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Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version of the article: --- **Disneyland’s First Major Wish Granting Event at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Exceeds Expectations** *By Eve Chen, USA TODAY* Disneyland recently hosted its inaugural large-scale wish granting event at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where 19 children with critical illnesses were treated to an unforgettable experience. Each child had wished for a Star Wars adventure, but what they received went beyond their wildest dreams. The event, held last week, offered the families a private dinner in Galaxy’s Edge, complete with an interactive show. Attendees enjoyed exclusive park access, including Lightning Lane attractions, and were surprised with a series of special experiences. Fourteen-year-old Dylan Rossi, a Star Wars enthusiast, shared his love for the characters Obi-Wan and Anakin from "The Clone Wars," but unlike most kids, Rossi has faced a serious health battle. For a few days, Rossi and 18 other young Star Wars fans were able to set aside their health challenges and immerse themselves in the epic struggle between the Light and Dark sides at Disneyland’s unique event. “This experience is all about you, and we want you to have the most incredible time possible,” said Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman and Make-A-Wish America National Board Member, addressing the families during their private dinner. Wish children and their families participated in a scavenger hunt that led to the creation of their own lightsabers, built custom droids, and received cloaks for everyone. The festivities also included a private dinner with an interactive show, park tickets with Lightning Lane access, and other delightful surprises. Ten-year-old Shepherd Riddle, who had hoped to meet his favorite Star Wars characters, was overjoyed with the unexpected additions to his experience. “It feels great getting free stuff,” he admitted with childlike honesty, while his mother, Hannah Riddle, reflected on the week’s impact. “Having the chance to say yes to our kids and provide these experiences has been extraordinary. I almost feel like this week has been the peak of our lives.” Make-A-Wish America Chief Chapter Advancement Officer Melissa Arias emphasized the significance of such events. “Critical illness imposes many restrictions on these kids—when they go to bed, what they eat, their schooling. To see their joy and allow them to be children again, leaving behind medical concerns, is truly inspiring.” Disney is committed to making these experiences as immersive and memorable as possible. “We continuously strive to enhance these moments for Make-A-Wish kids,” D’Amaro explained. “We saw an opportunity to bring Wish families together and create a more impactful experience.” Arias highlighted the importance of community for these families. At Disneyland, where the entire resort cast was informed about the Star Wars-themed event, “Our cast members are eager to support and embrace Make-A-Wish families,” D’Amaro noted, sharing his own personal connection as his niece had been a Wish kid. The event left lasting memories for all involved. Rossi’s father praised the experience, saying, “We had so much fun interacting with the characters and cast members.” Although Rossi initially wished to ride Rise of the Resistance, he found Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run to be his favorite. For Shepherd Riddle, the highlight was unexpectedly not related to Star Wars. “My favorite part was seeing my face on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride,” he said, recalling the thrilling photo moment. Both kids and their families were overjoyed with the experience. “The level of excellence from Disney and Make-A-Wish has been beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Riddle’s mother. “Every step of the way, from our arrival at the airport to this moment, has felt uniquely crafted and personal.” As Rey told Kylo Ren during the interactive show, “These are Resistance recruits. They do have courage. They are strong.” The memories from this special event will remain with these families for years to come. *Note: The reporter received access to this event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of the content. The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI.* ---