Trying to avoid GayDays 2004

[4greatboys]

Disrailfan---no there is no reason for the thread to get ugly but unforunately some certain subjects here almost always get ugly and turned into a debate such as bringing a microwave for your room, having an extra person in your room and there are others but they slip my mind now.
Its always great to see people posting their idea's and opinions, even if they a different point of view, without being derogatory about it.

 

[viviannesmom]

I'm new to this board, straight, but with many many many gay friends who I love dearly. What a great thread. My 3.5 yo dd has seen my best gay friend in many of his getups (including telling him one he was trying to decide if he should wear to a party and she told him - no, Uncle Joe, don't wear that, everyone will laugh at you. Needless to say, he went with outfit #2 and was a big hit.)

I had to laugh when envisioned someone actually worrying about being at "The World" on gay day, considering that such a high popluation of the Disney young male workers appear to be gay. To me, every day is gay day at Disney, and that's why the service is so great there! When I think about homophobic people, I just want to shake them...but that's a whole other issue.

I'd have no problem being there on gay day with my family, except that I seem to attract gay men like a magnet and my DH would be jealous of all of the attention I'd be getting!

 

[Chuck S]

I just returned from WDW after a 9 night stay. I attended every Gay Day park with my 79 year old Mom in a wheelchair. We saw nothing "over the top" as far as action or dress, and no PDA of any kind, except hand-holding. On Saturday at MK I saw one male couple in LEATHER short-shorts, barely covering - one guy had about 1/2" of his "cheeks" showing. Really, I thought they were stupid for wearing that horribly uncomfortable outfit in the Florida HEAT. And I heard one short rendition of "It's a Gay World After All" from those queueing up for Haunted Mansion as we were exiting the attraction - no big deal. "Uniform of the Day", myself included, seemed to be red shirts and khaki walking shorts. I noticed many more older gay couples, and gay couples with parents/children this year and many more "traditional" families. Finally, the word seems to be getting around that people don't need to be afraid us. It is becoming a big "non-event" for most people. I was also surprised that Spectromagic was NOT scheduled for the previous Friday night, as has been the norm the last few years - although it probably would have been canceled anyway due to rain. Disney also distributed their normal "Busy Day Expected at MK" letter to resort guests.

Except for all the rain, it was a very nice trip.

 

[eek40]

I always try to answer him honestly......Aimee what in you experience would be the best response that would not offend the person he is asking about but still give my ds an honest answer?

Hi all again, I really want to answer this question with a great answer but my nephew , 5yrs old, just got released from a horible hospital stay that was unexpected. So my brain is completely gone at this point as I have basically been up from Friday to present....with very little if any sleep. So I will work up an good response as soon as I have had some sleep.

Aimee

 

[babyblues68]

Originally posted by tmli

I always try to answer him honestly......Aimee what in you experience would be the best response that would not offend the person he is asking about but still give my ds an honest answer?

Tracey,

If he asks just tell him they love each other like mommy and daddy. I guess my point is treat it like you would a question about straight couple. They are a couple, two people in love. If there are futher question from him, I'm sure you could check the libaray. I seem to remember a book about....(insert child's name) and her two mommies. For me I talk to my kids in everyday life about these issues, so that they aren't made out to be a big deal when situations come their way.


DH and I are very honest with our kids and they are very young 4 & 5. Some may not agree, but there my kids. I believe in raising children to love people for who they are and not for who they love, color of their skin or religoius beliefs. You will miss out on some wonderful people in life by judging others. My DD and I watched the true story of Rosewood a couple of weeks ago. She was out at the pool the next day asking everyone, did you know there used to be slaves and they were being hurt just because they had dark skin and continued to tell them we should love everyone. I was so very proud...love is getting ingrained in not only in her heart but in her mind too.


I grew up in a prejudice home with so much hate for others. I'm the only one in my family who just didn't get it.

Sorry so long and strayed from the crowd topic. Just wanted to give Tracey and idea. I'll step down from the soap box now.


Aimee...I hope your nephew will be ok. Sending prayers and pixie dust for him and family.

Tammy

 

[HokieDad]

I was there last week and saw nothing. So much for the hype.

Disney does sponsor Gay Days. That's how they can close portions of the park for a non-group. They just don't admit they have any involvement. That speaks volumes about them

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by HokieDad
Disney does sponsor Gay Days. That's how they can close portions of the park for a non-group. They just don't admit they have any involvement. That speaks volumes about them

Sorry, Disney does NOT sponsor Gay Days, they have always had parks/water parks available for private parties. The parks are leased by a promotional firm that sells the private tickets for admission. If Disney sponsored any of the events, the tickets would be available directly from Disney - like MVMCP and CP dinner packages.

