Like many other kids, 14-year-old Dylan Rossi is an enthusiastic Star Wars fan.

“I admire the characters, especially Obi-Wan and Anakin from ‘The Clone Wars.’ They’re my favorites,” he shared.

But unlike most children, Rossi has faced a significant struggle against a serious illness.

Last week, however, for a few days, he along with 18 other young Star Wars enthusiasts grappling with critical health issues were able to set aside their personal struggles and participate in the epic conflict between the Light and Dark sides at Disneyland’s inaugural substantial wish-granting event, Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure.

“This is specially organized for you, and we want you to have a truly wonderful time,” stated Disney Experiences Chairman and Make-A-Wish America national board member Josh D’Amaro during a private dinner inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Wednesday.

Wishing for an adventure

Children with serious illnesses can be nominated for a Make-A-Wish wish, and there are many other organizations dedicated to making wishes come true both in the U.S. and worldwide.

All 19 Wish kids at this event yearned for a Star Wars-themed experience.

Mike Rossi mentioned that his son had been eagerly anticipating four years to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, one of the most beloved rides at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Shepherd Riddle wished to meet his favorite Star Wars characters, but everyone received so much more than they anticipated.

Beyond rides and character meet-and-greets, Wish families participated in a scavenger hunt gathering clues and elements to create their own lightsabers. Both Wish kids and their siblings crafted their own droids, and each family member received a cloak. They also enjoyed a special dinner in Galaxy’s Edge with an interactive show, park tickets with Lightning Lane access for attractions, and additional surprises.

“It feels amazing to get free stuff,” Riddle exclaimed with the candid honesty of a child.

His slightly embarrassed mother, Hannah Riddle, added, “Having the chance to say yes to our children, to experiences, to everything. I’m a bit concerned this week might have been the highlight of our lives.”

Facing a serious illness can impose various restrictions.

“They often have no control over their bedtime, school attendance, or food choices, as these decisions are typically made by their medical team and treatment plans,” Melissa Arias, Make-A-Wish America’s Chief Chapter Advancement Officer told YSL News.

Conversely, at this event, she remarked, “It’s remarkable to see the joy on their faces, knowing they’re able to simply be kids again and forget about their medical visits and hospital stays; it’s incredibly inspiring.”

Turning wishes into reality

“We are the leaders in granting wishes, and we take that duty seriously,” D’Amaro remarked to YSL News.

In the United States, half of all Make-A-Wish wishes are for Disney-related experiences. Over the last 44 years, Disney has helped make more than 155,000 wishes a reality worldwide, starting with the first official wish at Disneyland. Last year, the company granted its largest number of wishes to date with a huge princess-themed event at Walt Disney World during Disney’s World Princess Week.

“We’ve been contemplating how we can make these experiences even more immersive, richer, and unforgettable for these Make-A-Wish kids,” D’Amaro expressed. “We recognized a chance to gather some of these Wish families and kids together.”

Arias pointed out that this helps kids realize they are not alone in their struggles. They certainly felt the support at Disneyland, where the entire resort team was aware of their presence.

“Our cast members truly enjoy wrapping their arms around fans, guests, and families visiting our parks, especially when it comes to Make-A-Wish children and their families,” stated D’Amaro, who shared that his niece was a Wish kid and is thriving now. While chatting with Wish kids and their families on Wednesday, both sides were moved to tears.

Creating Lasting Memories

“It’s been an amazing experience,” shared Rossi’s dad. “We had an absolute blast as a family, interacting with the characters and meeting various cast members.”

Although his son’s wish was to experience Rise of the Resistance, he found himself preferring Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run instead.

“It felt just like a really good video game,” the teenager noted, mentioning his love for gaming.

Riddle’s highlight of the day wasn’t even from Star Wars.

“Seeing my face captured on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride was my favorite part,” he explained, referring to a picture taken during the ride’s drop.

All the kids referred to the whole event as awesome and incredible.

“I could never have imagined the high level of care and detail that Disney and Make-A-Wish have put into this,” Riddle’s mom commented. “From the moment we entered the DFW airport to now, everything has felt specially tailored to us. I know other families are involved, but it feels so personally crafted and unique.”

D’Amaro and Arias recognize that the Wish children and their families will treasure this experience for a long time, using these memories during tough times. Rey’s words during the interactive event summed it up perfectly: “These are Resistance recruits. They have bravery. They are strong.”

The journalist for this article attended the event courtesy of Disney. YSL News preserves editorial oversight of the content.