and in our church we have several married gay couples with kids so DD has grown up with this as part of her life and it is simply no big deal. We actually left a church that preached homophobia; it was very ugly but how could my DD be brought up in a church that called her own uncle bad?

Kind of a funny story about children's innocence. We were in Provincetown last year and she saw a man dressed in women's clothes for the 1st time. She exclaimed "Mommy, that's a man wearing that dress, isn't it?" As I prepared myself for this profound teachable moment, I said "yes" and before I could say another word, she said "Well, green is just not his color, he should pick a different dress!!" LOL!!!

 

[eek40]

mcnus...that made me chuckle outloud! Children do tend to surprise us dont they?
Aimee

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

WOW!!!!

Like a lot of you have said, I was completely taken by surprise of the content of this post in relation to the subject line. I was at WDW last weekend, and did hear a great number of people already complaining about the the upcoming gaydays. As the brother of 2 gay men, I find it very offensive. I am very glad to see the way that this thread has played out, and the approach to which DisDreamer is planning.

My brothers are both "godfathers" to my 14 mo ds, and I would not have it any other way. My son was bapitized in an open and affirming church, because of the ways that my beleifs changed upon my brothers coming out of the closet.

Good luck to all, I will be taking my dbs to wdw at some point for gaydays in the future.

Edward

 

[DisDreamer]

Just adding another 2 cents of my own. I'm glad everyone is pleased with the relaxed and informative tone of this post. I was really skeptical about even beginning the thread but I truly felt like I could pull it off by just being myself, very relaxed and laid back -- and besides, I just really needed to know what to expect during that part of my trip.

I would never want to ever offend anyone on this board - I feel like we're all here to share our comments and feelings as well as insight to many different topics in our lives -- and I'm very glad to add that we're all doing a really great job of keeping a positive Disney tone in our discussions. We're all friends here!!

...and GO AIMEE - well said! Have a GREAT time with your nephew!! November, right?

 

[eek40]

DisDreamer, thanks for the nice words...and yes Nov is our trip. I am really looking forward to it....3 nites and the Poly, and 4 on the dcl Wonder
Aimee