Disney in Children's Hospitals
Disney is committed to delivering comfort and joy when it’s needed most to kids in children's hospitals all over the world.
A Legacy of Support for Kids and Families
For more than 100 years, Disney stories have been a source of imagination and hope for children of all ages. Walt Disney himself brought the magic of those stories to children in hospitals, along with a cheerful contingent of Disney animators and characters.
Today, this legacy is reflected in Disney’s commitment to delivering moments of comfort and joy to seriously ill children around the world. As part of a recently fulfilled $100 million commitment to help reimagine the patient experience, more than 1,700 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care in 45 countries have received enchanting installations, themed hospital gowns, complimentary access to Disney+ and new theatrical releases, toy deliveries, hospital visits, and more.
Disney is continuing to show up for kids and families in ways that only Disney can, bringing our characters, stories, and experiences to kids in children’s hospitals.
Impact By The Numbers
1.9M+
Toys and books delivered in the U.S. since 2018
1,700
Hospitals and places of care supported globally since 2018
700+
Hospitals receiving complimentary Disney+ access globally
Immersive Experiences & Personal Moments
Complimentary Content Access
Movies currently playing in theaters and Disney+ content are freely available.
Enchanting Installations
Visually stunning interactive wall art draws children into the vibrant worlds of Disney’s storytelling.
Heartwarming Hospital Visits
Beloved characters, talent, and VoluntEARS delight patients with special visits.
Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns and Pants
Children’s hospital wear is reimagined with familiar characters and designs.
Delightful Deliveries
Packages of themed toys, books, games, and more from across Disney brands.
Support for Hospital Staff
Disney-themed badges and customized trainings.
Complimentary Content Access
Disney Movie Moments
Disney Movie Moments brings new theatrical releases directly to children’s hospitals, while they’re still in theaters.
By the Numbers
- 10+ years
- Hundreds of Children’s Hospitals
- Thousands of Pediatric Patients
- Movies from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and more
Complimentary Access to Disney+
Kids in hospitals can watch Disney+ content for free.
Mobile Movie Theater & MediCinema
96+ hospitals have mobile movie theaters.
“Disney stories and characters provide a shared vocabulary between our young patients and their medical team. The magic of Disney restores some childhood innocence during a very difficult time and allows us as caregivers to be at our very best.”
Dr. James B. Fahner
Endowed Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital/Spectrum Health
Providing Comfort & Joy For More Than 90 Years
2025
Disney fulfilled a $100 million commitment to reimagining the patient experience at children’s hospitals around the world. More than 1,700 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care in 45 countries received enchanting installations, themed hospital gowns, complimentary access to Disney+ and new theatrical releases, toy deliveries, hospital visits, and more.
2021
Disney+ announced expansion of complimentary Disney+ access to Child Life Teams in children’s hospitals and places of care in more than 30 countries.
2018
Disney announced in 2018 a $100 million commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals and in 2019, the new experiences were piloted at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
2017
Disney-themed Starlight Gowns are introduced.
2014
Disney Movie Moments program was launched to bring new movies that are still in theaters to hospitalized children and their families.
2001
Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation began delivering toys, books, games, and more to seriously ill children to add normalcy to a child’s hospital stay.
1929
Disney’s early support of children’s hospitals dates to the 1930s, when Walt Disney would visit with recuperating children, sometimes screening his studio’s films for them. Later, more elaborate programs with Disney characters and artists would also be employed to provide children with additional moments of comfort and joy.
