Celebrating World Wish Day at Walt Disney World Resort

Tajiana Ancora-Brown

by , Director of External Affairs, Walt Disney World Resort

Today, we’re joining our friends at Make-A-Wish to celebrate World Wish Day on the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish 42 years ago. It’s an important day for all of us, especially our cast members who make Disney wishes come true for wish kids and their families. It’s also a special day for our cast members who are wish alumni (former wish recipients), and we got to create some magic for two of these wish alumni who were invited to take on the very special role of Grand Marshals during the “Festival of Fantasy Parade” at Magic Kingdom Park. Check it out!


Guests enjoying the parade may have also noticed an EARidescent license plate on the iconic Grand Marshal vehicle – the Walt Disney World Resort specialty license plate benefiting Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, which recently soared above half a million dollars in total contributions… and counting. Yep, you read that right – more than half a million dollars raised so far to help make future wishes come true!

“I am blown away by how much the team at Disney has helped us raise to help fund future wish granting efforts,” said Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida President & CEO Anne Cuba. “Wishes often play a key role in helping kids build the strength to fight and overcome their critical illness, and this support means the world to our wish kids and to my team.”

Inspired by Cinderella Castle, this unique plate is the perfect way to make wishes come true this World Wish Day while also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. For more information, visit www.flhsmv.gov.

Since 1980, we’ve helped bring wish families together to enjoy experiences that inspire resilience and hope in partnership with Make-A-Wish – like the inaugural wish voyage aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Over the years, we’ve helped Make-A-Wish grant more than 145,000 distinctly Disney wishes globally just like the wish voyage, and we’re committed to granting many more in the future as we continue making a world of difference for these kids and all who visit Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, we can’t wait to start welcoming wish families from Canada once again, as Make-A-Wish Canada announced today they are now booking Walt Disney World travel wishes.

Stay tuned to the blog for other exciting news in honor of World Wish Day!