The power of a moment is something that is often talked about but not as frequently experienced. This, however, was not the case at Disneyland on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at about 1:00 PM. At this time, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, a very special moment was held for Make-A-Wish kids. This was a part of Disney’s World Wish Day celebrations (happening around the globe).
The moment was simple, beautiful, and moving. It began with royal herald trumpets welcoming Disneyland Ambassador Jada Young, the emcee of this moment. She shared how World Wish Day celebrates the first wish that was given by Make-A-Wish. She also shared that every hour of every day, Disney and Make-A-Wish are making a wish come true somewhere in the world. After a few brief remarks, the real magic began.
Jada stepped to the side of the compass in front of the castle. Young Make-A-Wish kids made their way from the castle and across the drawbridge. They then took center stage with one of their favorite Disney friends. Kids came forward with Disney princesses, Aladdin, and even Merlin! Each of them was given a royal announcement by Jada Young. They then posed for a photo and moved to the side. Then the next child would come and take center stage. At the end of the introductions, the trumpeteers returned to finish the royal cavalcade.
Following this royal cavalcade, a photo was taken with all of them. They were then joined by their families for an even bigger group photo. The entire Royal Cavalcade on World Wish Day can be seen here:
This special moment was the conclusion of a morning of magic for these wish kids. Throughout the day, they had a magical morning that was filled with Disney Princess-themed activities. These were specially curated just for them. This cavalcade was the culmination of those activities.
Disney & Make-A-Wish
For almost 45 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated to create magical experiences for kids facing critical illnesses. The collaboration has grown, and today Disney is Make-A-Wish’s largest wish-granter.
“We’re enormously proud of Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish, which dates back nearly 45 years to the first official wish at Disneyland,” Bob Iger, Disney CEO, said. “It’s a privilege to use the power of Disney’s stories and characters to lift children’s spirits when they need it most, and we’re honored to work with Make-A-Wish to grant a Disney wish every hour of every day.”
Disney’s first wish with Make-A-Wish was in 1981. Since then, the company has granted over 165,000 wishes. There are over 16,000 wishes granted by Make-A-Wish each year in the United States. In general, half of these are Disney wishes. Disney’s goal with these wishes is “to bring happiness and joy to kids facing critical illnesses.”
The granting of wishes like those granted for World Wish Day at Disneyland and others continues with the vision of Walt Disney. He once said, “My business is making people, especially children, happy.”
The Magic of Moments of the Heart
Moments like these can only be made by Disney. Having moments like these at Disneyland are special for the wish kids, their families, and also the people who just happen to be close enough to experience them. This moment was a beautiful reminder of how important it is to show a little extra kindness and to give back. These aren’t just moments of magic, they are moments of hope and joy that make the world a little better, one wish at a time.
Royal Cavalcade on World Wish Day Photos:
