Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Bring Joy to Families in Ireland

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More than 30 wish children and their families came together for multi-day ‘A Disney Wish’ experience, including an afternoon aboard the Disney Dream for a first-of-its kind day filled with happiness and Disney magic during the ship’s visit to Cork

Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Ireland hosted their first-ever gathering of wish families, bringing together more than 30 wish children and their families during the Disney Dream’s visit to Cork.

The ‘A Disney Wish’ experience brought Disney storytelling, characters and moments of joy to families close to home, with the ship serving as the setting for a special day of character encounters, interactive activities and Disney magic.

As the world’s largest wish granter, on average, Disney helps fulfill a wish every hour of every day by bringing its stories, characters, experiences and cast members across the globe.

“At Make-A-Wish Ireland, we see every day the powerful difference that hope, joy and connection can make in the lives of wish children and their families,” said Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Ireland. “Disney Cruise Line shares that spirit, creating joyful experiences that bring families together. This event gave our wish families a wonderful opportunity to have fun, build lasting memories and connect with others who understand the journey they are on.”

The experience began the evening before embarking the Disney Dream with a special welcome celebration, where the children met Disney characters Joy and Sadness from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out, and were presented with their own Disney wish wands to mark the start of their memorable experience.

Aboard the Disney Dream on Saturday, each wish child received a personalized greeting in the ship’s atrium before the group enjoyed a majestic brunch at Royal Palace alongside Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana and Belle. The day continued with themed arts and crafts and a fun-filled visit with Stitch in Disney’s Oceaneer Club as well as a silent disco dance party with Mickey Mouse and friends.

Each child received special Disney keepsakes, including plush toys, pins, autograph books and other souvenirs to commemorate the experience. Dozens of crew members from across the Disney Dream joined the day’s activities to welcome the families on board the ship and create an unforgettable experience.

For the Leavy family, Ella’s special day is one they’ll remember forever. Her mother, Arlene and father, Chris shared, “Ella has always said she wanted to play and be a little girl. Because of her diagnosis, that was stripped from her. We spent the last year at medical appointments instead of playgrounds and in surgeries instead of enjoying Disney movies and different things. Ella’s wish was to go and see all the Disney characters and meet her biggest fan, Minnie Mouse, and that dream came true today.”

For Ella, the magic didn’t stop there. During lunch at Royal Palace, the children and their families were joined by a few special friends for a magical dining experience.

“It was just pure joy to see Ella so happy and so excited.” Arlene describes the moment Ella saw Princess Cinderella, “It was the most incredible thing to see that smile on her face and to know that there was pure joy behind it, pure excitement, and just the brightness coming from her was incredible.

Tyler’s wish to meet Mickey Mouse also came true aboard the Disney Dream.

“Today, I met Captain Mickey Mouse on the cruise ship,” Tyler said. “I was on the cruise ship and dancing with Mickey Mouse.”

Alan Curtin, Tyler’s dad, reflected on the impact of the experience: “It was such an amazing day. It was filled with uplifting, rewarding moments from start to finish. Seeing the light in their eyes was so special. After all the heartbreak we’ve been through, to have a day like this — a day to simply enjoy and make memories together — was incredibly meaningful. It was just amazing.”

As Disney Cruise Line continues to expand its fleet and reach new destinations around the world, experiences like this create unique opportunities to bring Disney stories, characters and magic directly to children and families in the communities it visits.

“Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together for many years to grant wishes that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children when they need it most,” said Tracy Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Cruise Line. “As Disney Cruise Line continues to visit more places around the world, we have the unique opportunity to bring Disney stories and characters directly to these families, creating moments of joy and happiness closer to where they call home.”

Disney and Make-A-Wish have collaborated for more than 45 years to grant more than 175,000 life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses around the world.

• Disney Cruise Line has granted nearly 6,000 wishes for children around the world since 2010. In 2022, Disney Cruise Line reimagined the traditional role of a ship godparent by naming all Make-A-Wish children, past, present and future, as the godchildren of Disney Wish.
• For almost 35 years, Make-A-Wish Ireland has brought hope, strength and joy to children living with critical illnesses and their families, granting more than 3,700 wishes across Ireland since 1992, including 229 wishes in 2025.

Spreading Happiness Around the World

The gathering in Ireland is one example of Disney Cruise Line’s broader commitment to supporting children, families and communities around the world. Last year, Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Italia welcomed more than 35 families aboard Disney Fantasy for the cruise line’s first wish-granting event in Italy.

Initiatives like these are part of Disney Cruise Line’s ongoing work to make a positive impact in the destinations it visits, which recently earned recognition on Forbes’ 2026 Best Brands for Social Impact list. The list recognizes brands that excel in community support, social responsibility, sustainability and trust, reflecting Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for children, families and local communities.

The post Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Bring Joy to Families in Ireland appeared first on Disney Experiences.

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