Nearly 40 Kids Changed Forever — Here’s How

Disney and Make-A-Wish transformed nearly 40 critically ill children into Avengers recruits at Disneyland’s first-ever “Wishes Assemble” event, reminding Americans that corporate America can still deliver genuine compassion when it chooses to prioritize people over profit.

Story Snapshot

Disney hosted its inaugural “Wishes Assemble” event at Avengers Campus on April 29, 2026, as part of Week of Wishes
Nearly 40 children battling critical illnesses met Marvel actors Anthony Mackie and Paul Bettany alongside YouTube creators like MrBeast
The 45-year Disney-Make-A-Wish partnership grants a wish every hour daily, making Disney the world’s largest wish granter
Personalized superhero experiences included scavenger hunts, science experiments, gaming sessions, and exclusive gifts from Hasbro, Funko, and LEGO

A First-of-Its-Kind Avengers Experience

Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus hosted the unprecedented “Wishes Assemble” event on April 29, 2026, bringing together nearly 40 children facing critical illnesses for a full day of Marvel-themed activities. The event kicked off with a comic book art lesson and expanded into personalized experiences including scavenger hunts led by MrBeast, science experiments with Mark Rober, and trick shot sessions with Dude Perfect. The day concluded with a private evening celebration featuring surprise appearances by Avengers characters and Marvel actors, marking the first mass wish event of this scale in the partnership’s history.

Celebrity Involvement Brings Authentic Hero Moments

Anthony Mackie, who portrays Captain America in the Marvel franchise, delivered personalized gifts including action figures and rode the WEB SLINGERS attraction with wish recipient Coen, creating what ABC7 described as a “cosmic jailbreak” from illness. Paul Bettany, known for his role as Vision, distributed exclusive Funko Pop figures and participated in the evening festivities. These actors joined content creators including PrestonPlayz, BriannaPlayz, Clix, and Sam & Colby, who led gaming sessions and storytelling activities. The collaboration between Hollywood talent and digital influencers amplified the event’s reach while delivering authentic superhero moments to families.

45-Year Partnership Demonstrates Sustained Commitment

Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish spans 45 years, establishing the entertainment giant as the world’s largest wish granter by fulfilling one wish every hour daily. The “Wishes Assemble” event represents the partnership’s evolution from individual wishes to themed extravaganzas, building on precedents like Marvel-themed wishes at Shanghai Disney and a Make-A-Wish child’s role in Disney’s Lion King musical in Sydney. The April 27-May 3, 2026 Week of Wishes spotlighted nearly 200 wishes globally, demonstrating a company-wide commitment that extends beyond California to international Disney properties.

Corporate Partnerships Enhance Wish Fulfillment

Supporting brands including Hasbro, Funko, LEGO, and Disney Consumer Products contributed merchandise and experiences, enhancing the personalized nature of each child’s day. The event leveraged Avengers Campus infrastructure, including the WEB SLINGERS ride and hero training facilities, to create immersive experiences unavailable to general park visitors. A concurrent Charitybuzz sweepstakes tied to the Avengers: Doomsday premiere provided ongoing fundraising opportunities, extending the event’s impact beyond the single-day celebration. This multi-stakeholder approach demonstrates how corporate resources can effectively support nonprofit missions when properly coordinated around a shared charitable purpose.

Broader Implications for Entertainment-Charity Collaborations

The “Wishes Assemble” event sets a precedent for influencer-charity crossovers within theme park settings, combining traditional corporate philanthropy with modern digital creator engagement. The partnership’s economic impact includes merchandise sales and potential park attendance increases, while social benefits extend to millions reached through viral content posted by participating creators. Disney’s ability to grant wishes hourly reflects operational scale that smaller organizations cannot match, raising questions about whether such concentrated corporate power serves the public good when directed toward charitable ends rather than pure profit maximization. The uniformly positive coverage across official Disney channels, fan sites, and news outlets like ABC7 suggests successful execution of a genuinely impactful event.