This summer, Disney’s live-action Moana has helped bring our Moments That Matter programme to life in the UK through all four of our strategic charity partners, from new spaces, special experiences to hospital screenings and wishes, all inspired by the film’s themes of connection, courage and adventure.
At Disney, we’re working towards an ambition to create more than one million Moments That Matter for children experiencing serious illness and social isolation by 2030, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Since launching in 2020, through our long-standing healthcare and charity partnerships, the programme has already delivered more than half a million moments of joy, comfort and togetherness for children and families when they need it most.
Since the film arrived in cinemas, we have unveiled two new Moana-inspired spaces for children: an immersive outdoor garden at Little Havens – Essex’s only children’s hospice – and a bespoke indoor play space at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Together, they show how Disney stories can extend beyond the screen to create moments of comfort, joy and togetherness for young patients and their loved ones facing difficult times.
Both spaces have been developed alongside healthcare experts, combining clinical insight with the power of storytelling to support children with a range of sensory, physical and medical needs.
A Moana-inspired Garden at Little Havens
At Little Havens, Essex’s only children’s hospice, a specially curated Moana garden recently opened in collaboration with Together for Short Lives. Created by award-winning landscaping duo The Green Genie brothers, the immersive outdoor space was designed to help reduce anxiety for patients while creating opportunities for connection, imagination and play.
Recreating the film’s tropical island setting, the Pacific oasis-inspired garden features hand-crafted hale, flowing resin pathways and a Heihei sculpture carved from a tree stump. Carefully designed lighting creates a calming sensory experience, while a lush plant landscape encourages immersive outdoor play.
Six-year-old Millie, who has been supported by Little Havens since 2021, officially opened the garden and was among the first children to explore the new space.
An Inclusive New Play Space at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Meanwhile, a bespoke indoor play space inspired by the world of Moana has opened at GOSH as an extension of the Disney Reef. The space was officially opened by 10-year-old GOSH patient Bella, alongside live action Moana stars Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia.
Designed with accessibility at its heart, the fully wheelchair-and-hospital-bed-accessible space supports a wide range of sensory, physical and medical needs. Features include an interactive game-technology water experience that enables children to move water like Moana, integrated Braille for blind and visually impaired children, adaptable lighting and sound levels and a dynamic environment created with input from hospital experts, patients, families and Disney design teams.
The space marks the latest milestone in our long-standing partnership with GOSH Charity and gives children in hospital more opportunities to play, explore and share moments with their families.
Creating Moana moments beyond the new spaces
The UK activity also includes Moana-themed wishes for two young patients, Isaac and Neveah, delivered through our long-standing collaborator Make-A-Wish UK®.
Isaac met Dwayne Johnson at the launch of the Moana Experience in London, where he enjoyed a special conversation with the star and various immersive activities before being treated to an exclusive preview of the opening 40 minutes of the film.
Neveah celebrated her 8th birthday with special gifts, a Moana-themed afternoon tea and the chance to attend the Gala screening of the movie with her family – who later said that Neveah “had the most amazing day”.
Across the summer, MediCinema is also bringing Moana to children in hospitals, with 40 screenings planned across nine sites – helping children and their families to escape the day-to-day and immerse themselves in Disney storytelling.
From immersive new spaces at Little Havens and Great Ormond Street Hospital to wish-granting experiences and hospital screenings, our stories continue to create meaningful moments of comfort, joy and togetherness for children and families when they need them most.