Disney has now surpassed 150,000 wishes granted for children who are a part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To help celebrate this incredible feat, there was the biggest wish-granting event ever and it was held at Walt Disney World with a Royal Ball including Disney Princesses.
The “Once Upon A Wish Party” was a special event thought up for kids in the Make-A-Wish program and their families. This party was held at the Walt Disney World Resort for more than 50 wish kids from all across the country.
More than 30 Disney princesses and characters attended the event which included a Royal Ball and a tea party straight in Wonderland.
“Granting wishes is some of the most important work that we do at Disney,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “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.”
During the ball, attendees enjoyed a special singing performance by 17-year-old Mikayla from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, who began her battle fighting cancer three years ago. Mikayla wished to perform at Disney and was surprised earlier this year on World Wish Day with the news that her wish would come true and would be recognized as the 150,000th Disney wish.
“As the number one wish granter for our organization, Disney is helping deliver joy when it’s needed most,” said Leslie Motter, Make-A-Wish America President & CEO. “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.”
Disney has worked with Make-A-Wish since 1980 to grant more than 150,000 wishes. Historically, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. through Make-A-Wish has been a Disney wish. The entire Disney family works with Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes, including theme park and resort vacations, cruises, shopping sprees, studio visits, talent meet-and-greets, sports-themed experiences and more. Granting wishes in distinctly Disney ways is an integral part of the cast experience as many Disney employees are wish-granting volunteers, parents of wish kids or wish alumni themselves.
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