Walt Disney World has unveiled a newly reimagined Wish Lounge at Magic Kingdom, a quiet, meaningful space reserved exclusively for Make-A-Wish families during their visit to the park.
The update comes as Disney kicks off its annual Disney Week of Wishes, a celebration of the company’s long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish. The Wish Lounge, which first opened in the late 2000s, has been refreshed with new theming and artwork inspired by wish-granting moments from beloved Disney stories. The goal is simple: give families a calm place to step away, rest, and spend time together in the middle of what is often a very emotional and important trip.
At the center of the rededication was a full-circle story that really puts the space into perspective.
Abigail Hoyle, now a Walt Disney World cast member, first visited the resort as a Make-A-Wish child in 2011. During that trip, she and her family spent time in the Wish Lounge. Today, she’s part of the team helping create those same moments for other families.
“As part of the entertainment team, I help kids and their families meet their favorite characters,” said Abigail. “It’s so special to be able to do that because that’s what the cast members did for me on my Make-A-Wish trip. So it really is a full-circle moment.”
Abigail joined 6-year-old Paxton and his family for the rededication. Paxton, who is living with a gastrointestinal disorder, wished to visit Walt Disney World. During the event, Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle helped surprise Paxton with a special visit from Mickey and Minnie Mouse, making a memorable moment for the family and the newly refreshed space.
There’s also a lasting touch built into the lounge itself. During the refurbishment, Abigail and other cast members who were once Make-A-Wish children were invited to sign a wall inside the space, leaving messages of encouragement for future families who will spend time there.
Walt Disney World helps grant more than 7,000 wishes each year, and Disney as a whole has granted over 175,000 wishes worldwide through its partnership with Make-A-Wish. With a wish granted every hour, the newly updated Wish Lounge serves as a reminder of how personal and impactful those moments can be.
As Disney Week of Wishes continues, the refreshed space now stands ready to welcome the next wave of families, offering a place to pause, recharge, and take it all in.
