Ready to get wet with the hottest lesbians around? Then warm up your fingers and book a ticket to what will henceforth be known as the Gayest Fall Weekend Ever: Girls in Wonderland 2021. Kicking off on October 14 at the Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration, and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Girls in Wonderland is five action-packed days of sexy pool parties, lez comedy shows, go-go girls, celebrity guests and much, much more.
I don’t know about you, but apple picking is not my jam. And even if it were, I’d seriously consider bagging nonalcoholic cider, lace up boots, and heavy sweaters for one weekend in favor of skimpy bikinis, live music and delicious drinks in the Sunshine State. Winter is coming…so make the most of this sultry weather with a steamy pool party.
What can you expect from this magical weekend? Lesbians. As far as the eye can see, sipping cocktails and splashing about during one of the many pool parties, from Friday’s Wet Pool Party to Sunday FUNDAY.
On Friday night, catch two hilarious stand-ups at Out for Laughs Comedy Show before you dance the night away at the CLIMAX party, hosted by Cuba Libre at Pointe Orlando and featuring DJs spinning everything from salsa to reggaeton to top 40…as well as a bevy of go-go beauties led by Ivy Les Vixen. Still going? Shuttle back to the hotel for the after party in the Bud Light Disco and party until 5 a.m.
Everything’s building up to GiW’s signature event: Wonderland. On Saturday, October 16 in the Grand Orlando Resort ballroom, over 2,000 lezzies will gather and sh*t will go absolutely crazy. Two dance floors. House and break beats. And of course there’s an afterparty with the perfect name: Girl The Party. Hit the Bud Light Disco with DJs, Vixens and your nearest and dearest, along with the gorgeous human you saw across the pool and have been obsessing over ever since. VIP passes are sold out this year, but individual tickets are still available!
Worried about big group events during these trying times? GiW’s COVID-19 protocols require masks for staff and indoors for guests (mask exclusion for performers onstage) and include additional sanitation measures at the host resort and all venues. All attendees are required to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours prior to the event. Girls in Wonderland’s got your back so you can be sexy and safe all weekend long.
The weekend also includes a who’s who of queer talent. “The L Word” devotees (which, who are we kidding? That’s all of us!) will be absolutely thrilled to hear that Arienne Mandi, aka Dani from “The L Word: Generation Q” will be joining the festivities, as well as “The Real L Word”’s Rose Garcia. Comedians Jen Kober and Lee Cohen bring the queer funnies at Friday night’s show, and celeb DJs including Citizen Jane, Cristy Lawrence, Laura D and Dlux will have you shaking your thing all weekend long. Catch a glimpse of “True Blood” hottie Jessica Clark and try not to drool in your craft cocktail when you spot insanely gorgeous tattooist Ruby Croak. If you’re a TikTok lez, get ready to fist-bump Baby Gay and Maverick21, and be on the lookout for Les Vixens, the most sizzling queer go-go dancers around.
When you need a minute to chill (or entertain the cutie crushes you met poolside), the Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration is a comfy crash pad. Rooms sleep up to 4, so you can after-after-party and decompress with your best pals. Each room includes two daily Pool Party wristbands. Amenities include free WiFi (ideal for posting selfies and swiping right), safes for your valuables, and Starbucks coffee and tea for nursing your post-party hangovers. Onsite parking is available, but you can also shuttle to the offsite GiW events. (And for the Disney lezzies, there’s even a daily free shuttle to Walt Disney World.)
From beginning to end, you are in excellent hands with the brilliant minds behind GiW. Amy Alonso, Alison Burgos and Yesenia Leon of the South Beach-based Pandora Events have also created and produced Aquagirl in Miami Beach, Shedonism Las Vegas and Women’s White Party, as well as the official women’s events of Charlotte and Atlanta Prides. They take “partying with a purpose” seriously, and many of their events support organizations like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, and the Aqua Foundation for Women.
This power trio is looking forward to this year’s Girls in Wonderland and celebrating a banner anniversary. “We started Girls in Wonderland 20 years ago simply because there was a void for our community,” Alonso tells GO. “There wasn’t a place for our people to come together, have fun and express themselves. Never did we imagine we’d be here years later.” And their passion for the event remains. “We love bringing people together, seeing the connections and the memories that are made. Many things have changed but the essence of the event remains the same.”
It’s been a looooong year and a half, and there’s no reason not to round up your best friends, don your biggest shades, and head to Girls in Wonderland 2021. Rooms and tickets abound, and the most unforgettable and queerest weekend of your life awaits. For all the info, go to girlsinwonderland.com.
What Do You Think?