- Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Ireland host first wish family gathering
- More than 30 wish children and families attend
- Event takes place during Disney Dream visit to Cork
- Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated for more than 45 years
- Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted more than 3,700 wishes since 1992
Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Ireland have hosted their first-ever gathering of wish families, bringing together more than 30 wish children and their families during the Disney Dream’s visit to Cork. The A Disney Wish experience brought Disney storytelling, characters and moments of joy to families close to home with the ship serving as the setting for a special day of character encounters, interactive activities and Disney magic. As the world’s largest wish granter, on average Disney helps fulfill a wish every hour of every day.
The experience began the evening before embarking the Disney Dream with a special welcome celebration where the children met Disney characters Joy and Sadness from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out and were presented with their own Disney wish wands. Aboard the Disney Dream, each wish child received a personalised greeting in the ship’s atrium before the group enjoyed a brunch at Royal Palace alongside Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana and Belle. The day continued with themed arts and crafts and a visit with Stitch in Disney’s Oceaneer Club as well as a silent disco dance party with Mickey Mouse and friends.
Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated for more than 45 years to grant more than 175,000 life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses around the world. Disney Cruise Line has granted nearly 6,000 wishes for children around the world since 2010. In 2022, Disney Cruise Line reimagined the traditional role of a ship godparent by naming all Make-A-Wish children, past, present and future, as the godchildren of Disney Wish. For almost 35 years, Make-A-Wish Ireland has brought hope, strength and joy to children living with critical illnesses and their families, granting more than 3,700 wishes across Ireland since 1992.
Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Ireland, shared: “At Make-A-Wish Ireland, we see every day the powerful difference that hope, joy and connection can make in the lives of wish children and their families. Disney Cruise Line shares that spirit, creating joyful experiences that bring families together. This event gave our wish families a wonderful opportunity to have fun, build lasting memories and connect with others who understand the journey they are on.”
Tracy Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Cruise Line, shared: “Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together for many years to grant wishes that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children when they need it most. As Disney Cruise Line continues to visit more places around the world, we have the unique opportunity to bring Disney stories and characters directly to these families, creating moments of joy and happiness closer to where they call home.”
