Walt Disney World marked World Princess Week this year with a full day of princess-themed activities at Give Kids The World Village, the Kissimmee-based nonprofit resort that provides free weeklong wish vacations to families of children facing critical illnesses. The celebration centered on the event's "Once a Princess, Always a Princess" theme and brought some of Disney's most recognizable characters directly to wish kids and their families.
The day was packed with hands-on moments tied to specific princess stories. Rapunzel guided kids through paper lantern decorating inspired by Tangled — and those lanterns were used to light up the Village that evening. Belle led a story time focused on bravery and kindness, Moana hosted a jewelry-making activity inspired by the Heart of Te Fiti, and Princess Tiana and Louis wrapped things up with a second line parade through the Village, with kids and families joining in with instruments and dancing.
One of the day's most memorable moments came from Ny'lah, an Orlando wish kid whose specific wish was to meet Princess Tiana. The two spent time together swapping stories about Mama Odie and the bayou, and Ny'lah described the visit as a chance to simply be a kid — noting that she and Tiana bonded over a shared love of music, dancing, and beignets.
World Princess Week extended well beyond Central Florida. Mikayla, who became Disney and Make-A-Wish's 150,000th wish kid in 2023, returned in 2026 to perform alongside Broadway's Susan Egan at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Six-year-old Emelie received a surprise Elsa costume from Disney Store before an in-flight celebration from Southwest Airlines crew and fellow passengers en route to Walt Disney World. Make-A-Wish families at Disneyland enjoyed a VIP dessert party and front row seats at Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration — now streaming on Disney+ and YouTube — and Disneyland Paris is preparing to welcome 50 Make-A-Wish families from across Europe for a royal-themed weekend. Walt Disney World has been a founding partner of Give Kids The World for 40 years.
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This story was originally reported by Fantasy Land News. More information about Give Kids The World is available at gktw.org, and details about Disney's Make-A-Wish partnership can be found at wish.org/Disney.
