BURBANK, Calif. — A tech-loving 13-year-old girl from Florida received the 170,000th Disney wish granted through Make-A-Wish, marking a historic milestone that coincided with Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration.
Madison, affectionately known as Maddie, is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Inspired by Disney+ documentaries like The Imagineering Story and Behind the Attraction, Maddie wished to meet the creative minds behind Disney’s theme parks — the Imagineers — and learn about the science and storytelling that bring the magic to life.
Her wish was fulfilled in spectacular fashion. On July 17, 2025, Maddie toured Walt Disney Imagineering’s campus in Glendale, California, where she was surprised by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Leslie Motter. The duo revealed that Maddie’s wish was the 170,000th granted by Disney, which has been partnering with Make-A-Wish for 45 years.
“We are honored so many Make-A-Wish kids choose Disney,” said D’Amaro. “Fulfilling Madison’s wish on the 70th anniversary of Disneyland made the moment even more special.”
Maddie’s VIP experience included a behind-the-scenes panel on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, meetings with Imagineers specializing in ride technology and Audio-Animatronics, and a tour of the Imagineering Resource Center. The next day, she visited Disneyland Resort, where she rode Radiator Springs Racers, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, and Rise of the Resistance alongside the very Imagineers who helped build them.
Her visit culminated in a surprise appearance during the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade and a private tour of Walt Disney’s apartment on Main Street, U.S.A., where she received a special autograph book signed by Imagineers.
“Meeting the Imagineers felt like something out of a dream,” Maddie said. “I want to bring joy to people like they do.”
Disney remains the world’s leading wish granter for Make-A-Wish, fulfilling a wish nearly every hour. The company’s long-standing commitment to children with critical illnesses continues to deliver hope and joy to families around the globe.