[proffer]

I was wondering if anyone has any insight into WDW during the so-called "Gay Day" weekend.

We've never been to WDW and booked into CBR for a week beginning the first weekend in June. I only just found out that that is apparently some sort of unofficial Gay & Lesbian weekend...?????

Now, I try to be as open-minded about such things as the next person...but I AM wondering if I am in for a bit of culture shock.
From what I could gather doing a brief net search...opinions range from "A glorious family weekend that celebrates inclusiveness" to "drag queen central"....obviously some strong feelings from both extremes of a sticky topic.

I have a small child, and haven't had "that discussion" with him yet...we've barely started on boy-girl things...much less other variations. He's certainly still at the "point and ask loudly" stage when he comes across things he doesn't quite understand.
I've dealt with the Santa Claus thing already...so I think I can handle any questions about people in Mickey Mouse costumes okay. I'm just not sure I'm ready to explain why two bearded men dressed as nuns are holding hands....

Has anyone been there during that weekend who could give me a bit of insight as to what to expect? Close to "business as usual" or something other than what Uncle Walt envisioned?

thanks

[mickey]

Proffer, welcome to DisneyCentral! Although I have never been there during "Gay Day", I hope I can help. I found the website that has all of the information on it. You can check it out by clicking here. Apparently, it has grown well beyond WDW, and now includes all of the Orlando area attractions. There isn't anything that would be considered offensive on the site, so don't worry about looking at it. Here is the schedule of the main events for June, 2002:

May 30, 2002 - Animal Kingdom day
May 31, 2002 - Disney-MGM Studios day
May 31, 2002 - Sea World day
June 1, 2002 - Magic Kingdom day (the big one!)
June 2, 2002 - EPCOT day
June 2, 2002 - Islands of Adventure day
June 2, 2002 - Universal Studios day

There are also events planned at all hours of the day, most of which are at night at Pleasure Island or off property. I hope that helps. I know others are planning to go at the same time, and they may have more information.

[gdsrn]

hello,
Just wanted you to know about the Gay Days. We by accident was at Disney last summer during this. I too am open minded, but this was a little much for even me. I have a 3 year old son who is also at the point and ask stage.
I do not like seeing people groping each other and maybe because this is such a contriversiol issue for some people many couples we seen were all over each other. I honestly do not recommend this weekend to families because of this. Even if they were hetrosexual I would have found this inappropriate. Some things are for behind closed doors.
I spoke to an exec. at WDW via email and was told that this was a central Orlando event, not specifically Disney but that I could call the Orlando Chamber of Commerce to find out what weekend it is going to be. As for my family and me, WE WILL NOT BE THERE!
For the record, I am an avid Disney fan. I have traveled there from NC and WV any where from 2-4 times a year for the past 14 years, I have taken many children in addition to my own. I think everyone should have the oportunity to see Mickey:) We will continue to visit, just not then.
Hope this is helpful,
GDSRN:)

[Goofette]

Just speaking on the crowds part of it, I would think it would be best to avoid those days. It sounds like it becomes very crowded. Also...this is just a rumor I heard, so I have no idea of any truth to it, but I've read that the gay community will try to wear red shirts the day they go to Disney (I think was the color, color isn't really the point though), and if you accidentally show up on gay days and feel uncomfortable if your wearing a red shirt, they will provide you with (maybe a white) t-shirt. As I said, I don't know if this is true.

Anyway, I wouldn't want to be there that weekend or week, however long it is. I would just think it would be really crowded, just like the Easter week. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Edited......
Unfortunately, I'm going through the explaining of different kinds of kissing to my daughter right now, which does not thrill me, So I don't want to have to worry about explaining anything new to her concerning sex. I'm ready for a BREAK from explaining !!!!!! (To her I mean) So I KNOW we wouldn't even think of going during gay days.

I hope that sounded better...I read what I wrote that first time and it did NOT come out right. I was thinking one thing and typing something else. The first time it sounded like I wanted to avoid this topic on the boards, but thats not what I meant. I just meant I wanted to avoid anymore topics of sex with her.

[proffer]

Thanks, gdsm

That's the sort of input I was looking for, although not what I wanted to hear.

I mean, if it's just a bunch of like-minded people in red shirts enjoying Disney and having a good time, then who cares?

But I'm spending thousands of dollars for the unique "Disney" experience...not "La Cage aux folles."

I have seen other "Gay" events that became a showcase for sexuality and shock factor, and that's what I don't really want to deal with, at least not at WDW.

And it's not just a "Gay" thing...I wouldn't take my kid to the French Quarter during Mardi Gras for the same reason...or almost any Florida beach during Spring Break.

I was really hoping someone would tell me it would be pretty much like any other weekend at WDW... just a higher percentage of SS couples.

Ah, well...

Thanks

[gdsrn]

I will try again. I too, visit the beaches with my family, have been to LV and went to LaCage. I work with several ss couples.
Some of what I seen was not appropriate for Children, that is as clear as I can be. Straight or Gay, it was not appropriate. Saw many cross dressers ect. Was at Epcot on the Sat and WDW on Sunday, We also had several couples at OKW resort. Hope this helps if you don't want to do some serious explaining don't go that week. GDSRN

[Goofette]

Originally posted by proffer

And it's not just a "Gay" thing...I wouldn't take my kid to the French Quarter during Mardi Gras for the same reason...or almost any Florida beach during Spring Break.

I was really hoping someone would tell me it would be pretty much like any other weekend at WDW... just a higher percentage of SS couples.

