Disney endorses....

[CleveRocks]

Im not against them for doing this, personnally I think everyone has a right to be miserable and give half their stuff to their ex,

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[va32h]

Exactly and ,those who see it as anything more, are going to have a problem with it no matter what. And I am not sure what effect it has on anyone who isn't involved with the ceremonies anyway.

Well if they boycott WDW as a result, that just means smaller crowds for the rest of us!

 

[write2caro]

does anyone see an issue with Disney allowing/promoting same sex wedings in there parks and on their cruises?

In a word, NO!

It is a business decision period. They are not making a 'stand', just realizing how they can make more $$$.

Whether just for $$ or not, I hope it has the effect of helping Family Values have a more modern meaning (as PP said). I think this country needs to catch up with many others in this regard. If this helps at all, I'm thrilled.

There are ALL types of families!!! Glad that Disney recognizes this - hopefully others will be as open-minded.

BRAVO!! I want my kids to be open-minded and inclusive and respectful of all people. It's what they'll learn at home, and if they see this in any way at WDW, I'll be thrilled for another opportunity to have a great discussion with them.

 

[write2caro]

Well technically, their gay days were unaffiliated with disney directly. They simply took verry tolerant attitude towards it and thats what got them in troulble with the southern baptists.

I'm sorry - I don't understand. Are we worried about a boycott by southern baptists? Is that how Disney should make their decisions? Even when "launched" by this group or others boycotts are usually minimally effective in the short term and insignificant in the long term against a coporation the size of Disney. ULTIMATELY people will go back to Disney - those who won't would be so far in the minority it won't matter, IMO. I would hope that any financial losses by close-minded people would be made up for by increased profits from the more open-minded. Being the extraordinarily successful corporation Disney is, since they're doing this I assume they've made the same calculation and have come to the same conclusion! Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I hope I'm not!

 

[mommyseven]

If this morally offends anyone, perhaps Disney should verify that each couple staying at any of their resorts is legally married. If they aren't, Disney should force them to have separate rooms. After all, it would be immoral to have a couple, not legally married, to sleep together.

Of course that doesn't make any sense. It shouldn't be Disney's business. Unmaried couples should have just as much right to book rooms and attend parks just the same as anyone else. The same is true for interracial couples, unwed mothers, and anyone else who "some" may consider immoral.

Those seeking a committment ceremony at Disney are not taking anything away from those with legal marriage licenses. If one is opposed to same sex marriages and feel that they shouldn't receive the same benefits as heterosexual couples (goodness knows why one would think that), your argument doesn't apply to this situation. These are committment ceremonies and not legally binding marriages since Florida doesn't recognize same sex marriages at this time. In addition, this doesn't just apply to same sex couples. Now heterosexual couples who desire not to get married are able to have a committment ceremony too.

I don't see what the problem is. Chances are one will not witness or take a glimpse at a same sex couple having the ceremony. I haven't even see a not same sex ceremony at Disney. If this article wasn't published and no one spoke of it here, it is likely that some would go years and not realize it was happening.

In short, I believe that all services offered at Disney should be open to all who want to participate. To exclude one group for this means that Disney could exclude others for something else. Perhaps if one's unwed daughter wanted to go on the trip with her family, Disney could say that her presence could offend other vacationers so she cannot enter the park.

As far as Southern Baptist's go, they've been boycotting Disney for years as well as numerous other things. It hasn't made an impact and won't in the future. Being that Southern Baptist is the main denomination in my hometown (and region) I know for a fact that most members of the Southern Baptist Convention do attend Disney. They just don't let it be widely known in their church though almost all of them do go.

I'm a conservative Republican, married Christian mother of seven and grandmother. Sometimes you just have to be realistic and look at the big picture. Restrict or ban one group of people it could very well be your family or family member that is restricted or banned next. Do we really want to give a business the right to pick and choose who may or may not participate? Congratulations to the same sex couples who can now have a Fairy Tale Wedding/Committment Ceremony and to the heterosexual couples who don't want a legal marriage but want a Fairy Tale Committment Ceremony too. I hope this makes your stay at Disney even more magical.

 

[mommyseven]

Well technically, their gay days were unaffiliated with disney directly. They simply took verry tolerant attitude towards it and thats what got them in troulble with the southern baptists.

What they are advertising is a Fairy Tale Wedding, not a committment ceremony. Not trying to argue semantics, but you know that is where they are going to face their criticism, as well as the Fairy Tale Wedding being conducted sans marraige license, which, IS taking a stand on the issue on Disney's part if you ask me. Im not against them for doing this, personnally I think everyone has a right to be miserable and give half their stuff to their ex, its just a very forward thinking policy on their part, and because their Disney, I think they could face a big backlash.

