Who has been in the parks the few days prior to Gay Day kickoff??

[figmentfan1]

Any difference in the parks? I personally have no problem with this event, but my BIL is thinking of backing out of the trip, he has strong personal beliefs contrary to this event.

We are leaving Orlando on June 1... no parks, just leaving... trying to convince him it will be a non-issue.

Help!!

J.

 

[123SA]

I was there on the days before and the weekend of Gay Day 2004. The days leading up to it, I didn't notice anything. The Saturday at MK...first there was the sea of red shirts (and DH was wearing a red shirt that day!!!) It took us a while to notice that the group was representing Gay Day. Like all other groups, some bad, some very nice. There were some raunchy t-shirts (but aren't there always?) Hand holding, but no other public displays of affection that I noticed. Although I don't remember why, the Country Bear Jamboree was a lot more fun. The atmosphere around the castle hub at parade time was great ---- a whole lot of very excited people makes the event better for everyone. A group of men let us through to the front so my daughter could see.

There was definitely some inappropriate language at the parade. If your BIL is even a little homophobic, it will wig him out. It didn't make me or my husband uncomfortable, but I think I was glad I didn't have a child old enough to pester me with questions. Mostly because that kind of serious conversation is not what I want to do on my family vacation -- but I don't think I would re-schedule my trip around it.

 

[Eeyore_girl]

Any experiences with the days FOLLOWING Gay Days? I believe this year Gay Day is June 1-7 (I THINK) and we arrive on the 8th.

 

[susan1]

hi
been twice whilst gay days were on. it was no different to any other time except the parks are crowded and yes some hand holding. i have seen worse between non gay people, infact was totally shocked by a couple oblivious to all on the grass in epcot!

 

[PattnFmly]

I've been during Gay Days too. The only real standout was the CROWDS! I did notice a few outrageous outfits, if you will, but those you can see anytime on anyone. Handholding and cuddling was about all I saw. But really,the only downside I saw was truly the crowds. Every park I went to was very busy.

 

[shelleybell]

I have been at the parks prior and immediately after Gay Days. It will be as non an issue as if you had gone any other time of year, IMHO. ( we are talking about before and after)This group has so many other things to do, other than WDW. I hope you do get him to go!


shelley

 

[princessesrule4]

The only difference before Gay Days is that it will be crowded from the Memorial Day weekenders! (Fri - Mon.)

 

[CathrynRose]

I was there on the days before and the weekend of Gay Day 2004. The days leading up to it, I didn't notice anything. The Saturday at MK...first there was the sea of red shirts (and DH was wearing a red shirt that day!!!) It took us a while to notice that the group was representing Gay Day. Like all other groups, some bad, some very nice. There were some raunchy t-shirts (but aren't there always?) Hand holding, but no other public displays of affection that I noticed. Although I don't remember why, the Country Bear Jamboree was a lot more fun. The atmosphere around the castle hub at parade time was great ---- a whole lot of very excited people makes the event better for everyone. A group of men let us through to the front so my daughter could see.

There was definitely some inappropriate language at the parade. If your BIL is even a little homophobic, it will wig him out. It didn't make me or my husband uncomfortable, but I think I was glad I didn't have a child old enough to pester me with questions. Mostly because that kind of serious conversation is not what I want to do on my family vacation -- but I don't think I would re-schedule my trip around it.

I agree with you - I was also there that same day, that same year. I *did* see the Dad of a family in a red shirt, and felt kinda bad for him...wonder if it was yours?

I wouldnt reschedule. I generally found it to be a very pleasant day - and actually LESS crowded than I would expect (prolly a lot of families hi-tailed it out of there)

I dont think your BIL is going to notice an increase of gay's before that particular weekend - AND quite honestly, I would hope he's having fun and enjoying myself, wouldnt be on the look out - you know?

I'd still go.

 

[jmkms]

We were also there in '04. The days leading up to it, you wouldn't know anything was going on. (We didn't.) That Saturday, though, we had early ressies for CRT. Our 2 daughters were excited, until a bunch of guys started pointing at my oldest daughter and snickering. She was wearing a red dress. (We had no clue about it all until then) So, yes, after CRT, we left.

You could always avoid MK that Saturday for BIL sake and it should not be a problem.

 

[missypie]

We were in the parks before and during gay days last year. We didn't go to the MK on Saturday (for fear of crowds). My kids were 14, 12 and 9 at the time. When we were at the airport waiting to leave, I asked each child individually how many gay people they noticed. Each child said "none."

DH and I noticed a few folks...the ladies on the bench with rainbow bandanas, etc., but certainly nothing overt.

If people are LOOKING to be offended, I guess they will be; otherwise, the folks there for gay days are just part of the crowd.

 

[figmentfan1]

I didn't think it would be an issue... especially since we are leaving as everything starts but he somehow stumbled onto the website and saw that it "Starts" on May 30... but if you read more carefully there are no Disney events until the day we leave.

Thanks everyone!!!

J.

