Matthew Dillon of Butler meets his favorite Disney character, Mickey Mouse, at Give Kids The World in Kissimmee, Fla.

For families across the world, Disney World is commonly referred to as the happiest place on earth.

For Leigh Dillaman and her grandson, Matthew Dillon, both of Butler, that is an understatement.

Matthew, 17, suffers from an unidentified neuromuscular disease that has caused him physical and mental disabilities. With the help of Make-A-Wish, Michael was able to visit Disney World and other parts of Florida in March.

"The experience was beyond anything we could have imagined," Dillaman said. "We were treated like royalty in a children's world.

Dillaman and Matthew, along with Matthew's father, Lee, and Lee's granddaughter made the trip to Give Kids the World, a nonprofit organization that works with Make-A-Wish to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

The organization has more than 100 villas for families in the Disney-themed village, along with restaurants and other attractions that are free for the families.

"There is no money traded. Everything is there for families to appreciate and enjoy," Dillaman said. "It wouldn't exist without the volunteers."

Volunteers work 1,200 hours each week to make the experience possible for the children, Dillaman said she was told by Disney officials.

Dillaman was overwhelmed by the attention to detail by the whole staff, who she said did not overlook a single detail when planing the trip.

"Never did we expect them to be waiting for us at the airport," Dillaman said.

Dillaman, Matthew and the family were also able to visit NASA and SeaWorld on their trip, and Dillaman said the joy by everyone they met was special to her family.

Dillaman said, "The joy they are giving is more contagious than any disease."