Disney Celebrates A Historic Year of Wish-Granting With Make-A-Wish
In a year when the company celebrated its 100th Anniversary, Disney also hit another milestone- the company granted its 150,000 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
With 2023 coming to a close, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, took some time to reflect back on the company’s wish-granting efforts this year.
As D’Amaro pointed out, granting wishes and making magic are some of the most important work Disney does. As the top wish granter in the world, Disney takes that responsibility seriously.
Here are some of the moments that D’Amaro highlighted.
Disneyland Unviels Make-A-Wish Windows
Disneyland celebrated World Wish Day by unveiling three new windows on Main Street, USA. A window was dedicated to a non-profit for the first time in park history.
The center Main Street window was dedicated to the wish kids of the world- past, present, and future.
The side windows, meanwhile, were dedicated to Chris Greicius, whose wish inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish, and Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, the first official wish.
Salzar was in attendance alongside D’Amaro, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock, Chris and Bobpsy’s mothers, and Make-A-Wish America CEO Leslie Motter.
Walt Disney World Hosts A Royal Ball
During World Princess Week, Disney hosted a first-of-its-kind event at Walt Disney World, where more than 50 wish kids and their families were invited to a royal ball.
At the event, Disney granted their 150,000 wish when seventeen-year-old Mikayla was invited to perform in front of 300 guests.
Disneyland Paris Holds Wish Weekends
Disneyland Paris got in on the wish-granting fun when they hosted hundreds of kids and families during Wish Weekends.
Additionally, to celebrate World Wish Day in April, More than 80 Make-A-Wish kids from around the world to spend time together and even participate in a parade!
Hong Kong Disneyland Gives Frozen Experience
After discovering that one child wished to learn how World of Frozen was created at Hong Kong Disneyland, the team invited 11 wish kids and their families to experience the new land.
The group enjoyed the new Frozen-themed attractions and met Anna and Elsa. They even got a behind-the-scenes tour led by Disney Imagineers.
Shanghai Disney Resort Holds Concert
Finally, to celebrate 100 wishes granted at Shanghai Disney Resort, a magical concert was held with the Shanghai International Youth Orchestra and Make-A-Wish Shanghai.
Disney characters and dancers performed for the attendees. Guests were even treated to a special visit from the Genie from Aladdin.
For more information on Disney’s ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish visit: https://wish.org/disney
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