The Walt Disney Company this week launched “Disney Week of Wishes,” an annual celebration of its longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish that harnesses the full power of Disney’s stories, characters, and experiences across the company to grant life-changing wishes for children around the globe.
As the world’s largest WishMaker, Disney grants a wish every hour of every day, and this special week shined the spotlight on nearly 200 signature wish experiences.
“We’re honored that so many wish kids choose Disney. Our stories bring joy, hope and inspiration to millions around the world, and that’s a privilege we take very seriously,” said Disney Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro. “Our work with Make-A-Wish speaks to the connection that generations of families have with Disney and builds on Walt’s legacy of using storytelling to spread joy when it’s needed most.”
Take a look at images from the special week that was.
Wishes Assemble: How Make-A-Wish Heroes Became Super Heroes
Wishes Assemble is a first-of-its-kind wish event for nearly 40 kids battling critical illnesses and their families at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park at Disneyland Resort.
Participants stepped into the role of Avengers recruits alongside some of the world’s most influential content creators, including Mark Rober, Dude Perfect, Sam & Colby, PrestonPlayz & BriannaPlayz, and Clix. From start to finish, this day — full of magic and Avengers missions — is about celebrating resilience, imagination and the incredible strength inside each Make-A-Wish kid.
Captain America actor Anthony Mackie made a surprise appearance, gifting wish kids Hasbro Captain America Action Figures. He then spent a little time with 9-year-old wish kid Coen, who wished to meet Mackie, “because he is my favorite Super Hero!” The two rode Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT together.
A highlight of Wishes Assemble was a powerful moment honoring former, long-time Disney CEO Bob Iger, who received the inaugural WishMaker Lifetime Achievement Award from Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the organization. During his tenure, Disney helped grant more than 110,000 wishes. Last year alone, Disney provided Make-A-Wish with $30 million of support.
Lilo’s Wish: From the Hospital to The Happiest Place on Earth
Meet 5-year-old Lilo, a Make-A-Wish kid who wished to meet Princess Cinderella at Disneyland Resort. But, Lilo and her family’s connection to Disney began way before her wish was granted.
Back in December, Disney threw a holiday party featuring a character visit from Stitch, a Zootopia 2 movie party and screening at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. There, we met Lilo and her family of Disney super fans. (That’s right, Lilo was named after Disney’s Lilo and Stitch.)
Flash forward a few months, and it was time to make Lilo’s wish come true! Wish granting is at the core of what we do at Disney — bringing joy to kids when it’s needed most. These efforts wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of Disney cast members and employees who go above and beyond to create extraordinary experiences for the kids. In fact, many cast members are wish-granting volunteers, parents of wish kids, or even wish alumni themselves.
Their passion for Make-A-Wish was on display when Lilo and her family arrived at Disneyland Park, before it opened, and were welcomed by 158 Disneyland Resort cast members lining Main Street, U.S.A. to give them the royal reception they deserve.
Jillian and Adonis Take Center Stage in Aladdin on Broadway
Young performers Jillian and Adonis, whose wish to make their Broadway debut came true when they appeared in Aladdin on Broadway. They experienced a day in the spotlight including rehearsing with the show’s choreography team, joining the cast of Aladdin on stage, and seeing their names light up on the marquee.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Wish Reveal
A surprise from across the galaxy when Alex learned that his wish is coming true. Seventeen-year-old Alex is headed to the world premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu in May.
Walt Disney World Rededicates the Newly Reimagined Wish Lounge
In honor of Disney Week of Wishes, Walt Disney World recently rededicated the newly reimagined Wish Lounge at Magic Kingdom, a special space reserved exclusively for Make‑A‑Wish families to rest, recharge, and spend time together during their visit.
At the center of the rededication celebration was Paxton — 6 years old, with a wish to visit Walt Disney World. He stood alongside his family, Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle, and cast member and former Make-A-Wish kid Abigail to celebrate the magic the lounge will create for all of the wish families to come.
Wishes Granted at the 2026 NFL Draft
Two young football fans’ wishes came true when they announced picks for their favorite teams, the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks, at the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN hosted Make-A-Wish kids Dylan and Easton for meet-and-greets with ESPN talent, ESPN set visits, and even a special live appearance on The Mina Kimes Show throughout their NFL Draft experience.
Sometimes, when words fail, a child’s most heartfelt wish can be revealed in what they draw.
As part of this year’s Disney Week of Wishes, Make-A-Wish and Disney teamed up to create a brand spot following one child’s journey told through the drawings she’s carried with her — through hardship, and into hope. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Goh Iromoto, “Drawn to You” is inspired by true stories and the wish discovery phase — a thoughtful approach by Make-A-Wish to use conversation, play and art to help children facing critical illnesses express their most heartfelt wish.
“Drawn to You” is dedicated to every Make-A-Wish kid who has ever picked up a pencil (or crayon) and found the courage to wish, even on the hardest days.
EJ’s Wish: Creating Magic for an Aspiring Animator
ABC’s Good Morning America highlighted a wish granted to EJ, whose wish helped inspire the “Drawn to You” brand spot. EJ is a 16‑year‑old liver transplant recipient who has been drawing since age seven. His wish was to experience a “day in the life” of a Disney animator, a dream fulfilled this month at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he got the chance to draw alongside renowned animator and incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg.
Disney Week of Wishes provides a meaningful opportunity to engage cast members and employees around the world in supporting wish families. During this year’s celebratory week, Disney VoluntEARS will assemble more than 10,000 wish kits, which will be distributed to Make-A-Wish chapters across the U.S.
Disney’s Legacy of Wish-Granting
Disney’s long-standing and meaningful legacy of wish granting spans over 45 years. In fact, a Disney wish is granted every hour of every day, and over 175,000 Disney wishes have been granted over the years.
Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish dates back to the first official wish kid, Frank “Bopsy” Salazar. In 1981, Disney joined the newly founded Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant their first official wish — a trip to Disneyland for 7-year-old Bopsy. Today, Disney grants thousands of wishes each year, with a Disney theme park visit remaining the most requested wish for Make-A-Wish America.
Since then, Disney has been honored to be selected as the most heartfelt wish of Make-A-Wish kids all around the world. Disney grants wishes across the entire company, from theme park visits to sports-themed wishes enhanced by ESPN, meeting favorite on-screen talent through Disney Entertainment to the Broadway stage with Disney Theatrical Group, and so much more.
