PHOENIX (Dec. 19, 2006) – In Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams,” Walt Disney World Resort is making very special dreams come true for five children with life-threatening medical conditions during the annual “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” special, set to air Dec. 25 on ABC-TV.

Five little girls were granted their wish to become Disney Princesses and spend a surprise-filled day in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® since its first official wish was granted more than 25 years ago. Since that time, the company has fulfilled more than 50,000 wishes for children sponsored by the charity.

The girls who will star with their favorite Disney Princesses in the holiday special are:

Ava, age 5, from Normal, Ill. (Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois)

Hannah, age 8, from Lusby, Md. (Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic)

Saniya, age 8, from Mount Dora, Fla. (Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida)

Isabella, age 6, from Ventura, Calif. (Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties)

Emily, age 4, from Verona, N.Y. (Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York)

It’s all part of Disney’s mission to bring smiles to the faces of children from around the world. Disney partners with more than 100 children’s wish-granting, non-profit organizations from around the globe every year to make more than 5,000 Disney dreams come true.

All Disney wish princesses were guests of honor during their visit and received a special V.I.P. tour of the Magic Kingdom theme park, where they were escorted to favorite Disney rides and attractions. As an added surprise, the five children met former NFL great and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Emmitt Smith, who was at the theme park taping a segment for the parade telecast.

About Disney’s Support of Children’s Charities: The Walt Disney Company supports children’s charities by brightening the lives of children when they need it most. Disney is committed to reaching out to children who are disadvantaged or dealing with serious medical conditions. Disney’s goal is to put a smile on faces of children around the world. The company makes dreams come true by fulfilling over 5,000 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses each year. Last year, The Walt Disney Company gave more than $170 million in cash, in-kind support and public service air time. And the Disney VoluntEARS (Disney Cast Members) contributed nearly 500,000 hours of service to the community.

About the “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” on ABC: With the enchantment of the holiday season here, Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort invites America to celebrate Christmas morning. Co-hosts Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will bring the magic of Disney Parks to viewers nationwide as the Emmy Award-winning "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade" airs on ABC-TV Dec. 25, 2006. Celebrities highlight the performance with seasonal songs and star-studded performances from scheduled artists like Beyonce, Andrea Bocelli, The Doodlebops, the cast of “High School Musical,” Daniel Powter and more.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation: The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 145,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish^® .