Thanks in large part to Walt Disney's vision (and his secret plan to buy up great swaths of central Florida back in the late '50s), Orlando is now known around the globe as one of the country's top vacation destinations.
Orlando is no longer a Mickey Mouse organization. Today there are dozens of theme parks in the metropolitan area, focusing on everything from sea creatures to medieval knights to biblical tales. And all of them are competing to part families from their hard-earned dollars.
But what does the city offer gay travelers? Plenty. There's a lively and growing cultural community and a vibrant gay bar and club scene. And there are literally dozens of gay-friendly resorts, hotels and B&Bs located in and around the city.
Some travelers do come for the theme parks, especially in the spring. That's when red-shirted gays take over Disney World and other parks as part of Gay Days. But even if a ride on Space Mountain isn't part of your plans, there's more than enough to keep you occupied.

 

Neighborhoods
Downtown. Take a leisurely stroll around Lake Eola, the city's centerpiece. (Rides in horse-drawn carriages and swan-shaped pedal boats are also popular.) There is a sprinkling of gay clubs, but the rest have a reputation for being gay-friendly.
ViMi. The ViMi District, more officially known as Virginia-Mills, is one of the city's most vibrant gay neighborhoods. Just outside the boundaries of Downtown, it sits north of Colonial Drive. The Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida sits on Mills Avenue, the neighborhood's main drag. Gays were the first to move to the once-rundown area, and gay businesses are found among the ethnic eateries and tattoo shops. The city commissioner for the area, Patty Sheehan, is one of the country's most prominent gay elected officials.
Lake Ivanhoe. Along Orange Avenue between Virginia and Princeton you'll find antique dealers with some fabulous finds. There's also a couple of laid-back neighborhood bars.
Thornton Park. Near Downtown, this fun and funky neighborhood is full of lovingly restored homes from the beginning of the last century. It's filled with hip shops and trendy restaurants.
Winter Park. The area's chicest boutiques are found in this upscale neighborhood. Also check out the Morse Museum of American Art, which has an eye-popping collection of Tiffany glass.

 

Getting here
Two airports serve the Orlando area. Orlando International Airport, where you are most likely to land, is on the outskirts of the city. Orlando Sanford International Airport is 18 miles north of the city. Be sure to check with your hotel to find out if they offer free shuttle service from the airport.

Getting around
Rental cars are probably your best bet for getting around. The good news is that they are relatively inexpensive, often around $25 a day.
Taxis abound in Orlando, but the cost can become prohibitive. Public buses can get you just about anywhere you'd want to go, but the schedules often mean long waits. Fares are $2, or $4.50 for a one-day pass. See LYNX the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, for info.
Many hotels offer free shuttle service to local attractions, so be sure to check in advance.

 

in focus
Disney magic. Everyone lets it all hang out during the weeklong Gay Days celebration, held every June in Orlando.

Two decades of mouse ears
Almost 20 years ago, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Center of Orlando encouraged gay people, along with their friends and families, to "wear red and be seen" for one day at the world's most popular theme park.
About 3,000 people, most of them donning red T-shirts, pushed through the turnstiles at Walt Disney World. They weren't greeted warmly by the theme park, which posted warning signs at the entrance warning of the large number of gay and lesbian visitors.
Religious groups were livid. The American Family Association urged a boycott (which quickly fizzled). Operation Rescue staged a demonstration at the front gates (less than a dozen protesters showed up). And televangelist Pat Robertson warned Orlando that it risked hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorist bombs by allowing gays.
Perhaps the most creative protest was in 2006, when the Christian Action Network threatened to launch a hot-air balloon with a message warning families not to visit the area's theme parks during Gay Days.
Today the more than 135,000 revelers are greeted by smiling employees, many of whom volunteer to work during the Gay Days celebration. Although Disney is not an official sponsor of the event (spokespeople say the park "welcomes everyone"), it does offer extended hours and hosts a fireworks display usually only seen during the park's peak summer hours.
Always scheduled around the first weekend in June, Gay Days has exploded from a daylong celebration to a week of events at many theme parks and dozens of locations around the city. There are concerts, circuit parties, poolside receptions and non-stop activities.
"We have young, old, all races and beliefs, parents, gay AA groups, and every other section of our community attending Gay Days each year," says one organizer.
The event is one of the city's biggest moneymakers, bringing in an estimated $100 million to the local economy. It's no wonder that at times there were conflicts among the organizers. Several years ago two separate groups sponsored competing events.
Gays Days takes place in early June, where the hub of activities is the Doubletree Resort Orlando, located at SeaWorld on International Drive, with free transportation to Universal Studios, Sea World and the various Disney theme parks.

