It’s Super Bowl Weekend in Miami and Disney Parks is getting into the game in an even bigger way this year.
Disney Parks is the presenting sponsor of the Super Bowl MVP ceremony that takes place on the field immediately after the big game Sunday night. And we are planning to make a big splash during the ceremony by teaming up with Make-A-Wish in a new way, adding something new to a magical relationship that goes back nearly 40 years.
I can’t give you any more details right now, but you can be sure that we are going to create some Super Bowl-sized magic Sunday night and make some dreams and wishes come true. It’s what we’ve been doing for decades now, teaming up with a star player from the big game as part of our iconic “I’m Going to Disney World’’ campaign featuring a popular TV commercial that airs nationally shortly after the game. And we’ve been creating similar magic with Make-A-Wish, working together over the years to grant more than 140,000 life-changing wishes for children facing serious illnesses.
“Disney and Make-A-Wish have been inseparable for 40 years. We’re both in the business of making wishes come true, creating lifelong memories and bringing families together,’’ said Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “We can’t think of a better way to demonstrate the power of a wish and the strength of Wish kids and their families than by making them a part of our great Super Bowl tradition.’’
The inclusion of Make-A-Wish this year in our Super Bowl campaign is an extension of our commitment to deliver comfort and inspiration to children facing serious illnesses. The first official wish granted to a Make-A-Wish child involved a trip to Disneyland Resort nearly 40 years ago. Currently, Disney helps grant more than 10,000 wishes each year for children around the world.
Sunday night, we’re going make a wish come true for a star player of the Super Bowl, who will have a storybook ending to the big game when we bring him to Walt Disney World Resort on Monday for a celebratory parade and a day of fun in the parks, including a stop at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Be sure to check back here right after the game to find out which Super Bowl hero will be coming to Walt Disney World Resort and to learn more about our big Super Bowl MVP ceremony surprise. In the meantime, check out this video that pays homage to our Super Bowl tradition and our long-running relationship with Make-A-Wish.