However, Disney World was always at the forefront of his mind, and it was his ultimate choice. His wish was delayed for awhile during the pandemic, but Sam remained in good spirits and his health improved as he underwent maintenance for leukemia.

On October 14, 2022, Sam and family boarded the plane to Orlando. The pilot invited Sam and his sister to tour the cockpit to see how the airplane worked. The siblings enjoyed the in-flight entertainment and, from what we hear, the kids are still, to this day, using the airline pillows  that they were given during the flight.

Sam and his family stayed at Give Kids the World Village. “The Village was so generous, kid-focused and magical. They truly give families the royal treatment and make everything comfortable and easy,” said wish mom Lauren.

On their first day in Orlando, Sam and his family went to Disney World and Epcot. They spent all day riding the rides and investigating the many world-famous attractions. 

“The passes for each of the parks were unbelievable and truly helped make the experience even more special. Lines were topping 90+ minutes, so having the incredible luxury to go on any ride, more than once if wanted, and get the hilarious action pictures, was well beyond what we expected,” Lauren said.

Their second destination was Universal Studios where they attended Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, toured Diagon Alley and locomoted on the Hogwarts Express. 

The very next day was Sam’s 10th birthday, and it was the day that he went to Legoland. For eight long months, Sam and his sister had saved their allowances for this trip and it was here that they spent most of their savings. Their mom says they bought “about a billion Legos.”

Sam also visited his grandmother while in Florida. He frolicked in the ocean and enjoyed a fan boat ride into the Everglades to gawk at gators and to do some other swamp-based sightseeing.

“This was definitely a trip we will remember forever...thank you SO much for giving us that chance to take it,” said Lauren.