Gay Disney World Event Reverses Cancellation, Party Back On for June 2026
Gay Days Orlando reversed its cancellation and will proceed June 4-7, 2026, at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Celebration, Florida, just weeks after announcing the event had been paused due to sponsorship and venue challenges. The reversal comes as welcome news for the LGBTQIA+ Disney Parks community following the February 9 cancellation.
The reinstated event marks the 35th anniversary of the celebration that has become a tradition at Central Florida theme parks since 1991.
The Cancellation and Reversal of Gay Days
On February 9, 2026, Gay Days Orlando announced the June 2026 event would not proceed as planned. The organization cited the loss of key sponsors, changes to the existing host hotel agreement, and broader challenges impacting LGBTQIA+ events nationwide as reasons why it is impossible to deliver the experience their community deserves.
The cancellation notice described the change as a pause rather than an ending, expressing hope to return with a stronger, more sustainable event after reimagining the future.
On February 24, organizers announced the event is back on, stating they have been working hard behind the scenes to bring the party attendees want, expect, and deserve. The event will be hosted at a new venue, the Holiday Inn & Suites in Celebration, with organizers taking over the entire hotel.
What Changed
The fact that the event is proceeding at a different venue than originally planned suggests securing a new host hotel agreement resolved one of the primary challenges. The original cancellation cited changes to the existing host hotel agreement as a key factor, so moving to the Holiday Inn & Suites in Celebration likely addresses that specific issue.
Whether the loss of key sponsors has been resolved through securing new sponsorship or restructuring the event to operate with reduced sponsorship remains unclear from public announcements.
Historical Context
Gay Days Orlando began in 1991 when a small group of LGBTQIA+ individuals organized an unofficial gathering at Walt Disney World. At that time, Disney posted notices warning some visitors that they may see “homosexual” activity during their visit, reflecting significantly different social context around LGBTQIA+ visibility in the early 1990s.
The event, while still run by a third party independent from Disney, is now celebrated by many Disney cast members and often coincides with Pride Month at Central Florida theme parks.
Over 35 years, Gay Days has grown from that small initial gathering into a major annual event bringing thousands of LGBTQIA+ visitors and allies to Central Florida theme parks including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
According to a Walt Disney World Cast Member, one of the Gay Days traditions is “bears watching bears,” when a large group of gay men watch the Country Bear Jamboree together en masse, packing the theater.
The 35th Anniversary of Gay Days
The 2026 event marking the 35th anniversary carries particular significance given the milestone nature and cultural history the event represents. Thirty-five years of continuous annual gatherings demonstrates both the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and the evolution of social acceptance around LGBTQIA+ visibility in Disney theme parks.
The fact that Gay Days has persisted from its origins when Disney posted warnings about “homosexual” activity to today when many Disney cast members celebrate the event reflects broader societal changes around LGBTQIA+ acceptance.
Gay Days Anaheim Continues
Gay Days Anaheim confirmed that its events at Disneyland Resort from September 18-20, 2026, will proceed as planned. The continuation of Gay Days Anaheim while Gay Days Orlando faced cancellation suggests the issues were specific to the Orlando event’s circumstances.
What This Means for Gay Days
For attendees planning to participate in Gay Days Orlando 2026, the reversal from cancellation to reinstatement creates both relief and uncertainty. Relief that the 35th anniversary celebration will proceed, but uncertainty about what the change in venue and compressed timeline means for the overall experience.
Organizers are urging attendees to reserve rooms at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Celebration before they sell out, suggesting capacity will be limited and early booking is essential.
The reversal also raises questions about sustainability given the challenges that led to the initial cancellation. Whether underlying issues around sponsorship and venue relationships have been permanently resolved or just temporarily addressed remains unclear.
