Happy Summer Snow Day!
We’ve seen the incredible all-new themed land World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, but ever wonder who brought this Frozen-themed land to life? For 17-year-old Make-A-Wish child Dominic from Singapore, this was his wish – to meet the Imagineers involved with the all-new World of Frozen. Last week, Dominic and 10 other children living with critical illnesses from across Asia joined us at World of Frozen to have their Frozen-related wishes granted. This first-of-its-kind wish-granting event was enough to melt any frozen heart!
Dominic’s Wish
Dominic’s journey began at the young age of 7 when he was diagnosed with severe, a rare blood disorder with no known cure that causes spontaneous bleeding along with frequent injuries and pain. Despite numerous challenges, Dominic manages his condition with unwavering determination and continues to fight.
While undergoing treatment, Dominic watched the Disney+ show “The Imagineering Story” and became fascinated by how Imagineers blend robotics, architecture, engineering and more to push the boundaries of technology and art. Dominic has been interested in robotics from a young age, and knew his wish was to explore his passion at World of Frozen and see the inner workings of how the land came to life, meet the Imagineers, and get a behind-the-scenes look. So, our Imagineers worked together to dream up a unique, immersive, behind-the-scenes tour for Dominic and his family.
The Imagineer Impact
To help grant Dominic’s wish, Jo Phoa, Director of Creative Development of Walt Disney Imagineering Hong Kong, and Angus Chan, Principal Ride Control System Engineer at Walt Disney Imagineering Hong Kong designed a behind-the-scenes tour of the new attraction Frozen Ever After, which utilizes state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology.
Jo, Angus and the team wanted to share stories that not only showcased the wonder of Disney, but also resonated with his dreams and aspirations. For them, it wasn’t just an opportunity to share the magic of Disney; it was a chance to inspire and be inspired – to connect and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“This is my very first time being part of a wish, and it’s been an incredibly heartwarming journey,” shared Phoa. “The moment I learned Dominic was from Singapore, I felt an instant connection. As someone who also hails from Singapore and has spent many years working at Hong Kong Disneyland, this experience feels like a beautiful full-circle moment.”
The Future of Wishes
It is because of Imagineers that Dominic and children across the globe can dream big. When asked if he’d like to become an Imagineer, Dominic’s answer was a resounding “Yes!”
Disney is honored to be the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish. We’ve worked together for over 40 years to grant more than 150,000 wishes. For children who wish for Imagineering experiences, every wish is unique, from Bella’s Wish to Meet an Imagineer to Ross’s “Behind the Attraction” Incredicoaster Wish, there are so many facets of Imagineering to explore.
“I was touched and humbled by this request, and I will forever cherish getting to play a small part in this magical experience,” shared Phoa.
A sincere thank you to the makers of World of Frozen, the Make-A-Wish team, and around the world who continue to help make wishes like these come true. It’s not just about the creativity or the technical aspects of our work; it’s about touching lives in a very real and personal way.