‘Dream’ trip: Disney World surprises 60+ Make-A-Wish families

Travel hasn’t been fun for four-year-old Mia Rodriguez.

“Mia associates traveling with doctor visits,” explained her mom, Bianca Vidal. Before even reaching grade school, Mia has already battled retinoblastoma, the most common eye cancer among children, according to the American Cancer Society. For her, trips are “not always the best. Sometimes it’s traumatizing.”

Recently, however, Mia and more than 60 other extraordinary kids and their families took the trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World in Florida, where they were treated like royalty amid Disney’s World Princess Week.

Each child had asked to visit Disney through Make-A-Wish, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to critically ill children, but they had no idea what else was in store.

Disney World is the most requested destination among Make-A-Wish kids. Over the past 40 years, Disney has granted over 150,000 Make-A-Wish wishes. In late August, Disney granted its biggest batch of wishes to date with a day of character-filled festivities.

“Magical is the only word to really use,” said Dianna Mairn, whose 7-year-old daughter Scarlett Jaycocks had a heart transplant. “Honestly, from the moment we woke up and we went to the breakfast, it did not stop all day long. Everything we did exceeded any type of expectation or idea for what we may have had.”

“To think about a kid who is asked what their wish is, and they say Disney or Walt Disney World or Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line, that's an honor for us and something that humbles us and we take very seriously because we know these places are places that you can escape,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products told USA TODAY. “Walt built these places to escape from the outside world.”

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Wish kids and their families enjoyed a Wonderland themed tea party, a royal ball with just about every Disney princess imaginable, and more surprises.

“It’s just been a dream since we got down here and just taken us away from the reality of needles and chemo and awful side effects,” said Jacqueline Ruiz, whose 8-year-old daughter Lily Ruiz was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer in the bone marrow. “It just takes your mind off of all of that, and you’re just immersed into all things Disney princess and all the characters and the joy.”

“So much fun,” beamed 5-year-old Sloane Capaldo, who’s also battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. “I got to see Ariel, and Ariel’s my favorite princess.”

Her mom, Lyndsay Capaldo, doesn’t think any experience can top this. “I think every dream of hers came true,” she said. “We’re just so grateful that we get to experience this moment together as a family and watch her soak up every second of it.”

For D’Amaro, it’s also personal. Not only does he serve on Make-A-Wish America’s national board of directors, but his niece was also a Wish kid.

“So you know how important these things are and how it can change lives and kind of change the way that you think about what the future can look like,” D’Amaro said.

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Nearly 500 Disney cast members came together behind the scenes to put the “Once Upon a Wish Party” together.

“It’s clear how above and beyond every single person went to make this the most perfect event for these kids, who really deserve it, and we’re just so appreciative that we were invited,” said Lyndsay Capaldo.

D’Amaro hinted more kids may be able to experience something like this in future.

“We're always dreaming up newer and bigger and different,” he said. “We'll continue to push on this and think of new ways to celebrate with these families. And we may not just do it here at Walt Disney World. You could envision us doing events like this around the world at all of our parks and resorts.”

In the meantime, more wishes are being made and granted all the time.

Any child being treated for a critical illness, parent or guardian of that child, or family member with detailed knowledge of the child’s condition may nominate a child for Make-A-Wish. Medical providers, social workers and child-life specialists may submit nominations as well.

“There’s a world that really cares about you,” D’Amaro said. “There's a place that we would love for you to come to experience your wish.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney surprises 60+ Make-A-Wish families with ‘magical’ trip