Let's Hear it for the Lesbians
Story by LoAnn Halden; Photos Courtesy Girls in Wonderland
Gay Days parties are changing fast and furiously, but Girls In Wonderland is dodging the controversy.
For once, there doesn't seem to be any dyke drama. Girls in Wonderland, a weekend of Sapphic-centric events held during Gay Days at Disney World, returns for another Orlando run, June 4-7. More than 7,000 women are expected to attend the pool parties, luau, club events, concert, and signature Saturday night dance party at House of Blues.
The Marriott Courtyard Host Hotel is sold out and Pandora Events, the South Florida producers behind the weekend, are already filling the co-host property, the neighboring Fairfield Inn. Even in this economic mess, it's still one of the largest women's events in the state -- and it benefits the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Meanwhile, over on the boys' side of the kingdom, a Gay Days dethroning of sorts appears to be in the works. Johnny Chisholm's One Mighty Weekend abandoned its big-name venues for Friday and Saturday night's parties (June 5-6) over financial issues at the 11th hour. The Beach Ball, formerly held at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, now unfolds at the OMW host hotel, the Buena Vista Palace, site of the daily Reunion pool parties. One Mighty Party, which so coolly incorporated Disney's Hollywood Studios and its best rides in previous years, will now be held at… the Gaylord Palms hotel. Um, okay. Tickets for these event are still $95 each, despite removing the theme park setting. (We'll let you do the math.)
Seems that this venue jump didn't go unnoticed. Typhoon Lagoon was snapped up in the aftermath and will still host a June 5 boy bash with DJ Lydia Prim; the party is dubbed Let's Go Play and benefits the AIDS agencies Hope and Help and Broward House. Tickets are $69.
Where will the guys go on Friday night? Remains to be seen. But over in Wonderland, the lesbians will be swinging from the rafters all weekend.
