There are some moments you know you’ll carry with you; this is one of them.
Last month, 50 students from the Central Florida area made their way down the purple carpet lined with community leaders and Disney VoluntEARS. You could see the excitement on their faces. It was more than a celebration. We had officially started the next chapter of the Disney Dreamers Academy!
What is Disney Dreamers Academy?
- DDA launched in 2008 as a program dedicated to providing youth with the opportunity to learn how they can harness the power of their dreams. Since then, it has helped more than 1,800 students across the country build careers, lead communities, and mentor future Disney Dreamers.
One of the things I enjoy most about Disney Dreamers Academy is how the experience can help a young person imagine new possibilities for their future. And, we wanted to find a way to bring that opportunity to even more students.
A Look Inside this Next Chapter
Which brings me to how we arrived first at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida to celebrate the first 50 students before carrying that same excitement to Clubs in Miami, Atlanta, and Houston.
This year, Disney Dreamers Academy is building on its remarkable legacy by expanding the program in a new collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs to reach more students earlier in their journey and keep them connected to the program longer. Two hundred middle school Club members will become the first Disney Dreamers to be a part of this year-round, multi-year pilot program.
By working with Boys & Girls Clubs, we’re able to meet students where they are and provide meaningful experiences that can support their growth over time through a mix of virtual and in-person experiences in the communities where they live and at Disney.
During the program, students will discover more about themselves, build new skills and confidence, explore different careers, and meet inspiring people. And, of course, they’ll experience Disney magic along the way and even visit Walt Disney World.
So, join us on this next chapter as we head to the four metropolitan areas selected for this pilot program and celebrate the participants from each city.
Four Cities, One Dream
As we travel to the four locations, every Disney Dreamer will be invited to a kickoff celebration filled with Disney-inspired activity stations designed to match the theme parks at Walt Disney World. Each park includes activities that encourage students to discover new interests, express their creativity, connect with other students, and meet some of their favorite Disney pals.
October 1: Orlando Disney Dreamers Kick Off the Celebrations
From finding their Disney Dreamer Anthem to personalizing their very own pair of Mickey ears, it was an evening of endless joy with echoes of laughter filling the gymnasium at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse.
“My favorite part of the night was when Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse came to celebrate with us,” said Carlota, a Disney Dreamer. “I feel honored to be here. I’m very happy and excited for everything this program has to offer me.”
This is the latest milestone in a decades-long partnership between Disney and Boys & Girls Clubs. Together, we’ve helped create meaningful learning opportunities for Central Florida youth, including after-school programs and the Club’s Rock Star Robotics Center.
October 15: Miami Disney Dreamers Dive into New Possibilities
We kicked off the second of four Disney Dreamers Academy community celebrations in Miami, where 50 students learned they had been selected for the newest class of Disney Dreamers Academy.
The celebration took place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s Hank Kline Club, bringing Disney magic directly to the communities where students were selected. Meeting Dreamers where they are made the moment even more meaningful.
“Being selected for this special program by Disney and Boys and Girls Clubs means a lot to me. I feel very excited, proud and grateful for this opportunity. That shows me that hard work pays off,” said Disney Dreamer Londyn. “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends, making memories and chasing my dreams.”
With a little pixie dust from Walt Disney World and the support of their communities, these Disney Dreamers are one step closer to discovering where their imagination can take them.
October 22: Atlanta Disney Dreamers Discover Magic Close to Home
Next stop: Atlanta! We continued the celebrations at Metro Atlanta’s John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club, welcoming 50 more students on their Disney Dreamers Academy journey.
“It means a lot to me to be selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs to be in the Disney Dreamers Academy,” said Disney Dreamer Bayleigh. “I’m excited to be a part of something bigger, and to meet new people also participating in the program.”
It was so special to bring a piece of Walt Disney World to Atlanta. For many of these kids, it was their first time meeting beloved Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, getting a photo with the Tree of Life, or dancing with Goofy. These are memories that will last a lifetime, and we loved celebrating the newest Disney Dreamers as they begin their exciting journey.
October 29: Houston Disney Dreamers Step into the Future Together
And lastly, it was time for the finale to our kickoff celebrations in Houston! 50 students gathered at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s Fresno Clubhouse to celebrate being selected as part of the newest Disney Dreamers Academy class.
The excitement was high as these students got a taste of Walt Disney World magic with dance parties, learning activities inspired by our theme parks, and plenty of unforgettable moments shared with new friends. How many people can say they danced with Chip & Dale at their local gymnasium? Or won a Droid race against BB-8 and R2-D2? Not a bad way to start your Disney Dreamers journey if you ask me!
“It means a lot to me to be a Disney Dreamer, especially because there’s only 50 of us in Houston. I feel lucky and I’m excited to learn new things during the program,” Boys & Girls Club student Jeremiah said.
While this may be the last stop for our kickoff celebrations, the adventure for these Disney Dreamers is just getting started. These students will begin Disney Dreamers Academy programming in January, taking part in hands-on learning, networking, and interactive experiences in their local communities and at Walt Disney World. The best is yet to come!
Let the New Chapter Commence
What a way to welcome our newest Disney Dreamers! After celebrations in Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and Houston, all 200 students are officially ready for what comes next as the newest class of Disney Dreamers Academy.
From experiences close to home at their Boys & Girls Clubs to unforgettable moments at Walt Disney World, every new connection and opportunity will help these Dreamers turn “what if?” into “what’s next?”
Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog as we follow their journeys and share highlights from the years ahead.
