This World Wish Day, we announced that the Disneyland Resort Wish Program is returning after a two-year hiatus! Since the very first official wish was granted at Disneyland Resort in 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to make more than 145,000 wishes come true globally. Here at Disneyland Resort, we work with Make-A-Wish and other approved wish-granting organizations to make extra special magic for children with critical illnesses.
The program’s return kicked off at the first-ever Disney Junior Fun Fest, welcoming the very first guests on official wish visits in the parks in over two years: Noah, Levi, Kemuel and their families.
“Seeing the wish kids back here in the park with their blue shirts and big smiles means everything,” shared Kim Chips, Manager of Disneyland Resort Corporate Citizenship. “We’ve been fulfilling wishes in collaboration with Make-A-Wish and dozens of other wish granting organizations for over 40 years, and it’s such a special moment when they walk into the park for the first time and our cast members bring that magical experience to life for them.”
While not all wishes can be granted immediately, Disneyland Resort and Make-A-Wish anticipate gradually ramping up wish granting efforts in the future.
Wish kids Noah, Levi and Kemuel all shared the same wish: to visit the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’. Their fun-filled weekend kicked off as guests of honor in the Disney Junior Fun Fest parade, where they rode in style across Disney California Adventure park in a customized Make-A-Wish omnibus, accompanied by an array of beloved Disney characters including the Sensational Six, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and Fancy Nancy.
Following the parade, Noah, Levi, Kemuel and their families were guests of honor at the Disney Junior Fun Fest presentation, hosted by Disneyland Resort Ambassador Mark Everett King Jr. which culminated in a warm welcome of the three wish families.
“The past two years have been very challenging for everyone, wish granters included,” Mark said. “While we have discovered some fun, interesting, and innovative ways to continue to grant wishes, nothing compares to the experience of [seeing wish families] living [their] wish inside of a Disney Park… which is why, on this World Wish Day, we are so excited to welcome three inspiring wish families here to our parks.”
The fun didn’t stop there! After singing and dancing along to some live entertainment, the three families quickly scoped out the rest of their weekend at the resort and began enjoying food, attractions, Disney Junior Fun Fest activities and more with the help of some wonderful cast members.