The bond between The Walt Disney Company and the Make-A-Wish Foundation is nothing short of a match made in heaven. Disney has worked tirelessly to grant more than 150,000 wishes for ill children and their families, and I love seeing their well-deserved delight every time a new event unfolds. Of the countless requests that are received each year, around 150 wishes are to visit Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in O’ahu, Hawai’i, which became the inspiration for the Hallo-WEEK of Wish-Granting that has taken place this week. Twenty Wish kids and their families were welcomed for a spooktacular week-long bash that included thrills, chills, and ghoulish good times.
“Our goal, first and foremost, is to help families create memories,”
Joe Medwetz, senior sales and services director at Aulani, and board member at Make-A-Wish Hawaii.
“We love to see the joy on the children’s faces when their dreams come true at Aulani.”
During the week, I met 11-year-old wish kid Elijah. While fighting an aggressive form of bone cancer, his life was changed by a music therapist, whose guitar melodies provided solace and momentarily interrupted his pain. Music is a beautiful and meaningful part of Hawaiian culture, and you’ll often hear the delightful chords of the ‘ukulele, one of the islands’ most popular instruments, fill Aulani Resort – the perfect wish fit for Elijah.
Dylan Rogers, 2024-2025 Disney Ambassador of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Aulani Wish Week culminated with KA WA‘A Lū‘au brimming with rich Hawaiian traditions, delicious food, and enchanting performances. As we looked out into the Hawai‘i sunset at the sight of 20 wishes coming true, it was a moment of pure magic.
Disney Parks Blog
Reading about this fabulous Make-A-Wish event at Disney’s Aulani Resort made my day. Seeing those gorgeous smiles on these Wish kids is better than any treat I’ll see this Halloween.
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
