Disney Reflects on 45 Years of Wish Granting and Partnership With Make-A-Wish
Earlier today, The Walt Disney Company announced that it was kicking off the first-ever Disney Week of Wishes to celebrate its 45-year partnership with Make-A-Wish.
Over the next seven days, Disney will share more than 170 special wishes as it makes the dreams of children across the world come true. The festivities kicked off this morning on Good Morning America, where 6-year-old Justice Brown had her wish of becoming a Disney princess granted at Disneyland Resort.
Other upcoming events will include a special moment on American Idol, a princess-themed ball for 50 families at Walt Disney World, and a dream meeting with a star from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Credit: Disney
“We’re enormously proud of Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish, which dates back nearly 45 years to the first official wish at Disneyland,” Bob Iger, Disney CEO, said. “It’s a privilege to use the power of Disney’s stories and characters to lift children’s spirits when they need it most. We’re honored to work with Make-A-Wish to grant a Disney wish every hour of every day.”
45 Years of Wish Granting
Over the past 45 years, Disney has granted over 165,000 wishes, making the company the largest wish-granter in the world.
Photo: Disney
Interestingly, the first official wish ever granted by Make-A-Wish was in 1980, when Frank “Bopsy” Salazar had his wish to visit Disneyland granted!
Since that time, over 16,000 wishes have been granted by Disney in the United States. According to the company, historically, one out of every two wishes is a Disney wish.
Finally, on average, Disney grants a wish every hour of every day!
“Walt Disney once said: ‘My business is making people, especially children, happy.’ Disney noted in a statement. “In that spirit, Disney is honored to work with Make-A-Wish to provide transformative experiences that deliver happiness and comfort to children facing serious illness.”
Photo: Disneyland
To learn more about Disney’s partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit Wish.org/Disney.
