Carol Channing, et al. to Participate in GAY DAYS at Disneyland, 9/30-10/2

The 2011 Gay Days at Disneyland are set to take place Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2. For its 14th year, the event is expected to attract more than 30,000 LGBT park-hoppers from California and all over the country.

Newly added to the schedule is An Intimate Conversation With Carol Channing, in which the 90 year-old legend will talk about her life, career and new CD with Eddie Shapiro, co-author of Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks. The chat will take place at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel on Sunday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. and will benefit the Dr. Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts, whose mission it is to put the arts back into the public schools. Tickets are $20.

Glee star and 2011 Emmy-nominee, Dot Marie Jones, will also be on hand, hosting the VIP cocktail party with Gay Days regular, Bruce Vilanch. The party, for VIP Gold ticket holders, is on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. VIP tickets are available by calling (714) 778-BLUE.

The weekend opens Friday, September 30 with WONDERLAND, a dance party with DJ Ray Rhodes (Tiger Heat, KBIG 104.), hosted by Los Angeles drag diva Momma. Oscar winning screenwrite, Dustin Lance Black (Milk and the forthcoming J.Edgar) will preside over the VIP room. he event, which benefits The Trevor Project, runs from 9:30pm-1am at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen located in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. Tickets are $20 at the door.

Saturday, October 1 will be Gay Day at Disneyland, which culminates with KINGDOM, the weekend's signature dance party with music from renowned DJ Kimberly S. and a special performance by The Voice finalist, Frenchie Davis, KINGDOM will be held at the House of Blues Anaheim in Downtown Disney from 9pm-1:30am. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door.

New this year is a Saturday ladies night, featuring a performance by renowned comedienne, Suzanne Westenhoefer, performing her show, Semi-Sweet. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. That will be followed by another Gay Days Anaheim first, a lesbian lounge at The Anabella Hotel, across the street from Disneyland.

Sunday, October 2 will be Gay Day at Disney's California Adventure and the return of the Gay Days Anaheim pool party, PLUNGE! from noon until 4:00 p.m. at The Anabella Hotel. DJ Zach Moos will be spinning while Momma and her bathing beauties splash around in the pool. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

VIP ticket packages for all three parties are available now.

Both days in the parks will feature gatherings only available over Gay Days weekend, including scavenger hunts, a group photo, a PFLAG luncheon, group meet ups at varying attractions, and many more events targeted to families, youth, bears, couples and Mouseketeers of every ilk. A complete schedule is available at the Gay Days website www.GayDaysAnaheim.com

Other highlights of the weekend include free gift bags at the Gay Days Welcome Center (located inside the Trillium Room of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel), and a Gay Days Pin Trading event on Sunday.

Gay Days Anaheim is a "mix-in" with the park's other weekend guests, but gays and lesbians are encouraged to wear red shirts in order to identify each other and to show strong numbers. Official T-shirts are available at the official Gay Days at Disneyland website. Note: Gay Days Anaheim is NOT a Disney-sponsored event so Disney will not have any information regarding the "unofficial" happening.

Sponsors for the event include Undergear, Absolut Vodka, Howard Johnson Anaheim, Hotel Menage, The Anabella Hotel, Knott's Berry Farm, Miller/ Coors, and the Anaheim/Orange Country Visitor and Convention Bureau. Media sponsors are Gay.com, Frontiers, PIX, Odyssey Hawaii, Rage, Grindr, Hollywood and Highland, EDGE and QVegas.

For complete details, including discounted hotel rooms and park tickets, visit www.GayDaysAnaheim.com

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

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