Gay‑Friendly Theme Parks: How Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm Differ in Inclusion

When my partner and I planned our recent Southern California getaway, we knew we wanted to hit two of the most iconic destinations in the region: Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm. As a lesbian couple who loves theme parks, we were excited to experience the magic of Disney and the thrills of Knott’s. What we didn’t expect was just how different the experiences would feel – not in terms of rides or attractions, but in how comfortable and accepted we felt as an openly queer couple.

Disneyland, true to its reputation, felt like a safe haven. We weren’t the only same-sex couple holding hands in line or sharing a kiss in front of Avenger’s Campus. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing whether we might draw unwanted attention. Just 20 minutes away at Knott’s Berry Farm, however, the vibe subtly shifted. While we never felt unsafe, there were noticeable differences in how people reacted – or didn’t react – to us.

In this blog, I’m sharing our experience from both parks to help other LGBTQ+ travelers understand what to expect, how inclusive each destination feels, and how visible queer joy feels in these popular parks.

Boy do the gays love Disneyland! There was no shortage of other queer couples in the parks, Downtown Disney, and the hotels. So of course that automatically made us feel more comfortable because there was nothing weird or different about us acting like any other couple.

I’m not a big believer in public PDA, so I’ll never judge a place by whether I feel I can have a make out session out in the open or not. But it was nice feeling like I could hold my partner’s hand and it not be a spectacle. We were viewed and treated like any other couple having the happiest day on earth, from both cast members and other guests. That goes a long way toward making the queer community feel included, and certainly isn’t always the case in other destinations.

While Disney as a company makes PLENTY of questionable decisions (too many to list here), one thing is certain – the parks are openly inclusive of the queer community. From Pride merchandise and decor throughout the resort, to special after-hours events celebrating Pride, Disneyland openly welcomes the LGBTQ+ community. There are gender-neutral bathrooms across the resort. Cast members are really good about pronoun respect and not assuming gender. It’s truly a respectful and inclusive place to visit.

Of course Disney is family-friendly and aims to attract as many families as possible. But they also know LGBTQ+ folks have families they want to bring to the parks. They know queer couples love to visit. And they know if groups of gay friends feel safe and are having fun, we’re going to spend money. Disneyland is explicitly supportive of LGBTQ+ visitors throughout the property.

Just a few exits away at Knott’s Berry Farm, the vibe is just… different. Granted, I’ve only been to Knott’s once, but there were FAR fewer same-sex couples walking around the park. That surprised me, actually. I did see a few, but it was more like “oh look, another lesbian couple!” than it being the norm.

Knott’s Berry Farm is run by Six Flags, and just overall has a more conservative, Midwest amusement park feel. Don’t get me wrong – I loved going to Six Flags St. Louis growing up, and Six Flags Over Georgia has one of my favorite coasters of all time. But these parks almost exclusively gear themselves toward families with marketing themed around Mom, Dad and their 2.5 kids. There were some stares when my partner and I walked through the Midway holding hands. Nothing overt, but it was noticeable.

An obvious difference between these two parks is the demographic of the guests. Knott’s tickets are obviously cheaper, so seeing the many, MANY groups of teenagers running around the park didn’t surprise me. That was my experience growing up – being dropped off at the park for a day of fun and trouble with my friends. Teens in groups tend to point, stare, talk in loud whispers, and not care who is around. Being at the receiving end of that didn’t bother me, it just got old.

But marketing the park to families as a more affordable option is what Knott’s Berry Farm is good at, so that’s what the park attracts. I wouldn’t at all say the park is anti-queer, but there is certainly a whole lot less intentional LGBTQ+ messaging, and, in turn, a whole lot less LGBTQ+ members at the park.

As a lesbian traveler, one of the most important aspects to consider is safety. When I visit somewhere, I want to feel safe and visible in public spaces. I’ve grown up looking over my shoulder and ignoring the snickers and stares. As an adult, I just want to enjoy the space I’m in and feel like I can be myself.

Queer travelers deserve to be treated respectfully and inclusively, whether at a theme park, a beach, a cruise ship, a resort, or anywhere else they spend their money. Otherwise we’ll give our money to the places that do. Marketing and cultural signals are a HUGE influence on traveler behavior. So part of my mission as a Travel Advisor is to find those places that market themselves as LGBTQ-friendly and make sure they actually are.

I can tell you this – Disneyland marketing itself as a queer-friendly destination is by design, and it delivers.

As a Travel Advisor I can certainly help take the stress out of planning your next SoCal adventure. If you want to know safe areas for LGBTQ+ travelers, the best place to stay for Pride events, or want to put together the perfect trip to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, or both, be sure you email me here or fill out the contact form below!

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Will I visit both of these parks again? Absolutely. In fact, be sure you follow my adventures at Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm on my YouTube channel. I had a great time at both destinations and highly recommend all theme park adults try them.

Does each park have a different energy for queer travelers? Absolutely. It’s something to be aware of, but not something that should prevent you from going and having a great time.

Have you been to these two parks? I’d love to hear your experience and if you feel the same or noticed something completely different! Share your thoughts in the comments, or share this post and leave your thoughts on social media!