Walt Disney World is known for its magic and one of its most enchanting evenings took place last week when the resort held Once Upon A Wish Party—one of the company’s largest-wish granting events ever.
The resort welcomed more than 50 remarkable wish kids and their families, and these honored guests were able to do meet and greets with many Disney princesses, which is a popular wish via Make-A-Wish.
The event was also extra special for Mikayla, the 150,000th Disney wish. Mikayla—a 17-year-old from Palm Beach Gardens who started her battle with cancer three years ago—wished to perform at Disney, and she did so in royal style by singing a few Disney classics, including “Beauty and the Beast” alongside Belle and The Beast.
“Granting wishes is some of the most important work that we do at Disney,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said. “We’re humbled that so many wish kids choose Disney—it’s an honor, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. It tells us what our brand and the Disney experience mean to people.”
The celebration proclaimed wish kids as royalty for the day and had them meet more than 30 Disney princesses and characters. They also had a tea party in Wonderland and danced at a royal ball. Disney Publishing gave out an array of books while shopDisney delivered Disney Princess dresses, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ear headbands, wands, tiaras, and much more to surprised families.
Disney and Make-A-Wish have had a strong bond over the last four decades with Disney being the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish. In fact, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. through Make-A-Wish has been a Disney wish.
Leslie Motter—Make-A-Wish America President and CEO—added that “as the number one wish granter for our organization, Disney is helping deliver joy when it’s needed most.”
“Through their stories and characters, Disney is creating unforgettable wish-granting experiences like Once Upon A Wish Party that allow families the space to create happy new memories together that I know will last a lifetime,” Motter said.
To learn more about our longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish and other recent ways we’ve supported the organization, visit Wish.org/Disney.
