Gay Days have attracted criticism from religious groups.
Ī local Doubletree resort has dubbed itself the 'official' hotel for the event, with convention space rented to various businesses (bathroom remodelers, gourmet cooking suppliers, sex toys, etc.) and organizations (free health tests, vaccinations, etc.) pitching to attendees. Growth in attendance also reflects the growing number of LGBT families with children as well as increasing number of LGBT marriages, since Disney World is also a top honeymoon destination. The popularity of the event is seen by some attendees as a way of 'reclaiming' normal joys of childhood lost to homophobia in their earlier years. As of 2010 approximately 150,000 LGBT people, their families, friends and supporters attended the six-day gathering (including various pool parties, conventions, festivals, a business expo, activities for kids, etc.) with 20,000 to 30,000 going to Disney on the final day.
By 1995, the event had grown to 10,000 gays and lesbians traveling for the gay day at Disney. The first documented event, in June 1991, had 3,000 LGBTQ+ people from central Florida going to area theme parks on one day wearing red shirts to make their presence more visible.
