Do you remember your first ride on the Incredicoaster at Disneyland Resort? The rush of take-off, the exhilarating drop, and those scream-worthy loops? For 11-year-old Make-A-Wish kid Ross, his first ride aboard the Incredicoaster was more than thrilling—it was a dream come true, years in the making.
From Dreamer to Future Imagineer
Ross is an aspiring Disney Imagineer from New York who was diagnosed with leukemia. While undergoing treatment, he found joy and inspiration in the Disney+ series Behind the Attraction, especially the episodes focused on coasters. That’s when Ross made his wish: to meet Disney Imagineers, learn how they design coasters, and experience Disneyland Resort for the first time.
Imagineering the Ultimate Wish
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force behind Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships, and experiences around the globe. With more than 100 disciplines and over 500 U.S. patents, this innovative team brings characters and stories to life in unforgettable ways.
To make Ross’s wish come true, Imagineers took him on an extraordinary journey—from concept to coaster. He started with a rare behind-the-scenes tour of Walt Disney Imagineering Headquarters in Glendale, California, where he met Ride Engineering Studio Executive Mark Mesko and Principal Production Designer Ric Turner. Together, they showed Ross how storytelling, creativity, and engineering come together to build Disney magic.
A Day in the Magic
Ross then joined the Imagineering Anaheim team, including Creative Development Executive Steve Roach. Together, they explored how Imagineers transform attraction concepts into reality at Disneyland Resort. Finally, the big moment arrived—Ross took his first ride on the Incredicoaster. The project’s creative director joined him, witnessing Ross’s wide-eyed wonder firsthand. His reaction? Absolutely INCREDIBLE.
Disney and Make-A-Wish: 40+ Years of Magic
Disney and Make-A-Wish have been partnering for over 40 years. Making more than 150,000 wishes come true for children and families around the world. Ross’s story is a powerful reminder of how one child’s dream—and the passion of a few dedicated Imagineers—can create pure magic.