 

[lorrainesy]

We were also there during Gay Days 2004. We arrived that Saturday morning for a quick visit to WDW after getting off The Disney Magic, so I don’t know what it was like before Gay Day. The day itself was not bad. It was very packed but it would be that time of year anyway. I was in the park almost an hour before I found out what all the red shirts meant. I have a lot of friends who are gay and I am defiantly not homophobic so it did not take away from our enjoyment. While waiting for my family to get the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (for like the 10th time in a row!) I had a very enjoyable conversation with a gentlemen who was the coordinator for the Gay Days at Dollywood. Basically the point of it is to let people know how many people are gay and they are proud of who they are and they will not hide. He also told me Michael Eisner is gay. I never knew that.

If your BIL is homophobic or even uncomfortable about being there I would not push it. From what I was told “Gay Days” was only at MK. So you could always do another park that day. We were there for four days after it and did not notice any organized groups besides on Saturday.

I did have two issues that bothered me.

1- Some people were too openly sexual for my comfort. This is not because of guy/guy or girl/girl it would have bothered me just as much if it was a male/female couple. Some of the things people were doing in the park should not happen in the public.

2- Some of the sayings on the t-shirts were almost x-rated. My nephew was 7 years old at the time and a very good reader. Not only was he reading the shirts out loud but he was asking questions.


My nephew was also wearing a red shirt that day. What a nightmare that was, we walk in the park and it was a sea of red. We were afraid we would lose him and not be able to find him in all the red. We bought him a new Buzz Light Year T-shirt to wear…..bright blue and green he really stood out then.

All and all it was ok. I would avoid booking a vacation during that time. However if you are already booked I don’t think it is worth the effort of changing your vacation plans.
Our last vacation to Disney was during a cheerleader competition (My family has a bad habit of picking our vacations at bad times) We all agree that Gay Days was not nearly the hassle that the cheerleader competition was.

But just remember….IT’S DISNEY!!!! No matter what you will have a great time.

 

[CathrynRose]

Some of the things people were doing in the park should not happen in the public. :

As Ive mentioned on the boards before. I saw the complete and total outline, of the entire *equipment* of a man, on Main Street through his very tight, very white spandex shorts. Yowsa!

2- Some of the sayings on the t-shirts were almost x-rated. My nephew was 7 years old at the time and a very good reader. Not only was he reading the shirts out loud but he was asking questions. :

Day of Magic, Night of Pleasure? Took my Fiance awhile to get that "Pleasure" meant Pleasure Island.... nothing dirty!!!

We all agree that Gay Days was not nearly the hassle that the cheerleader competition was. :

2nd this - 100 times over!

 

[LisaBi]

We were there the week prior, leaving on that Saturday in 99 and 2000 and didn't notice anything.

LisaB

 

[StacyPop]

I was there with my kids-and HORRIFIED. I am by no means a homophobe, but there were men making out, half naked (with places showing that I would rather not dicuss), and other displays that frankly, were inappropriate for a place that is geared towards children. I have no problem with Gay Day, but some of the participants did not care who their behavior affected. They acted like they were in a gay bar.
Never again, especially now that my kids are old enough to ask questions.

 

[MelessaG]

Based on the dates, I guess we were there during Gay Days last year. Obviously, I didn't notice a thing. We're going to be there this year too. Now you have me all worried about crowds-we have CRT ressies on that Sat.

 

[Twinklee]

We're going this week also, checking in on May 29th and leaving on June 3rd. My only concern is the crowds and we will definately avoid the MK on Saturday for that reason. In fact we're planning to avoid the park each day that is designated for Gay Days........and MGM during Star Wars weekend.
My dd is 15 and she says she sees plenty at school and doesn't expect to be shocked by anything that she may see while we're there that week.

Toni

 

[StacyPop]

Just be prepared for your kids to ask you some uncomfortable questions, and try to turn them away if you see any inappropriate behavior (obviously )

 

[lowie]

Any difference in the parks? I personally have no problem with this event, but my BIL is thinking of backing out of the trip, he has strong personal beliefs contrary to this event.

We are leaving Orlando on June 1... no parks, just leaving... trying to convince him it will be a non-issue.

Help!!

J.

my son's b-day is during that week and for the last 5 years we've been in disney during gay days. we actually have MORE fun then on non-gay days. but we're also very open-minded and don't even try to hide anything from our kids... no when the 6'5" tall drag queen was found in adventure land, we had our kids pose in a picture with her!
p.s. there were some inapropriate t-shirts. but they weren't red so i don't know if they were gay people...
and lastly... this will be our first year in a long time that we won't be in disney for gay days... moving out of state!

 

[Disneymailmn79]

was their during gay days in 2002 personally it does not bother me in the least to have thousands of gay people in the parks i say live and let live and i work with a couple of gay men and we get along fine. we kid around and its like anybody else. but as for as some people acting a little bit out of hand that does not belong in the parks for gay and straight alike hand holding is fine but making out and the like doesnt. if you have any problem with gay people i would say don't go during this time.