In honor of World Princess Week, Walt Disney World hosted a special Disney Princess celebration at Give Kids The World Village, where the sounds of a second line parade, crinkling paper lanterns, jingling jewelry, and stories of courage and hope filled the air for wish kids and their families.
Thousands of children facing critical illnesses choose Disney Princess stories and characters as part of their most heartfelt wishes. During the celebration, families staying at the nonprofit’s resort enjoyed unforgettable moments with some of their favorite Disney Princesses as those stories came to life.
Magical Moments Inspired by Disney Princesses
Throughout the celebration, families stepped into experiences inspired by beloved Disney Princess stories.
Rapunzel invited kids to tap into their creativity by decorating paper lanterns, inspired by the floating lanterns from Disney Animation’s Tangled. Later that evening, the lanterns illuminated Give Kids The World Village, creating a warm welcome for families returning from a day of adventures across Central Florida.
Belle gathered families for a special story time, sharing tales that highlighted bravery, kindness, and the power of believing in yourself.
Moana encouraged wish kids to embrace their own sense of adventure as they created Heart of Te Fiti-inspired jewelry together, leaving with a sparkling reminder of their own strength.
Meanwhile, Princess Tiana and her friend Louis led a lively second line parade through the Village. Wish kids and family members joined in, playing instruments, dancing, and creating joyful memories together.
Once a Princess, Always a Princess
This year’s World Princess Week theme, “Once a Princess, Always a Princess,” celebrates the lasting impact Disney Princess stories can have long after a wish comes true.
For many wish kids, the qualities of a Disney Princess – courage, determination, kindness, and hope – resonate far beyond the stories themselves. Each experience with a Disney Princess at Give Kids The World created real-time reminders of strength and togetherness that wish families will carry with them as they continue through their medical journeys.
One of those special moments unfolded at this event for Orlando wish kid Ny’lah who wished to meet Princess Tiana. She was surprised by Tiana at Give Kids the World Village, sharing a big hug with the Princess and stories of Mama Odie and the Bayou.
“This wish means a lot to me because it gives me a chance to be out of the hospital, and to be free and not worry. My favorite moment of my wish trip was meeting Princess Tiana, and talking about how we both love music, dancing, and beignets. It’s been the most magical experience,” Ny’lah said.
40 Years of Wishes Coming True in Central Florida
For four decades, Walt Disney World, Give Kids The World and wish granting organizations like Make-A-Wish have worked together to help create life-changing wish experiences for kids with critical illnesses and their families.
As a founding partner of Give Kids The World, we support the nonprofit’s mission of providing weeklong Central Florida wish vacations at no cost to families. Together, we have helped create moments of joy, connection, and hope for countless wish families over the years.
Disney is the world’s largest wish granter, helping make wishes come true for children facing critical illnesses around the world. This Disney Princess celebration is just one example of the ways Disney and Give Kids The World continue to work together to create magical – and meaningful – experiences for families when they need them most.
Princess Magic Around the World
The impact of World Princess Week extends beyond Give Kids The World. In 2023, Mikayla became Disney and Make-A-Wish’s 150,000th wish kid. Her wish to perform at Disney World was granted at the very first Once Upon a Wish party, and now in 2026, she returned as a wish alumna to take the stage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event alongside Broadway legend Susan Egan for a once-in-a-lifetime concert performance.
Meanwhile, for six-year-old Emelie, the magic started at home with a surprise delivery from Disney Store featuring an Elsa costume and tiara and activity books for her Disney travels. With the help of Southwest Airlines, the royal treatment continued in the air as crew members and fellow passengers were gifted Disney ears and joined the celebration of her wish trip to Disney World.
Make-A-Wish families at Disneyland received a VIP experience, including an exclusive dessert party, front row viewing, special princess gifts, and more at Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration. You can watch the magic unfold for these wish families by streaming the concert now on Disney+ and YouTube!
Finally, across the Atlantic, Disneyland Paris will soon welcome 50 Make-A-Wish kids and their families from across Europe for a royal-themed weekend complete with gifts, costumes, makeovers, and meet-and-greets with beloved Disney Princesses.
The Power of a Wish
While wishes may last just a moment, the memories created during them can last a lifetime. From decorated lanterns to a royal performance, these celebrations are reminders of the joy, hope, and connection that make a Disney wish experience so special.
To learn more about Give Kids The World and its mission, visit gktw.org. To learn more about Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org/Disney.
