GayDays at the Magic Kingdom
OK, so this is a pitifull and shameless attempt at seducing members of PF of a certain persuasion <winks at arildno in particular> to come visit Walt Disney World (WDW).
This past June marked the 15th anniversary of GayDays at the Magic Kingdom. It was 15 years ago that a group of gays and lesbians decended upon the Magic Kingdom at WDW wearing red shirts and be counted to show their significant presence at the park and their economic muscle. Since then, the event has grown tremendously and more than 300,000 visitors to the Orlando area for the GayDays celebration. It has turned the GayDays week as the second busiest time of the year for WDW (only the end-of-the-year holidays are busier). Needless to say, the economic impact of this event to the Orlando area is huge.
GayDays is usually the first weekend in June. In the US, this is typically the weekend after Memorial Day weekend. However, there are events the week leading up to the main event, which is GayDays at the Magic Kingdom. There are GayDays expo at a host hotel, the Mayor GayDays reception usually at the Orlando Convention Center, and other parties and events throughout Orlando. Numerous other businesses and theme parks (such as SeaWorld and Universal Studios) are also participating. Usually, these businesses and theme parks would have a designated event or day that has been declared as their GayDays event.
Ironically enough, Disney World does not officially acknowledge the GayDays event. You can go through their website or be at their resort, and you would not hear a word about this. When asked, their response has always been that everyone is welcome at any given day at WDW. It is their policy to not single out any group of people to designate a special day.
HOWEVER, one can tell that that they leave subtle hints that they unoficially acknowledge the GayDays attendees. It is not unusual to see this during the GayDays week. The floral design of Mickey's head at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom has been known to be done in all RED during the week. Or the window display as you walk down Main Street are all clothings in RED! Or what about releasing a surprise pin during the GayDays week of Mickey in front of a rainbow? They did just that this past June!
And on the magical day itself, the Saturday GayDays event at the Magic Kingdom, the park is awashed in a sea of red, mainly from the GayDays attendees, but also from a few unsuspecting people who just happened to be wearing red ["Hey kids, let's all wear red shirt when we go to the Magic Kingdom so that we can clearly find one another!"]. To say that the sea of red is overwhelming is to put it mildly. I have talked to a few gays and lesbians while they were viewing Main Street from high up on the Train Station, and a few of them have admitted that the view was very emotional and empowering.
And that's not all! Another major event is the White Party at same night at Disney/MGM Studios. This is a privately-organized event (usually by the Circuit Party honcho Jeffery Shanker). The park is closed and the party begins soon afterwards (this is a hard-ticket event separate from the regular park admission). There are usually two huge dance areas - under the big Sorcerer Hat and in the courtyard in between Tower of Terror and Rock 'N' Rollercoaster. This past June, Tower of Terror, Rock 'N' Rollercoaster, Star Tours, and the Great Movie Ride were operating continuously for all attendees during this event. Add to that a great fireworks show right above the Sorcerer Hat, and I can understand of what I've been told that this has become THE major circuit party event of the year.
While you're getting over your hangover, the next day (Sunday) is GayDays at Epcot. While the sea of red isn't as obvious as the day before, one can still notice it.
All in all, a very FESTIVE event. So, have I convinced anyone to attend?
:)
Zz.
Uh oh! Maybe the wedding plans were a bit premature? 
(As we know Evo lend her shoes to Integral)
Are you a physicist?
