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The first official pride event for the Disney chain – called Magical Pride – will be held on June 1, 2019, in Disneyland Paris to herald in pride month. Disney is set to welcome the LGBTQ community and its friends and supporters to the magical pride party: "Dress like a dream, feel fabulous and experience Walt Disney Studios Park like never before - loud, proud and alive with all the colors of the rainbow."
The pride party website offers a peek at the festivities, which include a vibrant pride parade in the rainbow themed theme park, Disney characters out and about, and late night access to rides and attractions until 2 am with live performances and a dance party. More magical surprises still in the works, according to Disney.
There have been Gay Days at Disneyland and Disneyworld since 1991 when 3,000 gays and lesbians attended Disneyland wearing red shirts, and it grew into six-day events. Gay Days Anaheim at the original Disneyland in California, are held in October and Gay Days Orlando is held in August. The events typically draw 180,000 people.
The first unofficial Magic pride event took place at Disneyland Paris in 2014, but now Disney has decided to make it its own because of the huge popularity of the events, Nathan Tunnah, a travel consultant at Greatdays Travel Ltd., which helped organize the unofficial Magical Pride event, said.
A Disney spokesperson told NBC News that "diversity and equality are strong values at Disneyland Paris and each year we host millions of visitors regardless of their origins, gender or sexual orientation." He continued, "we are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all of our guests where magic is for everyone."
In 2007, Disney allowed same-sex couples to marry outside Cinderella's castle for the first time. Until then, the Fairy Tale Wedding program had only been an option for people with a valid marriage license. Disney started allowing same-sex marriages even before it was legal in the US.
"We believe that change is consistent with Disney's long standing policy of welcoming every guest in an inclusive environment," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker told CBS News. The change was made after the company was approached by a gay couple who wanted to use the wedding service.
Since last year, the iconic Mickey Mouse ears also come in rainbow love; they became available for purchase just before last year's Pride month.
The happiest place on earth just got more inclusive and far more colorful. Show your pride on June 1 in Disney Paris, the streets of Paris, or a pride parade any place near you.
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