Renting a Disney park for an private party has been an option for groups/promotors since before WDW was ever build, private firms often rented Disneyland for an evening in the 1960s.

 

[ilovefh]

Disney does sponsor Gay Days. That's how they can close portions of the park for a non-group. They just don't admit they have any involvement. That speaks volumes about them

Like others have pointed out that is not true. For example, my friend got married at MK and they closed the park early for her wedding. (I don't even want to know how much that wedding cost...fireworks, the works!) Also, I used to work there, and you would be surprised how often a park is closed early so a private group can use it.

Not Disney sponsored, but the people who do sponsor the events just have enough money in order to pay for the private parties.

Also, for the typhoon lagoon parties tickets were $35 for friday night and $75 for Sat night. So I am sure that helps to pay Disney too.

 

[Baloo]

Disney does not "sponser" Gay Days.As several have said parts of WDW can be rented out.I know someone who had a private party to renew wedding vows at MK,including fireworks! If you have enough cash you can rent many places on WDW property.

Gee I only hope one day I'm rich enough to rent it out...maybe I'll have a DIS Boards party there!

 

[DisneyVillain]

Avoiding the GayDays parks for those four days was our original plan, because of the crowds. In order to work in an E-ride night at MK, it was more convenient for us to visit the Disney MGM Studios on the GayDays day for that. Many of the gay people who attend the MK Gay Day on Saturday don't visit the other parks at all, and many people avoid the GayDays parks on those days, so it seemed that the number of people avoiding the park because it was the GayDays park of the day was at least as large as the number of gays attending. We didn't notice any increase in crowds at all.

One thing we did notice that we didn't really expect, was the number of gays who left the MK after the meetings and spent the afternoon and evening at Epcot. I am assuming that they went for the big event, and then said something to the effect of "I'm not waiting 2 hours to ride ANY ride! Let's go to Epcot!". Anyway, they were much more noticeable at Epcot on Saturday, than at MGM on Friday, because they were still wearing their shirts (red or decorated or sloganed or all of the above). There were also many groups, where it was mostly couples on other days.

We saw a lot of same sex couples and some gay groups during the week, but no inappropriate dress or behavior.

When we go to Disney, it is as soon as school gets out for the summer. If that happens to be the same week as GayDays (and it usually is,) then that's when we are going. After this year, I won't even bother trying to avoid the GayDays park, except for the MK on Saturday.

On a side note, on one of the other forums, someone told me that in recent years that Disney resort guests had been warned of the large crowds expected at the MK on Saturday and had been offered early entry at parks other than the scheduled one on that day. That was not the case this year. We were at the Yacht Club, and there was no mention of any kind of the expected crowds at the MK, and no extra early entry offered.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by DisneyVillain
On a side note, on one of the other forums, someone told me that in recent years that Disney resort guests had been warned of the large crowds expected at the MK on Saturday and had been offered early entry at parks other than the scheduled one on that day. That was not the case this year. We were at the Yacht Club, and there was no mention of any kind of the expected crowds at the MK, and no extra early entry offered.

Then somebody at Yacht Club screwed up. We're DVC members, and on the THURSDAY before GayDay at MK, the notice was placed in our room. I don't remember which parks (MGM and AK, I think)...anyway - 2 out of the 3 remaining parks had early entry on Saturday. We stayed at OKW, and Thursday wasn't even one of our housekeeping days - so the housekeepers made a special trip to leave the form letter on our beds.

On Friday, I had to go to the front desk for something, and I saw the CMs giving the notice to people as they were checking in at OKW.

 

[eek40]

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I always try to answer him honestly......Aimee what in you experience would be the best response that would not offend the person he is asking about but still give my ds an honest answer?"

Ok, now that I have had some sleep I can answer this, also for those that want to know my Nephew is doing much better, and I appreciate the pixie dust!


You know most gay/lesbian/transgendered people do not get offended easily. Being as we have dealt with this most of our lives, I think the things we get offended about are people that refuse to see we are "normal" people and that dont think before they open their mouths. I would, if asked by a child explain that I love my partner just like their Mommy and Daddy love each other. A lot of this depends on the childs age. Even if you do not agree with the gay/lesbian persons life you can still present it in a way that is not offense...."some people like boys...some girls" If you can find someone gay/lesbian to show him and point out that everyone in this world is different....and this is just another example. Some people have green hair, others blonde...some people date men and are men...etc. I think the important thing is let them come to their own conclusions. Kids are not born with Preijuce(spelling?) they are taught. Everyone has their opinions and are allowed to. Kids deserve this same right. I think you will do just fine.
Thanks
Aimee

 

[babyblues68]

Originally posted by eek40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the important thing is let them come to their own conclusions. Kids are not born with Preijuce(spelling?) they are taught. Everyone has their opinions and are allowed to. Kids deserve this same right.
Thanks
Aimee

Aimee,

How wise for you say that....I wish so many others would see their children as individual little humans with their own little opinions and they have that right. For people not to presure kids into proto-types of themselves. I think that's why so many have their own ideas and dreams crushed. You know that old saying....It's my way or the highway.

