As part of the Walt Disney Company's first-ever “Disney Week of Wishes,” an initiative celebrating 45 years of collaboration with Make-A-Wish, Disney Cruise Line recently made dreams come true for three extraordinary children and their families aboard the Disney Wish.
Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, the families of Kara Betancourt, Delaney Binker and Anthony DiDonato were treated to a three-night Bahamian cruise filled with unforgettable experiences. The voyage included stops in Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and was designed to offer more than just a vacation—it delivered a dose of Disney magic at sea. During their time on board, the families enjoyed dazzling live performances, breathtaking fireworks at sea, memorable encounters with beloved Disney characters and more.
Delaney Binker and her family aboard the Disney Wish. (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Fifteen-year-old Kara from Colorado had long dreamed of sailing with Disney Cruise Line. When given the chance to make a wish, she signed “big boat” in American Sign Language, as she is nonverbal. Alongside her sister, Ella—also a Make-A-Wish recipient—and their parents, Kara and her companions delighted in the turquoise waters of Castaway Cay, and gleefully grasped at bubbles during The Little Mermaid stage show in The Walt Disney Theater.
Delaney, also 15 and a Florida native, fulfilled her dream of visiting another country for the first time. Accompanied by her parents, brother and grandmother, Delaney met her favorite Disney princesses and soaked up every moment. “The smile that she’s had this entire trip has said everything it needs to,” said her father, Brian. “Only Disney can do it better than anybody else.”
Seventeen-year-old Anthony, an avid cruiser from Colorado, experienced his first Disney cruise with elation. Joined by his parents, younger sister Aubrey and extended family, he reveled in the ship’s offerings—especially the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party, where the costumed family danced under a sky lit by fireworks. “He loves spending time with his family,” Aubrey said of her brother.
Anthony DiDonato and his family aboard the Disney Wish. (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Throughout the trip, Disney Cruise Line crew members went above and beyond to make the families feel special. “Crew and cast members have gone out of their way and just make you feel like you’re the most special person on the ship,” said Carolyn, Delaney’s mom. Gilmar “Gil” Carneiro, a dining team member from Brazil, added, “You’re creating memories that they’re going to cherish for the rest of their life. It makes me happy inside.” Richard Allemant Vera, a crew member from Italy, remarked, “We do something magical; it’s really beautiful.”
Since 2010, Disney Cruise Line has granted over 5,600 wishes through Make-A-Wish. When the Disney Wish debuted in 2022, the company honored every Make-A-Wish child—past, present and future—as the ship’s godchildren.
Over the course of nearly 45 years, Disney has granted more than 165,000 wishes, affirming its place as the largest wish-granter in the world. For many children facing critical illness, a Disney wish becomes more than a dream—it can bring much-needed hope, healing and motivation.
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