Mickey and Minnie Mouse make inaugural visit to Children’s Hospital wards

The halls of Hong Kong Children’s Hospital (HKCH) were transformed into a wonderland of Disney magic as Disney VoluntEARS from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted the largest hospital event ever organized by the volunteer team, bringing joy and entertainment to over 300 child patients and their parents on Aug 23.

This special carnival marked a milestone in the resort’s commitment to spreading happiness throughout the community. The highlight of the event was a truly heartwarming moment: a surprise appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who made a historic first visit to the pediatric ward, bringing smiles and laughter to the young patients.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse were joined by a distinguished group of HKDL executives, including managing director, Michael Moriarty and senior vice president of operations, Tim Sypko. Together, they distributed gift packages and interacted with the children, sharing the magic and wonder of Disney.

The ‘PlayWell with Disney – Disney’s Summer Carnival at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital’ was a celebration of imagination and joy, offering a much-needed escape from the hospital environment to the child patients. The carnival featured a vibrant array of interactive Disney-themed games hosted by the dedicated Disney VoluntEARS in the hospital’s main lobby. Cast members also put on captivating Disney performances, creating a truly enchanting experience that brought families together in a shared moment of magic and wonder.

“I really enjoyed the engaging performances! My favorite part was the magic acts because I am always fascinated by magic. The performer made it super entertaining and interesting!” said one of the child patients. Another child also enthusiastically expressed his excitement to be part of the event, saying, “My favorite part was when Mickey and Minnie Mouse surprisingly appeared to cheer on the crowd. I really love Mickey because I think he is so cute and cool at the same time!”

Yvonne Lam, social work officer at the Patient Resource Centre at HKCH, said she considers this collaboration with HKDL to be a great success. “One of the key reasons we hoped to launch this event is because we wanted to create joyful memories for the children and infuse positive energy into the crowd of our young patients who may be struggling or going through a difficult time.”

As part of the global ‘Disney Hospital Care Packages’ initiative, HKDL also provided specially designed Disney and Pixar-themed gift packages to the children, filled with delightful surprises. These packages, which included stress balls, stationery, and other fun items featuring beloved characters from popular Disney franchises like ‘Frozen’ and ‘Inside Out’, were designed to bring a touch of Disney magic into the lives of the young patients. The packages were distributed during the carnival and will continue to be delivered to a total of 6,000 child patients through public hospitals and non-profit organizations, ensuring that the magic of Disney reaches even more children in need.

Moriarty said, “Today marks the first time for Mickey Minnie to visit the child patients in wards at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. It is also our first time to distribute these meaningful gifts.” He added that the looks of surprise and pure joy on the children’s faces were simply incredible, and that Mickey and Minnie were so thrilled to create those magical memories with them.

HKDL’s commitment to spreading Disney magic throughout the community is deeply rooted in its core values. This April, the resort launched the ‘PlayWell with Disney’ hospital visit program, bringing joy and entertainment to young patients at HKCH and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Since 2018, HKDL has worked with HKCH to enhance the hospital experience for young patients, striving to bring smiles to their faces and brighten their days, making a real difference in the lives of these courageous children.

The Disney VoluntEARS’ dedication and the heartwarming generosity of HKDL have created a truly unforgettable experience for the children at HKCH, reminding them that even in challenging times, the magic of Disney can inspire joy, hope, and a sense of wonder. The event serves as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the enduring magic of Disney and the human spirit.