I wish to go to Orlando Theme Parks
Laney
7
Autoimmune Disorder
Laney's Orlando Theme Parks Wish
Laney, a sweet 7-year-old, has the kind of imagination that can turn an ordinary afternoon into an adventure.
She is funny, lighthearted, full of personality and, as her family lovingly puts it, “a goofball.” She loves stories with big worlds and bold characters: Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Spider-Man, Star Wars, and The Flash.
She also loves LEGO, which became more than a favorite activity during long treatment days. Brick by brick, they helped Laney pass the time, use her creativity and keep her hands moving as she worked to regain strength after a sudden change in her health.
So when Laney had the chance to choose a wish, it made perfect sense that she picked a place where imagination is everywhere: a trip to the Orlando theme parks, where superheroes, wizards and storybook worlds could come to life right in front of her.
The Road To Recovery
What began as a summer road trip quickly became something Laney’s family never expected.
Laney and her family were driving from Florida to Ohio when she started having severe belly pain. At first, doctors looked for obvious answers, like appendicitis. But after the family arrived in Ohio, Laney’s twin sister found her unable to move.
Soon, Laney’s family learned that something much more serious was happening. She had lost movement and feeling on her right side, and doctors at Cleveland Clinic diagnosed her with CNS vasculitis, a rare condition that caused inflammation and blood flow issues in her brain.
Laney spent weeks in the hospital as her care team worked quickly to understand what was happening and begin treatment. She started steroids, physical therapy and occupational therapy, then began chemotherapy to suppress her immune response.
Through six months of chemo and months of steroids, Laney kept finding ways to be herself. She built LEGO during treatment, worked hard to regain strength and kept leaning on the imagination that had always been such a big part of who she was.
Dreaming Big
After so many days focused on appointments, treatments, and recovery, Laney finally had the chance to choose something that was completely her own.
When her family learned she had been approved for a wish, they reminded her that she could dream big. She could ask for almost anything, even something far away or completely new.
But Laney knew what she wanted.
She chose Disney and Universal, two places filled with the characters and stories she already loved. For a girl who could spend hours building LEGO worlds, talking about superheroes and stepping into adventures through her favorite movies, the Orlando theme parks felt like the perfect fit.
And while her family had visited the parks before, this trip would be different. This was Laney’s wish, a chance for her to lead the way, choose the adventure and step into a week designed around joy.
Laney’s Magical Wish
From the moment Laney’s wish began, the trip felt different.
At Disney and Universal, Laney could step right into the worlds she loved. She explored the parks with her family, took in the rides and soaked up the kind of excitement that had nothing to do with hospitals or treatment plans. For a week, the focus was on fun: where to go next, what to ride next and what story Laney wanted to walk into next.
One of the biggest highlights was Harry Potter. With a wand in her hand and the world of witches and wizards around her, Laney got to experience one of her favorite stories in a whole new way.
But for her family, some of the most meaningful moments happened beyond the rides.
At Give Kids the World, Laney and her sisters were welcomed into a place built for families just like theirs. The volunteers greeted them with warmth, kindness and joy. Meals felt easier. The girls had room to explore.
“It felt so celebratory,” Laney’s mom, Danielle, said.
Again and again, the volunteers made the family feel seen and cared for. Their kindness stayed with Danielle long after the trip ended.
“The amount of times the volunteers brought tears to our eyes because of how amazing they were,” she said. “It’s out of this world.”
The Gift of Feeling Seen
For Laney’s family, the wish didn’t erase the hard parts of the past year. But it gave them something joyful to carry with them.
After months of watching Laney face treatment, therapy, and recovery, her family had a week to simply be together. They could laugh, explore and watch Laney enjoy the stories and characters she loved. Her sisters were included in the joy, too, making the experience feel like a gift for the whole family.
The wish also gave them a new sense of connection. Later, when they saw another Make-A-Wish family at Disney, Danielle felt the quiet comfort of being part of a community that understood.
“One of the cool things is just being able to be a part of that group,” she said.
As Laney’s family prepares for a new chapter, they will carry the memories of her Orlando wish with them: the rides, the wand, the volunteers and the feeling of being celebrated exactly as they were.
Help More Wishes Take Flight
Laney’s wish was more than a trip to the Orlando theme parks. It was a chance for her to be immersed in the worlds she loved, for her sisters to share in the joy, and for her whole family to feel supported after a season that asked so much of them.
For wish kids like Laney, a wish can bring strength, hope and connection at a time when they need it most. And because of caring donors, volunteers and supporters across Central and Northern Florida, more families can experience moments like these.
You can help create more life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Donate, volunteer or attend a local event with Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida® today.