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.
“For more than 45 years, we’ve had the privilege of helping grant wishes for children who are facing critical illnesses,” shared Disney CEO and Make-A-Wish Board Member Josh D’Amaro. “I’ve seen firsthand how powerful a wish can be, not just for the child but for the entire family. It’s incredibly meaningful that so many Make-A-Wish kids, when they’re thinking about their wish, they choose Disney.”
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.
Disney’s Commitment to Make-A-Wish
45+ Years
Granting Disney Wishes with Make-A-Wish
175K+
Global Disney Wishes Granted
$30M+
donated in 2025
#1
Disney is the largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish
Disney Experiences Wishes
Together with Make-A-Wish, cast members across Disney Experiences share their creativity and passion to grant wishes such as first looks at all-new theme park attractions, family voyages on Disney Cruise Line, immersive shopping sprees, and so much more over the years.
Read more about Once Upon a Wish Party at Walt Disney World Resort in 2025.
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Stay tuned later this week for more exciting wishes granted across Disney Experiences as part of Disney Week of Wishes!
Disney Entertainment Wishes
Disney Entertainment grants unique wishes across Disney-owned film studios, television segments, and streaming services. From surprise meet-and-greets with Disney’s biggest stars, to personalized experiences on-set of television’s favorite series, talent from across the globe come together to make Disney Entertainment wishes special for Make-A-Wish kids.
In 2024, Sofia Carson surprised 15-year-old Mya to grant her wish to meet her favorite actress on ABC’s The View. Mya battled brain tumors due to neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a disease that produces tumors along nerve pathways, often developing in the brain and along the spinal cord. She’s also a superfan of Disney’s Descendants, and was overjoyed to meet the actress who played Evie in the hit movie franchise.
ESPN Wishes
Through the award-winning “My Wish” series, ESPN has collaborated with Make-A-Wish since the series’ inception in 2006 to help fulfill more than 88 sports-themed wishes for children with critical illnesses.
As part of Disney Week of Wishes, ESPN will re-air the SportsCenter Special: “My Wish” 2025 to revisit the 18th season featuring Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, boxing champion Canelo Alvarez, and the beloved Savannah Bananas. Episodes will begin airing on ESPN platforms on Monday, April 27.
Additionally, ESPN will re-air its first-ever Spanish-language one-hour special from the “My Wish” series: Mi Deseo, Un Especial de SportsCenter, on ESPN Deportes beginning April 27, where viewers can revisit heartwarming stories of athletes fulfilling wishes.
Unique & Global Disney Wishes
In the UK, A Disney Wish gives children with critical illnesses who are unable to travel to a Disney park or experience the opportunity to take part in unforgettable events with their favorite Disney stories and characters. A Disney Wish returned for its fifth year in 2025, bringing nearly 200 families together for a three-day immersive wish experience.
6-year-old María and her family speak Spanish at home, so when Disney had the opportunity to grant her wish to become a princess, Disney pulled out all the stops. In addition to a royal Disney Princess transformation, this included having a Spanish-speaking Princess Belle record a personalized video for María that she could watch in her native language.
Together with Make-A-Wish Singapore, Disney recently granted 8-year-old Chace’s wish to meet his favorite character — Beast from Disney’s Beauty & the Beast. From the UK to Latin America, Asia and beyond, Disney is committed to fulfilling wishes all around the world.
Disney Week of Wishes 2026
This year, Disney is celebrating the second annual Disney Week of Wishes from April 27 to March 1, 2026. This week-long campaign honors all the Disney wishes granted throughout the year, all around the world.
Stay tuned as Disney spotlights a variety of unique and heartwarming wishes. Visit wish.org/Disney to learn more.