Last month, Disney teamed up with long-term charity partner Make-A-Wish® Italia to create the magical “A Disney Wish” event, an immersive experience that brought the happiness, joy, and magic of Disney to children living with critical illnesses.
With many Make-A-Wish families unable to travel to a Disney Park due to their circumstances, the truly magical two-night experience provided an opportunity for 38 families from across Italy to enjoy a magical day onboard the Disney Fantasy, docked at the port of Civitavecchia, and experience all the Disney magic at a time when it is needed the most.
Among the 38 Wish children, five-year-old Aurora’s wish was to meet Cinderella. Her mother, Daniela, said this: “It is a dream come true. For the children, for Aurora, but also for the whole family, I think these are really important experiences because they take you a little bit away from what is your daily routine, which right now is made of hospital and checkups. To be able to realize such an important wish, means to give the child the strength to dream, to really believe in the power of dreams, of life, of everything beyond illness. And I am truly immensely grateful for having had the opportunity to experience all this”.
The excitement started when families arrived for a magical welcome and an enchanted Royal Dinner at Sheraton Rome Parco de’ Medici hotel to hear all about the adventures they would be enjoy the following day. The evening was full of magic, courtesy of the Fairy Godmother.
The next day, the children and their families were welcomed by Captain Wesley and the crew on the Disney Fantasy, where they attended the Royal Tea Party with Chef Brule and Lady Chamomile, and had the opportunity to meet the Disney princesses. The families then got the chance to meet their favourite characters including Thor, BB8, Woody, and Jesse, and even had a dance dance party with Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Goofy and Pluto, and Stitch!
Daniel Frigo, SVP, Studio Distribution; Country Manager Italy, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have brought A Disney Wish experience to Italy for the very first time, sharing the magic of Disney with Make-A-Wish Italia children and their families at a time when they need it the most. It’s truly heartwarming to witness how Disney beloved characters and timeless stories can create magical moments of joy, comfort and togetherness for kids and families, and help them make new memories together.”
The Walt Disney Company is the largest wish partner for Make-A-Wish globally, granting on average a wish every hour of every day across the world. “A Disney Wish” in Italy is one of the many experiences created through Disney’s 45-year partnership with Make-A-Wish which has helped grant over 165,000 wishes globally.
“For children with serious illnesses, having their heartfelt wish come true has incredibly powerful benefits and becomes an integral part of their healing journey. Seeing the wonder in their eyes, the smiles that once seemed impossible—this is the heart of Make-A-Wish. It’s a motivation not to give up, to face treatments with courage, and a reminder to them and their families that they are not alone on this difficult path. Together, we can give back that sense of lightheartedness, freedom, and normality that every child deserves,” said Sune Frontani, President and Co-founder of Make-A-Wish Italy. “Thanks to Disney and its magic in this special initiative, we were able to give not only the joy of a wish fulfilled, but also hope and strength to those who face a tough battle every day. This experience will remain forever in the hearts of the children and their families. On behalf of Make-A-Wish Italy, we express our deepest and most sincere gratitude.”