From California to Tokyo, One-of-a-kind Disney Wishes Come True for Make-A-Wish Children and their Families

BURBANK, Calif., April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Walt Disney Company joins Make-A-Wish to celebrate World Wish Day by sharing unique Disney wishes being granted throughout the month across our parks and family of businesses around the world. From safari-themed wishes at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park to a very special Disney and Pixar Cars wish at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, every Disney resort worldwide has planned uniquely Disney experiences to grant magical wishes for over one hundred wish kids and their families.

April 29, World Wish Day, marks the anniversary of the original wish that inspired the creation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1980. In 2024, Disney continues to be the most-requested wish globally for Make-A-Wish and has granted more than 155,000 wishes alongside the organization over the past 44 years.

"We're thrilled to spend another year celebrating World Wish Day at our parks and experiences around the world," said Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, and Make-A-Wish America Board Member. "It's an honor to witness first-hand the transformative power of a Disney wish in the lives of thousands of wish kids and families every year."

Following its largest wish-granting event last year - Once Upon A Wish Party - Walt Disney World Resort continues to grant one-of-a-kind, immersive wish experiences for Make-A-Wish families. This Earth Month, the resort made four 'wild' wishes come true for kids who wished for up-close experiences with Disney's Animals, Science and Environment team. One wish kid named Cora even had the chance to meet a baby elephant – named Corra – who made her big savanna debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom two months ago.

Among the many wishes that Disneyland Resort grants year-round, a few unique Star Wars themed wishes kicked off the resort's celebration ahead of this year's World Wish Day. 8-year-old Lucas visited Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge along with his friends and family for a day filled with immersive experiences including building his own lightsaber at Savi's Workshop and discovering the dark side with Kylo Ren and the Stormtroopers. Earlier this month, 8-year-old Kanton had his own Star Wars adventure and met the Mandalorian and Grogu before battling against the First Order at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Disney's international parks and businesses are also celebrating World Wish Day. Disneyland Paris held a Wish Weekend, an unforgettable experience that granted the wishes of more than 70 wish kids from across Europe. Shanghai Disney Resort celebrated World Wish Day by granting its 200^th Wish, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort granted a wish of Heison, a passionate fan of Lightning McQueen and racing cars, to meet and ride alongside McQueen, accompanied by professional race car driver Jonathan Hui. Later in May, Tokyo Disney Resort will celebrate wish children and their families from Make-A-Wish Japan, and Disney Consumer Products will help Make-A-Wish Australia grant 16-year-old Alex's wish to build his own custom lightsaber.

The entire Disney family works with Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes throughout the year, and this World Wish Day is no different:

• American Idol and Ryan Seacrest are spotlighting World Wish Day on the live show tonight and will make a Katy Perry fan's wish come true.
• ESPN will re-air the 2023 My Wish Special today on ESPN2 and ESPNEWS.
• Disney Theatrical Group fulfilled Gabby's wish to make her Broadway debut in a one-night cameo performance of Aladdin, the musical.
• Pixar granted Jake's wish to be a Pixar filmmaker and visit Pixar Animation Studios.
• ABC celebrated World Wish Day with the help of talent from Will Trent, The Good Doctor, and The Rookie and granted a wish on the set of Grey's Anatomy.
• Walt Disney Animation Studios granted Leah's wish to meet the animators and watch them work. Leah drew alongside the artists behind some of her favorite Disney characters.
• The Walt Disney Company in Latin America will help grant a child from Chile's wish to visit Walt Disney World Resort and meet Ariel, her favorite character.
• The Walt Disney Company in Asia Pacific revealed a special "Wish Space" at Shanghai Children's Medical Center for children with critical illnesses to reflect on what their most heartfelt wishes could be.

To learn more about Disney's ongoing commitment to Make-A-Wish and unique wish granting, visit wish.org/Disney.

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About Disney Experiences
Disney Experiences brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company's powerful brands and franchises — including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox and National Geographic — into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 65 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world's leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 55 resort hotels in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line with five ships and plans for three more; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai'i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships and consumer products — including books, games and merchandise.

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide; more than 360,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

SOURCE The Walt Disney Company