Make-A-Wish Shanghai Grants Its Very First Wish at Shanghai Disney Resort
Published: September 16, 2017 / Last Updated: September 16, 2017 / By: Arvid Bux
Following the successful launch of Disney Wish Program on Children’s Day this year, Shanghai Disney Resort recently supported the very first wish granting from Make-A-Wish® Shanghai, hosting a seven-year-old boy and his family from China’s Anhui Province at Shanghai Disneyland and making his wish to meet Olaf from the hit Disney animated film Frozen come true.
This also marks the first official wish granted by the Disney Wish Program at Shanghai Disney Resort, launched earlier this year and designed to support children with life-threatening medical conditions in mainland China, helping to make life-changing wishes come true and bring hope, magic, and joy to children when they need it most.
“Disney’s history of wish granting began when Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park and hosted children from around the world, and we are pleased to bring this legacy to Shanghai,” said Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “We are proud to play a role in bringing smiles and laughter to wish children and their families, and will continue to work closely with approved nonprofit wish-granting organizations to help make transformational wishes come true.”
The first wish child, Yuanbao, currently undergoing treatment for tumor, had a dream to go to Shanghai Disneyland with his family, and meet his favorite Disney character Olaf from Disney’s hit animated film, Frozen. At the Royal Banquet Hall in the Enchanted Storybook Castle, Olaf together with his best friend Elsa, made a surprise appearance and greeted Yuanbao in person, making his magical dream finally came true. Together with his family, Yuanbao went on to spend several fun-filled hours at the theme park – sharing magical moments with Olaf and Elsa, riding Dumbo with Mickey Mouse, being the parade Grand Marshall with his parents, and receiving warm welcomes from all Cast Members from the resort.
“This first wish in Shanghai marks a great milestone for us and we are grateful to celebrate this milestone with such a dedicated friend, Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Jerry Huang, Chairman of Shanghai Make-A-Wish Charity Foundation. “We look forward to working together with Shanghai Disney Resort and community partners to continue to help inspire children in China to overcome challenges and believe that anything is possible.”
The Disney Wish Program is a collaboration between Disney and approved nonprofit wish-granting organizations that make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Over 9,000 Disney wishes are granted every year around the world with Make-A-Wish —including experiences at Disney Parks, voyages on Disney Cruise Line, character visits, Disney Store shopping sprees and visits to TV and movie sets.
Introduced to Shanghai on Children’s Day this year, Shanghai Disney Resort will work closely with local wish-granting organizations like Make-A-Wish Shanghai to lend our support and help families make lasting memories together, bringing comfort and smiles to wish children and families when they need it most.
