The Walt Disney Company is celebrated worldwide for its groundbreaking innovation—whether dazzling audiences with cinematic magic or reimagining what’s possible inside its theme parks. But that same spirit of creativity and forward-thinking shines just as brightly in the company’s approach to making dreams come true for Make-A-Wish kids.
Disney grants a wish every hour of every day for critically ill children, continually pushing the boundaries of what a wish can be. Last week, Disney Experiences marked the Halloween season with A Frightfully Fun Wish — a first-of-its-kind celebration for 40 wish kids and their families at Disneyland Resort that blended the immersive storytelling and joy of Disney Parks with the excitement of some of the world’s top creators.
“We are always innovating and dreaming up exciting new ways to make wishes come true,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said. “Teaming up with today’s most influential creators was the perfect way to deliver a truly one-of-a-kind Disney wish.”
Make-A-Wish, Disney, MrBeast and YouTube came together to host creators like Mark Rober, Like Nastya, and PrestonPlayz for the event that created personalized experiences for the kids that turned their dreams — whether meeting favorite creators, exploring Disneyland, or enjoying magical surprises — into reality.
When Make-A-Wish reached out to MrBeast, letting him know that there were multiple kids with a wish to meet him, he reached out to Disney — the world’s leading wish-granter — about doing something big.
From there, the idea got even bigger, with MrBeast inviting other creators to join him, supersizing the event and pushing the boundaries of what a wish experience can be.
Requests for wishes through Make-A-Wish involving digital creators have more than doubled over the past decade. Recognizing this shift, Disney saw Halloween Time at the parks as the perfect setting to create something authentic and special.
These types of wishes are powerful to kids facing critical illnesses, and the creators involved can share this cause with their hundreds of millions of followers.
“Make-A-Wish and Disney share so many of the core values that guide our work at Beast Philanthropy to use virality for global good. This is such a special and unforgettable experience to share with these kids and their families and it’s humbling to be a part of it,” Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), said.
Embracing the Challenge
While Disney is no stranger to large-scale wish-granting events — such as Once Upon a Wish Party and Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure — teaming up with top creators opened up all-new possibilities for an innovative wish-granting spectacular.
Each wish was crafted through close collaboration among the creators, Make-A-Wish, and Disney cast members, who worked to ensure that the experience reflected each child’s personality and interests.
For the 16 kids who wished to meet MrBeast, the day began with an epic scavenger hunt through Disneyland park. Guided by clues and MrBeast’s crew, the kids made their way through the park until they reached Sleeping Beauty Castle, where MrBeast himself was waiting to greet them.
Knowing that a lot of the kids wished to be in a MrBeast video, he and his team recreated miniature versions of 16 of their videos, allowing the kids to play and compete and enjoy a memorable experience.
“The best part of the day was just seeing the joy on their faces when they got to do it,” MrBeast said.
Elsewhere, wish kid Makayla spent the afternoon in a dream playdate with A for Adley, filled with crafts, Disney dolls, and rounds of Adley’s game, Rainbow Ghost Rescue.
Over at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, science creator Mark Rober helped families design egg-drop contraptions, which were then launched from an overlook near the Millennium Falcon by Science Bob.
Others brought their own brand of magic to the experience. Chef Amaury Guichon hosted a live chocolate-making demonstration, while Doctor Mike built a custom lightsaber with wish kid Om. Sam & Colby took two wish kids on a spirited ride through Haunted Mansion Holiday.
The weekend culminated in a grand finale celebration at the Hollywood Backlot in Disney California Adventure park. Transformed into a Halloween wonderland, the A Frightfully Fun Wish party featured a Feastables game zone, YouTube’s Creator Corner, themed games, a dance floor, and appearances by beloved Disney characters. Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro and Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum welcomed families to the event, which served as both a joyful conclusion and a heartfelt tribute to the courage of the wish kids and their families.
“At the Heart of Disney”
With Disney’s special place in the hearts and minds of children and families, its scale, and its reach, it has become the world’s leading wish-granter for Make-A-Wish — having granted over 170,000 wishes together since 1981.
“Granting wishes and creating magic is at the heart of Disney,” D’Amaro said. “Part of our purpose is to shine a spotlight on the importance of wish-granting in the lives of children with critical illnesses. Events like this provide not only a great experience for wish kids, but a chance for Make-A-Wish and Disney to highlight this shared goal.”
Spreading Joy with Creators
Disney continues to adapt its legacy of magic-making to meet the moment, showing its commitment to wish-granting remains as strong as ever.
The inclusion of creators and a platform like YouTube added a new dimension to the event, amplifying its reach and impact.
“It’s thrilling to combine forces with other wish-granters who are equally passionate about this work, like MrBeast, who can share this important cause to hundreds of millions of their followers.” D’Amaro said. “The more that people realize how powerful these wishes are to kids facing critical illnesses, the more wishes we can grant, the more kids we can reach, and the more impact we can make together with Make-A-Wish.”
To learn more about how Disney delivers happiness and joy when it’s needed most, visit Joy.Disney.com.