One of my favorite annual weekends, Gay Disney returns, and whether you are going to Gay Days, One Magical Weekend, Girls in Wonderland, or a combination of them, check out all the info below:
Gay Days
This year, we have curated a lineup of special events like never before, including a variety of free activities such as karaoke hosted by your favorite drag queens, p*rn stars, and leather men, line dancing, 80s night, showtunes sing a long, and more. Additionally, guests who choose to book a room at Gay Days will receive complimentary access to all events, including our renowned bingos, our puppy moshes, Mr. Gay Days Leather, and the Miss Gay Days Pageant hosted by incredibly talented Twilla Holiday your 2023 National Entertainer of the year and Icon Chi Chi La Rue.
Furthermore, we are introducing circuit parties, featuring headliners DJs Dani Toro and Tony Moran, along with a stellar lineup of local favorites such as Scott Roberts, Addison Taylor, and Brianna Lee. And of course, adding to the stellar lineup DJs from all over the world such as DJ Trevor Oldroyd, Robbie Carrigan, Joshua Atom, Steve Sidewalk, and Itty Bitty. Joining them this year a select chosen new DJs that we are extremely excited about bringing to Gay Days.
Moreover, we have added new events hosted by the fabulous Brianna Lee, including PI @ Gay Days, a nostalgic throwback to Disney’s Pleasure Island, and the Sunday Night Tea Dance. Our DJ lineup boasts a mix of returning favorites and up-and-coming talents, promising an unforgettable music experience for all attendees.
To close out the weekend, Chi Chi La Rue will be taking the stage at the Main pool, creating an electrifying atmosphere for all. The excitement continues with the highly anticipated Mr. Gay Days Leather competition, offering nearly $10,000 worth of prizes and an entry into next year’s IML.
As a special highlight, we are thrilled to present “Gay Dazed and Confused,” a unique show created just for Gay Days starring South Florida’s own extremely talented Randy Roberts and the incomparable Varla Jean Merman, exclusively at Gay Days. Additionally, we have some surprise events in store, including our first-ever Foam Party, adding to the abundance of entertainment options available throughout the weekend. Don’t forget that all our events happen on the Doubletree property. Enjoy all our events within walking distance of your hotel room.
At Gay Days, our mission is to bring together individuals from all walks of life to celebrate our uniqueness, diversity, and love. I invite you to join us this year for an unforgettable experience filled with sun, fun, friends, and, most importantly, keep on dancing Orlando. This is a year you won’t want to miss! So, bring all your friends, bring your drinks to the pool, and grab some sun. As a bonus we have reduced the costs of all standard and tower rooms as a thank you for being a part of our family for so many years. Join us this year and stay within your budget.
I look forward to seeing you at Gay Days at Doubletree by Hilton at SeaWorld.”
Gay Days Appreciation Sale is now the HOTTEST time to reserve your room for Gay Days Orlando Land Cruise Celebration Event. With 17 Events included in your reservation, you won’t have time to leave the property! Standard Rooms and Tower Standard Rooms are NOW $199 per night with an additional cost of $40 for the 3rd and 4th guests in each room. The deal includes an unbelievable number of FREE tickets, and they are:
(2) – Main pool party – all day access
(2) – Bear pool party – all day access
(2) – P*rn Bingo
(2) – Drag Bingo
(2) – Miss Gay Days Pageant
(2) – Mr. Gay Days Leather Competition
(2) – Puppy Mosh
(2) – Fantasy Island Circuit Party
(2) – Love Island Circuit Party
(2) – PI @ GD
(2) – Sunday Tea Dance
(2) – Boots and Beer
Also don’t forget their already free events, which are:
80’s dance
90’s dance
Country Night
Showtunes Sunday
Karaoke Night
Other things at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Seaworld are:
Stop by the Official Host Hotel and pick up your FREE Official GayDayS 2024 Welcome Bag! While you’re there, their team of ambassadors are eager to assist you in answering any questions you may have.
GayDays Ticket & Merchandise Center
The Ticket & Merchandise Center is the one-stop location to pick up or purchase Official Gay Days event tickets, pool party bands, and exclusive merchandise including official Gay Days 2024 Merchandise.
GayDayS Expo
Experience one of the largest Gay & Lesbian Expos in the world featuring businesses from all over the world! Showcasing a variety of goods and services. Over 20,000 attendees, over 100 booths, giveaways, AND free prize raffles.
