“Queens in the Kingdom” – A Book Review
Having a Gay Old Time at Disney Parks
By Kelly Monaghan
 The folks who
run Disneyland in California and the immense Walt Disney World Resort in
Florida don’t like to mention it, but their parks have a huge gay following.
The annual and very unofficial ‘Gay Days’ at both parks (the first weekend
in June) draw thousands of red-shirted gay and lesbian Disney fans who give
whole new meaning to the idea of a “family” vacation.
Now comes an ever-so-slightly naughty guide that lets the gay-friendly
side of Disney out of the closet to prance unashamedly down Main Street.
“Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney
Theme Parks” ($14.95; Alyson Publications) is a quintessentially queer take
on America’s most beloved theme parks.
The authors, Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro, cheerfully characterize
themselves as “queer-as-a-$3-dollar-bill Jewish fags from the Northeast,”
which I guess amounts to something of a quadruple whammy. This bad boys
camping it up approach may turn some people off, but I found it a lot of
fun.
Epstein and Shapiro pose the rhetorical question, “Why would anyone need
a gay and lesbian guide to the Disney theme parks?” and respond by pointing
out that as gay men, “We look for fabulous!” They also make some right-on
comments about why the fantasy and magic of Disney resonate with so many in
the gay community. One thing they don’t take credit for, but which sets
their guide apart, is that they cover all the Disney parks – Disneyland,
California Adventure, and all of WDW – in one easy to handle volume.
Then it’s off on a tour that does what any “straight” guidebook would do.
It’s just that Epstein and Shapiro bring to the task a campy sensibility
that’s light and gay (in both senses of the term). And a lot of it is
downright funny.
Lines like “Disney opens and closes this film more than Shelley Winters
does her refrigerator door” and (referring to Disney’s ban on same-sex
weddings) “if you want to have your fairy-tale wedding at either of the
resorts, you may have to pretend it’s a bar mitzvah” give you an idea of
what awaits.
 Between the
one-liners, the boys do a good job with the guidebook basics. The
descriptions are accurate and to the point. The dining scene is covered,
too, and based on my experience their assessments are bang on the money.
Every attraction description is accompanied by a “Fairy Fact.” These tidbits
range from obscure ride trivia, to identifying the gay performers in the
films, to catty show-biz inside jokes.
Throughout, there is an effort to provide special guidance for the gay
and lesbian community, although the list of “Top Ten Spots To Share a Gay
Moment” would prove equally useful for heterosexual couples who want to
steal a smooch. Of greater use to gay readers is their coverage of the gay
scene outside the parks.
The authors make a determined effort to appear raunchy. There are
references to gay trysts in parked cars, hotel hopping, and Ecstasy use, and
Jeffrey’s apparent tendency to drink too much is a constant leitmotif. But
they are too boyishly ingratiating to be truly offensive.
Of course, it can be argued that a specifically gay guide to Disney is
beside the point. After all, when you wish upon a star it makes no
difference who you are. Still, Epstein and Shapiro’s arch sense of humor
reminds you why gay men are so often the life of the party and makes “Queens
in the Kingdom” a fun read for straight and gay readers alike.
Kelly Monaghan is the author of several Orlando area guidebooks and
provides up to date information on Orlando attractions at
http://www.TheOtherOrlando.com
Images courtesy of Alyson Publications
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