Credit: DisneySad news for LGBTQIA+ Disney Parks fans and allies… Gay Days Orlando has announced that their 2026 events, which typically take over Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, are officially on pause. This year’s festivities would’ve marked the 35th anniversary of the popular celebration of pride, diversity, and inclusion at the Central Florida theme parks.
Gay Days on Pause
On February 9, the official Gay Days Orlando event team posted a notice on its website and across all social media channels confirming that the June 2026 event would not proceed as planned. The organization cited loss of key sponsors, changes to the existing hotel agreement, and challenges affecting the LGBTQIA+ community across the United States. Their statement reads:
After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to pause the GayDays Orlando event scheduled for June 2026.
Changes to our host hotel agreement, the loss of key sponsorship support, and broader challenges currently impacting LGBTQIA+ events nationwide made it impossible to deliver the experience our community deserves.
This is a pause — not an ending.
For more than 30 years, GayDays has been built by and for our community. Our focus now is on reimagining the future and returning with a stronger, more sustainable event.
We will share updates in the coming months as we shape the next chapter together.
Thank you for your support, your patience, and for being part of the GayDays family.
#GayDays #LGBTQCommunity #SeeYouSoon
Although the original announcement describes the change as a “pause,” the Central Florida organization’s website confirms that the 2026 event has been officially cancelled. The organization hopes to return stronger for future events, writing:
GayDays Family — it is with very heavy hearts that we share GayDays 2026 will not take place this year.
This was an incredibly difficult decision and one that was only made after every possible option was explored.GayDays has always been more than an event — it is community, family, and a place where so many memories are made. While this pause is painful, it also gives us the opportunity to step back, listen, and begin shaping a stronger and reimagined GayDays for the future. Thank you for your continued love, patience, and support. This is not goodbye — it’s a reset, and we look forward to creating the future of GayDays together.
Gay Days Orlando began in 1991. At that time, Walt Disney World Resort posted notices warning some visitors that they may see “homosexual” activity during their visit. The event, while still run by a third party, is now celebrated by many Disney cast members and often coincides with Pride Month at the Central Florida theme parks, including limited-time food and beverage items and Disney Pride merchandise.
The Event’s Future
Gay Days Anaheim has confirmed that its events at Disneyland Resort from September 18 to 20, 2026, will go on as planned.
Does this change your plans to visit Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort in 2026? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments.