Philip is 3 ½ years old and loves animals. He’s learned all their names in both Polish and English. Every morning of his stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Philip woke up and headed straight for the balcony to marvel at the giraffes and zebras below. When he wasn’t on the balcony, he was at the window. His mother Marta is sure that watching these animals will be a favorite memory from his Make-A-Wish® animal safari in Florida.

On their first day, Philip, Marta and his dad, Wajciech, headed for Disney’s Magic Kingdom® and a parade with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. Philip’s favorite ride turned out to be Pirates of the Caribbean and he picked up a pirate costume for more swashbuckling adventures once he got back home. After their visit to Disney’s Magic Kingdom® , Philip and his parents ventured out to new places each day so that he could see and interact with all kinds of fascinating animals. Philip loved the freedom of walking around without his stroller to visit the elephants, birds, snakes and crocodiles of the Central Florida Zoo. He bravely volunteered to hold a snake at Gatorland and saw even more crocodiles and alligators there. At Discovery Cove he loved staying in the pool for as long as he liked, swimming with his Dad while a stingray tagged along down below.

He patted the dolphins at SeaWorld and calmly fed them as they jumped to retrieve fish from his hand. As sharks swam over his head in an aquarium tunnel, he screamed with excitement. He laughed all the way through the Shamu, the Whale show. And before leaving on his last day, Philip made sure to say good-bye to the giraffes, zebras and all the other animals living below his hotel balcony.

Philip, diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, chose this amazing journey with animals as his most heartfelt wish. With his love for them and his adventurous spirit, he made each moment of his trip into something very special. He “loved everything,” reports his mom. Seeing Philip so happy and excited allowed his parents to enjoy the precious time and locations with their son, all worries left behind. When asked what she will remember most about the trip, Marta replied: “My son’s face. I will remember my child excited and remember how happy he was there, seeing everything.”