Media & Resources
Watermark, the city's top gay publication, covers news and cultural events. What's Happening and Mark's List cover the region and events from coast to coast. Orlando Weekly is the gay-friendly alternative newspaper.

For a city map with business locations and website links, see our gay Orlando listings pages.

 

Lodgings, resorts

Eo Inn & Spa (227 N Eola Dr; 407-481-8485) small boutique hotel in downtown a block from Thornton Park shops and restaurants, with full spa and Panera Bread at street level.

Parliament House Hotel (400 N Orange Blossom Trail; 407-425-7571), the gay motel and entertainment resort since 1975 packs a lot into one destination with 130 rooms, an expansive pool area with bar, a lakefront beach, six bars including disco and show bar, stores and restaurant. Open until 3am, they have drag and cabaret shows from the Footlight Players, Orlando's hottest male dancers, headliner guest stars, Latin nights, pool parties and happy-hour buffets. Sunday no-cover T-dances includes free 8pm buffets, and three showtimes.

Rick's Bed & Breakfast (unpublished address; ricksbnb.guesthouse@facebook.com), upscale clothing-optional, 21+ men-only gay retreat near Disney World; home entertainment center, Disney movies to XXX videos, full breakfast.

For a dozen local hotels and guesthouses see our map & listings pages.

 

Bars and restaurants

903 Mills Market (903 S Mills), great take-out food, outdoor seating, breakfasts and deli sandwiches; meats, cheeses and vegetarian options, wine tasting club.

Bar Codes (4453 Edgewater Dr) is Orlando's only bear and leather bar, serving beer and wine, with a back yard bar.

Funky Monkey Wine Company (912 N Mills Ave) is a downtown restaurant and wine bar for lunch, brunch and dinner, owned and operated by Tasters Guild Orlando. Saturday Night Block Party with seven other Wall Street Plaza bars.

Hamburger Mary's (110 W Church), gay restaurant burgers and sandwiches chain, cocktails, happy hours, drag cabaret shows, bingo and trivia game nights, Sunday Broadway Brunch 11am-3pm.

Hank's (5026 Edgewater Dr), men's cruise beer and wine bar, famous back yard, jukebox, WiFi, pool tables and tournaments.

New Phoenix (7124 Aloma Ave, Winter Park), Orlando area's oldest bar, drag queen/ king or burlesque shows, cheap drinks, karaoke, free pool nights.

Parliament House (400 N Orange Blossom Trail), gay hotel/resort, pool bar, lakefront beach, six bars including disco, Footlight Theatre plays, and show bar; stores, restaurant. Drag and cabaret shows, male dancers, guest performers, Latin nights, bear events, pool parties and happy-hour buffets. Sunday T-dances, free buffets, and shows.

Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria (67 Bumby Ave), teas and gourmet sandwiches, sweets; gallery showcasing local gay artists.

Pulse (1912 S Orange Ave, downtown), sleek, state-of-the-art gay club, great sound and lights, exuberant young 18+ mixed-sex, multi-preferenced clubbers. Nearly-nude young guys on-stage and atop bars, with more than usual enthusiasm and imaginative flair. Talent shows, karaoke, drag and other performers also on stage.

Savoy Orlando (1913 N Orange Ave),Tattoo Lounge and patio garden, many kinds of beer, full liquor service. Hot nightly male Men of Savoy dancers, Texas Hold 'Em games, 18+ Tuesday College Nights; $2 Hot Shots all night.

Southern Nights (375 S Bumby Ave), Thursday-Saturday gay nightclub, drag and burlesque shows, karaoke, dancing, theme parties; leather/bears events, men/women mix, go-go boys and girls, lesbian Saturdays. Was Revolution, then RBarr.

Stonewall (741 W Church St), nightly neighborhood bar, food, karaoke, bear nights, underwear Thursdays, Country Music at Patio Bar, Texas Hold 'Em games, Friday male nude screen dancers, Saturday amateur dancer contests, Sunday karaoke and showtunes.

 

Sauna

Club Orlando (450 E Compton St), one of men's clubs national chain, amonge nicest anywhere. Outdoor Olympic-size pool, wrap-around deck, Jacuzzi, steam room, dry sauna, tropical garden patio, satellite-TV lounge, cubicles for pleasure and relaxation. Full-range gym with certified instructor. Sunday cookouts from 2pm. Thursday feature movies and popcorn from 7pm.

 

Shopping

Ritzy Rags (928 N Mills Ave) features baubles, wigs, boas, masks and many other cross-dressing and theatrical staples.