Coen’s Heroic Connection: A Shield, a Hero, and a Wish Come True at Disneyland Resort

For the brave, bold, and courageous, days at Disneyland Resort are unforgettable from the very start. 

For 9-year-old Make-A-Wish kid Coen, this was certainly one of those moments, where excitement hits all at once, a favorite hero steps off the screen and into real life, and a wish comes true in a way he’ll remember forever. During Disney’s Week of Wishes, Coen experienced an unreal moment: meeting Anthony Mackie, the actor who brings his favorite character, Captain America (aka Sam Wilson), to life. 

“It felt crazy,” Coen said, still beaming. “I was so excited.” While the polished shield, positive attitude, and the “pretty cool vibranium wings” immediately stand out, it’s something deeper that draws him in. For Coen, Sam’s courage is what truly makes him a hero. 

That courage is what made the moment even more meaningful for Coen and his family. During a special Week of Wishes event held at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Coen was surprised when Mackie appeared before a stunned crowd and handed out an assortment of Super Hero action figures to kids, turning admiration into a beloved core memory for Coen and his loving family. 

Coen’s connection to these dynamic characters goes far beyond the silver screen. At home, he especially loves playing with action figures (he even recalled that he has four different action figures of Captain America and Falcon), creating his own adventures fueled by imagination, escape, and creativity. One of his favorites even came from his brother (a chiseled Falcon figure), adding an extra layer of meaning to the heroic stories Coen dreams up during playtime. 

Disneyland Resort has also been a source of special memories for Coen and his family in the past, even recalling a fun visit about three years ago when his family boarded Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure park. Fast forward to today, and Coen was thrilled to experience the adventure once again, but this time, he was joined by his new Super Hero buddy in Mackie.

Laughing and enjoying their time together on the attraction’s rapid gantry lift drops while the beat of throwback music filled the air, Coen mentioned that the up‑and‑down drop moments were still his favorite part.  

The heroic highlights didn’t stop there. Following their wild adventure and eventual escape from the Collector’s fortress, Coen was able to scoop up a perfect mid-day churro and enjoy a personal experience with Iron Man inside of Avengers Campus. Yet the icing on the cake for this inspirational hero? Being gifted his own red, white, and blue Captain America shield to take home with him, marking his official status as one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes with the courage and bravery of an Avenger.

Once Coen bid farewell to Mackie, he also shared how much he was looking forward to experiencing classic Disneyland park attractions, including Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. Together, the day became a string of milestone momentsfor Coen and his family, with each one adding even more memories to this instantly iconic visit. 

Disney’s Week of Wishes shines a light on the extraordinary impact of a wish and the incredible Make-A-Wish kids who inspire us every single day.

During Week of Wishes and far beyond it, these moments would not be possible without the thousands of Disney cast members and employees who go above and beyond to create these extraordinary moments& for families around the world. From Anaheim to Orlando and across Disney destinations, their care, attention, and heart help transform wishes into lasting memories. 

Between adding a new action figure to his at-home collection, boarding thrilling rides worthy of the strongest Avengers, and meeting an all-time favorite actor in Anthony Mackie, this special day was about more than just meeting Captain America for Coen. It was about feeling inspired and celebrated, serving as a reminder that the bravest stories are not always found in comic books or on the big screen, but in real life, one wish at a time. 

Disney is the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish, granting a wish every hour of every day. For even more content from Disney’s Week of Wishes, be sure to follow along on Disney Parks Blog.