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Thursday, May 31, 2012
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Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tokyo Disney Resort to allow same-sex wedding ceremonies
URAYASU, Chiba -- Same-sex couples will be
allowed to hold wedding ceremonies at several Tokyo Disney Resort hotels
and facilities, including in front of the enormously popular Cinderella
Castle inside Tokyo Disney Land.
The move was pushed forward after same-sex activist and lesbian Koyuki Higashi, 27, recently contacted the resort, asking whether same-sex couples will also be able to take part in the park's new plan that promotes weddings in front of the famous castle, starting this September.
Resort officials, however, told Higashi that although same-sex couples will not be exempt from the plan, one of the partners would have to wear a groom outfit, because "other visitors will also be watching."
Higashi posted a summary of the exchange on Twitter, triggering an immediate backlash, including opinions stating that the fantasyland's response was "disappointing."
A week later, Higashi was once again contacted by resort officials, telling her that after confirming the circumstances with the Walt Disney Company in the United States, they have reached a decision that same-sex couples could hold wedding ceremonies at the park wearing the same outfits.
The second exchange was once again put on display on Twitter, this time triggering a wave of positive responses, including some that wrote, "applause for a new step forward."
"Even though same-sex marriages are not legally permitted, we reached the decision that wedding ceremonies can take place," said an official with the resort's public relations department, adding that female couples will be free to have their ceremonies wearing wedding dresses, while male partners can both wear tuxedo's
.
"Japan still lacks favorable projects when it comes to sexual minorities, but the fact that Disney took this stance publicly means a lot," Higashi said.
Higashi's girlfriend, Hiroko, 34, echoed the activist in her thoughts, saying, "I guess that they anticipated claims, but chose to go with the decision nevertheless, which makes me very happy."
The two visited Tokyo Disney Resort on May 5 to deliver a thank you message to Mickey Mouse. "We are a couple. We came to express our gratitude," the pair said to Mickey, who apparently made a banzai pose in response.
The move was pushed forward after same-sex activist and lesbian Koyuki Higashi, 27, recently contacted the resort, asking whether same-sex couples will also be able to take part in the park's new plan that promotes weddings in front of the famous castle, starting this September.
Resort officials, however, told Higashi that although same-sex couples will not be exempt from the plan, one of the partners would have to wear a groom outfit, because "other visitors will also be watching."
Higashi posted a summary of the exchange on Twitter, triggering an immediate backlash, including opinions stating that the fantasyland's response was "disappointing."
A week later, Higashi was once again contacted by resort officials, telling her that after confirming the circumstances with the Walt Disney Company in the United States, they have reached a decision that same-sex couples could hold wedding ceremonies at the park wearing the same outfits.
The second exchange was once again put on display on Twitter, this time triggering a wave of positive responses, including some that wrote, "applause for a new step forward."
"Even though same-sex marriages are not legally permitted, we reached the decision that wedding ceremonies can take place," said an official with the resort's public relations department, adding that female couples will be free to have their ceremonies wearing wedding dresses, while male partners can both wear tuxedo's
.
"Japan still lacks favorable projects when it comes to sexual minorities, but the fact that Disney took this stance publicly means a lot," Higashi said.
Higashi's girlfriend, Hiroko, 34, echoed the activist in her thoughts, saying, "I guess that they anticipated claims, but chose to go with the decision nevertheless, which makes me very happy."
The two visited Tokyo Disney Resort on May 5 to deliver a thank you message to Mickey Mouse. "We are a couple. We came to express our gratitude," the pair said to Mickey, who apparently made a banzai pose in response.
May 14, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Deputy charged with stealing at Disney World
The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. --
An Orange County deputy has been arrested and suspended after
officials say he broke into a vehicle and stole cash outside Walt Disney
World's Hollywood Studios.
The sheriff's office reports that other deputies had 40-year-old Kirk Smurawa under surveillance Tuesday afternoon as he patrolled the parking lot. Deputies say Smurawa took a purse from a minivan and then went back to his patrol car. The Orlando Sentinel ( http://thesent.nl/Iz6yN6) reports he dumped the purse outside the minivan a short time later.
When deputies confronted Smurawa, he confessed to taking the purse and cash from two small children's wallets.
Smurawa was charged with armed burglary of a conveyance and petit theft. He was released Wednesday on $5,100 bail.
Smurawa has been relieved of duty without pay, and his law-enforcement credentials could be revoked.
Jail records didn't list an attorney.
The sheriff's office reports that other deputies had 40-year-old Kirk Smurawa under surveillance Tuesday afternoon as he patrolled the parking lot. Deputies say Smurawa took a purse from a minivan and then went back to his patrol car. The Orlando Sentinel ( http://thesent.nl/Iz6yN6) reports he dumped the purse outside the minivan a short time later.
When deputies confronted Smurawa, he confessed to taking the purse and cash from two small children's wallets.
Smurawa was charged with armed burglary of a conveyance and petit theft. He was released Wednesday on $5,100 bail.
Smurawa has been relieved of duty without pay, and his law-enforcement credentials could be revoked.
Jail records didn't list an attorney.
Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT MARKS KEY MILESTONE
--Project moves into resort construction phase --
(Shanghai, April 26, 2012) – At a ceremony held at the Shanghai Disney Resort build site earlier today, the Shanghai Shendi Construction Company Limited marked the completion of site formation work and handed over two key land parcels to the Shanghai International Theme Park Company Limited, one of the owner companies of Shanghai Disney Resort. The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from both partners of the joint venture, Shanghai Shendi Group and The Walt Disney Company, as well as leaders from the Administrative Commission of the Shanghai International Tourism and Resort Zone, and paves the way for the next major phase of the project development, resort construction.Extensive site formation is a key preliminary step in the development of all new Disney resorts, to ensure a reliable platform for the future installation and operation of the world's most advanced ride and show systems, and to create and maintain a safe environment for future enjoyment by the many guests who will visit the resort after opening. Working in partnership with Chinese and Disney experts, Shendi Construction Company Limited ("Shendi Construction") deployed cutting-edge technologies for soil remediation and stabilization. Along the way, Shendi Construction created new records for the scale, efficiency and quality of the work completed, and have ensured that site formation work for the resort's theme park and guest parking lot have been completed on schedule and to the highest local and global standards.
Targeted to open at the end of 2015, the resort will initially be comprised of Shanghai Disneyland, a Magic Kingdom-style park that will blend classic Disney storytelling and characters with new attractions, experiences and entertainment tailored specifically for the people of China, two themed hotels, a large retail, dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities, a lake and associated parking and transportation hubs.
"Today marks a significant milestone in the development of Shanghai Disney Resort. With great respect and appreciation, we acknowledge the efforts of our partner, Shendi, to prepare the build site over the past year, as well as the strong support from government. Their work will ensure that the resort development continues to move forward on schedule," said Bill Ernest, President and Managing Director (Asia), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We are incredibly excited to begin building the resort and to develop this world-class family vacation destination in Shanghai, one of the world's most vibrant cities."
"With the successful completion of site formation work, we are now preparing for the start of infrastructure construction on the theme park," said Howard Brown, Senior Vice President, Project Development, Shanghai Disney Resort. "We have a highly talented and experienced team of Chinese and international Imagineers working in close cooperation with leading local design institutes and construction companies to help prepare for this next exciting phase, and we look forward to providing more exciting updates on the resort development in the near future."
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
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