How Disney World Made One Young Fan’s “Wild” Wish Come True
While Walt Disney World is known as a place where magic happens, some days are even more magical than others.
One such day occurred recently when 5-year-old Cora got the chance to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom and meet the animals who helped her get through some of the hardest times in her life.
For her entire life, Cora has been battling coronary heart disease. At just four days old, she had her first procedure. Then, when she was one, she had her first open-heart surgery before doctors decided she would need a heart transplant. To help take her mind off everything, Cora’s family started watching Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney+.
“We started watching the show at the hospital, and it gave Cora an escape,” her mom said. “She was watching the animals go through some of the same things she was going through during treatments, and it calmed her fears. It means the world to now see her wish come true and enjoy being a kid with the people most special to her.”
Cora Meets Corra
When Cora was asked by Make-A-Wish what her wish would be, she had no hesitation — she wanted to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
To kick off Cora’s magical day at Disney’s Animal Kindom, the park’s elephant keepers had someone special for her to meet — the park’s newest baby elephant, Corra. Needless to say, Cora was thrilled.
“I’ve been on the team for 16 years, and this is an extra special experience,” elephant keeper Michelle said. “It’s really meaningful to do something that turns into someone’s wish.”
Although Cora has been confined to a hospital for much of her life, she doesn’t let anything hold her back. The young girl has big dreams of becoming a doctor one day.
During her visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Cora got to meet her favorite veterinarians from Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dr. Jen and Dr. Geoff. She even got to practice her future craft with her own stethoscope!
A Week Full of Wishes
Cora’s wish was not the only wish granted by the Animals, Science, and Environment team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They also granted the wishes of three other children from around the country.
These wishes included an exclusive safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, encounters with cotton-top tamarins and lemurs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and even a private visit with the cast and creatures at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
“This is what it’s all about for me,” said animal operations manager Sam.
“Being able to share my passion for animals and conservation with guests, and Make-A-Wish families in particular is something I’ve always dreamed of. To be able to see the smiles and joy on their faces … I love it.”
Altogether, more than 50 Cast Members worked together to make sure each wish was a magical experience. To conclude the week, Wilderness Explorer Russell and his friend Dug threw a group party for all the wish recipients.
Disney Continues to Make Wishes Come True
Over the last four decades, Disney has granted more than 155,000 wishes with Make-A-Wish. That makes them the largest wish-granter in the world.
To learn more about Disney’s commitment to Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org/Disney.