GayDayS Adult 18+ Expo
Enjoy a selection of Adult Vendors.
TWO Annual Pageants/Contests
The 7th annual Mr. Gay Dyas Leather Competition will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 1pm hosted by Jeffrey Wayne and Twila Holiday. The next Mr. Gay Days Leather will get to represent Gay Days at various events and prides in the coming year and go to compete at International Mr. Leather 2025 in Chicago! You know how in all pageants and contests they say how important the 1st runner up is, well in this case its true as Tony Vega stepped in to take over the title. I asked Tony how it’s been to be MR Gay Days Leather and he said: “My reign has been a bit short lived. As I only got the title at the end of January. Although, I was competing and won Mr. LA Leather Bear 2024, I received the Gay Days title the same weekend. So, having both has been exciting but also a lot of work and responsibility.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to: Gaydays.com.
ONE MAGICAL WEEKEND
When I asked owner Tom Christ about his excitement going into this year, he said: “OMW 2024 is going to be the biggest yet! The Host Hotel has sold out and the Bear Jamboree host Hotel, the Crowne Plaza has sold out, and we already sold 80 more room at the Fairfield Inn which shares a parking lot with the Sheraton. The events are going to be packed with revelers ready to kick off Pride month and celebrate RED Shirt Pride Day. We are working hard to make 2024 an exceptional experience with an exceptional DJ lineup including Paulo, Ana Flor, Alex Lo, Deanne, Nick Strancer and many of the most famous DJs on the planet.
The Sheraton Lake Buena Vista and The Crown Plaza are Sold out (next year, book your rooms earlier), but there is great news as OMW has an overflow hotel – The Fairfield Inn which is an easy walk from the Sheraton and the daily Therapy Pool Parties, Cadabra After Hours Parties, and the Gay Biz Expo! Book your room now! If you book your room there (3 night minimum) through the link on the OMW website you will receive 2 Therapy Pool Party Wristbands for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday pool parties ($180 value). Bring your confirmation from the Fairfield Inn to the gay Biz Expo (11am to 6pm Fri and Sat; and 11am to 4pm on Sun) at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista after you check in to receive your passes.
Other OMW Events:
Riptide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark (Friday, May 31; 8pm – 2am)
DJ Paulo said: “I’m super excited to announce that I will be making my return to OMW “Riptide”, where it all began for me years ago. It’s not only a joyous and festive occasion but in today’s political environment, it is our duty to use our platforms to spread positivity and unite people. That’s why I’m not only thrilled to play but also to share a message of unity and remind everyone that we must stand together and never take our freedoms for granted. Get ready to dance and spread some love with me on the dance floor in Typhoon Lagoon!”
DJ D Stu said: “I’m so very excited and honored to be deejaying OMW’s premiere weekend party RIPTIDE held at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando. I remember my first ever RIPTIDE back in 2005. It was one of the parties that made me pursue deejaying two years later in 2007. I’m looking forward to feeling the energy that I was always a spectator for. It’s going to be so much fun. See you there, Friday, May 31st.”
RED takes place at House Of Blues at Disney Springs and stars DJ Ana Flor with heart thumping sound and euphoric visuals, grab your friends and join them for the game! I spoke to Ana Flo to ask her about her thoughts about DJing at Red and she said: “If I say I’m excited, I will be lying. I am radiant, very happy and honored with the invitation. Being part of this fabulous team of DJs that I have admired for so long and also receiving the main party as a gift is something magical and challenging. Can’t wait ! To be honest, I still don’t know what to expect from my set. Hahaha I mean, I have been organizing folders and collecting songs that I consider suitable for a beautiful musical journey for a long time. I will have enough time to tell a story and I want to deliver joy, emotion, strength, and personality. I don’t prepare anything beforehand, it’s the connection with the audience and the energy of the event that guide me in each set I play. But I do love mixing old songs in new versions with current ones; this will definitely happen. Hope I can surprise the crowd with some tracks that I’m working on especially for the event.”
Pride ball (Sunday, June 2; 9pm – 1am)
OMW is premiering a brand new party where you can express your pride with costumes and masks as DJ Kidd Madonny spins for your dancing pleasure.
Therapy Pool Parties (12pm – 7/8pm)
The parties taking place daily alongside – and in – the two sprawling pools at Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort bring the concept of “pool party” to a whole new level. Whether just soaking in the rays and the man-filled landscape; dancing to the sounds of world-class DJs; or enjoying the refreshing drinks and light items from the Pool Bar & Grill, being surrounded by all your current (and new) friends is the kind of physical therapy you’ll find at One Magical Weekend.
