Walt Disney World Rededicates Reimagined Wish Lounge with Make-A-Wish Family
As part of Disney Week of Wishes, Walt Disney World rededicated its newly reimagined Wish Lounge, a dedicated space created exclusively for wish families during their visit. There to rededicate the space was 6-year-old Paxton, whose wish brought him to Walt Disney World. A Full-Circle Moment Also at the heart of the rededication was Abigail, who visited the Wish Lounge in 2011 with her family on her own wish trip. Now a Disney cast member, Abigail helps kids meet their favorite characters and creates
From Vision to Reality: Orlando Honors Walt Disney World Announcement Site
A new commemorative plaque now marks the spot in Orlando where Walt and Roy O. Disney first announced their initial vision for Walt Disney World. Today, Disney welcomes millions of guests to Florida each year, fueling the state’s economy, creating jobs and driving tourism. Where is the new commemorative plaque? In Nov. 1965, Walt and Roy O. Disney revealed the “Florida Project” in what is now the Thornton Park District of Downtown Orlando. Today, a new plaque commemorates the very building where
Disney and Starlight Bring Princess Celebration to AdventHealth for Children's Patients
Disney magic made its way to AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, where Rapunzel surprised patients with a princess party full of joy and imagination. The visit was made possible by Disney in collaboration with AdventHealth for Children and Starlight Children’s Foundation as part of our efforts to create meaningful moments for families facing some of life’s toughest challenges. What happened at this fairytale celebration? Patients were treated like royalty from arrival. Through the Starlight
Hope, Healing & Magic in Every Mile: Disney Supports Blood Cancer United
At the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Disney cast member and blood cancer survivor Nikki celebrated her recovery while her mom ran her first-ever runDisney 10K in support of her daughter and Blood Cancer United. Disney's Commitment to Cast and Workplace Wellness Nikki was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and underwent intensive chemotherapy followed by a full stem cell transplant. Now two years in remission, she is living her dream: creating magic as a Walt Disney World cast
Walt Disney World Creates Holiday Magic for Florida
Walt Disney World is creating happiness for Florida kids and families this holiday season. Here's what we've been up to 25,000 Toys Delivered to Central Florida Kids & Families Cast and guests came together for the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, donating more than 25,000 toys to families in need across Central Florida. Stitch even joined in and helped Disney VoluntEARS sort through donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Program … he’s hoping this will get him on Santa’s “nice list.” "We would not
Disney World Delivers 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals to Individuals and Families in Need
For more than 25 years now, the Disney Culinary team has prepared holiday dinners for members of our community facing houselessness and hardship. They craft each dish in Disney kitchens, and Disney VoluntEARS personally serve them at Coalition for the Homeless and Harbor House of Central Florida on Thanksgiving Day. “The impact is huge,” said Brad Butterstein, President and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless. “Each year, Disney World comes in for Thanksgiving and provides these nutritious meals to our
Disney Donates 500,000 School Supplies to Florida Teachers
As part of our annual Back-to-School Supply Drive, cast members donated more than 135,000 school supplies to A Gift For Teaching, a Central Florida nonprofit that provides free supplies to teachers and students in need. On top of the school supplies donated by cast members, Disney is making an extra monetary donation to A Gift For Teaching that equates to about 360,000 school supplies. This joins the $500,000 donation made earlier this summer to help fund local education programs. A Personal
Inside Tour de Turtles at Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Disney teamed up with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for its 18th Tour de Turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, sending two turtles back to the big blue after nesting along the shore. What is Tour de Turtles? Tour de Turtles is an annual event that brings together researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort to track two female turtles as they return to the ocean after laying their eggs. This year’s turtles – named Ariel and Moana after the iconic Disney
Disney Donates $500,000 to Florida School Programs & Surprises Teachers with Free Park Tickets
Stitch went on a tour around Central Florida, surprising teachers at Hamilton Elementary, Deerwood Elementary, College Park Middle, Tavares Middle and North Lakeland Elementary as they cleaned up their classrooms for the summer. But that’s not all! Teachers at each school were also surprised with Walt Disney World park tickets AND Disney announced a new $500,000 donation that will help fund local education programs. “This means the world,” said Adam Cody, a Deerwood Elementary School teacher.
Disney and Special Olympics Florida Team Up For Summer Games
Athletes from across Florida visited ESPN Wide World of Sports to compete in sports like basketball, soccer, track & field and cycling. Along the way, these all-stars earned medals, beat personal records and made new friends. How does Disney support Florida athletes? Sports can change lives and help athletes discover new strengths and abilities. That’s why Disney and Special Olympics Florida have hosted the State Summer Games and the State Fall Classic together for more than 15 years. Our
