Taking 40+ gay man on first trip to Disney

Yenfid

Yenfid

Active Member
Okay, we have decided to go to Disney World in October of 2010. I know over a year away, but we need to save money to do this.

Anyway, I have a few questions. I have been there many times. My last visit was back in 2004, and I know things have changed, but I am taking with me my Partner. He is a 40+ gay man who has never been to Disney and is not a big Disney fan. What would you suggest I show him and rides to take him on so he enjoys himself? He is a thrill ride person and does not like spiny rides. I know we will hit the Mt's at the Magic Kingdom, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania, R n R, and Tower at the Studios, Test Track and maybe Space at Epcot, and Dino, and the Mt at AK, but what else should we do? Yes I plan on taking him on HM and JC and Buzz and all the 3-d Movies.

I am just trying to make this as enjoyable for him as it is for me with out killing him on all of Disney at once. He did say he wants to do a character breakfast. In fact the Character meet and greet seems to be the only thing that he seems interested in. I guess it's the photo op he is excited about, oh and he wants to see the fireworks of Wishes and Illuminations.

I know I rambled so any help would be great. We are planning to stay at a value resort, All Star Music. We are not sports fans and movies just might be too much for him.

Thanks :shrug:
 
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urbanvegan

urbanvegan

New Member
When I took my boyfriend for the first time, I wasn't sure how he would like it either, but he enjoyed it a lot and we have gone a second time since. And a third. And a fourth this fall. What I think helped was that I was so knowledgable from all of my previous trips and could "cruise direct" the whole thing. I think your being informed helps a lot, because it makes your guest feel like it is all worry-free.

I have to be honest, when I first read the thread title I thought it said "Taking 40+ Gay Men" and I was thinking - Sign me up! Sounds like a blast! :slurp:
 
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michaelnyc

michaelnyc

Active Member
gay at disney

we are a gy couple and have been to disney 20+ times over the years

i did not start out a huge disney fan but after a few trips, i got infected by it all too

a gay must do

cinderella's royal feast at the grand floridian with lady tremaine and the stepsisters
tell the red headed one she looks like kathy griffen and see what happens

super gay friendly characters, and great photo ops with cinderella and the prince

could send you an email copy of our photo album from snapfish is you want to look over the photos
 
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EvilQueen-T

EvilQueen-T

Well-Known Member
my husband always thought of disney as a kid thing and not something adults alone could enjoy but when i got him to go for a week over our 13th anniversary he got to experience disney in a whole different light... yes i still insisted on doing all the ride stuff that i love but i planned it around great lunches and dinners, night spots later in the evening and i made time at the resort midafternoon until we got ready for dinner to give him a little break and some quiet time away from the crowds. he had a great time and now can't believe anyone wouldn't want to vacation there without kids. if you're not set with your dates or if your partner is more comfortable around a more mixed less parents with toddlers type of crowd there's always disney during gay pride week...my family and i are a bit on the outgoing side so when my daughters best friend (who happens to be gay) asked us to go that week we jumped right in and had a FANTASTIC time. and worse case scenario you can always drink a little in epcot to take the edge off if he grumbles a little to much lol.
 
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sueuk

sueuk

Member
He may enjoy a night at the Boardwalk .. walk over (or boat) from Epcot after Illuminations; a meal at the Flying FishCafe; shopping (or viewing) at the Wyland Gallery and a drink at Jellyrolls. :wave:
 
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Yenfid

Yenfid

Active Member
Original Poster
I am hoping he will enjoy himself. He is just a big kid. He like a kid at the candy store when we go to our local theme park, Cedar Point.
 
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Jekyll_Baker

Jekyll_Baker

Active Member
sleepybear said:
-- If you can afford it, try to stay at a Deluxe resort. We love returning from a day in the parks to a larger room with a balcony and a lounge and a nice restaurant. I recommend Animal Kingdom Lodge, because the decor and the animals just give it that much more of a "wow" factor.

-- And speaking of resorts, don't be afraid to eat at a resort even if you're not staying there. Jiko and Artist Point are two of our favorites. They're relaxing and classy without being stuffy.

-- Go to Downtown Disney. Shop, eat, take in a movie or even La Nouba.

-- Be sure to take him on attractions that can't be found at any other theme park, like the safari at AK and Soarin' at Epcot. He'll see quickly see that a Disney park isn't like other parks.

-- Since you'll be going in Oct., definitely sample the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. We did it on my boyfriend's first trip and it impressed the heck out of him.

-- Finally, don't worry so much. If he's open to a character breakfast (you still can't get my boyfriend within twenty feet of a character) then he'll be open to other experiences.
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I very much agree with sleepybear! Jiko is great, and Food & Wine is great fun too. I have to say, I like the food at most of the sit-downs a lot, and sometimes plan my trip around places I want to eat.
Since you're leaning more towards the value resorts, I'd definitely go for Pop Century over any of the All Stars. Mostly my personal preference (also being a 40+ gay man :))

urbanvegan said:
I have to be honest, when I first read the thread title I thought it said "Taking 40+ Gay Men" and I was thinking - Sign me up! Sounds like a blast! :slurp:
Click to expand...

I read it that same way, and thought the exact same thing :lol:

My only advice is, although a lot of people like the planning stages, try not to plan too much. My planning consists of where I'm staying, and 2-3 definite places to eat during my stay. To a lesser degree, which park(s) I'm going to on each day. In other words, keep yourself open for whatever may happen.
 
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Yenfid

Yenfid

Active Member
Original Poster
I am like you, I plan but not over plan. I decide which resort and some places to eat which will in the end decide which park for the day. If I pick a place at Epcot to eat then it is an epcot day.

