Overview

• At Walt Disney Imagineering headquarters, Make-A-Wish America CEO Leslie Motter and Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro surprised 13-year-old leukemia patient Madison (Maddie) by announcing that her wish to meet Imagineers was the 170,000th granted through the Disney–Make-A-Wish partnership.
• Over two days, Maddie and her family toured Imagineering archives, joined a panel on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, explored Radiator Springs Racers with designer Emily O’Brien and rode attractions alongside key Imagineers.
• The celebration culminated in Disneyland’s 70th anniversary festivities, where Maddie was honored in the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade and toured Walt Disney’s private apartment above the firehouse.
• Imagineers from both Glendale and Anaheim campuses, along with author Leslie Iwerks, signed Maddie’s copy of The Imagineering Story and compiled an autograph book of sketches and messages.
• Since fulfilling its first Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland in 1981, Disney has become the world’s largest wish granter, averaging one wish per hour and delivering 170,000 dreams for children globally.