Gay day at disney world
What days are Gay Days at Disney World? Everything to know about the red shirt tradition.
Joseph Clark will never forget his first Gay Days.
"Just getting off the (monorail) and seeing the sea of red shirts, to this day it gives me goosebumps," he recalled of the annual Pride event at Walt Disney World and other Orlando-area venues, which is neither sponsored by nor exclusive to Disney.
Back in 2008, Clark was a regular attendee who made his own red shirt with friends. Now CEO of GayDays.com, he explained the idea is to "wear red, be seen," not so much as a demonstration but a celebration of identity.
"It was just a whole group of people together, and there was no judgment going on," he said. "There was no 'Oh my God, they're gay.' Like yep, most of us were, or we had friends and allies with us that weren't, who were just welcoming to the society. ... It was life-changing for me."
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How did Gay Days find started?
Gay Days Orlando
ORLANDO | Orlando’s Huge Party Weekend May 30-June 2 filled with pool parties, circuits and celebrations is all tied to the first Saturday in June known as Same-sex attracted Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Gay Date at Disney’s Magic Kingdom first took place on June 1, 1991, in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom just before the 3 p.m. parade. The idea was for the LGBTQ+ society to gather, all wearing red shirts, to be apparent and to be seen during a time when doing so could be dangerous. This year, 33 years later, Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom fell on June 1 as adequately, the first diurnal of LGBTQ+ Movement Month, and thousands from the Gay community gathered, renowned and turned Disney red to honor that original commitment.
Check out photos from the day below.
Photos by Dylan Todd.
Why LGBTQ+ people will soon be heading to Orlando. Everything to know about Gay Days 2025
Pride Month is almost here, with the entire month of June dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, male lover, bisexual, transgender and other sexualities.
The "Gay Days" event will create its annual give back to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks next week for LGBTQ+ community members and theme park lovers alike.
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What are 'Gay Days' at Disney World?
Gay Days Orlando is where lesbian, gay, attracted to both genders, transgender and other LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and supporters go to Walt Disney Earth and other Orlando theme parks
The first Saturday in June is traditionally red shirt day at Magic Kingdom, but there are other red shirt days at distinct parks. Along with days at the theme parks, local hotels and establishments clutch events to highlight the six-day event.
It should be noted that attendees will need to purchase a regular park ticket to leave to the theme park events. It is not a separately sold ticket.
When are Gay Days happening this year?
Gay Days always transpire at the origin of Pride
WDW June 2025 Gay Days general Discussion Thread...
Gay Days are traditionally built around the first Saturday in June. This year it is June 7, and following the normal schedule the designated parks are:
Thursday June 5, Animal Kingdom
Friday June 6, Disney Studios
Saturday Jine 7, Magic Kingdom
Sunday June 8, EPCOT
The parks are open to the general universal, it is not a confidential ticket event, unlike at Disneyland.
While there are some private events, and one promoter is actually scheduling a week earlier than usual this year, including a private ticket party at
Typhoon Lagoon scheduled for May 30.
I'll be traveling with a friend, whose wife hates traveling, so he goes with me often. Also in my party will be his 16 yo grandson. We'll be at WDW June 4 to 11. While we are doing the parks, the only one we're doing on the designated day is Magic Kingdom, it's just the way our schedule worked out. I was also able to book the DVC Moonlight Magic event at Typhoon Lagoon for June 9. I've never been to Typhoon Lagoon, as I'