CHOC Children’s is a regional pediatric health care system that includes two hospitals, many primary and specialty care clinics, and four clinical centers of excellence – the CHOC Children’s Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes. Walt Disney was a champion for CHOC and was even on the hospital’s first board of directors more than 50 years ago.
Today, the Disneyland Resort continues to stay very involved with CHOC through the Disneyland Resort Patient and Family Lobby featuring the Disney California Adventure Park attraction Turtle Talk With Crush twice daily for patients and their siblings, frequent character visits, and of course, presenting CHOC “Walk in the Park”—the largest and most unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. In addition, the two Disney-led teams, the Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and Disney VoluntEARS, are on track to be the highest fundraising groups for this year’s event, which is slated to raise a record $2.5 million.
Fun Fact: The Disneyland Annual Passholder team offers more perks than any other team! Click here to join.
The 2015 Walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where “CHOC walkers” get a special peek at the magic of the Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort’s Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops and restaurants have special offers for participants. Click here to see the special discounts available to CHOC Walk participants this Sunday!
There are two ways to participate in the CHOC Walk. Those who want to walk in the event can register at chocwalk.org to join a team or walk as an individual. Those who cannot make it the morning of the walk (or like to sleep in) can register as a Sleeping Bear—a special designation for participants who want to raise money and earn CHOC Walk prizes but won’t be attending the Walk.
There are many great reasons for families to take part in the CHOC Walk, including my three favorite reasons:
1. Participating in the CHOC Walk and supporting CHOC Children’s is an opportunity to carry on Walt Disney’s passion for supporting the health and wellness of the children in the community surrounding the Disneyland Resort and the advancement of pediatric medicine. Raising money for CHOC Children’s provides parents the opportunity to teach their children about the importance of helping others, as monies raised through supporting the CHOC Walk help to support the research conducted at and care provided by CHOC Children’s, as well as the hospital’s world-class programs sought after by families throughout the country
2. By raising money for the CHOC Walk, Walkers can earn prizes, including free Disneyland Resort tickets that can provide a cost-saving option for families planning a Disneyland Resort vacation. Participants who raise between $375 and $599 earn one Disneyland Resort 1-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket. Participants who raise $600 or more earn two Disneyland Resort 1-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets.
3. By participating in the Walk, families are not only helping to further CHOC’s mission, they are also able to gain a unique look at the Disneyland Resort through the Walk experience, purchase reduced-rate group ticket admission for the parks as part of the perks of participating in the Walk and enjoy special discounts in Downtown Disney the day of the Walk. Together, all of these make the CHOC Walk an ideal time to plan a family getaway or staycation to the Disneyland Resort.
In order to purchase the reduced-rate group tickets, Walkers must present their CHOC Walk In the Park wristband at a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth to purchase a special CHOC-Tober Disneyland Resort 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for $81 or a 1-Day 1-Park Ticket for $51 for use on the day of the walk or another visit to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. A maximum of 5 tickets may be purchased per wristband. The offer is valid on 10/11/2015 and tickets expire 11/6/2015.
Experience even more Disney Magic at the CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau at the Disneyland Hotel
As part of this year’s event, CHOC Children’s is hosting its first CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel. The CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family that will take place the day before the CHOC “Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort.
Event and registration information can be found at www.chocwalk.org and real-time event information can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This year’s hashtag is #chocwalk.
CHOC Children’s is my client through my work with O’Day and Associates and Lisa Robertson Communications. I adore CHOC and everything the hospital stands for and the incredible care they provide children. I have been promoting CHOC since before I worked for the hospital and CHOC Children’s Foundation.
