Is this your first year at Orlando’s Gay Days festival? If it is, you’re in for a fabulous journey, but you’re going to need a road map to navigate your way through this wonderland of gay vacation delights. The Beginner’s Guide includes information for both men and women coming to Gay Days. It is also a great resource even if you are a regular attendee since Gay Days grows each year.

Some people come to Orlando during Gay Days just to enjoy the company of 150,000+ other gays and lesbians, but most are looking to fill their itineraries with fun, fun, fun!

Be sure to check a complete Calendar of Events on www.gaydays.com  since only the highlights are represented here.

This guide describes the major categories of events, tell you how to get tickets, and give you some ideas about transportation.

Theme Park Visits

The Gay Days festival started with a theme park visit, and theme park visits remain one of the most popular Gay Days activities. Always the first Saturday in June, Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom (at Walt Disney World) is still the signature event of the week.

An estimated 50,000 red-shirted Gay Days attendees pack Walt Disney World’s original park on that 1st Saturday in June. The 3 o’clock parade down Main Street always draws an unforgettable “sea of red” that can be seen from one end of the park to the other.
Many Gay Days vacationers also like to plan some time to visit Disney’s other parks (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

•   Theme park tickets will be available on www.gaydays.com
•   Multi-day tickets are often a great idea if you plan on visiting more than one park, or visiting all the Disney parks during your stay.
•   None of the “gay days” are official park events and no special tickets are required.

Disney Theme Parks

• For theme park transportation, www.gaydays.com is again offering a Host Hotel (an all-gay resort experience!) at the Gay Days Host Hotel with free transportation to Disney and other attractions.
•  If you are staying in another area of town, check with your hotel about scheduled transportation to theme parks.
•  Catch a cab, during Gay Days; they are plentiful, and there are plenty of people to share with if you stay at one of the host or co-host hotels.
• Downtown Orlando and area night clubs – These are located about 10 miles from the tourist area. Shuttle or taxi transportation can be arranged from any attraction-area hotel. Check with the guest services desk.

Big, Big Events

Although it all began with a daytime trip to Disney World, Gay Days has inspired and nurtured some of the largest and most incredible events & parties in the world. With some of the most imaginative and innovative venues found anywhere, Orlando’s Gay Days has an unbeatable combination of attractions, events, and parties to help create a magical dream of a vacation week. From the tropical wonderland of the Gay Days Host Hotel, to the thrill rides of The Magic Kingdom, you’re sure to find an event that will amaze and delight you.
•   Tickets to attractions, plays, pool parties, and dance parties are available in advance online from www.gaydays.com Ticket Booth. Many of these are available exclusively at www.gaydays.com and sales are already brisk.
•  During the event, www.gaydays.com will operate a Ticket and Merchandise Center at the Gay Days Host Hotel. Be forewarned however, events may sell out in advance!
•  Cash and credit cards are accepted at the Gay Days Ticket and Merchandise Center during the week at the Gay Days Host Hotel.
•  Designated days at attractions held at WDW venues: Disney’s parks are easily accessed by cab or hotel shuttle. Be sure to check shuttle times as the park hours might be outside regular shuttle hours.
•  Also consider renting a car, but be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on drinking. We want everyone to have a safe Gay Days.

Hotel Events

Pool Parties – Orlando is the perfect place to spend your days soaking up the hot sun and hot scenery around a sparkling hotel swimming pool. This low-stress treat gets even better when you’re surrounded by hundreds of GUYS and GALS in Speedos and bikinis, sipping umbrella drinks and grooving to the sounds of some of the world’s best known DJs! Pool parties will be held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Gay Days Host Hotel. Tickets are required for these pool events if you aren’t registered through www.gaydays.com as a hotel guest.

