abbeyej Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Has anyone been at WDW during the Gay Days week each year? It's not an official Disney function, just something that outsiders organize... I'm wondering how much impact that has on other WDW guests there at the same time. Would we not even notice, or would the crowd levels be much higher than the weeks before and after? *IF* you have been there, did it change your experience at all? (I don't care for conjecture about this, thank you.) I really *do*not* want this to turn into any sort of discussion about how anyone feels about homosexuality. ALL I want to know is whether it would significantly impact the WDW experience of a family there at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Have you checked on http://www.disboards.com? I know I've seen threads there about this in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My mom and dad took Meghan to WDW during Gay Days back in...1993 or so? They live in S. Fla year round and have gay friends in their condo and at work, etc. Family owns a restaurant in Key West...all this to say they are comfortable around gay couples. But they were pretty shocked that the level of PDA all around them. Meghan was too young really absorb what was going on, but I would have to say that for them the impact was pretty severe. Disney is so expensive, I don't know that I'd chance it. With kids as aware as yours, you'll have much 'splainin to to. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3littlekeets Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) I do think gay days has become a bit political...that is to say, it might make you feel uncomfortable if you and your children do not already have a GLBTQ friends and family. For my children, it is no big deal and simply part of the diversity of the world like skin color or religion or disability. Yet, I imagine many of their friends (and their friends' parents) would be uncomfortable. As noted, there is open display of affection.\ * Edited to add, we have been twice during Gay Days. Once when we only had 1 child, and then 2 years ago. It is not uncomfortable for us - and we tend to pick the "non-designated" park for slightly less crowding, though I think they are all awful during the summer and many families do the same making the other parks extra crowded, too. And, the open displays are those you'd find from heterosexual couples. We've never witnessed over the top PDA ... like we have with teenagers on the cheerleading and baseball camps and high school trips - ICK ;-). Edited March 31, 2009 by 3littlekeets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 and when exactly are those days??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My sister had a not-so-great experience with going to a park on that day. The displays of affection were *not* what you'd see from the average couple. She commented that participants were behaving in ways that were clearly intended to have "shock value". :001_huh: I don't think I'd chance it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 and was telling me not to take my kids at all. I finally figured out that she was there during gay days. Her comments were because of the PDAs she saw all around her with her kids (same age as mine). It's not in her normal life (mine either) and she was quite shocked, to the point that we won't go then if possible. (Not a problem for us, dh hates the heat and us going to an outdoor thing in Florida in June - not gonna happen.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Q Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Have you checked on www.disboards.com? I know I've seen threads there about this in the past. Ditto Melinda! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 ...The displays of affection were *not* what you'd see from the average couple. She commented that participants were behaving in ways that were clearly intended to have "shock value". That's part of my concern. My kids do know several gay adults, though that just doesn't come up, you know? And hand-holding and things like that wouldn't bother me in the least -- but I don't want to go and be subjected to someone else's political statement either. Oh, dear. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 That's part of my concern. My kids do know several gay adults, though that just doesn't come up, you know? And hand-holding and things like that wouldn't bother me in the least -- but I don't want to go and be subjected to someone else's political statement either. Oh, dear. :glare: Yes, I kwym. My sis also would have been ok with hand-holding, etc. This was *much* more than that, she said. Full embracing, long, langorous kissing, sitting astride another person's lap, etc. Couples where one person was wearing a collar and the other holding a leash...etc, etc....She (and I too) wouldn't be ok with those things in public places where children are present, regardless of sex or gender. Sorry for the bad news...this is in California, maybe Florida wouldn't be so bad? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My sister had a not-so-great experience with going to a park on that day.The displays of affection were *not* what you'd see from the average couple. She commented that participants were behaving in ways that were clearly intended to have "shock value". :001_huh: I don't think I'd chance it. Those are actually the exact words my mom used. She said she would have been offended even if they were hetro couples. Oh, and this was Florida. WDW. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Yes, it effects crowd levels and ditto the other PDA posts. Also, at least the year we went, red was the designated color. Our friend had a red tshirt and was pretty uncomfortable. When a random guy slapped his butt, he had enough and mentioned it to the park customer service. They gave him a free shirt. Btw, June is miserable. Shoot for another month if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My gay EX said even he wouldn't take dd to DW during that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My gay EX said even he wouldn't take dd to DW during that time. My mom's ex husband is gay and he and his partner will not go during Gay Days at WDW. He says it is tacky and only meant for a public statement which is NOT what he or his dp are about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Okay, I found the "official" GD calendar, and I'm actually feeling better. There's really just one day for each park, and knowing those ahead of time, we can make our plans accordingly (and not wear red, lol)... These are really the only dates we can go, so I'd be very disappointed if I thought this were going to be a deal-breaker for us. And really, as I said, hand-holding and what not wouldn't bother me. But I'd rather my kids not be subjected to politically motivated exhibitionism, if that's what would happen. If we can just hit alternate parks on those days, then that's fine... Still interested in more thoughts, certainly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThriceBlessed Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Okay, I found the "official" GD calendar, Can you link that? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschooltoone Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 That's part of my concern. My kids do know several gay adults, though that just doesn't come up, you know? And hand-holding and things like that wouldn't bother me in the least -- but I don't want to go and be subjected to someone else's political statement either. Oh, dear. :glare: :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Trishe, Here's the link: http://www.gaydays.com/calendar/ It appears that the park days (for 2009) are: Thurs, June 4, Animal Kingdom Fri, June 5, Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) Sat, June 6, Magic Kingdom Sun, June 7, Epcot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Okay, I found the "official" GD calendar, and I'm actually feeling better. There's really just one day for each park, and knowing those ahead of time, we can make our plans accordingly (and not wear red, lol)... What I read, though, is that the other parks are very crowded on those days because everyone else is avoiding the designated park too. Just something else to think about. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 just due to the crowds in general. I think it's the first week of June that they are there. We were leaving the day it was starting back in '01. I was appalled at the PDA level, and was glad we were leaving. FWIW, I wouldn't appreciate that much PDA from non-gays either, but I found it to be way too, "in your face," for my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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