Disney Supports the Gary Sinise Foundation

This holiday season, we were honored to help the Gary Sinise Foundation bring some healing and happiness to families of fallen U.S. military heroes at Walt Disney World Resort as part of the organization’s annual “Snowball Express” program which took place on December 7-10, 2024.

As part of this special gathering, the Foundation brought more than 1,700 family members from more than 90 cities around the nation and overseas, as far as Europe and Guam, to The Most Magical Place on Earth.

During this five-day healing retreat, the families connected with each other and enjoyed the magic of Disney while honoring the legacy of their loved one’s service and sacrifice.

On the final day of Snowball Express, the families participated in the “Walk of Gratitude” at daybreak inside Magic Kingdom. As the sun rose on a brisk morning, Disney cast members eagerly cheered them on as they made their way down Main Street, U.S.A., towards Cinderella Castle.

In a touching display of respect, nearly 1,000 Disney VoluntEARS, including many cast members who are military veterans, lined the streets before 5 a.m. to stand in reverence of these military families for their sacrifices.

Upon arriving at the castle, personalized notes from each family to their fallen hero were placed inside a magical cauldron on the castle stage. The letters were then sent up to heaven for the fallen to read during a special Disney magic moment. Actor and Humanitarian Gary Sinise and Mickey Mouse joined in to make this special moment even more unforgettable.

“While our hearts are heavy at the circumstances that brought these families together, I am grateful we can wrap our arms around them, that we can honor them while remembering their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom,” said Gary Sinise. “As we approach the holiday season, I am so glad that we are able to bring these deserving families together to create new and wonderful memories at The Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World.”

Since 2018, more than 17,000 children of fallen military heroes, fallen first responders and their surviving parent/guardian have participated in the healing retreat and the program is one of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s four programmatic pillars to support veterans, first responders, heroes, and defenders, along with their families and those in need.

The Snowball Express has a special connection to Disney Parks. This annual healing retreat began in 2003 when U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens wrote a letter to his wife before his deployment to Iraq, which included a wish for his family to visit Disney Parks if he didn’t return.

This wish was fulfilled in 2006 when his family and others of fallen soldiers visited Disneyland Resort. Gary Sinise became involved in 2007, when he and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, performed for these families. In 2017, the Gary Sinise Foundation took over the program, and the first retreat at Walt Disney World took place in 2018, starting an annual tradition for the families of fallen U.S. military heroes.

For U.S. Army veteran Virginia Kiernan who serves as a Recreation Guest Experience Manager at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, this annual gathering is something she and her family would not miss for the world.

“I love the Snowball Express,” said Virginia. “As a veteran myself and a member of a large military family, I enjoy supporting military-focused organizations, but the Snowball Express is my favorite. Gold Star families hold a special place in my heart, so I’m honored to join fellow Disney cast members as we give back to those who have sacrificed so much.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the teams involved in making this magical experience possible to recognize the needs of these military families, especially during the holiday season when the sense of loss is amplified.

“Disney’s enduring respect for military service members and their families runs deep, beginning with our founders Walt and Roy Disney serving our country during the first world war,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences.

“We thank the Gary Sinise Foundation for all the work they do to support military families who have given so much. We’re honored to help them make happy new memories during their visit to the Walt Disney World Resort.”

Gary Sinise Foundation will host a second Snowball Express at Walt Disney World for families of fallen first responders December 14-17.

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