Disney to host gay Fairy Tale Weddings (Planet Out)

Trolas 04-06-2007

The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy and will allow same-sex couples to take part in its Fairy Tale Wedding program at its California and Orlando, Fla., resorts and cruises, a Disney spokesman confirmed Friday.

The change follows criticism from LGBT news outlets, which noted that Disney has long hosted same-sex nuptials and other gay events on an unofficial basis, but did not allow gay couples to use its dedicated wedding venues or services.

It anticipates Disney World's unofficial but wildly popular Gay Days in early June, when tens of thousands of LGBT mouseketeers converge on the Orlando resort.

"We want everyone who comes to Disney to recognize their special occasion to feel welcomed and respected," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker told Gay.com on Friday.

Social conservatives have sometimes seen a "gay agenda" or other moral flaws in the entertainment giant's business dealings, such as its health benefits for employees' same-sex partners or the ABC TV series "Desperate Housewives." The Southern Baptist Convention, among others, boycotted all things Disney from 1997 to 2005.

Walker said the latest move was prompted by a same-sex couple's asking for a commitment ceremony at one of the parks.

"We believe our guests will understand that we're not making judgments about people," he said. "We're recognizing the diversity that already exists among our guests."

Same-sex couples now can command a huge arsenal of wedding options of varying degrees of Disney-ness. Packages start at $8,000, including a wedding planner, the ceremony, food, beverages and table decorations. They range up to include the fabled pony-drawn Cinderella wedding coach ($2,700) and the expertise of celebrity event maven David Tutera.

Couples can bring in their own celebrant or have one provided for what is officially dubbed a commitment ceremony. For some time, Disney has offered Fairy Tale vow-renewals for same-sex couples at the parks.

One thing that's not possible, however, is to have a reception graced by two Mickey Mouses, or two Minnies. (The hetero mouse couple is a sometime wedding-dance request.)

"This never happens in any circumstance at any of our parks," Walker said. "Because, you see, there's only one Mickey."

Raven

While I think its good I don't think they're really doing it becuase they "recognize their special occasion to feel welcomed and respected". More like they thought of a way to make money and get more customers.

Hsoolien

Honestly Raven, if it was all about money and more customers there would be a lot more gay centic services offered by companies. offering services to the gay community, especially in southern US (as you really should know) is a good way to lose business from religious assholes (which I think come in higher counts then gay people)

seximamita

aww what for real

spawnschickishot

yeah i think its just for money

Nina

I agree with you maybe a few years ago but atleast for the last 2 years. Business are going towards same sex. With more people becoming open about the sexuality or just trying to get attention for it its just more money in it now. Hell being more sexual is the in thing now. GGW restuarants, prime example of it.

Hsoolien

There doing it now because we're finally seeing the revolution as such. Same thing happend with black people when they went after their civil rights, people fought and fought against it then BAM it seemed everywehere was accepting it. But there was still a very vocal southern crowd (who oddly enough were also pretty religious...)

Almost fee sorry for Bigots, so few things you can be politically correct about being biggoted towards