LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2026) – A three-year-old New Jersey boy, who longed to meet Mickey Mouse after seeing the beloved character at a recent Disney On Ice show, had his dream come true Saturday. After seeing a heart-warming viral video (more than a million views in just a couple of days) of the little tyke, Mali Valentine, wanting a hug from Mickey following the ice skating show, Walt Disney World Resort immediately sprung into action, flying the little boy and his family to The Most Magical Place on Earth and arranging the little boy’s first-ever encounter with the world’s most famous mouse.
His reaction was priceless – a mix of surprise, joy and pure happiness.
Meeting Mickey was just one highlight during a magical weekend of fun that Disney quickly planned for little Mali and his family, which included his baby brother, his father Marcus, his mother Diamonique and his grandmother. The family spent time at Magic Kingdom Theme Park, experiencing signature attractions such as Dumbo The Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party, plus toe-tapping entertainment and everything that makes Walt Disney World the preeminent family vacation destination.
The emotional meeting with Mickey Mouse was the kind of magical moment that happens regularly at Walt Disney World Resort, which offers transformational experiences through its extraordinary storytelling and iconic characters that allows guests, especially young families, to create memories that last a lifetime.