Disney and Make-A-Wish Co-Host Enchanted Royal Ball for Kids and Families

A Night to Remember: Make-A-Wish Children Experience the Magic at Walt Disney World

BAY LAKE, Fla. – On an unforgettable evening, dozens of Make-A-Wish children and their families were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Walt Disney World. As part of World Princess Week, Disney went above and beyond to host its largest wish-granting event to date.

The “Once Upon a Wish Party,” held on Friday, welcomed over 50 children and their families from across the nation. This full-day extravaganza featured a royal breakfast, enchanting tea parties, and exclusive meet-and-greets in the luxurious “Dream Parlors” designated by Disney. To cap off the day, a majestic Royal Ball was held, fit for the beloved Disney Princesses and Princes.

Disney spared no effort in creating a fairytale setting for the event. One of the ballrooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was meticulously transformed into a glimmering wonderland. Before entering the ball, each guest received special surprise gifts, including toys and exquisite dresses to wear for the evening’s festivities.

The highlight of the event was the grand entrance into the ballroom. With trumpets heralding their arrival and a town crier announcing the commencement of the ball, the Make-A-Wish children were received with warm applause and royal fanfare, truly making them feel like the honored guests they are.

Inside the elegant ballroom, families were seated at beautifully adorned tables, surrounded by dazzling chandeliers and a spacious dance floor. Throughout the evening, magical moments unfolded onstage, orchestrated with the wave of the Fairy Godmother’s wand, as families savored every enchanting second.

The enchantment continued as the Make-A-Wish children seized the opportunity to capture picture-perfect moments with their beloved Disney princesses and princes. The joy radiated from their faces and filled the room, leaving an air of pure happiness and wonder.

Among the esteemed guests was Scarlett Jaycocks, a 7-year-old from Central Florida. Scarlett, who underwent a heart transplant after her family fundraised for the life-saving procedure, had her dream come true when she was surprised with the opportunity to attend the ball. Scarlett expressed her excitement, saying, “We’re going to dance, have snacks, and see the princesses!”

Another wish come true was granted to 17-year-old Mikayla from Palm Beach Gardens. Mikayla’s aspiration was to perform onstage at Walt Disney World, and her dream was realized when Disney surprised her with the opportunity. Mikayla took the stage during the Royal Ball, where she mesmerized the audience with performances of “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” and the timeless classic “Tale as Old as Time” from “Beauty and the Beast.”

As the Royal Ball drew to a close, Disney characters took the stage one last time to bid a fond farewell to all attendees. The Fairy Godmother encouraged everyone to continue living their own fairytales and to keep wishing. In a burst of excitement, vibrant confetti filled the air, marking the end of a truly magical evening.

As guests left the ballroom, they were met with applause and cheers from the cast members who worked tirelessly to create this remarkable event. Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish organization has been fulfilling life-changing wishes for critically ill children. With Make-A-Wish being the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, their enduring partnership with Walt Disney World for over four decades has brought joy and hope to countless lives.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, emphasized the significance of these wish-granting experiences, stating, “Granting wishes and making magic is some of the most important work that we do here at Disney – it’s kind of at the core of who we are…We’re Make-A-Wish’s top granter – a lot of kids just want to come here – and we do not take that responsibility lightly.”

For those inspired by the transformative work of Make-A-Wish and Disney, they can visit the Make-A-Wish website to learn more or make a donation. Let us cherish these remarkable moments filled with hope, dreams, and the enduring sparkle of Disney magic.

Source: WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.