GayDays at Disney!...

So we spend a couple of days in the wet and warm delights of Walt Disney World PLC. Now I've got to admit to being a bit skeptical of the whole mega power that is Disney. Their recent films sucking so badly at least they've got the theme parks. It turned out, rather coincident I might add that we would be there in the parks for the annual Gay days events. Thrill seeking in the comfort of a pink crowd sounded like more fun than a park full of screaming kids. YAY.

We headed straight out on the first evening for the Magic Kingdom, which by Monorail is still rather an amazing sight! The castle rising out of the horizon certainly has more impact in Orlando than it does in Paris. Where they have REAL castles! Anyhoo, And and I both love the big rides and since my Cardio man gave me the all clear, I had some thrill time to make up. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder at night were a trip! The nightly fireworks were incredible, if unapologetically wasteful in every way. The next day found our very straight hotel full of gay clientele and the stuffy conference rooms made home to a huge Gay expo. From what I could tell, we are heavily into Loreal exfoliates and the new model Saturn (!?) Our hotel was the hub of the events for the weekend, complete with Bananarama and over-priced parties.

Since we were there for the theme parks first and the pool parties way second it felt a little wasted on us. Some fun people watching though. Animal Kingdom the next day was incredible and features the best safari ride we had ever seen. Another wonderful thing about this one is that the facilities for the critters were easily the best I've ever seen. The Gorilla enclosure alone was unbelievable and huge, although of all the places the largest silverback could use to relieve himself, up against the viewing glass 6 inches from the kids in the front row is obviously the best place! Expedition Everest is the latest thrill ride and easily the best roller-coaster we've been on, that bloody animatronic Yeti (grr) got me every time. A perfect day in one of the most amazing theme parks ever. EPCOT was next and even though it did it's best to impress, after the newer parks it's looking a bit old hat. The Futureworld doesn't quite look that spectacular anymore and could be renamed Animatronic Ellen World, no kidding. The various 'mini-countries' around the huge lake were rather well done though. Particularly good was the pint of draught Harp lager at the British pub (had to be done!) The firework display here was astonishing, went on for ever and felt like an Olympic ceremony.

MGM the next day was cool but the heavens opened care of a tropical storm called 'Barry' - stupid bloody name for a storm! The Tower of Terror was the big one and the ultimate test for the ticker, although the Aerosmith roller-coaster was a good way of drying off (very cheesy stuff). The Saturday at Magic Kingdom is THE day for the Pink populace, everyone respledent in red, nice match with the sunburnt faces. Very cool experience seeing that many overgrown children in one place. The parades took on a whole new meaning, alerted as we were to which of the characters as we heard the raucous chants for Cruella, CRUELLA!!!, guess we love the baddies! Not as much as the actress loved the crowds, Dahling! A sheepish Aladdin loooked a wee bit nervous as the floats snaked their way through the geers and whistles. Very funny. The weather cleared on the Sunday and we hit Typhoon Lagoon, huge water park and a new experience for a former chubby kid once too worried about things like water slides. Not any more!!! The storm meant the planned pool parties were a bit of a wash-out but the last night provided some entertainment and a jolly old night with a couple of guys from Leeds.

We ended up getting an upgrade on the flight back to SF care of our new friend Jesus (top friend of Auntie Mazza and pronounced Hay-Zeus for those a little confused/ concerned) Andy and I treated like royalty after he mentioned to the crew that he'd worked on Shrek. The irony, we had tried to keep that info to a minimum in the parks for fear of Disney to DreamWorks violent reprisals!