Disney Cruise Line Brings Magic to Make-A-Wish Families in Italy

Five-year-old Aurora had one big dream. She wanted to meet Cinderella more than anything in the world. But there was a problem – Aurora lives in Italy, far from Disney’s theme parks.

Thanks to Disney Cruise Line and some special magic, Aurora’s wish came true. “Today I met Cinderella, and I hugged her!” Aurora said with pure joy.

Nearly 40 Families Experience Disney Magic at Sea

This summer, something amazing happened in Italy. Disney Cruise Line partnered with Make-A-Wish Italia to create a magical day for families dealing with serious illness.

The Disney Fantasy stopped at the port of Civitavecchia near Rome. Almost 40 families from across Italy got to spend a full day on the ship. They experienced Disney magic when they needed it most.

This was the first time Disney brought this kind of wish experience to Italy. Many Make-A-Wish families can’t travel to Disney parks. This special day let kids enjoy Disney magic close to home.

A Mother’s Perspective on Dreams and Hope

Aurora’s mother, Daniela, shared what this experience meant to their family. “To be able to grant such an important wish, means to give a child the strength to dream, to really believe in the power of dreams, of life, of everything beyond illness,” she said.

The Disney crew brought happiness and joy to children with critical illnesses. These kids had wished to meet their favorite Disney characters. The crew made sure every moment was special.

A Day Packed with Disney Characters and Fun

The families were treated like VIP guests from start to finish. Their day began with a Royal Tea Party where kids met their favorite characters. Disney Princesses, Thor, BB-8, Woody, and Jessie all joined the fun.

Next, the children explored the Oceaneer’s Club. Disney crew members hosted special activities just for them. Kids got hands-on time with games and adventures designed for young cruisers.

The day ended with an epic dance party. Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto led the celebration. Families danced and laughed together as the perfect end to their magical day.

Crew Members Share the Impact

John works as Manager of Human Resources on the Disney Fantasy. He’s also a Disney VoluntEAR who helped make this day special.

“Witnessing the joy that this day brought to the children and their families was an unforgettable experience that made me deeply grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference in their lives,” John said. “It reminded me of the power of kindness and community, two things that are very dear to my heart.”

Disney’s Long Partnership with Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish International’s President and CEO, Luciano Manzo, praised the experience. “Disney Cruise Line’s warmth, care, and attention to detail created magical moments that these families will cherish forever. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with joy, laughter, and wonder,” he said.

Disney holds a special record with Make-A-Wish. The Walt Disney Company is the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish, granting a wish every hour of every day.

This partnership goes back almost 45 years. The first official Disney wish happened at Disneyland Resort. Since then, Disney has helped fulfill over 170,000 wishes around the world.

What This Means for Cruise Travelers

This special event shows Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to community service. The cruise line regularly partners with charities and organizations. They use their ships and crew to bring joy to people who need it most.

For regular cruise passengers, events like this highlight Disney’s focus on creating magical experiences. The same attention to detail that made this Make-A-Wish event special goes into every Disney cruise.

Disney ships feature character meet and greets, themed activities, and special events year-round. Families can expect this level of magic and care on their own Disney cruise vacations.

The Italy event proves that Disney magic works everywhere. Whether at a theme park or on a ship docked in Italy, Disney characters and crew know how to create unforgettable moments.

This partnership between Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Italia brought dreams to life. It reminded everyone that sometimes the most important journeys happen right at home.