Following last year's successful event, which attracted nearly 30,000 gays and lesbians from California and all over the country, fans of Mickey and Minnie Mouse are once again preparing for the popular “gay days” event at Disneyland, set for Oct. 5-7 in Anaheim, Calif.
Modeled after the gay days at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the Disneyland event is a "mix-in" with straight park-goers. Gays and lesbians are encouraged to wear red shirts to identify one another and show strong numbers. Official t-shirts are available atwww.GayDaysAnaheim.com.
Both days in the park will have gathering times for specific groups including gay youth (sponsored by The Trevor Project), families, women, singles and, of course, bears. There will be scavenger hunts and a group photo inside the park. A complete schedule is available on line.
The weekend opens Friday, Oct. 5, with "Wonderland," a dance party with DJ Ray Rhodes (Tiger Heat, KBIG 104.), hosted by Los Angeles drag diva Momma. Alec Mapa(Desperate Housewives) and Michele Fleury(Logo's Curl Girls) will host the VIP room. The event, which benefits The Trevor Project, runs from 9:30 pm-1 am at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen located in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Saturday, Oct. 6, will be Gay Day at Disneyland, which culminates with "Kingdom," the weekend's signature dance party with music from reknownDJ Kimberly S. There will be special performances by Billie Myers ("Kiss the Rain") and Sean van der Wilt as well. The party will be hosted by Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty). The event will be held at the House of Blues Anaheim in Downtown Disney from 9pm-1:30am. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door.
Sunday, Oct. 8, will be Gay Day at Disney's California Adventure. Other events at the weekend include free screenings at the Gay Days Entertainment Center presented by here! (located inside the Wonder Tower of the Disneyland Hotel), where Disney/Pixar will present a special screening of their upcoming DVD Pixar Shorts, and members of the cast of here!'s Dante's Cove, including Reichen Lehmkuhl and Jenny Shimizu, will attend a screening of the show's second season premiere on Sunday. There will also be a Gay Days Pin Trading event on Sunday at the Gay Days Info Center presented by Voce (also located inside the Wonder Tower of the Disneyland Hotel.)
Discounted hotel rooms and park tickets are currently offered atwww.GayDaysAnaheim.com.
Like the gay days at Walt Disney World, this is not a Disney-sponsored event so Disney will not have any information regarding the "unofficial" happening.
Premiere Sponsors for the event are here!, Bacardi and Voce premium wireless. Sponsors are Travelocity, PRIDE, Rainbow Vacations, Holiday Inn Buena Park, Andrew Christian, Howard Johnson Anaheim, and the Anaheim/Orange Country Visitor and Convention Bureau. Media sponsors are HX, IN Los Angeles, PIX, Odyssey Hawaii, Radio with a Twist, Gay Chicago Magazine, Jane and Jane and Q Vegas.
Complete details about Gay Days at Disneyland are available atwww.GayDaysAnaheim.com.
