Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Ireland Bring ‘A Disney Wish’ to Cork

Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Ireland recently joined forces for the first-ever gathering of wish families in Ireland, welcoming more than 30 wish children and their families aboard the Disney Dream during the ship’s visit to Cork.

The special experience, known as “A Disney Wish,” brought Disney storytelling, beloved characters and plenty of memorable moments to families close to home. With the Disney Dream serving as the backdrop, children and their families enjoyed a full day of character encounters, interactive activities, special entertainment, and Disney magic.

As the world’s largest wish granter, Disney helps fulfill an average of one wish every hour, bringing its stories, characters, experiences and Cast Members to children and families around the world.

“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.”

A Magical Welcome

The experience began the evening before the families boarded the Disney Dream with a special welcome celebration. Children were greeted by Joy and Sadness from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out and received their own Disney wish wands to mark the beginning of the special experience.

The following day, each wish child received a personalized welcome in the ship’s atrium before families gathered for a special brunch at Royal Palace, where they were joined by Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana and Belle.

The day continued with themed arts and crafts, a visit with Stitch in Disney’s Oceaneer Club and a silent disco featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends.

To help commemorate the experience, each child also received special Disney keepsakes, including plush toys, pins, autograph books and other souvenirs.

Dozens of Disney Dream crew members from across the ship participated throughout the day, helping welcome the families aboard and create special memories for the children.

Wishes Coming True Aboard the Disney Dream

For the Leavy family, the experience provided a particularly meaningful day for their daughter, Ella.

Ella’s parents, Arlene and Chris Leavy, shared how important the opportunity was for their daughter after a difficult year filled with medical appointments and surgeries. Ella’s wish was to meet Disney characters, including her favorite, Minnie Mouse.

During the special lunch at Royal Palace, Ella and the other wish children had the opportunity to meet several Disney Princesses.

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

Another wish came true aboard the Disney Dream for Tyler, whose wish was to meet Mickey Mouse.

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

Tyler’s father, Alan Curtin, reflected on what the day meant to his family.

“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,” Curtin said. “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.”

A Longstanding Partnership

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

Disney Cruise Line has granted nearly 6,000 wishes since 2010. In 2022, Disney Cruise Line also reimagined the traditional role of a ship godparent by naming all Make-A-Wish children, past, present and future, as the godchildren of the Disney Wish.

Make-A-Wish Ireland has been bringing hope, strength and joy to children living with critical illnesses and their families for nearly 35 years. Since 1992, the organization has granted more than 3,700 wishes across Ireland, including 229 wishes in 2025.

“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.”

Spreading Disney Magic Around the World

The Cork gathering is part of Disney Cruise Line’s broader efforts to support children, families and communities in the destinations its ships visit.

Last year, Disney Cruise Line and Make-A-Wish Italia welcomed more than 35 families aboard the Disney Fantasy for the cruise line’s first wish-granting event in Italy.

As Disney Cruise Line continues to expand its fleet and visit destinations around the world, events like “A Disney Wish” provide opportunities to bring the Disney experience directly to local families while creating meaningful memories away from home.

For the children and families who stepped aboard the Disney Dream in Cork, the day was about more than meeting favorite characters or exploring a Disney cruise ship. It was an opportunity to celebrate wishes coming true, spend time together and create memories that families can carry with them long after the ship leaves port.

Clint Gamache

Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83