Walt Disney World and Make-A-Wish are teaming up to throw a “Once Upon A Wish Party,” a unique all-day experience created especially for wish families. A Florida first grader from the Orange County Public School district received the first wish as part of this event.
Minnie Mouse, Disney cast members and Make-A-Wish surprised 7-year-old Scarlett from Ventura Elementary School in Kissimmee with the news her wish for a “Disney Princess experience” was coming true. Scarlett was surrounded by nearly 100 of her fellow first-grade classmates and teachers, as well as her family, for the announcement.
“She’s going to have this super special experience and be able to go to the royal ball as a princess … I know she’s going to enjoy every single second of it,” Scarlett’s mom said. “To see her happy and completely fulfilled is every mother’s dream. It means so much that she’ll be able to experience life as a normal kid at a theme park where we don’t have to think about a lot of the medical stuff that has consumed our lives in the past.”
Scarlett’s family was informed that she would require a heart transplant when she was barely a newborn. Disney and Make-A-Wish worked up to make this surprise happen earlier this week just before school broke out for the summer. (Attending school was a haven of comfort for her after spending so much time in the hospital after undergoing numerous operations and a transplant at the age of 18 months.)
“Disney is the largest wish granter in the world, and over our more than 40-year relationship, we’ve granted some pretty incredible wishes together,” said Leslie Motter, Make-A-Wish America President and CEO. “Whatever Disney does, they go all out. I can’t wait to see the new happy memories Scarlett and our other attending wish families will be able to make at what is sure to be an unforgettable event.”
This unique wish event will take place from Aug. 20–26 as part of the company’s World Princess Week celebration. Wish families from all over the country will also be invited, in addition to Scarlett, for surprises from twilight to dawn, including tea and treats, immersive Disney character meet and greets, and a ball they’ll never forget.
More on Disney’s longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish can be found at wish.org/Disney and more on Disney’s impact in Florida at DisneyFlorida.com.
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