Wishes become reality every day at Disneyland Resort, even in a galaxy far, far away! This week marked a magical milestone for 19 wish children and their families from Make-A-Wish and other wish-granting organizations, as we welcomed a courageous group of young Padawans for the first-ever, multi-day Star Wars-themed wish event at Disneyland Resort – Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure.
Star Wars Adventure Wish Party Brings Beloved Stories to Life on Batuu
Children across the globe are captivated by the power of The Force and the magic of Star Wars. For wish children especially, the Jedi can be powerful symbols of hope and courage. Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure brought the wonder of Batuu to kids who wished to have a unique, Star Wars-themed experience at Disneyland Resort, inviting them on a journey they will never forget!
“We’re humbled that so many children choose Disney to make their dreams come true,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, and Make-A-Wish America board member. “We’re constantly finding innovative and uniquely Disney ways to grant wishes at our parks and experiences around the world.”
Immersive wish-granting events like Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure at Disneyland Resort and Once Upon a Wish Party at Walt Disney World Resort help unite families and friends in life-changing experiences during a time when it’s needed most.
Dozens of cast members and Disney VoluntEARS across the company worked together to dream up and plan this one-of-a-kind experience designed for some of the biggest Star Wars fans, which included special merchandise, curated adventures and thoughtful surprises for each child. As a cast member, there is no better way to create happiness than crafting the best day ever for visiting wish families!
Wish Kids Harness the Force in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Across five days of fun, wish kids and their families explored the Disneyland Resort and made the jump to lightspeed in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, embarking on a galactic adventure full of surprises! To begin their journey, travelers enjoyed an exciting kick-off celebration, complete with special photo moments, festive goodies and opportunities to meet some of their favorite characters from the Star Wars galaxy.
As they entered Batuu later that day, each wish kid was invited to build their very own droid, a fitting companion for the next part of their adventure – a thrilling scavenger hunt created just for this event, where families were tasked with finding the missing pieces to their own lightsaber and encountering the leader of the First Order, Kylo Ren, on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The Force was strong with each family, as they journeyed to an immersive private dinner and dessert party in Batuu, with galactic eats and treats! Each child embraced the power of the Jedi before a surprise visit from First Order stormtroopers and an epic light saber battle for the ages.
Disney Collaborates with Make-A-Wish for 40+ Years of Magical Wishes
Wish granting is an integral part of the magic at Disneyland Resort. For nearly 45 years, Disney has worked alongside organizations such as Make-A-Wish to make wishes come true for children facing critical illnesses across the country. Did you know? Since the very first official wish was granted at Disneyland Resort, Disney has helped fulfill more than 155,000 wishes globally with Make-A-Wish. Additionally, Disney is the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish, making dreams come true for children across the globe!
“It’s a testament to the passion and commitment to the Make-A-Wish mission that Disney continues to find new and creative ways to deliver truly life-changing experiences for wish kids and their families,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO, Make-A-Wish America. “This event gives wish kids and their families a chance to feel like a normal family again – perhaps for the first time since the start of their medical journey. The stress, fear and anxiety that come with their illness are the furthest things from their minds.”
The Power of a Wish
Wishes like these have the power to renew hope and uplift spirits for children facing critical illnesses and their families. When paired with the power of Disney’s stories, characters and unmatched experiences, wishes can become transformative experiences that help deliver joy when it’s needed most. Learn more about Disney’s work with Make-A-Wish at wish.org/Disney.