Ah, well...

Thanks

I completely agree. I would NOT take my child, and I don't know of anyone who would, take their child to FQ during Mardi Gras or anywhere near a beach with college students during Spring Break. I was a College student once myself ;)

As for someone telling you what it would be like, I wish I could help you. I've only been to WDW 2 times in my life and 1 to DL so I can't help you there. I am just going by what I have read. Since these boards are sort of small, I would say that you should start getting some more responses pretty soon, just give it a little time. A lot of members might not be signed in right now. I'm sure some of the others will be able to help you more.

Also, Welcome to DisneyCentral :)

[wdwjeff]

Holy Cow, Proffer,
You sure picked an interesting topic to enter the boards with. Welcome, and just be aware, we're all pretty nice people(at least I think so), so don't worry about being honest with your opinions. As for me, I have many gay friends, but I still have to agree with what the others have said. It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, public displays of affection like I've heard described above are just not appropriate for WDW. If I had booked a vacation during a week with blatant sexuality of any type going on, I'd cancel my ressies and rebook for another time. Of course, part of my reasoning is that my daughters are 7 and 10, and just don't need to be subjected to that, especially at WDW. So, there's my two cents worth!:dazed :dazed

[Goofette]

Hi...I just read my first post on this subject and I didn't make myself very clear on the bottom part. I just edited it where (I hope) it explains more of what I was trying to say.

Sorry:dazed

Goofette:)

[dreamflight]

The wife and I went during "gay day" one year. I think it was back in 95. (we didn't know) My wife wore a red shirt that day too! LMAO!

I have no problem with the whole concept; I just would never do it again.

[Goofette]

Originally posted by dreamflight
The wife and I went during "gay day" one year. I think it was back in 95. (we didn't know) My wife wore a red shirt that day too! LMAO!

I have no problem with the whole concept; I just would never do it again.

LOL...Is the shirt at the gate thing true? That they will give you a different colored shirt if you feel uncomfortable? I can't believe they would actually do that (seems like a lot of money) but I did read that once.

[dreamflight]

Originally posted by Goofette


LOL...Is the shirt at the gate thing true? That they will give you a different colored shirt if you feel uncomfortable? I can't believe they would actually do that (seems like a lot of money) but I did read that once.

We didn't put 2 and 2 together until we were in Tomorrowland. My wife was very uncomfortable, but we were there just to have fun.

[crlejeune]

Hi everyone:)

I had heard about it before, so I asked my travel agent when I booked my vacation and was told the first week in June. They actually knew when it was. I have a 5 and 1 year old and I definetly don't want to explain anything but Mickey and Minnie, not Donald and Goofey. Luckily we are going the first week in May so its not a problem for us. Good Luck
Robin

[shawnp0001]

I also took a trip to Disney during the "Gay Week" about five or six years ago, and had no idea that it was occuring until I got there. I am open-minded and have no problems with people choosing the lifestyle of their choice. As someone mentioned, I am not comfortable with flamboyance whether it is by a gay couple or a heterosexual couple that needs to privatize some of their actions. I do not have children, but I would highly recommend not bringing children to the parks when this event occurs. Some mentioned "two nuns with beards holding hands", and they are not kidding. There is alot of flamboyance and it would bother me a great deal to have to explain something like this to a child. I understand the need for the gay community to feel accepted, but the way some of the attendees go about it, will only detract from their message and fuel fire to some of the hate-mongers that are out there. If you have a child or have any latent type of phobia about gay groups, I would highly recommend avoiding the parks during this time period. Not all the groups/couples are flamboyant, but when I was there, there were a heck of alot of people cross-dressed and openly showing public affection which would bother me if I had a child with me.

[proffer]

Thanks so far for the comments.

The one thing I'm still wondering is if any "unusual" activity will carry on (no pun intended) through the rest of the week. we're flying in that weekend, so if, as the gayday website seems to imply, the "official" unofficial events are wrapped up by sunday evening...then the chances of spending the rest of the week in the middle of a gay mardi gras are much slimmer.

I did call the Disney Travel Company (thru which I had booked) Monday morning, not specifically to complain but to see if they had any advice or insight on what to expect. I got "Carl" on the phone, and while he was polite, he wasn't much help. He kept insisting that it isn't a Disney-sponsored event (which I acknowledged), that Disney could not discriminate against anyone (which I also acknowledged), and that they had absolutely no information about the event (I'm having a bit of trouble with that...given that my understanding is that Disney keeps a pretty close eye on their resorts and works hard to control the "disney experience". If this has been going on for almost a decade, then I imagine Disney knows what happens where and when. But I can understand the the PR implications and corporate policies regarding keeping lips zipped and feet out of mouth.)

Anyway, Carl couldn't recommend anything other than that, if we felt that we would be in any way uncomfortable, we perhaps should consider rescheduling. He also offered assurances that Disney did take the atmosphere of its resorts and parks very seriously, and that no inappropriate/sexual behavior, hetero- or homo- would be allowed...and that security measures had increased post-9/11. I suppose I should take that with a grain of salt.....

(pardon the aside...but Carl's comments DID flash a brief mental picture of Bin Laden driving a truckload of Al Quaida lunatics into the park, dressed as the Village People....)

At this moment, I'm planning on sticking it out (sorry, again, no pun intended). It would be a major hassle to try to reschedule...and if things quiet down after Sunday, then perhaps I won't be spending thousands on a decidedly non-Disney experience.