World Princess Week: Make-A-Wish® Alum Mikayla’s Letter to Cinderella

We’re celebrating World Princess Week with an all-new miniseries highlighting the transformative power of wishes that resonate long after they are granted and showing that once a princess, always a princess.

Meet Make-A-Wish^® alum Mikayla, whose wish to perform at Walt Disney World granted when she was 17 years old. Years after her wish came true, Mikayla’s words are a powerful reminder of the lasting power of a wish and the magic that comes from hope. Now studying theater in college, Mikayla experienced Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration and met the iconic stars who helped shape her journey.

Read Mikayla’s letter to Cinderella below!

Dear Cinderella,

When I was 17 years old, I had the opportunity to experience something I had only ever dreamed was possible. Through Make-A-Wish, I was stepping into a story that made me believe anything was possible.

You have always represented kindness, courage, and hope to me. Your story taught me that even when life feels unfair or difficult, there is always a reason to keep believing that better days are ahead. During a season when I needed that reminder the most, your story became part of mine.

One of the most unforgettable parts of my wish was staying as a guest in your castle. Waking up inside the suite felt like I had walked into a real-life fairytale. It was magical in a way that’s hard to put into words, and it’s a memory my family and I will treasure forever.

Another moment I’ll never forget was performing at the Once Upon a Wish Ball. Being able to share my love of performing in such a special place, surrounded by other children celebrating hope and wishes, made me feel confident, seen, and incredibly grateful. It reminded me that even in the middle of life’s hardest chapters, there can still be moments filled with joy.

As I’ve grown older, I realize my wish wasn’t just about one magical trip. It gave me hope, unforgettable memories with my family, and the confidence to keep pursuing the things I love. Whenever I think back to that experience, I’m reminded that kindness has the power to change someone’s life in ways they may never fully realize.

Today, I’m thankful for how far I’ve come, and I still carry the lessons your story taught me. I hope you know that the magic you represent isn’t just found in castles or glass slippers, it’s found in giving people hope when they need it most. My wish may have lasted only a few days, but its impact has stayed with me for years.

Thank you for reminding me to keep believing, to keep dreaming, and to never lose sight of the magic that comes from hope.

With love and gratitude,

Mikayla