{"id":954886,"date":"2026-04-27T09:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/disney-and-make-a-wish-team-up-to-grant-life-changing-wishes-for-kids-around-the-world-during-disney-week-of-wishes\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T09:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:41:46","slug":"disney-and-make-a-wish-team-up-to-grant-life-changing-wishes-for-kids-around-the-world-during-disney-week-of-wishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/disney-and-make-a-wish-team-up-to-grant-life-changing-wishes-for-kids-around-the-world-during-disney-week-of-wishes\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney and Make-A-Wish Team Up to Grant Life-changing Wishes for Kids Around the World During \u201cDisney Week of Wishes\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Disney and Make-A-Wish Team Up to Grant Life-changing Wishes for Kids Around the World During \u201cDisney Week of Wishes\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

As the world\u2019s largest WishMaker for Make-A-Wish\u00ae<\/sup>, Disney grants a wish <\/i>every hour of every day<\/i><\/p>\n

Disney and Make-A-Wish to host a one-of-a-kind Avengers-themed day at Disneyland Resort\u00ae<\/sup> featuring stars Anthony Mackie and Paul Bettany<\/i><\/p>\n

New video inspired by true stories reveals the spark behind every wish\u2014and how Disney turns imagination into reality<\/i><\/p>\n

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nThe Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today launched \u201cDisney Week of Wishes,\u201d an annual celebration of its longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish that harnesses the full power of Disney\u2019s stories, characters, and experiences across the company to grant life-changing wishes for children around the globe.<\/p>\n

\nAs the world\u2019s largest WishMaker, Disney grants a wish every hour of every day, and this special week will spotlight nearly 200 signature wish experiences. Highlights include Wishes Assemble<\/i>, a first-of-its-kind experience at Disneyland Resort, where nearly 40 Make-A-Wish kids and their families will step into the role of Avengers recruits and experience an exclusive, one-of-a-kind party. The special event will also feature stars Anthony Mackie and Paul Bettany. Other once-in-a-lifetime wishes taking center stage include performing in Disney\u2019s Aladdin<\/i> on Broadway, two wish kids announcing NFL first-round draft picks on ESPN, surprising a wish kid with an invitation to the star-studded The Mandalorian and Grogu<\/i> premiere, and many more wishes that only Disney can make come true.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWe\u2019re honored that so many wish kids choose Disney. Our stories bring joy, hope and inspiration to millions around the world, and that\u2019s a privilege we take very seriously,\u201d said Disney Chief Executive Officer Josh D\u2019Amaro. \u201cOur work with Make-A-Wish speaks to the connection that generations of families have with Disney and builds on Walt\u2019s legacy of using storytelling to spread joy when it\u2019s needed most.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\u201cFor wish kids and their families, Disney represents joy, imagination, and hope during some of their most difficult moments,\u201d said Leslie Motter, president and CEO at Make-A-Wish America. \u201cThis 45-year relationship has never been stronger, and Disney Week of Wishes will spotlight the remarkable scale and lasting impact of Disney\u2019s commitment to bringing life-changing wishes to children around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nDuring this magical week, Make-A-Wish America will honor former longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger with the inaugural WishMaker Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the extraordinary impact on wish kids\u2019 lives under his leadership, with more than 110,000 Disney wishes granted during his tenure. Last year alone, Disney provided Make-A-Wish with $30 million of support.<\/p>\n

\nDisney Week of Wishes kicks off with the debut of Drawn to You<\/i><\/a>, a new brand spot directed by Emmy\u00ae\u2011nominated filmmaker Goh Iromoto. The spot is inspired by true stories and the Make-A-Wish official Wish Discovery Phase that uses conversation, play and art to help children express their heartfelt wish. From dancing with Stitch, to winning the Piston Cup alongside Lightning McQueen, to having a playdate with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, this piece explores not just how a wish comes true, but how it comes to be\u2014from imagination to reality.<\/p>\n

Drawn to You <\/i>premiered on ABC\u2019s Good Morning America<\/i>. The broadcast also highlighted a wish granted to EJ, whose wish helped inspire the brand spot. EJ is a 16\u2011year\u2011old liver transplant recipient who has been drawing since age seven. His wish was to experience a \u201cday in the life\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWhen a child falls in love with a Disney story, that connection can become a source of comfort, creativity, and hope,\u201d said Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, The Walt Disney Company. \u201cDrawn to You<\/i> was created to capture that journey of how fandom sparks imagination, and how that imagination often becomes the heart of a wish. It\u2019s a powerful reminder that every wish begins with something deeply personal, and we\u2019re honored to help bring those moments to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nSince the first official wish was granted at Disneyland 45 years ago, Disney and Make-A-Wish have teamed up to grant more than 175,000 life-changing wishes around the world.<\/p>\n

\nAll week, the company\u2019s largest platforms will share wish stories in the U.S. and around the world for fans to follow along. To join Disney and become a WishMaker with Make-A-Wish visit wish.org\/Disney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Join the Sweepstakes and Giveaway<\/b><\/p>\n

\nMake-A-Wish and Charitybuzz are launching a fundraiser sweepstakes, giving fans the opportunity to donate to Make-A-Wish and enter for a chance to win a magical VIP weekend. The prize includes walking the red carpet at Marvel Studios\u2019 Avengers: Doomsday<\/i> global premiere and a Disneyland Resort vacation of a lifetime. In addition, the first 350 donors who donate $350 or more will receive a 1-year Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium subscription. Learn more about the prize package benefiting Make-A-Wish at winamagicalweekend.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About The Walt Disney Company<\/b><\/p>\n

\nFor more than 100 years, Disney has been committed to bringing happiness to kids and families around the world. Learn more about Disney\u2019s commitment to delivering happiness and joy when it\u2019s needed most at joy.disney.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About Make-A-Wish\u00ae<\/b><\/p>\n

\nMake-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and nearly 20,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 650,000 wishes worldwide; more than 400,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SIGNATURE WISH EXPERIENCES AT A GLANCE<\/b><\/p>\n

\nDisney Wish Experiences in the U.S.<\/p>\n