On Saturday, April 29, The Walt Disney Company and Make-A-desire commemorated World Wish Day, the anniversary of the desire that sparked the establishment of Make-A-Wish in 1980. Since the first official wish was granted at the Disneyland® Resort, Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated to grant 150,000 wishes worldwide, bringing happiness to children and their families just when they need it most.
Disney has grown to be the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish over the past 43 years, giving children with life-threatening diseases and their families the life-altering power of a wish.
“Disney and Make-A-Wish are a perfect match — we’re both in the business of creating happiness,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products and a member of the Make-A-Wish America Board. We are aware of the positive difference we can make in the lives of wish children and their families. We’re delighted to celebrate Make-A-Wish and Disney’s shared legacy and look forward to producing memorable experiences for many more years to come.
In honour of World Wish Day this year, Disney revealed unique, exclusive windows on Main Street, USA at Disneyland Park that were created especially for Make-A-Wish and all the wish children worldwide.
Windows on Main Street, USA have traditionally been devoted to persons who have contributed significantly to Disney over the previous 100 years. The windows, which are the first ones ever devoted to a nonprofit, are a symbol of the particular bond that has grown over the years between Disney and Make-A-Wish. The three windows include a central one honouring Make-A-Wish and all of the organization’s past, present, and future wish children, as well as side ones honouring Chris Greicius, whose wish served as inspiration for the organization’s founding, and Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, who made the organization’s first official wish (and the first Disney wish).
Disney has been one of our most devoted and significant sponsors from the beginning, according to Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “World Wish Day presents an opportunity to bring together the global community of supporters that makes wishes possible,” she said. “That we have come to the point where our wish families are being recognised with their very own, dedicated windows at Disneyland Resort is a testament to the passion and generosity of cast members past and present.”
The Wish Lounge, which has been renovated and rededicated so that wish families may unwind discreetly while visiting Disneyland, is positioned above the three windows. This amazing wish lounge was created by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with story artists and animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios and was inspired by the visual aesthetic and characters from Disney Animation’s upcoming animated feature, “Wish.”
This past weekend, Disney also revealed that Mikayla, a gifted 16-year-old from Florida who “lives and breathes theatre,” will grant the company’s 150,000th and last wish. Mikayla was the Grand Marshal of the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade when she stunned her family with the news on World Wish Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. After the parade, Mikayla received another surprise from Disney that was exclusive to this very special occasion commemorating our 150,000th wish: a chance to stay in the renowned Cinderella Castle Suite. Her dream to play on stage at Disney will be granted when she returns to the park later this year for a special celebration.
Disney also commemorated World Wish Day by welcoming wish children and their families at numerous additional Disney Parks, showing us that our dreams do come true:
The local Make-A-Wish affiliate was the beneficiary of a charity concert held on Saturday, April 15 at Shanghai Disney Resort.
Javis’ 10-year-old dream to play the drums on stage was granted at a World dream Day celebration party held at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Wish Weekend was hosted in Disneyland Paris, welcoming 88 wish children and their families for a weekend filled with wishes being fulfilled.
There were other events in honour of wish kids all around The Walt Disney Company:
Kyle wanted to reveal the first-round selection for his favourite team, the New York Jets, at the NFL Draught in Kansas City, and ESPN made his desire come true. Kyle also had the opportunity to tour the NFL Live and College GameDay sets on ESPN.
Four wish children were welcomed to the Los Angeles world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. They walked the red carpet, met the actors, and got a sneak peek at the much anticipated third movie in the series.
In honour of World desire Day 2023, Pixar revealed Addie’s desire. With her visit to the Pixar campus, Addie’s dream of becoming a voice actor came true.
Together with Make-A-Wish, The Walt Disney Company grants a variety of wishes, including visits to studios, meet-and-greets with celebrities, sports-themed experiences, cruises, and vacations to theme parks and resorts. Many members of the Disney cast are wish-granting volunteers, wish alumni, or parents of wish children. Visit wish.org/Disney to find out more about the history of the partnership between Disney and Make-A-Wish.
SOURCE: breakingtravelnews