Disney is known for making dreams come true, but on Wednesday, it was all about wishes.
To celebrate World Wish Day, Disneyland hosted “Wishes Assemble,” a first-of-its-kind wish-granting event where the Mouse House and Make-A-Wish teamed up with celebs and influencers to grant nearly 40 wishes for children facing critical illnesses.
I had the opportunity to be a fly on the wall as the so-called “Wish Kids” had their requests fulfilled throughout the sprawling Anaheim resort.
Popping into various rooms of the swanky Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, I watched as several young boys were treated to private Fortnite and Roblox sessions with major streamers like PrestonPlayz and Clix.
Meanwhile, the “dudes” from Dude Perfect took over a sunny courtyard to let kiddos try their hands at the infamous football trick shots they complete online.
“It’s made a big impact on our lives, even if, at first, we thought we were doing something to help families. It’s helped us, I think, way more,” member Coby Cotton tells me, adding that the dudes have been granting wishes for over a decade.
Internet megastar MrBeast crafted an elaborate, kid-friendly recreation of his hit series “Beast Games,” turning a grand ballroom into a veritable playground with various challenges, ranging from “Is It Cake?” to Minecraft competitions.
Evening festivities kicked off with a buffet dinner in Disney California Adventure featuring “Avengers” staples like shawarma and Ant-Man-sized miniature cheeseburgers.
YouTubers Mark Rober and Science Bob took the stage for a live science experiment during dinner (crashed by special guest Mickey Mouse, clad in a Captain America shirt), while CEO Josh D’Amaro made the rounds, doling out dozens of hugs.
After supper, hundreds of cast members created a high-energy spirit tunnel, waving Captain America shields, Hulk fists and Mjolnir hammers as they welcomed families to a private party in the high-tech Avengers Campus.
“WandaVision” star Paul Bettany handed out Funko Pop figures to families before they were set loose to mingle with their favorite characters, ride attractions and eat as many churros as they could.
As the world’s largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish, Disney’s corporate social responsibility team is no stranger to sprinkling pixie dust for families going through hard times, granting a wish every hour of every day.
Previous superhero wishes granted include set visits for “Avengers: Endgame” and office tours of Marvel’s Burbank and New York offices.
“It’s very gratifying. It’s that moment where all the work you put in beforehand pays off instantly, seeing their faces,” Brian Crosby, Executive of Marvel Experiences Development tells the California Post of translating the massive superhero IP into unforgettable experiences for the Wish Kids.
“I think the secret to Marvel characters is really that it’s the person beneath the suit. Yes, the suits look cool. Yes, the powers are fun,” Crosby says.
“But when we talk about our characters, we talk about Tony Stark, we talk about T’Challa, we talk about Kamala Khan and where they are in the world, and what challenges they’re going to be facing this week. These characters appeal from generation to generation, because they’re all very human, relatable stories, and that’s what makes our characters, to me, fantastic.”
