ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World Resort is expanding its Disney Dreamers Academy through a new collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs, transforming the longtime youth development program into a year-round initiative that will begin reaching students at a younger age.
As Disney Dreamers Academy approaches its 20th anniversary, the new pilot program will initially serve middle school members of participating Boys & Girls Clubs in the Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Houston metropolitan areas.
The first class under the expanded program will include 200 students selected by participating Boys & Girls Clubs. Disney says the students will be announced in October, with programming scheduled to begin in January 2027.
For nearly two decades, Disney Dreamers Academy has annually selected 100 high school students from across the country for an immersive experience at Walt Disney World Resort focused on mentorship, career exploration, personal development and discovering future opportunities.
Under the new model, Disney Dreamers Academy will become a year-round, multi-year experience, combining activities in students’ local communities with opportunities at Walt Disney World.
“I’ve seen firsthand the confidence, connections and opportunities Disney Dreamers Academy has provided students over the past 19 years,” said Sivonne Davis, vice president of Marketing Strategy at Walt Disney World. “The impact this program has had on young people, their families and the communities around them is remarkable, and this builds on the foundation to inspire students to explore their potential and dream beyond what they imagined possible.”
Disney said the Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Houston regions were selected because of the company’s existing presence and relationships with families and organizations in those communities.
Students will participate in a combination of virtual and in-person programming, including hands-on activities, workshops and interactive experiences led by Disney Cast Members and other experts. Career exploration will include fields ranging from engineering to animal sciences.
The program will also connect students with Disney mentors and fellow Dreamers while providing ongoing opportunities designed to develop confidence, leadership skills and relationships with professionals who can offer guidance and encouragement.
“This next chapter is about meeting students where they are and helping them discover what’s possible for their future at an earlier age,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World. “By working alongside local Boys & Girls Clubs, we can reach more students and provide meaningful experiences that support their growth over time.”
For Central Florida students, the collaboration will include Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, providing another local connection between Disney Dreamers Academy and young people in the region.
“Programs like this create the exposure and opportunities that help our young people dream beyond their circumstances and see new possibilities for their future,” said Jamie Merrill, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. “Disney’s investment doesn’t just expand horizons, it has the power to change lives and create lasting impact in our communities.”
Walt Disney World will make an investment across the participating Boys & Girls Clubs during the first two years of the program, spanning the current school year and the 2027-28 school year. Disney did not specify the amount of the investment in its announcement.
Disney Dreamers Academy launched in 2008 and has since reached more than 1,800 students from across the United States. Alumni have pursued careers and opportunities in fields including education, engineering, health care, entrepreneurship and the arts, with some returning to the program as mentors.
The expanded initiative will continue incorporating experiences at Walt Disney World while also bringing Disney programming directly into participating Boys & Girls Clubs, allowing students to remain connected to mentors and programming throughout the year.
Disney said additional details about the next chapter of Disney Dreamers Academy will be announced in the coming months.
Disney Dreamers Academy ampliará su alcance a través de Boys & Girls Clubs
ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World Resort ampliará su programa Disney Dreamers Academy mediante una nueva colaboración con Boys & Girls Clubs, llevando oportunidades de mentoría, desarrollo personal y exploración profesional a más jóvenes, incluyendo estudiantes de Florida Central.
Como parte de un programa piloto, Disney Dreamers Academy llegará a estudiantes de escuela intermedia de Boys & Girls Clubs en las áreas metropolitanas de Orlando, Miami, Atlanta y Houston. La primera clase estará integrada por 200 estudiantes seleccionados por los clubes participantes.
Los estudiantes serán anunciados en octubre y la programación comenzará en enero de 2027.
La nueva etapa convertirá Disney Dreamers Academy en una experiencia de varios años con actividades durante todo el año, tanto virtuales como presenciales. Los participantes tendrán acceso a talleres, experiencias prácticas y oportunidades para explorar carreras en áreas que incluyen ingeniería y ciencias animales, además de conectarse con empleados de Disney que servirán como mentores.
“Esta próxima etapa se trata de llegar a los estudiantes donde están y ayudarlos a descubrir, desde una edad más temprana, lo que es posible para su futuro”, dijo Tajiana Ancora-Brown, directora de Asuntos Externos de Walt Disney World.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida participará en la iniciativa, ampliando las oportunidades para jóvenes de la región.
Disney Dreamers Academy comenzó en 2008 y ha inspirado a más de 1,800 estudiantes de todo el país. Walt Disney World indicó que anunciará más detalles sobre la expansión del programa durante los próximos meses.
