/ 18 May 2005

Mickey Mouse weddings don’t come cheap

Hong Kong’s new Disney park on Wednesday began taking bookings for wedding parties with a Mickey Mouse theme at a price of nearly $1 500 (R9 600) per table of 12.

Couples will be able to have their wedding receptions at the Hong Kong Disneyland hotel after the $3-billion (R19,2-billion) theme park, the first in China, opens in September.

Already, more than 1 000 couples from Hong Kong and the region have asked about having their wedding parties in the theme park, according to Disney executives.

The minimum price for a wedding party at the theme park will be $1 469 for a table of 12, higher than the prices that five-star hotels in Hong Kong charge.

The most expensive banquet package Disneyland will offer comes at $2 032 (R13 000) a table, including drinks, service charge and six tickets to the theme park.

All the wedding packages include a multitiered cake, Disney-themed background music and one night’s stay at the Disney hotel. There are extra charges for appearances by Mickey and other Disney characters.

Currently, wedding services in Hong Kong can only be held in churches or register offices, but the law is being amended to allow couples to marry anywhere — including the Disney theme park. — Sapa-DPA