Disney Dreamers Academy Evolves into Year-Round Program for Young Students
Walt Disney World is overhauling its long-running youth development program, Disney Dreamers Academy. As it approaches its 20th anniversary in 2028, Disney has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs to expand the program into a year-round, multi-year initiative.
The new format will allow Disney to work with students at an earlier age and maintain connections with them over time. The first class under this revised model will comprise 200 middle school students from the Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and Houston metropolitan areas. These students will be announced in December 2026, with programming commencing in January 2027.
This shift marks a significant departure from the traditional program, which has selected 100 high school students annually for an immersive experience at Walt Disney World since its inception in 2008. Under the revamped format, participants will engage in both virtual and in-person activities throughout the year, exploring various career paths, including engineering and animal sciences.
Disney aims to reach students earlier, exposing them to potential career options they might not have considered, and fostering lasting relationships as they grow. The company will invest in participating Boys & Girls Clubs over the first two years of the program, covering the current school year and 2027-28 school year.