With his 8th birthday approaching, Adrian from Miami knew how he wanted to celebrate – with his first-ever trip to the Orlando theme parks. So early one morning, he and his family left the hospital where he was receiving treatment for leukemia and set off for Mickey’s house.

Adrian loved having the chance to visit every theme park and he covered just about every square inch of Walt Disney World®, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. During his week-long vacation, he even had time to splash around at a water park. He rode the rides, watched the shows and laughed more than ever before. Adrian met Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto but he saved his biggest hug for his favorite character of all – SpongeBob SquarePants.

While staying at Give Kids The World Village, Adrian and his family were overwhelmed by the amenities – carousel, fishing pond, coins-free video arcade and all-you-can-eat ice cream parlor. They didn’t want to go to sleep at night because they didn’t want to miss anything. On his birthday, the Village gave him a special button to wear, which attracted even more birthday wishes and words of encouragement from Village and Disney staff. Adrian felt like a true VIP!

His mother said, “Adrian remembers every minute of his wish and these are memories he will have for the rest of his life. He loved it so much that he wants to move to Orlando!”

Wish Granters: Jessi Balbuena-Rivero & Laquanda Smith
Referred by: Rolando Tabares, his social worker
Wish sponsored by: Mr. Richard Polidori