LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Walt Disney World Resort officially welcomed 100 students from across the country on Thursday for the kickoff of the 2026 Disney Dreamers Academy.
Now in its 19th year, the program aims to empower youth to cultivate their ambitions and turn their professional dreams into reality. The arrival of this year’s class sets the stage for a four-day immersive experience designed to inspire the next generation of leaders.
The Dreamers began their journey with a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom Park. Leading the procession was this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy “DREAMbassador”, actress Malia Baker, star of the Disney+ hit Descendants: The Rise of Red.
Photos by Cyril Josh Barker
Disney star Malia Baker, Princess Tiana, and Disney Dreamers Academy students Joshua Anikwue (Brooklyn, NY) and Claire Jefferson (Warner Robins, GA) served as grand marshals in a magical parade at Magic Kingdom Park on March 26, 2026. The parade marked the kickoff of the multi-day mentorship program, bringing together 100 high school students from across the country at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mark Ashman, photographer)
Baker joins a roster of celebrities, educators, designers, and Disney executives dedicated to mentoring the students throughout the weekend. Speaking with the AmNews, Baker shared her excitement about her role in the program.
“I think it’s a big blessing to be introduced to people that inspire me but have the thought and the lens that people could potentially be inspired by me,” Baker said. “They are going to be the future change makers. I’m hoping to be a hand in nurturing the garden of inspiration for the future.”
The 2026 class, representing various regions across the nation, traveled to Florida for the all-expenses-paid trip. Over the coming days, students will dive into hands-on workshops tailored to their specific career interests, guided by industry experts and motivational speakers.
On Friday, the momentum continues with a welcome rally featuring several keynote speakers. The Dreamers will also attend the “Career EXPOSE,” an interactive session where they will participate in roundtable rotations to gain direct insight into various professional fields from seasoned mentors.
Disclosure: The Walt Disney Company paid for the travel and accommodations for several media outlets, including the AmNews, to cover the Disney Dreamers Academy. Disney did not review or approve any of our coverage.