Whose been during gay days at DL?

[angelhair45]

We were originally going to go October 1-5, but now we may be changing the dates to accomadate my niece. We are considering the 3-7. That would put us being at DL on the 6 which is the designated gay day for DL. Are the crowds really bad? Is it worse or as bad as summer? Should I worry about it, or just go with the flow?

 

[heatherleigh]

I haven't been during that time, but that was one reason we decided to go a week later. I went to the Gay Days website, and it looks like they are expecting a big turn out this year (for the 10th anniversary.)

The one good thing, is that you can book a stay at the DLH thru their site for only $149 a night.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We are going at that time this year also! My understanding is that in previous years the GD has not impacted other park goers too much. The group designates one park each day, and posts an itinerary for each day's activities. If you want to avoid the crowd, just go to the other park for that day. Or pay attention to their itinerary, and plan your own activities around the crowd.

Like you, I'm hoping it's not too crowded to be enjoyable!

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I was there 2 yrs ago- and we left. Not only was it crowded, but unfortunately we were forced to witness inappropriate behavior and inappropriate dress. If it isn't OK for a young hetero couple to make out all over DLR, why is it ok on Gay days? Massive PDA (which I did NOT want to explain to my then 2 year old) and lowd crowd mentality behavior turned us off and will keep us away from DLR on Gay Days.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I was there 2 yrs ago- and we left. Not only was it crowded, but unfortunately we were forced to witness inappropriate behavior and inappropriate dress. If it isn't OK for a young hetero couple to make out all over DLR, why is it ok on Gay days? Massive PDA (which I did NOT want to explain to my then 2 year old) and lowd crowd mentality behavior turned us off and will keep us away from DLR on Gay Days.

I was just curious if you had known about the GD schedule and planned accordingly? In other words, were you unknowingly in the same park because you were unaware of the GD schedule? Or did you purposely go to the other park, and the GD attendees did not stick to the event's schedule?

We're already booked and meeting friends there, so I'm not going to change our dates; but would appreciate going in knowing what to expect. Thanks.

 

[heatherleigh]

Kelsies, that was the other reason (besides the crowds) that we decided to wait another week for our trip. It just wasn't worth the savings (the $149 rate I mentioned.)

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We were there last year during gay days, we had already booked our trip when we found out. It really didn't have an impact on our trip at all. We knew who was there for gay days because they were all wearing red. We did not witness any inappropriate behavior at all. It was just another day at DL for us.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Thanks, mommy2allyandaveri!

I've read several comments from people who attended during Gay Days, and most of them were like yours, it really wasn't a big deal and the crowds weren't bad at all.

We'll just hope for the best, and maybe have a few back-up plans if things don't turn out the way we hope.

 

[mechurchlady]

The Gays are normal people and are not a bother. I was there once when they were there. I did not have problems or see problems during Gay Days.

The bad news is two parts. First is the Gay haters who will make snide remarks and insult the Gays. I was pin trading that day and some of the gestures were um never mind not kid friendly and the remarks were crass and low brow. You might have to explain to kids what is happening if you come across low brow people Gay bashing.

Second problem is that there will be more people than normal those days. It will be more crowded but if you plan well then you should not have a problem It is not as bad as Fourth of July for example but normally in October DL has a lot fewer people. I would say it was less crowded than summer time.

Should you go? If you do not mind the few Gay bashers you might run into, are willing to not wear a red shirt that day, and do not mind a few extra people then go. Red shirts are the Gays' way of say "I am Gay" during Gay Days. It is their way of preventing ugly scenes from happening. Some people are there date hunting. If you wear a red shirt the park usually will give you a shirt to wear of another colour.

 

[catexer]

two years ago we went during gay days and I must say we will not go again during this event. not because the people were gay but because there were SO MANY people. We have never been to the park when we absolutely could not move.

Parades and Fireworks shows are always crowded but this was insane. shoulder to shoulder and back to front. There was a one-way traffic flow around the hub.

Over all the crowds were well mannered and friendly just overly overly LARGE.

 

[KAYELIZ]

Last year, we had already made our plans when we found out that Gay Days was being held on the same weekend as our visit. I was very concerned with how crowded the parks would get (the CHOC walk was also being held that Sunday and Columbus Day was Monday). We got to the parks when they opened and the crowds were relatively light. By early afternoon, the parks were getting very crowded so we took a break and went back to the hotel. We returned to the parks later that evening and used the fastpasses that we had collected that morning. I agree with catexer, we were shoulder to shoulder for the fireworks but we had a great time and are returning this year on the same weekend. We didn't witness any inappropriate behavior. This year we're staying at the GCH (got a great Gay Days rate!).
- angelhair45 - I have never been to Disneyland in the summer, so I can't compare the crowd levels, but I think with a little planning and flexability, you'll have a great time too.

