Just before the start of the new school year, nearly 200 young patients and their families at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital were treated to a fairytale experience as Disney VoluntEARS hosted the first-ever in-hospital “Royal Party” on Thursday.
The event, titled “PlayWell with Disney: 20th Anniversary Royal Party,” was organized to mark the resort’s two decades of magic-making and community service.
Nearly 100 children dressed as princesses and princes in costumes donated by Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL), stepping into a world of imagination and joy.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse made a surprise appearance in special 20th-anniversary outfits.
They were joined by Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism, and members of HKDL’s leadership team, who volunteered alongside other Disney VoluntEARS to distribute anniversary gift packs and interact with the children.
Among the attendees was five-year-old Mia, who lives with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Dressed as her favorite character, Belle, she enjoyed the party alongside her mother and brother.
Her mother shared how the event changed their perception of hospital visits, adding: “It made them realize a treatment journey can also be filled with joy.”
Another patient, five-year-old Tsz Ting, who has a genetic disorder, attended with her sister.
Their mother expressed gratitude for the continuous efforts by HKDL to create happy memories for children facing medical challenges.
In addition to character meet-and-greets, the event featured a magic show, musical performances by the HKDL entertainment team, and interactive game booths where children crafted bracelets and enjoyed other royal-themed activities.
Dr. Lee Tsz-leung, Hospital Chief Executive of HKCH, emphasized the value of partnerships with organizations like HKDL: “These pleasant experiences give children strength to face different challenges and have a positive impact on treatment outcomes.”
Anita Lai, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at HKDL, noted, “Seeing the smiles on the faces of these little royals is truly moving. This is the driving force behind our 20 years of community contribution.”
The resort also introduced specially designed Disney Princess activity booklets in Chinese, which include coloring and paper-cutting activities.
These booklets were first distributed at the hospital and will be shared at future “PlayWell with Disney” events.
This initiative is part of HKDL’s broader community efforts, which have included donating 200,000 park tickets to underprivileged families and contributing over HK$5 million to support local hospitals and youth development programs.
