DVDizzy Forum

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

Poody wrote:I went to Disneyland on last year's gay day and to be honest, I see just as many gay folk as I do on a normal day at Disneyland! (There's always a lot, especially their employees ) Plus its actually a very busy time of the year anyway, there's already a ton of people. You'll see big groups together with red t-shirts, maybe a few scary old men here and there.

goofystitch wrote:That was a pretty good article, reyquila. It bothers me when I see any form of PDA in the Disney parks. The most common form is teens making out in line. It just isn't a good place for it. I do think it's a little strange that there has to be a full event for Gay Days and that Disney doesn't inform incoming guests. It would be nice if Disney could make an itinerary for it. Such as Monday is Gay Days at the Magic Kingdom, Tuesday is Epcot, etc... That way guests with children who are fearful of their child seeing something they won't understand can opt to go to a different park that day. And that is a little dirsturbing about the way the Sheridan handles the event. There are a lot of negative stereotypes around the gay community. The only thing that I disagree with is that the writer seems to have seen many cases of homosexual PDA in the parks. I have yet to see anything more than holding hands and I've been there during Gay Days for the past 4 years. I think that if Disney wouldn't shy away from the event and would handle it like any other celebration held in Disney World, they could organize it better so that they wouldn't have any outraged parents.

goofystitch wrote:Oh. I didn't realize they already had a set schedule. That's really nice that they do that. Now if only they would tell people when they call to book their trip or have it printed in park maps and guides.

Princess Stitch wrote:

goofystitch wrote:Oh. I didn't realize they already had a set schedule. That's really nice that they do that. Now if only they would tell people when they call to book their trip or have it printed in park maps and guides.

According to the article this is NOT a Disney sponsored event. Maybe Reyquila found out that information from reading the message boards he mentioned earlier?

Disney Duster wrote:People have claimed Disney is very Christian and promotes Christian ideals, but then Disney does things that are seemingly un-Christian (but arguably so, as I will explain).

Disney Duster wrote: If they don't have a preist or minister, it's not a holy matrimony, just a legal one, so it wouldn't be a sin.

AwallaceUNC wrote:It is very interesting, isn't it? I've toyed with the idea of doing a podcast on the Politics of Disney

Disney Duster wrote:Although, there can be gay Christians, as in gay people who believe in Christ as their savior. Despite sinning (if they engage in homosexual activity), they still believe in and love Jesus.

Disney Duster wrote:2. This is arguably not really a sin in Christianity. If they don't have a preist or minister, it's not a holy matrimony, just a legal one, so it wouldn't be a sin. And if the couple got married but never had sex and just loved each other, I don't see how that would be a sin either.

goofystitch wrote:It bothers me when I see any form of PDA in the Disney parks.