“As with all large conferences or group events, our goal is to provide exemplary guest service,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland spokeswoman. Representatives of Disney groups like D23, Disney Vacation Club, and the resort’s employee diversity group, PRIDE, make appearances, Shapiro said.
The park sells rainbow-colored Mickey Mouse cookies, and rainbow-layered cake. Now, same-sex couples marry at Disneyland. Shapiro recalled that in the beginning Disney reimbursed people with return tickets who had complained about seeing same sex-couples in the park and provided guests with white T-shirts because they happened to be wearing red. It’s a sign of the growing families in the gay community, said Tatiana Quiroga, southern regional manager at Family Equality Council, a nonprofit that services LGBTQ families. More than 220 families have registered to participate in this year’s family events, double the amount from last year. Gay Days also offers a pool party, screenings of TV pilots, a family breakfast and other activities in the resort area. McDonald, a singer and actress with six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award, is performing Friday at the Disneyland Hotel.
