Disney Gay Weddings: Same-Sex Couples Allowed To Hold Ceremonies At Tokyo Disney

Same-sex couples in Japan may not be able to tie the knot legally, but they now can hold a commitment ceremony at one of the happiest places on earth -- Tokyo Disney.

It all started when 27-year-old bride Koyuki Higashi contacted Tokyo Disney Resort and inquired about marrying her partner, Hiroko, there.

According to a report from AFP, a member of the resort staff told Higashi that she could absolutely marry her girlfriend at Disney. The couple visited the resort on May 5 to deliver thanks Mickey Mouse himself for welcoming them, Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily reports. "We are a couple. We came to express our gratitude," the pair told Mickey.

On Tuesday, a company spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that gay couples are indeed able to hold wedding ceremonies at hotels inside the Tokyo Disney Resort.

"We have never refused an application for a same-sex wedding at hotels here," a spokeswoman at Milial Resort Hotels, a subsidiary of Tokyo Disney Resort told AFP.

But while same-sex pairs are allowed to wed in the Japanese resort's many hotels -- including the famous fairytale-themed Cinderella Castle -- they aren't currently allowed to exchange vows in the onsite chapel "because of Christian teaching," the Disney spokeswoman said.

In the U.S., same-sex couples have been allowed to hold commitment ceremonies at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in Southern California for years.

And although Disney had previously limited its pricey "Fairy Tale Wedding" package -- which includes a ceremony at one of the parks' marriage pavilions, costumed characters at the reception, and a ride in a horse-drawn, glass-enclosed carriage through the Disney property -- to couples with valid marriage licenses, the company changed its policy in April 2007 to include couples entering civil partnerships after an inquiry from a gay guest.

According to The Washington Post, gay couples can take advantage of the "Fairy Tale Wedding" package at Disney's U.S. theme parks and aboard its cruise ships, even if the ceremony is not technically legal.

President Barack Obama made headlines when he came out in support of gay marriage last week. Below, a look at how celebrities reacted to the announcement on Twitter:

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• Alec Baldwin

• Donald J. Trump

• Neil Patrick Harris

• Kim Kardashian

• Jesse Tyler Ferguson

• Ross Mathews

• Andy Cohen

• Russell Simmons

• Sandra Bernhard

• Michelle Branch

• Debi Mazar

• Audra McDonald

• Eliza Dushku

• Patton Oswalt

• josh groban

• Rachel Zoe

• Perez Hilton

• Jane Lynch

• Lynda Carter

• Fran Drescher

• Dianna Agron

• Ellen DeGeneres

• Chris Colfer

Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Comments

[SappariOtaku]

04:26 PM on 05/24/2012

Sigh... I had just scrolled down the comments. Some that agree and some that don't. Now I am not going to try and tell any of you here to what to beleive in since I know that it is not my business and it would not be that efficient on the internet anyway. It is tiring to see mostly arguements and insults just flying over this article. I guess we all can't get along but remember these pointless arguements will be on the internet a long time. Now I am not saying that this topic is pointless just all the tension here. Thank you for reading. (I hope not to get any negative comments in reply to this but if there are I will NOT be replying at all.)

[Vineyard House]

09:49 AM on 05/18/2012

Today Disney... tomorrow Dollywood!!!!

[elarue111]

02:26 PM on 05/17/2012

Disney has long been ahead of the curve on gay rights and recognition. Gay Day at Disney resorts has been going on for years. If disney chooses to endorse the ceremony of two people of the same sex pledging their love to each other, I think its great. Too bad the world cant just take a step back, say love is love, and accept everyone for who they are. At least Disney can.

[bryce05]

05:40 AM on 05/17/2012

John Travolta's hopping on the plane now.

[Jakesdad]

10:32 PM on 05/16/2012

Disney is an amusement park dedicated to promote a brand. People of all kinds can get together and have a leisurely time. Its goal is to generate money and loyalty to the brand in order to continue to make money. So why is it that some take issue with a corporation that treats its consumers with equality and respect? Kudos to Disney for the foresight to treat customers with validity and in so doing ensuring their continued success.

[mrbuffalosabre]

03:12 PM on 05/16/2012

WHAT A CROCK !!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike Ebertz]

01:48 PM on 05/16/2012

The marriage standard has always been two people who want a partnership. Gender isn't an issue for normal people. I really get tired of this news, because it shouldn't be any more newsworthy than someone having a birthday. I can't wait for the day when no one is labeled.

[Ioan Lightoller]

02:13 PM on 05/16/2012

Fanned and faved. I would love to leave gender out of it. I don't get what all the fixation on man/woman and nothing else is. It's not even like our marriages really affect anyone else.

[East Coast Sam III]

04:35 PM on 05/16/2012

No ...gender is an issue for normal people and isn't for abnormal

[Erin84]

08:55 PM on 05/16/2012

Haha. "Normal people" he said. Prove that straight is normal but gay is not. Prove it. K, thanks.

[PRETTYWOMAN-2]

01:44 PM on 05/16/2012

i'm at LAX right now.........ryan seacrest just cut in line to go to Tokyo !

[leorangerie]

01:36 PM on 05/16/2012

Dollars drive decisions.

[SeanMartin]

12:09 PM on 05/16/2012

>> "couples can take advantage of the "Fairy Tale Wedding" package at Disney's U.S. theme parks"

Money is money, and after JOHN CARTER, Disney wont be particular about the source. :-)

[Ioan Lightoller]

01:16 PM on 05/16/2012

Why should they be. The overwhelming percentage of us work for a living. Our money is honest and as good as anyone else's.

[SeanMartin]

03:44 PM on 05/16/2012

Agreeing fully with you.

[Sims Simon]

11:12 AM on 05/16/2012

Now that will make One Million Mom freak out dead !! I guess they will endorse Tele Tubbies now.

[b4pangea]

11:37 AM on 05/17/2012

One Million Moms probably doesn't know where Tokyo is.

[Kevin Mercado]

11:07 AM on 05/16/2012

One day this country will be more open minded .

[Michael Godwin]

11:52 AM on 05/16/2012

I guess Rome felt the same way...huh?

[CogentThought]

12:26 PM on 05/16/2012

LOL. Yea right, Rome fell because of Gay Equality.

Think much? Ever?

[woodbutcherjohn]

12:42 PM on 05/16/2012

...and Greece before that.

[Ioan Lightoller]

11:04 AM on 05/16/2012

Very, very nice. I wish the two ladies every happiness and many joyful years together.

[lykeitiz]

12:45 PM on 05/16/2012

And like most people with your point of view, "you're" a little spelling-challenged.

[hudson12]

10:44 AM on 05/16/2012

who would want to get married at a rat hole anyway gay or straight

[Ioan Lightoller]

11:05 AM on 05/16/2012

Because some people are into DIsney. I'm not but since they aren't telling me how to live, more power to them.

[PhilipEm]

02:51 PM on 05/16/2012

Mickey is a MOUSE not a rat!

[lacrosselamore]

09:10 AM on 05/16/2012

/OneMillionMoms' heads exploding in 3.....2.....1......

[MileHighhvr2011]

12:48 PM on 05/16/2012

LMAO ~ I love it?!? pop! Pop!! POP!!!