If you are or not a parent you sound like you'd be a very wise loving one.

Tammy

 

[eek40]

"Aimee,

How wise for you say that....I wish so many others would see their children as individual little humans with their own little opinions and they have that right. For people not to presure kids into proto-types of themselves. I think that's why so many have their own ideas and dreams crushed. You know that old saying....It's my way or the highway.

If you are or not a parent you sound like you'd be a very wise loving one.

Tammy"

Thank you so much Tammy for your kind words. I am actually not a parent, I do have a degree in Early Childhood Education however, and 12 years as a Nanny has taught me a lot. The sad thing is that I too have seen many a child forced into their parents "molds". And it is sad, and the sad fact remains that children do have rights, they do have opinions and they have every right to them, just as any other human. Two of my neices and nephews have a parent that is very supportive of the fact that I am a lesbian. The other 3 sadly have parents that are not, and by that fact I dont get to be an Aunt to those kids the way I would love to. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for, and deserve to learn the ways of the world. Heck facts are facts, gay/lesbian/transgender/bi-sexual people do exsist in this world, and in fact have for a long time, and will for a long time. If we shelter our children we are not protecting them only making it harder in the end. I would love to have children someday, and maybe I will maybe I wont, but regardless your words Tammy meant a lot to me!
Aimee

 

[babyblues68]

You are very welcome!


Like I said in my reply to Tracey:
"You will miss out on some wonderful people in life by judging others."

At least you have 2 neices & 2 nephews you can teach not to hate humans for just being themselves, humans. Maybe your influences of loving the human spirit you show these 4 children will spill over to the other three as they grow and learn life for their own.

Tammy

 

[JonHM]

we went during Gay Days several years ago and found it to be a very pleasant experience. Lots of people really enjoying the Disney magic.

I have to admit that I was very worried when I first saw this thread and am very pleasantly surprised that everyone has been so civil. I am somewhat offended by the comments that refer to homosexuality as a 'lifestyle choice', but I understand that there was no malicious intent behind the comments.

As many others have stated on this thread, I would just make your vacation plans for whatever days work out best for you. If it happens to coincide with gay days, I doubt that it would cause any problem. Good luck planning your trip!!

 

[eek40]

Originally posted by JonHM
we went during Gay Days several years ago and found it to be a very pleasant experience. Lots of people really enjoying the Disney magic.

I have to admit that I was very worried when I first saw this thread and am very pleasantly surprised that everyone has been so civil. I am somewhat offended by the comments that refer to homosexuality as a 'lifestyle choice', but I understand that there was no malicious intent behind the comments.

As many others have stated on this thread, I would just make your vacation plans for whatever days work out best for you. If it happens to coincide with gay days, I doubt that it would cause any problem. Good luck planning your trip!!

Just curious why the problem with lifestyle choice? I to have a problem with this , only because it is not a choice, I have been a lesbian always, and I wouldnt choose it if I had a choice. But I just wondered why you mentioned that.
Aimee

 

[Talking Hands]

Chuck sorry I missed you. Did you watch the parade across from Hall of the President's this year or somewhere else? I was there and surrounded by a huge crowd of deaf people. It was a fun day.

 

[tmli]

Aimee--thanks for your honest reply. I think I am on the right track with my ds. I encourage him to ask questions and answer them as honestly as I can. We sometimes are met with rudeness in return from the people he is asking questions about, but most realize we are coming from a good place.

There's been alot of publicity surrounding same sex couples here, same sex couples are being legally married. So this topic has come in handy. My son's response after I explained why 2 women were getting married is--"Why are they in the paper, I thought everyone marries the person they love when they grow up?" He then proceeds to say that it's smart for a woman to marry another woman because when they go to a restaurant they can go into the same bathroom!

Seeing the world thru the eyes of a 7 yr old is one of the many gifts in being a mom!

 

[babyblues68]

Originally posted by tmli
Seeing the world thru the eyes of a 7 yr old is one of the many gifts in being a mom!

Oh how beautiful and loving our little one's minds are. Just think if we could capture that and keep it in us forever...what a wonderful place we'd live in....Kinda like the feeling we get at Disney only 100 times better......