Disney has no control over Gay Days and really never had control. Gay Days are a typical group meeting time. It is the same if we said that DIS was going to have a get together week in June. It is detached from Disney and Disney could not come back and say that they are banning all DISers from attending. There are so many organized meets and get togethers that it isn't and shouldn't be regulated by Disney. People do it on their own.

It is being advertised as the Fairy Tale Wedding because that is what the packages are called. They are Fairy Tale Wedding packages. Now, those of the same sex (or opposite sex but not seeking a legal marriage) can participate in those packages. It doesn't make it any more legal; it is a package they can purchase.

Backlash? Perhaps there will be some but it won't be noticeable or make any kind of impact just as the other "boycotts" haven't in the past. It's really a boycott in name but many of those boycotters still purchase Disney items and attend the parks.

 

[Liltx]

If this morally offends anyone, perhaps Disney should verify that each couple staying at any of their resorts is legally married. If they aren't, Disney should force them to have separate rooms. After all, it would be immoral to have a couple, not legally married, to sleep together.

Of course that doesn't make any sense. It shouldn't be Disney's business. Unmaried couples should have just as much right to book rooms and attend parks just the same as anyone else. The same is true for interracial couples, unwed mothers, and anyone else who "some" may consider immoral.

Yep! Put me Disney jail twice over. Well, I finally married the guy so now only one strike against me. The only time dh and I get funny looks is on vacation. Mixed marriages are very common in our city. BTW interracial babies are the most beautiful children, on that I am biased.

As for the original issue, really I know it is for money only but so is everything else in Disney and we all still enjoy the benefits. I am happy that couples will get to live out their dreams.

Monica

 

[badblackpug]

BRAVO!

I think it is great. Disney is a private company and if a bunch of right wing rednecks have a problem with their policies they can just stay home!

 

[two-foxes]

I don't think it is a "big limb" at all. Wasn't Disney one of the first large corps to offer benefits to same sex couples? They evidently thought they were missing out on a large market, and could make some nice profit as a result....have you checked out the prices of the wedding packages?!?!? Nobody is claiming these same sex couples are going to be coming out of these wedding packages with a marriage license, which is the true hot topic these days. If a couple in love, regardless of the sexual orientation of that couple, is wanting to celebrate their love for each other at Disney (which is all this really is), and more importantly, pay the tab for it, let them enjoy it....If you disagree with it, don't worry, you probably won't ever be invited to one (My cousin had a Fairy Tale wedding at WDW, and let me tell you, it is a PARTY! Good fun, Mickey at the reception....all should be able to enjoy it!)

 

[declansdad]

WTG Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[emh1129]

I think it's awesome. I didn't realize this wasn't already in place, but I think it should be!

 

[Flagondry]

Great, it means they are in agreement with my "family values."

 

[angelmav]

I think that its great that those chiming in are so tolerant, perhaps we have progressed to the point where a corporation like Disney can take a position such as this without reproach.

I didnt intend the question to be a criticism.

I do think this position is more of a stand than many corporations would be willing to take, for that they should be applauded, at least from my viewpoint, and I hope that the new policy serves them well.

I still wonder, however, what, if any, the opposite viewpoints reaction will be.

Guess Ill have to watch Fox news to get that answer

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Mommyseven pretty much summed up my stand on things too.

If we think the bag check lines are long now just imagine how they will be if they decided to check for those who were visiting DW with someone they should not ought be with or for those of us who have been married more than once or any other things that might offend some people's morals.

As for me, I do not think we should judge people by what they do for a mere 5-6 hours, or so a day.

I would rather deal with 'gay' folks rather than 'grumpy' folks any old day.

Slightly Goofy and proud of it

 

[crisi]

What they are advertising is a Fairy Tale Wedding, not a committment ceremony.

Fairy Tale Committment Ceremony just doesn't have the same marketing ring to it.

 

[write2caro]

I still wonder, however, what, if any, the opposite viewpoints reaction will be.

Guess Ill have to watch Fox news to get that answer

I'm sure right wing talk radio will have it covered - brought to you by the people who jumped all over Ellen and Murphy Brown. Hatred coming from anyone that way is sad to me. That's why I love Disney's inclusion of all - so much more positive and a step in the right direction!

 

[brymolmom]

Count me in as being thrilled that Disney is recognizing that families are made in so MANY different ways - and they are a FAMILY vacation. Whoever you decide is in your family - bring them along and ENJOY!

 

[Merriwind]

I would rather deal with 'gay' folks rather than 'grumpy' folks any old day.

Me too! This world needs more celebrating and less complaining, hatred, intolerance and other grumpiness.

 

[two-foxes]

Guess Ill have to watch Fox news to get that answer

Ouch, that hurt. A bit of a generalization, dontcha think?!?!

 

[BrookeTx]

I think it's great too! WTG Disney!