Inaugural Disney Week of Wishes Brings Magic to Make-A-Wish Families Around the Globe
For 45 years, Disney has been sprinkling pixie dust in the lives of children facing critical illnesses through its incredible partnership with Make-A-Wish®. This year, The Walt Disney Company launched something truly extraordinary—the inaugural Disney Week of Wishes—a global celebration of joy, courage, and the life-changing power of a wish.
Walt Disney World granted nearly 50 Disney Princess wishes at Once Upon A Wish Party, where wish kids stepped into a two-day storybook adventure and became just like the Disney characters who inspired them during their medical journeys.
As the world’s largest wish granter, Disney fulfills a wish every hour of every day. And during this special weeklong event, over 170 unforgettable wishes were granted around the world. From star-studded moments to fairy tale adventures, the entire Disney family came together to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences in true Disney fashion.
Disney Magic on Screens Big and Small
Disney Entertainment pulled out all the stops, showcasing stories and wish-granting moments across its platforms for the Inaugural Disney Week of Wishes.
On American Idol, wish kids Adira and Brantley got VIP treatment—including a backstage tour, meeting the contestants, and sharing smiles with their favorite country star, Luke Bryan. And that wasn’t all—Ryan Seacrest even gave them a live shout-out during the show!
Adira and Brantley’s wish to meet Luke Bryan. They walked the blue carpet, got a private, backstage tour, and met this year’s contestants before spending time with their favorite country superstar.
Marvel Studios helped wish kid Aurora meet Sebastian Stan on the set of Thunderbolts—a true superhero moment.
Marvel teamed up with Make-A-Wish to grant Aurora’s wish to meet Sebastian Stan on the set of Marvel Studios’ new release, Thunderbolts*.
Phineas and Ferb creators surprised Amanda, a former wish kid…
Phineas and Ferb creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh surprised Amanda, a Make-A-Wish alum, during an interview about her 2012 wish experience with the show.
…with an invite to the show’s new season premiere party!
While reminiscing about the impactful wish, Povenmire and Marsh surprised Amanda with an invitation to the Phineas and Ferb premiere event.
Even local ABC stations got involved, spotlighting kids’ wishes in hometowns from Pennsylvania to California.
Sports Wishes with ESPN and the NFL Draft
Wish kids and sports fans Sam and Tommy were in the spotlight during the 2025 NFL Draft, announcing first-round picks for the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills live on ESPN!
Sam announced the1st round draft pick for the Buffalo Bills as part of the 2025 NFL Draft live on TV.
They also got to meet ESPN talent like Ryan Clark, Mina Kimes, and Adam Schefter before the big moment. Plus, ESPN’s beloved My Wish series re-aired across networks, celebrating the resilience and dreams of these young heroes.
At the 2025 NFL Draft, live on ESPN, Tommy announced the 1st round draft pick for the Denver Broncos.
Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruises Bring Fairy Tale Wishes to Life
From Florida to Shanghai, Disney Experiences helped kids step into the stories that helped them stay strong during treatment.
At Walt Disney World, nearly 50 princess wishes came true during the “Once Upon a Wish Party,” where kids became part of a real-life storybook adventure.
Disneyland Resort granted Justice’s wish to meet her favorite princesses.
At Disneyland, nine more wishes were granted with royal breakfasts, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers, and a magical moment in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
On World Wish Day, nine wish kids and their siblings got the royal treatment, including a princess breakfast, transformations at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and a grand celebration in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Onboard the Disney Wish, Anthony, Delaney, and Kara sailed to The Bahamas with fireworks at sea, Broadway-style shows, and time with beloved characters.
Disney Cruise Line made magic for Anthony, Delaney, and Kara, who sailed aboard the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting Nassau, The Bahamas, and Disney Castaway Cay. While onboard, the Make-A-Wish kids experienced live shows, fireworks at sea, moments with their favorite characters, and more.
Around the world, the magic continued during the inaugural Disney Week of Wishes:
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In Shanghai Disney Resort, wish kids baked a royal cake in the castle kitchen with Donald Duck and met Cinderella, Ariel, and Rapunzel.
Ziyan, Hong, and Jiarui had their wishes granted at Shanghai Disney Resort, baking a royalty-themed cake inside the Enchanted Storybook Castle with Chef Donald Duck, before meeting Cinderella, Ariel and Rapunzel.
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At Tokyo DisneySea, a wish to meet Rapunzel was granted in Fantasy Springs, where 8-year-old Mei set sail on Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival ride.
For the first time ever, a wish to meet Rapunzel was granted at Fantasy Springs, the latest themed port at Tokyo DisneySea. 8-year-old wish kid Mei met Rapunzel and Flynn Rider at The Snuggly Duckling, followed by a dreamy boat ride on Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival.
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At Hong Kong Disneyland, Yee Sun performed in Mickey and the Wondrous Book to a crowd of 1,000 guests.
Hong Kong Disneyland granted five wishes, including that of Yee Sun, who performed in the Mickey and the Wondrous Book stage performance. The audience, filled with over 1,000 Make-A-Wish alumni, guests, medical staff, and more, was beaming with joy.
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At Disneyland Paris, 75 families celebrated with music, dancing, and a performance by Sam Ryder in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
75 wish families from across Europe visited Disneyland Paris for a three-day wish weekend as part of the new Disney Music Festival.
A Global Celebration of Hope
Outside of the parks, Disney stores and teams around the world embraced the spirit of giving:
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In Argentina, six kids met their favorite Disney Princesses in a special first-of-its-kind celebration.
Disney’s Latin America office hosted the first ever Princess wish granting event in Argentina for Make-A-Wish. Six young children had the opportunity to meet their favorite Disney Princesses and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon filled with joy and happiness alongside their families.
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In the Philippines, 40 children got royal makeovers thanks to Disney VoluntEARS—and 2-year-old Ali became Snow White for a day.
In the Philippines, 40 wish children received a royal makeover experience with the help of Disney VoluntEARS, tapping into their inner princesses.
- In Korea, Seo Yeon’s dream to see Aladdin the Musical came true—with a Jasmine-inspired makeover and magical toys.
Disney Korea and Make-A-Wish Korea granted Seo Yeon’s Aladdin the Musical wish. The experience was complete with a Princess Jasmine makeover, magical toys, tickets to the stage performance, and meet-and-greet with Sung Hwa, who plays Genie in Aladdin the Musical in Korea.
The Magic Doesn’t End Here
Disney Week of Wishes may have come to a close, but the impact will last forever. More wishes are already being planned at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and in the U.K.
Photo: Disney
As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared, “These moments are life-changing for the kids and families… and they have a lasting impact on us.” Week look forward to more celebrations and more wishes being granted after this year’s inaugural Disney Week of Wishes. Want to help grant a wish? Become a WishMaker at wish.org/Disney
And to keep up with all things magical, be sure to follow MickeyBlog for the latest in Disney news, travel tips, and inspiration.
Photo: American Airlines
