Where there’s a wish, there’s a way. That’s the whole premise of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps children facing critical illnesses find light amidst the chaos. Disney is the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish — with thousands of wishes granted in Disney parks, resorts, and cruise line every year. To commemorate the special bond between Disney and Make-A-Wish, there are three new windows on Main Street — an honor generally reserved for people that have made lasting impacts on Disneyland. 

Make-A-Wish Main Street Windows

The new Make-A-Wish windows form a triptych, three individual windows that all cohesively interact as a story. This is the first time in Disneyland’s history that a window has been dedicated to a non-profit organization. In general, a window is used to show admiration for individuals who have impacted the course of the resort’s history. In this case, the windows honor a constellation of kids, families, and volunteers. 

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street 

You can find the windows at the end of Main Street above the Wish Lounge, next to First Aid and the Baby Care Center. (More about the Wish Lounge below). The center window is dedicated to Make-A-Wish and all the wish kids of the past, present and future.

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Replica of the Center window

The flanking windows honor Chris Greicius, whose wish inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish, and Frank “Bopsy” Salazar who received the first official wish granted by Make-A-Wish in 1981. That first wish was to visit Disneyland, and to date, there have been over 500,000 wishes granted. Over the decades, Disney has granted more than 150,000 of them, making them the largest wish-granter.

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Replica of the Left window
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Replica of the Right window

 Here are the windows installed:

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Photo: Disneyland Resort

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street

To commemorate this special occasion, Ken Potrock (President of Disneyland), Leslie Motter (Make-A-Wish President and CEO), and Josh D’Amaro (Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products) all remarked on this hallmark with an unveiling ceremony. Josh is also a board member for Make-A-Wish and has grown Disney’s involvement with the organization. 

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Leslie Motter (Make-A-Wish President and CEO)
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Josh D’Amaro (left) and Ken Potrock (right)

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disneyland President, Ken Potrock, and Leslie Motter, Chief Executive Officer – Make-A-Wish, Frank Salazar’s mother, Octaviana Trujillo, Chris Greicius’ mother, Linda Pauling. (Photo: Disneyland Resort)

There were also six children on their official wish visits to the Disneyland Resort, as well as the mothers of Chris and Bopsy as their sons continue to inspire children and countless more who need it. 

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
The mother of Chris Greicius with his window
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Chris’ mother gave this photo of her son to Dusty. Chris’ wish was to become a police officer. This was the day of his wish. They made him a uniform and took him on patrol. He went from pain to joy. The inspiration for creating the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
The mother of Frank “Bopsy” Salazar with his window. She shared that her son lit up in wonder and wanted to ride all the rides at Disneyland. For one magical day, he was a normal little boy and forgot his troubles. She continues to support Make-A-Wish in honor of her son and the magic the organization produces. 
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
The small celebration was a heartwarming tribute to all of the Wish children, their families, and the organization that makes their wishes come true.
Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Minnie Mouse, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Leslie Motter – Chief Executive Officer – Make-A-Wish, Ken Potrock, President, Disneyland Resort, Mickey Mouse. (Photo: Disneyland Resort)

You can watch the highlight of the ceremony below:

Disneyland Wish Lounge

The new set of Make-A-Wish windows can be found above the Wish Lounge (located near First Aid). This area serves as a calm space for wish kids and their families during their visits to the resort. Imagineering not only designed the windows, but also partnered with Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring the newly-reimagined lounge to fruition. The lounge is inspired by the visual style and characters from the upcoming film “Wish,” releasing in November 2023. While this area is reserved for wish kids, we were able to look inside:

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street

The Lounge allows Wish kids and their families a place to relax, nap, and take care of their personal needs.

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street

The lounge features a couch, beautiful day bed, television, and things to do while preparing to head back out into the excitement of the parks.

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street

Wish, the latest movie from Disney Animation, is set to premiere in November. Take a look at the trailer below:

Wishes Come True Disney PhotoPass Lens

To join in the celebration of World Wish Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish, Disney is providing guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World a special PhotoPass Lens: Wishes Come True. This Augmented Reality camera filter (found through the Disneyland app or My Disney Experience app) will be available until the end of May.

Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
Nathan models the new Wish filter. We’ll have to let you know later if his wish comes true.

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Make a Wish, Wishes Granted: Touching New Windows on Disneyland’s Main Street
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Let’s Hear From You

Congratulations to Make-A-Wish for the honor of having not just one, but three windows on Main Street! We hope that people will look up at the windows and find some inspiration.  If you’d like more information about Make-A-Wish, or to make a donation, please visit Make-A-Wish. 

A dream is a wish your heart makes.

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