Disney Wish Granting Wishes
Across the globe, Disney Experiences is making wishes come true in honor of World Wish Day® 2025. But these aren’t just any wishes – they’re Disney Princess wishes, where tiaras sparkle, red carpets roll out, and fairy tales are unfolding in real life for children who can use a little magic.
And this year, we’re celebrating with the first-ever Disney Week of Wishes. All week long, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories from across the company of the life-changing wishes granted by fan-favorite Disney characters and teams around the world!
“Wish-granting is some of the most important work we do in Disney Experiences,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, said. “These moments are life-changing for the kids and families. They build them up with strength and resilience, and they have a lasting impact on them – and also on us. We are so honored when kids chose Disney to grant their wish, and it’s a very special privilege to share these experiences with them and help them make joyful new memories.”
What is World Wish Day®?
World Wish Day, celebrated annually on April 29, marks the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish® – the global organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.
On average, a Disney wish is granted every hour of every day. For nearly 45 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant over 165,000 wishes!
During Disney Week of Wishes, Disney and Make-A-Wish are coming together to bring happiness and joy to kids and their families worldwide.
Here’s how Disney Week of Wishes is coming to life in our Parks and Resorts!
Three Disney Cruise Line Wishes Take Place Aboard the Disney Wish
The magic of Disney wishes extends to the high seas for three wish kids who set sail on an unforgettable voyage aboard the Disney Wish
Anthony (17), a devoted Disney and cruise fan, embarked on the ultimate adventure at sea, including attending Olaf’s Royal Picnic alongside Anna and Elsa.
Kara (12), who for years had dreamed of going on the “big boat,” finally saw her wish come true, alongside her parents and sister, Ella, whose own wish was granted last year.
Delaney (15) experienced her own magical journey, making unforgettable memories as she explored the ship’s enchanted offerings and met her favorite princesses.
For 45 years, Disney has worked with Make-A-Wish to grant wishes and create happiness and joy for kids and families when it’s needed most, in ways that only Disney can thanks to “WishMakers” across the entire company. Join us and become a WishMaker for Make-A-Wish at wish.org/Disney. Thanks for Disney Experiences for the original article and sharing the Wishes.
As part of The Walt Disney Company’s inaugural “Disney Week of Wishes” celebrating the company’s 45-year relationship with Make-A-Wish®, Disney Cruise Line granted some wishes at sea. Three Make-A-Wish children and their families had their wishes granted when they were invited to sail aboard the aptly named Disney Wish.
Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members were excited to welcome Kara, Delaney, Anthony and their families aboard for a magical cruise vacation. Each of the families sailed aboard the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting Nassau, The Bahamas, and Disney Cruise Line’s private island destination, Disney Castaway Cay. While onboard, they experienced incredible live shows, spectacular fireworks at sea, special moments with some of their favorite characters, and more.
Efforts like these are part of what makes Disney the world’s largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish, granting a wish every hour of every day.
Meet the Wish Kids
For years, ever since she saw her first TV commercial for Disney Cruise Line, 15-year-old Kara Betancourt, from Colorado, dreamed of sailing with DCL. When asked what her wish would be, Kara, who is nonverbal, gleefully signed “big boat” in American Sign Language. Kara’s sister, Ella, another Make-A-Wish grant recipient, and their parents joined for a family adventure. The family had a blast floating in the turquoise water at Disney Castaway Cay and delighted in catching bubbles during the stage show of The Little Mermaid in The Walt Disney Theater.
Delaney Binker, 15, from Florida, was excited to board the Disney Wish and visit another country – The Bahamas – for the first time. Along with her mom, dad, and brother, Delaney was joined by her best friend, her grandma. Onboard the Disney Wish, Delaney met all of her favorite Disney princesses. “The smile that she’s had this entire trip has said everything it needs to,” her dad Brian said at the end of the voyage. “Only Disney can do it better than anybody else.”
Anthony DiDonato, 17, from Colorado, loves cruising and enjoyed his first time on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Anthony’s younger sister Aubrey, 10, said that Anthony was “really happy” during the sailing, adding that “he loves spending time with his family.” Anthony, Aubrey, their parents, and members of their extended family donned pirate garb for the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party, where they danced in the glow of fireworks over the upper decks.
Meet the Wish Makers
While onboard, Anthony, Delaney and Kara made friends with many of the Disney Cruise Line crew members, who helped make their voyage even more magical. “Crew and cast members have gone out of their way and just make you feel like you’re the most special person on the ship,” said Delaney’s mom, Carolyn.
And it wasn’t only the guests who were moved and inspired by the courage and resilience of guests like Anthony, Delaney and Kara.
Dining team crew members said they are proud and honored to serve Make-A-Wish families onboard. “You’re creating memories that they’re going to cherish for the rest of their life. It makes me happy inside” said Gilmar “Gil” Carneiro, a member of the dining team from Brazil. Added Richard Allemant Vera, a crew member from Italy, “We do something magical; it’s really beautiful.”
World’s Largest Wish Granter
Disney is proud to be the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish, and Disney Cruise Line cast and crew are thrilled to play a part in making magic for these special families.
Since 2010, Disney Cruise Line has granted more than 5,600 wishes for kids around the world. When the Disney Wish debuted in 2022, Disney Cruise Line even reimagined the time-honored role of a ship godparent by naming all Make-A-Wish children – including past, present and future recipients – godchildren of the Disney Wish.
Disney and Make-A-Wish have helped grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses around the world since 1980. Historically, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. through Make-A-Wish has been a Disney wish. For nearly 45 years, Disney has created joy for kids and families when it’s needed most, granting over 165,000 wishes in the process. For children with critical illnesses, a Disney wish can be transformative – bringing happiness, hope, and inspiration when it’s needed most.