Disney to offer gay Fairy Tale Weddings

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 perceived moral flaws in the entertainment giant's business dealings, such as its health benefits for employees' same-sex partners or the TV series Desperate Housewives on the Disney-owned ABC network. 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 request 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 and 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." (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate)