Many of us love Disney because its stories and experiences allow us to experience magic and wonder while creating memories that last a lifetime. However, did you know that real magic is being created by Disney every hour of every day? Thanks to its partnership with Make-A-Wish, incredible children facing critical illnesses get to forget their troubles, have their wildest dreams come true, and take something beautiful with them to help fight the battles they don’t deserve.
I witnessed this firsthand when I was invited to Disneyland’s Wishes Assemble event, which saw nearly 40 kids… no, 40 superheroes and their families gather at the Happiest Place on Earth to have their wishes come true, including being celebrated by the Avengers, meeting creators like Mr. Beast, Dude Perfect, Clix, and PrestonPlayz, having the best day ever in the park, and so much more.
To say it was an emotional and meaningful experience would be an understatement, and I’m excited to share with you why.
The True Power of a Wish Coming True
Disney has been granting wishes with Make-A-Wish since 1981, when the newly founded Make-A-Wish Foundation helped send a 7-year-old named Frank “Bopsy” Salazar to Disneyland. Since then, over 175,000 Disney wishes have been granted, and Disney has become the largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish, as we previously mentioned, by making a wish come true around the world every hour of every day.
This past week, The Walt Disney Company and Make-A-Wish teamed up for the second annual Disney Week of Wishes and, alongside the Wishes Assemble event we’ll get to in a moment, made nearly 200 signature wish experiences happen. These ranged from a kid getting to experience a “day in the life” of a Disney animator like incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg, kids performing in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, two kids announcing NFL first-round picks on ESPN, a wish kid getting invited to the premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu, and even a young girl getting to meet Princess Cinderella at Disneyland before the park opened for a truly moving experience you have to see for yourself below.
And now we arrive at Wishes Assemble, which was a one-of-a-kind Avengers-themed day at Disneyland that featured some of the biggest Marvel stars and creators in the world coming together to make a difference for nearly 40 Make-A-Wish kids.
While this all sounds like it would be a dream-come-true experience for anyone (it was!), one of the most important lessons I took from these few days was how they mean so much more than just a chance to compete in a smaller version of the Beast Games with Mr. Beast, do science experiments with Mark Rober and Science Bob, hit a trick shot in the Dude Perfect Fan Zone, or get a Victory Royale with Clix in Fortnite.
I had the honor of speaking to a Make-A-Wish kid named Cayden and his Mom, Tiffany, and I was very moved by their strength, their words, and the smiles on their faces. Cayden, who is 14 years old and has already had three open heart surgeries, a heart transplant, and has beaten cancer, had a wish to play with a streamer named Cody Conrod a.k.a. Clix.
Disney and Make-A-Wish set up a room to look like Clix’s streaming set-up, and he got to play and hang-out with Clix alongside his brother, Jackson. Furthermore, his Dad and other members of his family couldn’t make the event and the teams ensured they could live-stream right to them so they wouldn’t miss a moment.
“I’ve been bedside beside Cayden through everything, so the fact that this is what he wanted and he was able to get it today just means everything,” Tiffany said. “Just seeing the smile on his face… For me as a Mom, this moment is something that’s unmatched. You think back to all the hospital stays and everything your child has been through, and him being healthy enough to be here today is just huge.”
The wish itself was a blessing, but Tiffany told me that even the time leading up to the big day was made better because of it. Instead of just having tests and check-ups on the calendar, this day was something to countdown to and celebrate. Furthermore, Tiffany shared how wonderful it was that Disney and Make-A-Wish also include the entire family, and not just the wish kid.
“I think some people don’t realize how much Disney and Make-A-Wish cater to the families and, perhaps most importantly, the siblings,” Tiffany said. “They go through this with them. As much as everyone is really focused on the Make-A-Wish kid, the siblings are there too waiting for their brother or sister to get back from the hospital. They are Facetiming them, dealing with the horrible truth that they are sick again and back in the hospital, and always asking when they are going to come home. So, for them to share this moment of joy with them is very special.”
When I spoke to Cayden, he was so grateful and excited, and he told me that, “he really wanted to do this with all of his family” as he “loves them so much and wanted to thank them for everything.” He also mentioned that playing with Clix was “very cool” and joked that he was better than him at Fortnite.
At that moment, Clix jumped in and reminded him that Cayden actually beat him 1v1 in Fortnite and won himself a gaming computer just a short while before! Cayden laughed and smiled in a special way that has imprinted itself onto my heart forever. These moments mean everything for these kids who have been through so much, and they deserve one million more.
I then got to speak to Clix about this experience, and we talked about how it felt as though he was just hanging out with his friends playing games. Clix has been supporting Make-A-Wish for some time, and he understands that these kids watch him through the best of times and worst of times, and that picking him for their one wish is a huge honor he doesn’t take lightly.
He was also so great and welcoming with Cayden and Jackson and they just had the best time. In another amazing moment, Clix and Cayden set it up so Jackson could take down the final opposing player and secure a Victory Royale. Even though it was Cayden’s day, he shared a bit of the magic with his brother in a truly heartwarming way.
“Cayden is the strongest person I have ever met in my life,” Clix told me. “He’s so quiet and humble about everything he’s been through, and he didn’t bring up his medical issues or the incredible fact that he survived three open heart surgeries, a heart transfer, and beat cancer. If that were me, I swear I’d be telling everyone and would flex that.”
“This whole experience just put such a big smile on my face, especially because Cayden came in a little nervous. I’m like, I would be 10 times nervous doing anything he’s been through… he’s truly incredible.”
These sentiments were shared by Preston Arsement a.k.a. PrestonPlayz, who was able to play Roblox and more with another awesome kid named Evan.
“It’s honestly like getting to play video games with your friends growing up,” Arsement told me. “Evan just kind of grooved right in and it felt like I was playing with a best friend that I’ve known for years. These experiences change you for the better and encourage you to do more.
“Most of the time, it feels like you’re just using things that have already been created by humans. With this, you actually get to give back and create something that hasn’t been there before, which is an unforgettable moment for a child.”
Arsement also mentioned what he loves about this event in particular is that these Make-A-Wish kids get to benefit from the other creators being here. Even though Evan’s wish was for PrestonPlayz specifically, he still gets the added bonus of being around Mr. Beast, Dude Perfect, and more. Oh, and that’s of course on top of being at Disneyland and having a Marvel-filled day.
The Avengers Assembled for an Unforgettable Marvel-Themed Event
Alongside the individual wishes, the Make-A-Wish kids at Wishes Assemble also had a ton of shared experiences that added to the day, and it all kicked off the day before at check-in. The kids were given a well-deserved heroes welcome that all began with them (and their siblings!) getting an Avengers badge that lit up and could also represent Courage, Friendship, Heart, Humor, Intelligence, and Persistence.
They then got to “suit up” thanks to Disney Consumer Products, Disney Store and its licensees, including Berkshire Fashions, Corkcicle, Funko, Hasbro, the LEGO Group, Mad Engine, and Monogram International. The kids were given Marvel-themed clothing and gifts that they’d be able to wear/use and take home, and that was in addition to some fun hotel room surprises that were also waiting for them. There was also a really fun photo op that featured such props as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s Nano Gauntlet, and Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet.
In one of the most welcome surprises of the whole event, this is where we got to speak to Dana Podgurski, Hasbro’s Global Marketing Manager – Disney (Marvel & Star Wars), a Make-A-Wish alumni who is now giving back to a new generation of kids.
Dana shared her powerful story with us and discussed how she got to go to Hawaii after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at a young age.
“At a time where I didn’t really have a lot of control, Make-A-Wish gave me a sense of agency with such a positive choice to be made of what I wanted my wish to be. It was such a transformative moment for me,” Podgurski said. “And then the wish itself came to be after I finished treatment, so it was something I was really able to look forward to.
“About six months after my wish, however, I was at a routine check-up and discovered that I had relapsed and had to go through more chemo and radiation as it was more serious than even the first time. My wish became my escape for when my reality was unbearable. It gave me a memory to lean back on, to reflect on, to focus on, and to remind me that there are positive things ahead after I’m healthy.”
With events like this, Podgurski said the beauty is that these kids get to just be kids. Even for a brief moment, they are not patients and don’t have to think about the adversities they’ve been through. They get to “focus and enjoy the moment they’re in, and that’s beautiful.”
“This is a full circle moment for me,” Podgurski shared. “Getting to see the families put on the gear, get in front of the camera, and embody the superheroes when they themselves are the real superheroes is so surreal. It’s indescribable, and I’m so excited for families to have this experience.”
The following day was when the real festivities kicked off, and it began with a comic book art lesson on drawing Spider-Man by Brian Crosby, Executive – Marvel Experiences Development. During the class, Captain America actor Anthony Mackie surprised the kids with a bunch of toys to take things to a new level. He was also there because a nine-year-old named Coen wished to meet Mackie because he was his favorite.” Following the class, Coen got to go into Disneyland with him and ride such attractions as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout.
All the kids then went to the creators they wished for and had special experiences catered to them, and they reunited for a private dinner and party at Avengers Campus, which was set up just for them. New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro stopped by the dinner and spent meaningful time with the kids, and he even was part of the spirit tunnel with countless other Disney cast members that welcomed them into Avengers Campus.
It was really special to see D’Amaro spend so much time with the Make-A-Wish kids and not just stop by for a quick photo and run off, especially considering previous Disney CEO Bob Iger was just honored with the inaugural WishMaker Lifetime Achievement Award. During his tenure, Disney helped grant 110,000 wishes and, in 2025 alone, the company donated $30 million to Make-A-Wish. With D’Amaro, the spirit of giving doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
As for the party, every Avenger you could imagine showed up, and they even had a fun stage show filled with action and memorable moments like Spider-Man zip-lining down from the roof. I was speaking to a few people and they mentioned they haven’t seen all these Avengers together since Avengers Campus first opened up. Oh, and Vision actor Paul Bettany even made a surprise appearance to pass out even more toys to the kids.
To Infinity (Wishes) and Beyond
I’ve been very fortunate to have covered Disney in many wonderful ways these past few years, but this Wishes Assemble event and the Disney Week of Wishes initiative was more than I could have even imagined. Every guest that goes to Disney Parks deserves to have the most magical experience ever, but it just means so much to see Disney going above and beyond for these kids who have been in a war they never asked for nor deserve.
Seeing the smiles on their faces, the joyful tears from the parents who are able to see their kids being lifted up as the superheroes they are, and seeing creators and artists come together to share their talents and fame for good was simply beyond words.
Although the event has come to a close, these memories will hopefully serve as another shield or suit of power armor against any foe I hope more than hope never returns. What I know it has done, however, is show the power of a wish and how it can literally change everything.
So many of Disney’s stories are about wishing upon a star and making dreams come true, and this week proved that the greatest of these happen in our very own world and that we can help make even more possible.
If you’d like to get involved, head over to wish.org/Disney to learn more about fundraising or volunteering, nominating a deserving kid, donating, or even entering the ‘Win a Magical VIP Weekend’ sweepstakes that can send you to the global premiere of Avengers: Doomsday, get you a VIP tour of Disneyland, a trip to Walt Disney’s apartment there, and even a two-night stay in The Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at the Disneyland Hotel.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst, Instagram, and TikTok, and listen to his show, Talking Disney Magic.
