A TikTok video showing children from a homeless shelter visiting Disney World for the first time is going viral for all the right reasons.
Chelsea, who works at a homeless shelter, organized a trip to Walt Disney World for the teens and kids she cares for. She posted the experience on TikTok, noting that she’d probably cry multiple times throughout the day, knowing how much this meant to children who have so little.
The video captures genuine moments of joy that regular Disney visitors might take for granted.
Pure Joy on Display
At one point in the video, a young girl’s voice can be heard saying, “I’ve never went to Disney before.” The wonder in her tone is unmistakable. She’s not complaining about crowds or wait times. She’s simply present, experiencing something she never thought possible.
Toward the end of the video, another child declares, “This is the best day ever.” No qualifiers. No complaints. Just pure happiness.
These kids aren’t worried about whether Big Thunder Mountain has longer wait times than last year. They’re not upset that their favorite snack costs more than it used to. The kids aren’t disappointed that a character wasn’t available for meet-and-greets.
They’re just grateful to be there.
A Different Perspective
The video serves as a reality check for frequent Disney visitors who’ve developed a tendency to focus on negatives. Regular parkgoers often complain about changes, price increases, and operational decisions. While some criticism is legitimate, the intensity of disappointment can feel disproportionate.
Watching kids who have nothing experience Disney for the first time puts those complaints in perspective. Access to Disney parks represents privilege that millions of families cannot afford. For many children, visiting Disney World remains an impossible dream rather than an annual tradition.
Disney’s Broader Community Impact
This isn’t the only way Disney connects with communities in need. The company maintains an active VoluntEARS program where cast members and employees volunteer their time for important causes.
Recent efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires demonstrate this commitment. Disney VoluntEARS quickly assembled hundreds of comfort kits for kids staying in American Red Cross shelters. These kits included Disney-themed coloring books, activity books, plush toys, and other items designed to bring moments of happiness during difficult times.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, explained the company’s philosophy: “If there’s one company that can bring a smile to somebody’s face when they’re going through their most difficult time, it’s Disney.”
Disney committed $15 million for wildfire response and rebuilding efforts. The company opened its wardrobe warehouse to support employees who lost homes. ABC News’ SoCal Strong campaign raised over $6 million with Disney’s support.
Cast members who volunteered described feeling personally connected to the work, especially those living in affected areas. The sense of community that comes from helping during crisis moments reinforces why many people choose to work for Disney.
The Takeaway for Regular Disney World Visitors
Videos like Chelsea’s don’t invalidate legitimate concerns about Disney’s operations or pricing. Constructive criticism helps companies improve, and standards should be maintained.
However, these moments provide important context. They help distinguish between issues worth genuine concern and complaints born from becoming too comfortable with regular park access.
A child experiencing Disney for the first time doesn’t care about debates over whether current maintenance standards match those from decades past. They care about riding attractions, meeting characters, and creating memories they’ll treasure forever.
Seeing Disney World Through Fresh Eyes
For regular Disney visitors, this video offers a simple reminder: try to see the parks the way you did on your first visit. Remember the excitement of walking down Main Street USA for the first time. Recall the magic you felt seeing Cinderella Castle up close.
That magic hasn’t disappeared. Sometimes it just takes seeing someone else experience it for the first time to remember why it matters.
For those kids from the homeless shelter, that day at Disney World truly was the best day ever. That’s worth remembering next time a minor inconvenience threatens to overshadow what’s still special about these parks.
The magic is real. We just need to keep looking for it.
