Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 7:13am

Anyone for the "Lavish Option"?

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Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples
Thu Apr 5, 2007 7:11 PM ET

By Gina Keating

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line, a Disney spokesman said on Thursday.

Disney previously had allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that are set aside specifically for weddings.

"We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. "This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."

Walker said the change was prompted by "an inquiry from a guest that asked about this service."

Disney had allowed gay couples to take part in its vow renewals program but excluded them from buying wedding packages by requiring a valid marriage license from California or Florida, which do not permit or recognize gay marriages.

Last month, gay Web site AfterElton.com criticized Disney for not allowing same-sex couples to participate in the Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons program.

Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding packages start at $8,000 and include a wedding planner, the ceremony, food and beverages, flowers and table decorations.

The Lavish Wedding Option also includes a ride to the ceremony in the Cinderella coach, costumed trumpeters heralding the couple's arrival, and attendance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters dressed in formal attire.

Disney has come under fire from religious conservatives, including the Southern Baptist Convention, which have accused the company of promoting a gay agenda.

The groups, which lifted an eight-year boycott of Disney in 2005, had criticized the company for such corporate policies as giving health benefits to same-sex partners of employees, allowing "Gay Day" celebrations at its theme parks and airing a prime time television show on its ABC network featuring openly gay comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

"We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone," Walker said.
Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples

[ComaBaby01]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:19am

This is awesome. More power to them :)

[D2]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:30am

Good for Disney! Personally, I'd rather not ride in the Cinderella coach. But at least Disney is offering the option to those who do, and is standing up to their rabid critics. Obviously the "Baptist Boycott" didn't hurt their business at all. Gee, that's too darn bad.

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:30am

"The Lavish Wedding Option also includes a ride to the ceremony in the Cinderella coach, costumed trumpeters heralding the couple's arrival, and attendance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters dressed in formal attire."

Depending on the couple getting hitched, do you suppose they might send two Mickeys or two Minnies instead?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:36am

Or Chip and Dale.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:40am

well, if marriage were legal for gays I might get excited. I guess a "committment ceremony" will have to suffice.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 8:41am

That is SO gay.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 9:17am

And thus goes the Myth of the Gay Taste Gene.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 9:29am

Damn, Namo, ya beat me to it!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 9:41am

Our ancestors fought at Stonewall so that we would have the right to be every bit as tacky as straight people!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 9:52am

Ancestors, hell, sweetie. You were there.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:04am

I was NOT there! I was only 13!

It was three months after my bar mitzvah. I read about it in the Village Voice.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:44am

I can't think of anything gayer than a Disneyesque fairy tale wedding. Wait...

....nope.

Nothing.

EDIT: "Lavish" option, indeed.

Updated On: 4/6/07 at 10:44 AM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:46am

How about a Dynasty themed wedding?

That's gayer.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:48am

Nope. Just bitchier.

Wrestling bitches vs. flitting fairies...

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:49am

Or Liza officiating dressed as Minnie. That could make it gayer.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:50am

I know what would be gayer....


....c*ckr**gs.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:50am

Actually, I've BEEN to a few "Dynastyesque" weddings, come to think of it.

They weren't pretty... OR gay, for that matter.

But the hair was high, the shoulders padded and the guests loaded and brayin' like donkeys.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:52am

was there a gay son, who turned out to be straight?

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 10:54am

No, but I smell a TV movie.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 11:47am

Isn't the Jim Henson company part of Disney now?
Can Bert and Ernie come to my Disney Wedding??

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 12:01pm

Rath,

I hear your Ursula costume is almost ready. What is Debra doing with her hair?

Akiva

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 12:30pm

I am happy to see that Disney is open-minded. This is good for all of the gay couples.

[harris007]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 12:42pm

coool

[jarretSF]

Posted: 4/6/07 at 3:10pm

This is incredible news - good for Disney!