What started as a single night water park party for the ursine crowd has now, seven years later, become a full weekend of events for bears, cubs, chubs and their admirers.
With decades worth of DJ experience between them, Orlando’s David Biehl and Charlotte’s Danny Gallegos created the Tidal Wave Party at Wet ‘N’ Wild as an alternative event for the underserved bear community during Gay Days Weekend. At the time, most of the weekend’s activities were geared towards either the circuit crowd or for women, leaving the burgeoning furry set to their own devices. And while some believe the party was created as competition for the long-standing Friday night event at Typhoon Lagoon, Biehl says no.
When plans were made for the first-ever Tidal Wave, the I-Drive water park was already booked for a Saturday evening event, leaving the bear organizers no choice but to hold their party on the Friday night of Gay Days Weekend. For following years, it was easier to create ““ and then stick with ““ tradition”¦and another signature event for the weekend was born!
Over the past seven years Tidal Wave has not only grown into a full-fledged weekend of bear events with its own host hotel ““ this year relocated to the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown ““ but attendance at the original party has increased as well. Last year’s Tidal Wave attracted over 1,000 revelers, and both Biehl and Gallegos expect attendance at this year’s party to be even higher.
David Biehl, co-organizer Tidal Wave Weekend
Your celebrity crush? Mark Addy
Favorite snack? Cheese popcorn
Favorite specific theme park attraction, ride or show? Haunted Mansion
Last book you read? “Under the Dome,” by Stephen King
Favorite ice cream/frozen yogurt flavor? Dulce de Leche by Haagen Dazs
Superpower you’d like to have? Ability to fly
Favorite TV show/Guiltiest TV pleasure? “Big Brother”
Who should play you in the motion picture of your life? Kevin James
Something about you people are always surprised to learn? I used to be a chef in NYC
A typical night’s sleep for you lasts how long? 6 hours
Fallback karaoke track? “Live Like You Were Dying,” by Tim McGraw
Competition reality show, real or imaginary, you’d certainly win? “Hell’s Kitchen”
Danny Gallegos, co-organizer Tidal Wave Weekend
Your celebrity crush? Alec Baldwin
Favorite snack? Homemade popcorn
Favorite specific theme park attraction, ride or show? Anything “Little Mermaid”
Last book you read? “Who Moved My Cheese”
Favorite ice cream/frozen yogurt flavor? Sugar-free Blue Bunny Double Strawberry
Superpower you’d like to have? Ability to fly
Favorite TV show/Guiltiest TV pleasure? “Mob Wives”
Who should play you in the motion picture of your life? Robin Williams
Something about you people are always surprised to learn?  My age
A typical night’s sleep for you lasts how long? 4-5 hours
Fallback karaoke track? “Stand By Your Man”
Competition reality show, real or imaginary, you’d certainly win? Jeopardy
