This week, Make-A-Wish® hosted their global leadership conference at Walt Disney World Resort in celebration of their 45th anniversary. The gathering underscored the meaningful impact they make around the world for kids with critical illnesses, and punctuated the longstanding relationship with The Walt Disney Company.
As part of the event, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences and a member of the Make-A-Wish America Board of Directors, delivered a keynote address, speaking from the heart about the power of wishes, leadership and innovation, and the privilege Disney feels in supporting such a remarkable organization.
A Legacy of Hope and Joy
“For 45 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant wishes for more than 170,000 children with critical illnesses worldwide,” D’Amaro shared with an audience of nearly 1,000 Make-A-Wish employees and leaders from around the globe. “These wishes have the power to transform lives and bring hope to those who need it most.”
That legacy began with a single wish at Disneyland in 1981 and reached a new milestone this summer: the 170,000th Disney wish, fittingly granted at Disneyland for the park’s 70th anniversary. The wish belonged to Madison, a tech-loving 13-year-old whose dream was to learn from Disney Imagineers. At the end of her unforgettable experience, Madison had had the chance to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park, pilot several BDX droids, and was surprised with an honorary “Imagineer” name tag of her own.
A Wish Every Hour — And Always Innovating
As the world’s largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish, Disney grants a wish every hour of every day. But for Disney, it’s never just about the numbers. It’s about constantly pushing the boundaries of what a wish can be. In 2025, that spirit of innovation reached new heights:
- Disney Week of Wishes: This year, The Walt Disney Company launched its first-ever “Disney Week of Wishes,” a weeklong company-wide campaign that showcased more than 170 signature wishes, harnessing the creativity and breadth of the company’s businesses to deliver innovative and magical experiences.
- Once Upon A Wish Party: As part of Disney’s Week of Wishes, Walt Disney World Resort hosted nearly 50 wish families to step into their own storybook adventure, surrounded by beloved Disney Princesses and Cast Members who brought their dreams to life.
- The 170,000th Wish at Disneyland: Madison’s milestone wish was celebrated during Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, with Disney Imagineers opening their creative world to inspire the next generation of dreamers.
- A Disney Wish UK: A 2-night, 3-day immersive experience, with more than 30 characters, shows and special moments annually grants wishes for nearly 200 children who are not able to travel to the parks due to their circumstances. Now in its 5th year, this specially designed Disney family experience has welcomed over 4,000 guests, bringing the magic to them when they need it the most.
- A Frightfully Fun Wish with MrBeast and YouTube: For the first time, Disney, MrBeast, Make-A-Wish, and some of the world’s biggest content creators joined forces to host a Halloween celebration at Disneyland Resort for 40 wish kids. These influencers not only lent their time to grant wishes but also used their voices to raise awareness of the importance of Make-A-Wish. The event brought together top creators like Mark Rober, Like Nastya, and PrestonPlayz, each helping to make dreams come true in ways only Disney can imagine.
The Heart of Our Mission
At the conference, D’Amaro reflected on the privilege of supporting Make-A-Wish, and emphasizing the importance of creating “core memories” for kids facing critical illnesses. “We have over 200,000 Cast Members at The Walt Disney Company, and each one of them — whether they’ve worked on one wish or one hundred — shares the same pride in creating joyful core memories that change lives,” he said.
One of the most moving moments of the week was the celebration of Zeek, a wish kid whose dream was to become a Disney Cast Member. Zeek’s journey at Walt Disney World, supported by Cast Members and the Make-A-Wish team, was a powerful reminder of the impact a single wish can have — not just on a child, but on everyone involved.
Another notable moment was a celebration of ESPN and their beloved “My Wish” series, which features sports-related Make-A-Wish stories and will celebrate 20 years since the start of the series this upcoming summer. The host of the series, Chris Connelly, was in attendance along with 11-year-old Bear who was featured in an episode this year for his wish to meet the Savannah Bananas.
A Privilege and a Promise
For Disney, supporting Make-A-Wish is more than a partnership — it’s a privilege and a responsibility. As D’Amaro told the audience, “While our relationship is 45 years old, there is so much more to come… and there is no telling how far we can go.”