Yes. Well, many veterans and regulars may've been doubtful, but they didn't blatantly deny the possibility. In other words, I think they partly believed it, which is disappointing. Square isn't stupid. They wouldn't make such a drastic character change that's such a horrific turnaround of the well-known events.
If they added a character who was gay then it wouldn't matter but to suddenly make Sora and Riku . . . I'm sorry, but the idea's lame.