FRIDAY, May 31
DJ’s Charli B & Marti Friezon
Saturday June 1
DJ’s Mohammad & Danny Verde
SUNDAY, June 2
DJ’s Jerac & J Warren
The Magic continues into the late hours as One Magical Weekend presents a series of After-hours Dance Parties that they call Cadabra at the host hotel, Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. This is magic and mystery, a sensual musical journey! Cadabra presents a world class dance extravaganza with a DJ line-up of only the very best. Welcome to Cadabra…the seventh year of the Afterhours to be held in Orlando during One Magical Weekend. Cadabra nights are 21+.
Friday, May 31
DJ Deanne
I have known and been a fan of Deanne and her wife for years and when I asked her about her thoughts about spinning for OMW, she said: “I’m so excited about my upcoming appearance at One Magical Weekend! I’ll be spinning the Friday night afterhours party “Neon Fantasy” for a 6-hour journey into the dark side. I can’t wait to see all my friends and colleagues and dance together to kick off Pride month with a little sprinkle of Disney magic.”
Saturday June 1
DJ Nick Stracener
Sunday, June 2
DJ Alex Lo
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to: Onemagicalweekend.com.
Girls In Wonderland
Welcome Happy Hour (Thursday May 30; 6 – 8pm)
Mix and mingle with new friends at their NEW host hotel. Live music by Deb Hundseder, and free bud light draft for GIW attendees until it runs out, so get there early. Free for GIW host hotel guests.
Traffic Jam – GIW Opening Party (Thursday May 30; 9pm – 2am)
This party takes place at Cuba Libre (9101 International Drive. Red means taken; yellow means approach with caution; and green means GO FOR IT! Sexy go-go girls work the traffic all night long.
Out for Laughs Comedy Show (Friday May 31; 7:30 – 9:30pm)
KRISTIN KEY Out for Laughs Comedy Show Presented by OLIVIA. Kristin Key is an American comedian who has appeared at The Improv, and on the series Last Comic Standing and Bring the Funny. She favors a self-deprecating, physical, and improvisational style of comedy and incorporates the guitar to create original musical comedy. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door taking place at the Hash House a Go-Go (13272 Hartzog Road, Winter Garden…across the street from host hotel).
Climax (Friday May 31; 9pm – 2am)
Taking place at Mango’s Tropical Cafe Orlando (8126 International Dr, Orlando), where performing live will be Snow tha product, along with Main room DJs Les Ortiz & Pat Pat and Patio DJ Tatiana. There will also be a live performance by JJ Drums & Ivy Les Vixen and her sexy Vixens. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Shuttle service available – Buy online. included in all VIP passes.
Queer Prohibition Party – Roaring Twenties – (Saturday June 1; 9pm – 2am). This is the GIW Signature Dance Party featuring guest DJs Les Ortiz / Citizen Jane / Pat Pat / Sammii Blendz and takes place at New York Beer Project (9230 Miley Drive, Winter Garden). Dress: 1920s fashion / 1920s Gangster and tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.
Last Chance Party (Sunday June 5; 10pm – 2am)
Say goodbye to another amazing Wonderland in their Bud Light Disco with beats by
their guest DJ Sammii Blendz at the host hotel. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door.
(put pool parties and after hours in box)
Pool Parties (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11am to 5pm…6pm on Sunday)
Get ‘wet’ at their pool parties for the weekend at their Host Hotel. Indulge in the scenery, relax, swim, eat, drink, and dance at their dual pools while dancing to your favorite DJs making waves.
After Hours Parties (2am to 5am)
Sat AM June 1 – After Hours, Afterglow
The party continues back at the hotel, with Guest DJ Nela who will throw down house,
indie beats, and more. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.
Sunday Am June 2, After Hours, GIRL
One of the biggest and best lesbian party in the country, Girl The Party, takes over the afterhours for a night of debauchery. All your favorite DJs, go-go Vixens, and more hit the stage. Guest DJS Dlux and Zehno throw down house and indie beats in the Bud Light Disco.Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to: Girlsinwonderland.com.
While in Orlando for gay Disney, don’t forget to stop by all your local bars, restaurants, Nightclubs, and establishments as many of them are also celebrating with fabulous events for Gay Disney!
