[sv651]

We're thinking of visiting WDW the first week of June next year. This happens to coincide with Orlando's Gay Days, which apparently attracts over 100,000 visitors to the area.

My question, especially for folks who may have been at WDW this past June, is whether the entire week at WDW becomes too crowded, or whether it's restricted to just the weekend days.

Events are scheduled at WDW for every day of the week, but I recall reading somewhere that it's only Saturday at MK that's really busy.

A related question is to what extent the guests' activities, attitudes, etc. would make it uncomfortable for parents visiting with young children (6 & 8). I've read stories of very inappropriate behavior, but it's difficult to tell how widespread this is.

Anyone have the real scoop on this? Is it smarter to wait until the second week in June?

Many thanks!

[mickey]

LOL, we had this discussion last year!

Gay Days discussion

It is scheduled a little later this year, the main MK day is June 7th, 2003. If you have the choice, and are travelling with impressionable children, I would suggest waiting until the next week. It will be less crowded, and you won't have to worry about avoiding areas of WDW.

Welcome to DisneyCentral!

[sv651]

Thanks for the reply!

I had actually scanned last year's thread before posting, but noticed that the last post was from April 2002.

I'm hoping to hear some first-hand reports from visitors at WDW this past June.

One travel agent I've spoken with also suggests waiting until the second week, mainly because of the crowding issue. So we're leaning in that direction already ...

Thanks again!

[smallworld]

Hi: I have been going to WDW for many years now, and have consulted various Disney BB on the internet over those years. The many comments from guests and cast members have said to me, that the week is very very crowded. I have also heard numerous times from families who came back from attending that week and were furious at Disney for the behavior that some of the attendees displayed in public. They did not know that this was "gay week" or they would not have gone. I am glad that you are doing your research.

Many people have decided to boycott Disney and all their products because they believe that Disney sponsors this week. This is not true. (I have friends were used to work at WDW) Disney does not sponsor any activities for gay or otherwise. People have conventions all the time at WDW. My husbands company attended a convention there recently. The "gay days" at WDW are just like any other convention. It would not be fair if Disney did not allow this particular event to occur when they let everyone else attend freely.

That being said, I am told that they do their best "control" the crowds. They have the same problems after local high school graduations!!!!

Just thought I would mention what other families have said in the past. They would never go again during this time. Smallworld

[brumcg]

sv651,

Howdy! We were there during the first week of June this year. We arrived on Saturday (the main day during 'Gay Days', but there are other events the few days before and after) and hopped over to MGM in the afternoon; the spill-over from the Magic Kingdom had packed the park to the extreme. For the rest of the week, it was crowded - but not impossible by any means - but I didn't notice that it was crowded due to 'Gay Days' (LOTS of families). So... I'd avoid the parks on that Saturday, but I wouldn't worry about it otherwise.

We encountered several groups during our stay; all of the groups were extremely well behaved. That said, we certainly did not go to MK or Downtown Disney during the first weekend (really, just due to the crowds more than worrying about the behavior).

In my research for our trip, I found out that the event is growing every year. Last year, there were events at each of the 4 parks and the organizers 'bought out' one of the water parks for the evening.

Long story short (too late, I know), if it's the best time for your family to go: don't worry about it - go. Avoid the parks (especially MK) on Saturday, Pleasure Island Friday and Saturday night, and you'll be fine. I think most of the horror stories come from people who stumble into it without any knowledge - and you are already past that hurdle! :)

Bruce

[tiggerlover1971]

heres a funny story My family went to Mk one year on gay day we didnt know that it was that weekend well everyone was great( both parents were in a EVC my dad was disabled and mom had broken her pelvis a few months before well everyone of the gay couples we ran into were helpful (holding doors and whatnot ) families other than gay families were very rude to us because we had the wheel chairs well let me get back to the funny story we went over to epcot and well we were taking the boat across the lagoon well the captain told this couple of women to either go inside the boat or get off the back is where the wheelchairs go well i had to back the wheelchair onto the boat and didnt realise they were still there and well i almost sat on one of them well lets just say the rest of that trip i was practically sat on my sisters lap because they were trying to put there arms around me :laugh :) that was the only rude couple we met but we did see alot of making out in the parks which i dont think is appropiate for little kids to see

[teresadisney]

We were there a few years ago--Did not know it was gay day. Just saw a lot of people wearing rainbow necklaces--I thought "how nice, a lot of very peaceful people here"--ok, I was VERY naive:D
When we finally figured it out, we were ok--We did leave about five that day, because it finally got to a point where we were about the only ones with children at the park! It was very crowded at that point. We just left and went to fantasia gardens.
Gay Days has a website--just go to the park that is not the "park of the day", and you will be fine.

[jgriff2388]

We were at WDW this past June during the "Gay Days". It was fine. We were at the MK on Saturday which was very crowded, but I've been to the MK when it had more people. If you accept people for who they are, go and have fun. I would definitely go that time of year again. The crowds were not that bad and the weather was perfect.

[brumcg]

jgriff2388 wrote:

and the weather was perfect.

In 2002?!?! :)

I'm remembering record high temperatures and maximum humidity! I'm sweating just thinking about it... :dazed

Bruce

[BDavis932]

We were there the first week of June 2002, also. Our first day in the parks was June 3rd, GD was June 1st.

It was soooooo hot and humid that whole week. (And being from Texas, I'm used to heat!) I'm hoping it was just a one time heat wave, we are going around the same time next year!

[Juanita]

what about the tickets from the convention center. Could "straight" families that are friends of the "gay society" be ok with purchasing these tickets from the convention ticket center?

[Princess Tessa]

Originally Posted by mickey

It is scheduled a little later this year, the main MK day is June 7th, 2003. If you have the choice, and are travelling with impressionable children, I would suggest waiting until the next week. It will be less crowded, and you won't have to worry about avoiding areas of WDW.

Please be careful NOT to sound homophobic, being gay can not be "impressioned" upon children they either are or they aren't, being around gay people will not swing them either way. Your comment may have just been wrong wording, but I just wanted to make sure DC is an open friendly place where anyone would feel accepted.

[EmpressJenny]

This is a difficult issue. Even if one isn't homophobic, some people might not be ready to explain "being gay" to a young child who sees two people of the same sex kissing or engaging in excessive PDA (I wouldn't want to see anyone, gay or straight, in PDA at WDW or anywhere else....gross), and I think that's the issue for many people who come to WDW during Gay Days - how do you explain such adult subject matter to a 4 year old?

[ddoll]

This is why this topic is so delicate. People take offense very easily.

The phrase "impressionable children" has nothing to do with this topic. It has more to do with very inquisitive children who ask all kinds of questions the parents may not wish to answer yet. When you have a child of this age, you must be constantly aware.

[MJD]

Originally Posted by EmpressJenny

how do you explain such adult subject matter to a 4 year old?

Nicely said. I have been wrestling with this issue for a long time. I try to figure out how to explain this subject to my children. I have my own views on this matter, but I'll leave it at that. No comment.

However when it comes to my children, I am somewhat confused. I don't want to push my own views on them. They can think on their own, but I know they will have questions.

MJD