For decades, Disney has delivered joy and comfort to seriously ill children around the world, and the company’s commitment to pediatric patients continues to lift spirits — especially during the Halloween season. For years, Disney has joined with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to deliver not-so-scary Halloween cheer to children’s hospitals. Since 2021, Disney’s donations have reached over 80,000 pediatric patients, according to Starlight.
Through its annual Halloween donations, Disney has gifted more than 52,000 costumes, 25,000 books, 10,000 accessories, and 4,000 toys to children’s hospitals, helping kids who may not be able to participate in traditional Halloween activities still celebrate the holiday in style.
And this season will be no different, as Disney is donating thousands more costumes, toys, and books to kids. With the help of Starlight Children’s Foundation, the donations will be made available to a network of more than 800 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care.
“Our collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation during the Halloween season is a beautiful reflection of how we work together year-round to bring comfort and joy to children in hospitals,” Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+ and Starlight Children’s Foundation board member, said. “When a child receives a Disney costume, toy, or other gift, it’s so much more than just a fun item — it’s a chance to spark imagination, create their own story, and hold onto a joyful memory during a challenging time.”
These donations include adaptive Disney costumes for children, inspired by beloved characters and stories like Cinderella, Elsa, Incredibles 2, Toy Story, and others. Disney’s adaptive costumes include elements like self-stick fabric closures, flap openings and longer lengths to accommodate various medical needs. These paired perfectly with magical wheelchair covers designed to look like Cinderella’s coach, the Incredibmobile and more, so kids could show off their wheelchairs in style.
The costumes allow children to step into the shoes of their favorite characters, providing comfort and familiarity to kids that may be struggling with the stressful transition to the hospital.
Earlier this month, Disneyland Resort was thrilled to bring the spirit of Halloween to patients and their families at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Expanding on its festive celebrations in years past, Disneyland brought Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their Halloween attire to the hospital’s campuses in both Orange and Mission Viejo, helping to put a smile on the faces of patients and their families.
These visits are a part of Disney’s wider efforts this Halloween to bring joy to kids facing critical illnesses. Last weekend, for the first time ever, Disney, Make-A-Wish, MrBeast, and YouTube hosted some of the world’s top creators at Disneyland Resort to grant wishes for 40 Make-A-Wish kids at the ultimate Halloween experience.
At Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver, Canada, Disney paid a special visit to the kids there, bringing along costumes, stuffies, and books, and half of those items were shared with the Hospice center’s Abbotsford location.
“All the kids at each Hospice will get to choose a special costume (or two!) and then we will also replenish our Dress Up closets — win win all around,” Laura Fielding, Rec Therapy Manager & Education Liaison, said. “We actually had one young patient staying at the Hospice who was having her last stay at Canuck Place (before she transitioned to adult care) and her special request was a Princess Party, so she was able to choose a special dress for that event!”
These build upon the Halloween joy that Disney spread last year at Children’s Hospitals, where the company and Starlight hosted not-so-scary events, delivered thousands of frightfully fun Disney Store costumes as well as books and toys to 450 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care, provided a special visit to children at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York from Auli’I Cravalho, voice of Moana in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana and Moana 2, and more.
Disney’s support of children’s hospitals continues beyond the Halloween season. As part of a recently fulfilled $100 million commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals and places of care, more than 1,600 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care in 45 countries have received enchanting installations, Disney-themed hospital gowns, complimentary access to Disney+ and new theatrical releases, toy deliveries, hospital visits, and more.
Disney is continuing to show up for kids and families in ways that only Disney can, bringing characters, stories, and experiences to kids in children’s hospitals.
To learn more about The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to delivering happiness and comfort when it’s needed most, please visit joy.disney.com.