Walt Disney World is hosting the world’s largest wish-granting event, an immersive day that brings together Cast Members, special guests, and all of Disney’s Princesses.

The most magical event ever is coming to Walt Disney World on August 25, 2023! Disney will host its first Once Upon a Wish Party, an all-day event that’s just for kids and families within the Make-A-Wish program. With the help of Cast Members who are making magic come to life across the resort, it’s a celebration that’ll make invited Guests feel like royalty.

Learn more about the Once Upon a Wish Party, and take a look behind the scenes of the event before it begins below!

What is Disney’s Once Upon a Wish Party?

Photo courtesy of Disney

Disney’s Once Upon a Wish Party is a truly magical event that grants more than 50 Disney Princess wishes. This event, which is being brought to life by Disney and Make-A-Wish during World Princess Week, will feature nearly 300 honored guests and a full day of royal fun. In fact, it’s set to become the biggest wish-granting event ever planned at Walt Disney World!

Each year, Disney receives many Disney Princess wishes. So, in an effort to make granting those wishes even more memorable for children who face critical illnesses and their families, the Once Upon a Wish Party was born. This first-of-its-kind fully immersive event will be like a fairytale come to life, with events like a tea party in Wonderland, a Royal Ball with Disney Princesses (and princes, of course!), and so much more.

How Cast Members Are Helping to Make Wishes Come True

Photo courtesy of Disney

For this extra-special princess-inspired event, Disney Cast Members from across Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are coming together to make the magic happen. The Once Upon a Wish Party will feature an entire day’s worth of special moments, and hundreds of Cast Members are working hard to deliver joy and make it memorable.

In fact, more than 500 Cast Members from the company are currently working together on this one-of-a-kind party! They’re involved in every detail, from building stages and sets to cooking delicious food to assembling royal surprises. And it’s all being done with safety and accessibility in mind so all of the children and families can participate. 

And official Disney royalty is involved in the planning, too. Fairy Godmother sent out the official invitations, and Cinderella’s helpful mice are putting the finishing touches on decor throughout Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Queens Elsa and Anna are sharing their dinnerware for the day’s meals, and Ariel is sharing thingamabobs for nearly 300 party attendees. 

The efforts of Disney royalty and Cast Members have taken over a year to bring this incredible experience to life. To see what the celebration was like, keep reading!

The Once Upon a Wish Party Experience

When the Once Upon a Wish Part finally got underway, Disney Cast Members welcomed more than 50 Make-A-Wish kids and families into a totally royal day. Over the course of the party, attendees participated in plenty of incredible activities, including being proclaimed royalty for the day, meeting more than 30 iconic Disney characters, and dancing the night away at the official Royal Ball.

To make the experience extra magical, these royal families also received special gifts, which included treats like Disney Princess dresses, Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ear headbands, wands, and – of course! – tiaras.

During the event, smiles could be seen everywhere! However, one of the most special moments occurred when Mikayla, a 17-year-old from Palm Garden Beach, had her wish granted. It was her dream to perform at Disney, and she took to the stage during the Royal Ball to perform songs from Beauty and the Beast with Belle and The Beast. It was doubly special, too, because this particular wish marked the 150,000th Disney wish granted with Make-A-Wish.

See what the experience was like for the children and families who attended the incredible Once Upon a Wish ball below:

What’s next after this incredible event? Well, Disney is already at work preparing to grant more wishes with the help of dedicated Cast Members! The next wish-granting events are planned for Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.