The Gay Days Expo ­­– growing since it was first held in 1999 – will be bigger and better again this year at the Gay Days Host Hotel. This event is free and open to the public with a wide variety of vendors, food, fun, and the Gay Days Ticket and Merchandise Center. Details are available at www.gaydaysexpo.com. The Expo will be open from Thursday through Sunday. Everybody loves this one!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call toll free 1-888-942-9329 or go online to order tickets at www.gaydays.com.

Gay Days Events at the Parliament House

In celebration of Orlando Gay Days 2011, The Parliament House Resort, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, kicks into action on the Tuesday before the big weekend.

Tuesday, May 31 2011
Indoor/Outdoor Party & Khia Concert

Tonight, from 9pm to 3am, the PH will feature a Vendor Fair in the Courtyard, DJ?Saxwell will spin in the Disco, Darcel’s Hip Hop Show will be at the Pool Stage at Midnight and at 1am, a very special Gay Days kick-off with KHIA?in Concert.
Tickets are only *$8. Party till 3am.

*Includes access to all clubs including Disco, Bear Den, Video Bar, Footlight Lounge, Courtyard, Hip Hop Show, Vendor Fair, and

Khia in concert.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pleasure Island at the Parliament House

Past Pleasure Island friends & bartenders join PH party hosts, bartenders and DJ’s for a mind blowing Kick Off Event complete with décor and intermittent hot spot performances reminiscent of Disney’s MANNEQUINS DANCE PALACE created by D Squared Productions. Guests will be blown away at midnight by the PH Explosion Dancers and the debut of the Biggest Laser Light Show in the history of Gay Days! Entrance is FREE before 11pm and only $6 after 11pm. Party till 3am.
Everyone in attendance receives a coupon for $5 off “at the door” ticket purchase on Gay Days Friday night.

Special Thursday Night Attraction in The Footlight Theatre:

Orlando’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Present

A NIGHT OF PERPETUAL COMEDY

Showtimes: 8pm & 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. Suggested minimum donation: *$7. All proceeds benefit the Sister Clair Annette Memorial Granting Fund
* Ticket price includes complimentary club/party admission for remainder of the evening.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Jessica Sutta &?Blake Lewis Concert &?Party

Beginning at 6am, Morning Radio Talk Show Hosts JOHNNY & JAYDE: XL 106.7 FM will broadcast from the Disco. This is a FREE EVENT – The PH is even opening the bar as early as the law allows. They will feature a “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” Station from 7am until 10am.

From 8pm, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard with JM Best Laser Show and VJ Direct spins in the Disco. Adult Video Stars will be appearing lakeside. Footlight Players Show will begin at 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. At 11pm, Blake Lewis will rock the pool stage in concert and at midnight there will be another Footlight Players Show preceding the 1am concert with Jessica Sutta from the Pussycat Dolls. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Special Friday Night Attraction in The Footlight Theatre:

The Oops Guys Present… BITCHES OF THE KINGDOM at 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at www.wanzie.com/boxoffice or at the PH Booth at the Gay Days Expo. Tickets will be $18 at the door if available.
* Ticket price does not include party admission.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Salt N’ Pepa Concert &?Party

Tonight the PH adds the first of two lakeside FOAM PARTIES to the mix. They hit it big with “Push It”, “Let’s Talk About Sex, and “Whatta Man”. From 8pm, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard with JM Best Laser Show and VJ Direct spins in the Disco. Adult Video Stars will be appearing lakeside. Footlight Players Show will begin at 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. The Foam Party begins by the Lake at 11pm and runs til 3am. Salt N’ Pepa will be in concert on the Pool Stage at 1am. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Starting at 1pm, The Parliament House Pool Party is always FREE! Hosted by Gidget Galore & Addison Taylor, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard and the Food Court will be open. Then, Sunday Gay Days T-Dance begins at 5pm in the Disco.
The Twink Model Search, hosted by FabScout, Badpuppy.com, and WET?Lube will begin at 6pm on the Pool Stage. At midnight, the Footlight Players Gay Days Finale Show will be on the pool stage leading up to the 1am concert with Kat Deluna. $10 cover begins at 6pm.