My big choices is resort, All Star Music, Pop Century, or if I can swing it Port Orleans-French Quarter

And Character Breakfast- Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace, to get in the park before it opens and have a semi private viewing and photo op with the castle.

The rest will just decide itself
 
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Rogue21

Rogue21

Well-Known Member
Queens in the Kingdom

I went with my (ex) GF a few years back and she was a non-enthusiast, but she had a great time. We took time out from the parks to rent bikes at Wilderness Lodge, motored about 7 Seas Lagoon in a "water mouse" and even did the behind the scenes tour at Animal Kingdom. (Try the segway around the world -- it's a blast!) She appreciated not focusing on the parks 24/7 and enjoyed the trip more for it.

If you can, get ressies at California Grill during the fireworks -- awesome food and romantic.

Also, I did read "Queens in the Kingdom" and, literally, laughed out loud. Funny stuff, even if it basically says what other guide books say.

Enjoy your trip!!
 
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ryguy

ryguy

Well-Known Member
Just for clarification, who is a "Gay Friendly" character.? Would that be like Gaston, because he seems pretty "Gay". Not trying to rile anyone up, just curious thats all. As a straight guy, this thread is to funny, never do I think of Disney characters as "super gay friendly" or things from a gay perspective, so its definitely enlightening. I always think of gays as the same as me just liking the same gender, so its a interesting look into a world I don't know much about. :shrug:

michaelnyc said:
we are a gy couple and have been to disney 20+ times over the years

i did not start out a huge disney fan but after a few trips, i got infected by it all too

a gay must do

cinderella's royal feast at the grand floridian with lady tremaine and the stepsisters
tell the red headed one she looks like kathy griffen and see what happens

super gay friendly characters, and great photo ops with cinderella and the prince

could send you an email copy of our photo album from snapfish is you want to look over the photos
Click to expand...
 
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eroyee

eroyee

Active Member
Maybe start at Epcot, then, and go round World Showcase. Also, the boardwalk at night is nice. you can rent the Sea Raycers at the resorts with water. How about one of the tours? Also, tour some of the resorts? thats always fun. theres lots to do at WDW. It wont be a thrill park with a zillion coasters like cedar point, but its so immersive and magical...enjoy.......
 
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michaelnyc

michaelnyc

Active Member
gay disney

gay friendly

at the floridian dinner the cast members that play lady tremaine and the step sisters did not seem to keep to any type of script or set patterns when interacting with guests, they seemed to adapt to each family as they interacted

when they came to our table, of two men, lady tremaine instantly remarked how it must be so wonderful not having to deal with women in our lives, she has been trying to dump her daughters for years but saw that she would have no luck dumping them on us either

some of the face characters "get it", and interact accordingly, changing how they speak and what they speak about
lady tremaine called over a couple of the waiters and gave them a hard time because our glasses were almost empty, saying that if family members could not take care of each other, who would

at the epcot princess dinner

the cast member playing jasmine was the only one that made us aware and acknowledged that we were a gay couple
after taking pictures with each of us separately, she called over one of her "friends" to take a picture of both of us with her
she then went around and had the other princesses revisit us for more photos as a family group instead of individual shots
 
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kucarachi

kucarachi

Active Member
im guessing he would have liked pleasure island, im not gay but i would say its one of the few places i've been to that people dont freak out and gag when they see two men together. But as long as your not gaying it up just to get people's attention than you'll have a good time your whole trip. And yes i have trademarked the term gaying it up. If you want a classy dinner thats not way too pricey i'd try the Hollywood Brown Derby At DS! The cobb salad makes you want to slap your grandma!
 
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NEmickeyfan

NEmickeyfan

Well-Known Member
What difference does it make that you and your friend are gay? Anyone who takes an person along for the first time has the same sort of questions.. what to do? will he or she like what I like? Go! have fun! There are so many people at Disney, that hardly anyone is going to question your sexual preference unless you draw attention to it. Stop expecting people to notice you and then fearing it if they do... just go have fun! Prime time is a fun place for dinner... so is Rose and Crown!
 
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Stellajack

Stellajack

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I'll probably get bombarded for this suggestion, but I would definitely consider a touring plan from the Unofficial Guide. You can bypass all attractions of no interest to you, yet cover all the classic Disney attractions and not come off as a theme park commando.

My husband and I hosted three teens from Belarus who had never been and probably will never return to WDW, and without the plan there is no way we could have shown them all that they saw. We also had a character breakfast at Donald's in AK and character dinner at Liberty Tree (no more). THEN, when you plan your followup trip:lookaroun you pretty much know what you want to do.
 
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worldfanatic

worldfanatic

Well-Known Member
Stellajack said:
I'll probably get bombarded for this suggestion, but I would definitely consider a touring plan from the Unofficial Guide. You can bypass all attractions of no interest to you, yet cover all the classic Disney attractions and not come off as a theme park commando.

My husband and I hosted three teens from Belarus who had never been and probably will never return to WDW, and without the plan there is no way we could have shown them all that they saw. We also had a character breakfast at Donald's in AK and character dinner at Liberty Tree (no more). THEN, when you plan your followup trip:lookaroun you pretty much know what you want to do.
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Bombarded....no.
The touring plans have their place. Your situation with guests who probably will never return to WDW is a perfect example. They got to see most of the main attractions in the limited time available.
It's the morons that go year after year following the touring plans like robotic automatons that give them a bad name. Geez people! Slow down and absorb the atmosphere.
 
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