Disney, Good Morning America, and Make-A-Wish® concluded the 100 Disney Wishes series on Sunday, December 31, which shared powerful and inspirational stories from 100 wishes on Good Morning America and its digital and social platforms, as well as ABC stations across the country, in honor of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary.
The 100 Disney Wishes series kicked off Monday, October 16, with an on-air surprise for 8-year-old Madison, who wished to visit Walt Disney World Resort. Since then, Good Morning America and ABC stations, reported on another 99 Disney wishes across the broadcast and its digital and social platforms, including wish reveal moments, Disney wishes granted throughout the year, and a look back on other powerful stories from the more than 150,000 wishes Make-A-Wish and Disney have granted together for kids with critical illnesses since 1980. The heart-warming wish stories featured on Good Morning America included Raelyn’s wish to be a Pixar pastry chef; Connor’s Star Wars wish for a signed Boba Fett helmet; Carter’s special visit to EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort; Caleb’s Buffalo Bills Wish with ESPN; and many more. The series concluded with a heartwarming feature on Aulani Wish Week—a week-long event dreamed up for 20 wish kids and their families to experience the magic of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
The largest wish-granting event ever held at Disney’s Aulani Resort, the unforgettable Aulani Wish Week was jam-packed with magical Disney and Make-A-Wish touches, including a dinner party with Stitch and Angel and the beloved KA WA’A Lū’au, which was brimming with rich Hawaiian traditions, delicious food, and enchanting performances.
During the week, 11-year-old wish kid Elijah’s wish was granted. While fighting an aggressive form of bone cancer, his life was changed by a music therapist, whose guitar melodies provided solace and momentarily interrupted his pain. Music is a beautiful and meaningful part of Hawaiian culture, and guests will often hear the delightful chords of the ‘ukulele fill Aulani Resort—making the perfect wish fit for Elijah.
This unique event was filled with tropical surprises, heartwarming moments, and activities catered to each child’s wish, while also creating a supportive community of kids and families sharing in the wish experience together.
“Our goal always at Make-A-Wish is to deliver strength and hope and joy when it’s needed most. And that’s what this week is all about,” said Trini Kaopuiki Clark, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Hawaii. “With multiple families here, not only is each child and their family having the times of their lives and creating memories that will last a lifetime, but they’re also able to connect with other families and share about their journey and support each other.”
For more than 40 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to deliver joy when it’s needed most to wish kids and their families, and Disney is honored to be the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish. The entire Disney family works with Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes, including theme park and resort vacations, cruises, shopping sprees, studio visits, talent meet-and-greets, sports-themed experiences, and more.
To learn more about how Disney and Make-A-Wish continue to create magical wishes together, visit wish.org/disney.