 

[talie95]

I haven't been during Gay days....we always go in Oct. but we usually go during the week so we haven't been affected. But from what I heard last year most people didn't have any problems with it and it didn't really have much of an impact. My suggestion to avoid the crowds as much as possible would be to go to opposite parks. The Gay Days event will be at Disneyland on Sat. and DCA on Sunday. This year we will be there Sun.-Wed. but we are planning Sun. at Disneyland so hopefully the crowds won't be too bad.

 

[Vanvmom]

My brother goes every year, in fact this year he's thrilled to be able to stay at the GCH. He jokes about it being the only time that the number of gay guests outnumber the number of gay employees. Each year he and some friends try to "bottom out" several attractions - POTC, Small World, Space and Splash Mtn all have weight limits per vehicle - too much weight, vehicle is pulled aside and reloaded. Silly boys, silly goals. Word of their silliness gets around to the attraction operators quickly.

My brother also goes with us on our annual DL trip in Nov. and we often run into friends of his in the park. Every guy I've met has been great! Trust me, most of them are just as against PDA just like many hetero couples are. Yes, they do all try to wear red shirts, and many of the guys wear hats with rainbow bears (actually... just about any bears- Bears would be gay men that don't fit the gay male stereo type). Our kids understand that their uncle's lifestyle is very different than ours, but that is not a reason to dislike anyone.

If those are the days in Oct. that you have scheduled your vacation, don't let Gay Days disuade you from going. I would MUCH rather spend my vacation at DL with this group, than with the "haters", or the rude, line cutting, run you over crowd.

 

[teacups]

I would MUCH rather spend my vacation at DL with this group, than with the "haters", or the rude, line cutting, run you over crowd.

When does that convention go? I dont want to book for that week...

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I was just curious if you had known about the GD schedule and planned accordingly? In other words, were you unknowingly in the same park because you were unaware of the GD schedule? Or did you purposely go to the other park, and the GD attendees did not stick to the event's schedule?

We're already booked and meeting friends there, so I'm not going to change our dates; but would appreciate going in knowing what to expect. Thanks.

No, we had no clue. That was before I found the DIS We actually inadvertantly were in the opposite parks on their scheduled days- but many of them were in DL on their DCA day (as I found out by looking at their website when we came home). You'd be surprised at some of the wording on some of the guys' shirts and the behavior from many. IMO it wasn't apprpriate for a family park (regardless of anyone's orientation).

 

[Leofoenget]

We were originally going to go October 1-5, but now we may be changing the dates to accomadate my niece. We are considering the 3-7. That would put us being at DL on the 6 which is the designated gay day for DL. Are the crowds really bad? Is it worse or as bad as summer? Should I worry about it, or just go with the flow?

It's quite busy, and I would avoid them personally. I hate huge crowds. BATS day too.

 

[fairycat]

I ended up going to Disney accidentally on a Gay Day and we had no problems and the crowds were fine but I think we must have been at the opposite park to their itinenary since we saw very few red shirts and didn't know about it until we heard some nasty comments from some rude people about the "gays". That part was AWFUL! This was a year or two again.

As to Bats Day unless you are going for the event skip it or stay at DCA that day. It is a VERY busy day to begin with (one of the last weekends in August with late summer hours so summer crowds) and adding the Bats adds about 2,000-3,000 extra people. But the plus is that Bat's Day is just Sunday in the park (almost all are in DL except the few that escape for DCA) all the rest of the activities are at the hotel the rest of the weekend.

 

[Vanvmom]

My sister and brother-in-law went 2 years ago for dinner to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday (they live in Mission Viejo and are AP holders). Not knowing anything about the red-shirts, or gay days, my bro-in-law wore a red polo shirt that day. He got tons of confused looks as he walked through the park with his arm around his wife. It was not until dinner at the Blue Bayou that he asked any cast members about all the red shirts he'd seen that day. What a shocker! He got a big laugh out of that experience.

 

[Vanvmom]

When does that convention go? I dont want to book for that week...

I've been trying to locate the website that announces their convention, so I could avoid it as well. I even looked in the "rude people in the parks" thread, but no such luck...

 

[mom2dzb]

My husband and I were there last GDs and the crowds were horrible. Our family was there this summer (July 3-6) and I'd say the crowd level was comparable. The demographics were certainly different, but I didn't notice anything appalling. I would suggest avoiding the park that is on the GD itinerary, but you'll find red shirts all over the place, so crowd levels are going to be higher whichever park you go to.