Disney World Raises $5 Million for Make-A-Wish Through License Plate Sales

Oct 07, 2025 in "Magic Kingdom"

Gallery / 4 Photos
Disney's newly redesigned specialty Florida license plate

Posted: Tuesday October 7, 2025 2:00p, ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has raised $5 million for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida through sales of the Walt Disney World specialty license plate.

Disney's newly redesigned specialty Florida license plate

Every dollar from the plate goes directly to the local Make-A-Wish chapter, which uses the funds to grant wishes for children across Florida and their families.

The Walt Disney World license plate features Cinderella Castle on a vivid blue gradient background and has become one of Florida's most popular designs, ranking among the state's top eight specialty plates.

Anne Cuba, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, said, "A Disney wish has the power to transform a child's life. We always say that wishes are more than just a moment -- they mark a turning point in a child's journey and provide memories for years to come."

Disney's newly redesigned specialty Florida license plate

Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together for more than 45 years to bring hope and happiness to children facing critical illnesses. Over 170,000 Disney wishes have been granted worldwide, ranging from individual experiences like Maddie's wish to large-scale events such as the Once Upon A Wish Party, where dozens of children meet Disney Princesses and other beloved characters.

Florida residents can purchase a Walt Disney World specialty license plate online or in person at any Florida DMV or County Tax Collector's Office. More Disney plates on the road mean more wishes granted for families in Florida.

Disney's newly redesigned specialty Florida license plate

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BrianOct 10, 2025

Disney is beyond generous to Make a Wish, Give Kids the World, and the Wish kids overall. They deserve the tax write off, and it allows them do to more with their 'corporate citizenship' money.

HauntedPirateOct 10, 2025

So it cost Disney basically nothing but they are putting out a press release about $5 million donated to Make A Wish that others paid, not them. The point people are trying to make is that Disney could EASILY have donated an additional 4-5x that amount out of couch cushions without batting an eyelash. But they didn’t. Are they granting wishes? Abso-freaking-lutely. Been there with a family friend many years ago. No clue how much they get to write off for that, but judging by how much less-than-optimal press they are getting right now, they could have used a boost with some good PR. But they chose the path of least cost. That’s what people have issue with.

JohnDOct 10, 2025

It's a state program. So what it costs any other organization. Not much. You have to go through the Florida Legislature first and get the plate established so long as there are not more than 135 of specialty types. Then 3,000 vouchers for the plates have to be made for the plates. I'm sure Disney got those easily. https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/proc/rs/rs-20.pdf But so what? Does it kill someone to appreciate the amount raised for the program that the plates benefit? In this case, Make a Wish which provides trips to WDW for mostly dying children.

plutofan15Oct 10, 2025

:rolleyes: Haters are going to hate. Considering the number of children whose wish is some sort of Disney vacation, Disney contributes a large amount out of their own pocket. Just because you don't see or hear of it, doesn't mean it is not happening. Good friends of ours had a daughter with cancer and her wish was to Aulani. Make a Wish made it happen but Disney went over and above what Make A Wish had set up. Instead of the standard villa which was arranged, they were upgraded to a 3 bedroom grand villa. In addition, Disney provided them a dedicated 24 hour concierge for the entire stay. Meals were upgraded and private transportation was provided if they wanted to go off site. Any onsite shows or experiences were covered by Disney. Make A Wish covered flights, the basic hotel room costs and a set dollar amount for meals. The upgrades and added experiences were covered by Disney. This was not a one off thing that Disney did, Disney provides upgrades similar to all Make A Wish visitors. You just don't see it nor does Disney make a grand gesture of it. And, yes, corporate finance does have line items for these company expenses.

JMcMahonEsqOct 10, 2025

Who cares? Does that change the money they raised through the program? NO Do you think the people who get the benefits from the program care how much it cost Disney to participate in the program? No I mean how horrible or a person do you have to be to complain about a company raising funds for charity bc it didn't "cost" them enough...or anything.

HauntedPirateOct 10, 2025

What did it cost Disney to participate in the Florida specialty license plate program?

JohnDOct 10, 2025

I don't understand how someone can be so miserable over a company who chooses to participate in a state's specialty license program. People will complain about anything here.

wdw71fanOct 10, 2025

no, i just see corporate finance. The byproduct of a few million vs what they could ACTUALLY donate from their bottom line is a staggering difference in the amount and the effect those funds would have on the Chairty they are connected. These companies could just donate out of their own pocket, which is how they represent most of these fundraisers. and then get the tax right off.. It's simple corporate greed hiding behind humanism. I'm not asking them NOT to donate, I'm asking them to just use part of their immense profits instead of drumming for money from someone else. They have the means, they just choose not to do it and offload those costs to someone else (you). Theres a reason that if you want to support a charity you should just donate directly.

JohnDOct 08, 2025

You ain't kidding!

JohnDOct 08, 2025

I'm saying they made use of a State of Florida program which has at least a hundred specialty plates available. Maybe you should complain to the Department of Highway, Safety, and Motor Vehicles and demand that all specialty plates be taken down because you don't like the fact that Disney had the temerity to make use of the program.

JohnDOct 08, 2025

I know that. But the Make a Wish plate is a Florida-specific plate.

JohnDOct 08, 2025

My point is it's one of hundreds of specialty plates in the State of Florida that doesn't take much to launch. Disney decided to do one and designate Make a Wish as its charity. They have partnered with Make a Wish long before the plate which, as you know, was launched in 2021 for the 50th anniversary. Is it really so bad that they help support trips to WDW mostly for dying children? Get off your high horse and let them do a little charity. You strike me as one who would be complaining why aren't they involved in any charities at all.

wdw71fanOct 08, 2025

Disney is a business.. Not a charity .. Despite the front they want to put out there.. They (like all major corporations) 'give-back', because it benefits their bottom line when the tax man comes knocking... It's the same reason your favorite sports and Hollywood celebrities have favorite charities and foundations. Are they without good intent on the charity front? Not always, but any CPA will tell you exactly what I'm posting here. It's a way to wash out higher earnings and deduct those things for your own benefit as well. For the record, I have the plate on my vehicle. I don't care if they back a plate and use the revenue for whatever they want. But to continue to spin these types of programs as anything but self-serving is disingenuous. Don't even get me started on Goodwill and Salvation Army....