Anne-Lise, Disneyland Paris’s First Wish Child, Returns 34 Years Later

More than three decades ago, a nine-year-old girl named Anne-Lise walked through the gates of Disneyland Paris for the very first time — and became a pioneer. As the first child to have a wish granted through the newly established partnership with the French charity Petits Princes, she had the honor of lighting the Christmas tree at Disneyland Park. Today she returns to the place where it all began. Her story is far more than a nostalgic journey: it shows how a single fulfilled wish can shape an entire life and give families strength for decades.

Back in 1992, Anne-Lise experienced a day she still remembers vividly. “I had the chance to light the Christmas tree at Disneyland Park… It was simply spectacular. More than magical, it was incredible,” she recalls. What started as a special day for one child grew into one of Disneyland Paris’s largest and most enduring social commitments. Since that very first wish, the resort has helped grant more than 25,000 wishes for seriously ill children from across Europe.

What began with Anne-Lise has become a firmly established program. In 2025 alone, the Disney Wish team helped make 1,147 wishes come true in collaboration with more than 45 European charities and foundations. Nearly twenty of these were Disney Wish stays that gave children and their loved ones the chance to step away from everyday challenges and create memories that last long after their visit.

During her emotional return to Disneyland Paris, Anne-Lise met around twenty Disney VoluntEARS. At a heartfelt breakfast hosted at Disney Newport Bay Club, she connected with the volunteer Cast Members who dedicate their time to supporting seriously ill children and their families. “When you walk through the Park gates, you stop thinking about the illness and everything you’re going through,” she explains. “You disconnect from the real world, and that brings relief. It gives you the strength to face everyday life again.”

Anne-Lise was especially moved by the dedication of the VoluntEARS. In a personal message she told them: “You’re part of all of this. You bring the magic. You’re like little specks of pixie dust that help make these dreams come true, and you mean so much to the families you support.”

Together with her brother, who had also been part of that first visit in 1992, Anne-Lise explored both Disney Parks and revisited the places that had shaped one of her happiest childhood memories. The shared emotions of wonder, comfort and pure joy remain deeply rooted in their family’s story to this day.

Her return powerfully illustrates how far the commitment has come since 1992. A wish may last only a few hours or days — yet its impact can last a lifetime. By welcoming Anne-Lise back, Disneyland Paris celebrates not only the very first wish granted at the destination, but also more than three decades of supporting seriously ill children and their families. A story that continues — one wish at a time.