Walt's First Make A Wish

[Dare To Dream]

This past Sunday, my DH, 18 year old DD, and I were in the Muppet's store in MGM. A little boy and his Mom came in. The little boy was at WDW as a part of his Make A Wish. My DD got down and started talking to him about his favorite character Woody. In under 10 minutes this little boy took her hand and announced to his Mom that he was taking my DD home with him. A truely magical moment at Disney!

According to Pat William's book "How To be Like Walt", Walt granted a wish to a little boy before Disneyland opened. A 7 year old boy who was dying of leukemia wanted to ride Walt Disney's train after seeing an episode of the Disneyland tv show. The little boy's Mom wrote Walt who made the dream come true. In June of 1955, on the very first day that Walt's beloved train was put on its track in Disneyland, Walt took this little boy for a train ride to see Disneyland before it was opened to the public.

25 years later, in 1980, Make-A-Wish was established granting its first wish to a 7 year old boy who was dying of leukemia. So next time you are in line and a family is let in before you, smile and be a part of making a wish come true with the same compassion shown by Walt.

[The Bookseller]

Wonderful stories, thanks for sharing!

[PirateLover]

Yes, thank you so much for sharing. I never knew that fact about Walt, and the story about your DD is so adorable.

We are all quick so gripe about the negative things that happen to us (myself included) but if we all stopped to do even just one random act of kindness a day we would be doing a lot to make this world a better place.

[T-Belle]

What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[pdrlkr]

Thats such a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[mdearmas]

That's a great story! That is the heart of why we are all fan's of Disney, he understood that the world needed a place for children to be children and adults to be young again! He has made more wishes come true than he even lived to see!

[shan-ash]

What a great moment for you as a mom to see how your DD acted

[January-2007]

I got chills reading that, thank you so much for sharing!

[IloveDisney71]

That's a great story! That is the heart of why we are all fan's of Disney, he understood that the world needed a place for children to be children and adults to be young again! He has made more wishes come true than he even lived to see!

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[dolphinmickey9170]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us!!

[TikiGoddess]

Wonderful. Thanks for reminding us of Walt's kindness -- he is definitely present in the parks with this kind of magic!

TikiG

[merlinmagic4]

I can attest to the fact that Disney cast members go above and beyond to make a wish child's trip extra special. It was simply amazing and hooked me on Disney forever!

[Stan]

I do volunteer photography once in a while out at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, where many of the Wish families stay free. One evening I had a nice chat with the Dad of a beautiful 3 yr old Wish girl running all over the place- they had just gotten a positive report about her cancer before they left home, so I pray she's doing OK. She had had a princess makeover the evening before, then breakfast in EPCOT (Norway?) with all the princesses... the whole thing was a dream come true. Dad described her hugging Snow White and just closing her eyes in delight.

So yes, Disney as a company and CM's as individuals do all they can to make special times for these children and their families.

Now go hug your kids and count your blessings.

[Bethis26fan]

That's so sweet. Thanks for sharing.