The Walt Disney Company UK and Make-A-Wish® UK have once again come together for the fifth annual A Disney Wish UK, the immersive experience that brings the happiness, joy, and magic of Disney to children living with critical illnesses.
With many Make-A-Wish families unable to travel to a Disney Park due to their circumstances, A Disney Wish provided an opportunity for nearly 200 families to take part in unforgettable events with their favorite Disney stories and characters over the course of 12 days (with each family staying for three days). Including this year, nearly 1,000 wishes have been granted over the five A Disney Wish events.
Since the first A Disney Wish UK event in 2021, Mickey, Minnie, and friends have welcomed over 4,000 guests (wish children and those closest to them) to the experience.
During this year’s stay, families enjoyed six unique Disney shows, 32 beloved Disney characters, and 12 Disney-themed family activities including singalong celebrations, a Toy Story carnival, an accessible carousel, a Winnie-the-Pooh picnic, and a Stitch-themed treasure trail. The children and their families also spent time with their favorite princesses, joined the Avengers Training Initiative, and partied with Stitch in the Silent Disco. To add to the magic, all children received a personal invitation from Mickey Mouse ahead of their stay.
For Tiwalade and Tinuade, 8-year-old twins from Staines in Greater London who live with sickle cell disease, a genetically inherited blood disorder, this year’s event was special for them and their whole family.
“For us as a family, A Disney Wish has brought us together,” Temi, the twins’ dad, said. “It’s a time which has brought us so much happiness, something that is so important in times of distress — especially for kids with difficult health situations.”
TV personality and campaigner Tasha Ghouri met and spent time with the twins’ family, attending a special Storytime with Belle before joining the family for character meet and greets with Moana and riding on the accessible carousel.
“I feel so honored to have been part of A Disney Wish UK,” Ghouri said. “For so many of these seriously ill children that Make-A-Wish supports, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — and it’s incredible to see the joy and magic it brings them.”
TV Star Amy Dowden met with 8-year-old Marvel fan Max from Perth, Scotland. Max was diagnosed with spinal muscular dystrophy type 1 — a condition that causes serious muscle weakening — at just nine weeks old. As his mother Elaine explained, being able to attend A Disney Wish was a particular triumph for him, as doctors told his family, “he wouldn’t see his first birthday.”
The physical implications of his condition are many. Max didn’t have the strength to speak until he was four, and he will never be able to walk.
“Every day is never a given, but each day is even more precious when your child has a life limiting condition” Elaine noted. “Today has just been a day like no other. People often say there are no words to describe how I feel and, honestly, for us to see him with Spider-Man and to see him so engaged and captivated, taking part, is just unbelievable. You just cannot believe what has gone into making this happen for so many families, for so many children. Everything has been so magical, so unbelievable.”
“Seeing the joy on the children’s faces with them meeting characters up close and personal has been incredible — the families get memories and moments to cherish forever,” Dowden said.
“Every year it’s amazing to see that A Disney Wish creates magical life-changing moments for kids and families, in a way that only Disney can through our beloved characters and stories,” Deborah Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Disney Advertising EMEA and Country Manager UK & Ireland said. “The event has such a positive impact, helping families make joyful new memories together at a time when they need it the most. It’s a very special privilege to bring this experience to the UK again this year and see the lasting impact it has on the families — it truly is Disney magic at its best.”
Jason Suckley, Make-A-Wish UK Chief Executive, also noted that, “At Make-A-Wish UK, we believe every child deserves to wish for more than a life defined by illness and we’re thrilled to work, for a fifth year, with Disney to bring the magic to critically ill children right here in the UK.”
Suckley continued, saying, “Five years since the pandemic, the number of children eligible for a wish continues to rise but the heartbreaking reality is that many children either can’t wait or can’t travel to make their wish come true. With Disney’s incredible support, we’re able to create joy, happiness and magical memories through this life-changing wish for these children.”
The Walt Disney Company is the largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish globally, granting a wish every hour of every day. A Disney Wish UK is one of the many experiences created through Disney’s 45-year relationship with Make-A-Wish, which has helped grant over 165,000 wishes — starting with the first official wish granted at Disneyland Resort.
To find out more please visit Worldwish.org/Disney.