Since 2008, the Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,300 students from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for their futures. In the years following, graduates have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more, and have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who follow them.
Each year the Disney Dreamers are selected from thousands of applicants who answer essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students and a parent or guardian are given an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event.
Here’s a look at some events in past years.
2008
2009
DisneyÕs Dreamers Academy Goes ÒBehind the SeedsÓ Ð Award-winning chef and bestselling author Chef Jeff Henderson joins students (from left) Cierra Holt, Frank Lopez Jr., Celia Campbell, Thomas Johnson and others on the ÒBehind the SeedsÓ greenhouse tour at EpcotÕs The Land pavilion during DisneyÕs Dreamers Academy 2009. During the event, 100 selected high school students took part in an innovative, career-inspiration program that included interactive workshops, motivational talks, hands-on creative experiences and fun at Walt Disney World Resort.
2010
2011
(MARCH 5, 2011): A group of high school students take a ride March 5, 2011 on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction during “Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The fourth annual ÒDisney’s Dreamers AcademyÓ takes place at Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6, 2011. During the event, 110 high school students from across the nation participate in a career-inspiration program that includes motivational seminars, networking events, hands-on creative experiences and fun at Walt Disney World Resort. (Todd Anderson, photographer)
2012
Minnie Mouse rides along with several Disney Dreamers during a celebratory parade at Magic Kingdom during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Approximately 100 high school students take part in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.
2013
Walt Disney World Resort Imagineer Dexter Tanksley talks to several Disney Dreamers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Approximately 100 high school students take part in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.
2014
Disney Dreamers receive a surprise visit from Mickey Mouse March 8, 2014 during an animation and graphic design workshop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The special experience was part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine, a career-inspiration program for 100 high school students from across the U.S. taking place at Walt Disney World Resort March 6-9, 2014.(Gregg Newton, photographer)
2015
Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., such as EPCOT become fun, interactive classrooms for Disney Dreamers taking part in educational workshops during the Disney Dreamers Academy. Approximately 100 high school students participate in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.
2016
Disney Dreamers and their pal Pluto ride along in a parade at the Magic Kingdom during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Approximately 100 high school students take part in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.
2017
Beloved Disney characters join 100 Disney Dreamers Academy students and 10 alumni Friday, March 10, 2017, to celebrate the programÕs tenth anniversary with an epic photo moment at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The event, taking place March 9-12, 2017 at Walt Disney World Resort, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (David Roark, photographer)
2018
High school students from across the United States star in a special parade Thursday, March 8, at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. to signal the beginning of the 11th annual Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE magazine. The event, taking place March 8-11, 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students. (Todd Anderson, photographer)
2019
Malik Carter from Dallas, Ga. and Makaya Clinton from McDonough, Ga. enjoy Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Disney Dreamers Academy. The 12th annual Disney Dreamers Academy, taking place March 21-24, 2019, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Todd Anderson, photographer)
2020
2022
Disney Dreamers Academy Cavalcade at Walt Disney World Credit: Cyril Josh Barker
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.
