Disney Dreamers Academy Expands With Boys & Girls Clubs Ahead of 20th Anniversary

Disney Dreamers Academy is entering a new chapter as the Walt Disney World program approaches its 20th anniversary.

Walt Disney World announced that the youth development program will expand through a new collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs, transforming Disney Dreamers Academy into a year-round, multi-year experience that begins reaching students at a younger age.

The initial pilot will include students in the Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Houston metropolitan areas, with the first group of 200 students set to be announced in October.

Disney Dreamers Academy Is Expanding Beyond Its Traditional Format

For nearly two decades, Disney Dreamers Academy has selected 100 high school students from around the country each year for mentorship, career exploration and experiences at Walt Disney World.

The new format will expand on that model by introducing programming for middle school students through participating Boys & Girls Clubs. Rather than centering the experience around a single annual event, Disney plans to keep students involved through ongoing programming and mentorship.

The first class under the expanded program will include 200 students selected by participating Boys & Girls Clubs, doubling the number of students traditionally selected for the annual academy. Programming begins in January 2027.

Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Houston were selected for the pilot based on Disney’s existing relationships and presence within those communities.

What the New Disney Dreamers Academy Will Include

Students will participate in a combination of virtual and in-person programming throughout the year, including hands-on activities, workshops and experiences led by Disney Cast Members and other experts.

Career exploration will remain a major part of Disney Dreamers Academy. Students will be introduced to fields ranging from engineering to animal sciences, providing opportunities to explore interests and careers they may not have previously considered.

Mentorship will also continue to be central to the program. Participants will connect with Disney Cast Members, professionals and fellow Dreamers while developing relationships intended to provide support throughout their time in the program.

The expanded format will also focus on confidence and leadership development, giving students continued opportunities to build skills alongside their peers and mentors rather than limiting those experiences to a single event.

Students Will Still Visit Walt Disney World

While more of Disney Dreamers Academy will now take place within local communities, Walt Disney World will remain part of the experience.

Students will participate in Disney programming at their local Boys & Girls Clubs as well as visits to Walt Disney World Resort. Those experiences are designed to connect what students have learned throughout the program with real-world careers and opportunities across Disney.

Walt Disney World will also make an investment across participating Boys & Girls Clubs during the first two years of the program, covering the current school year and the 2027-28 school year.

Nearly 20 Years of Disney Dreamers Academy

Disney Dreamers Academy launched in 2008 and has since reached more than 1,800 students from across the country.

Alumni have gone on to careers as entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, artists, health care professionals and community leaders. Some former Dreamers have also returned to the program as mentors for new participants.

As Disney Dreamers Academy approaches its 20th anniversary, the new Boys & Girls Clubs collaboration represents one of the biggest changes to the program since its launch, expanding both the number of students reached and the amount of time they can spend participating.

The first 200 students in the expanded Disney Dreamers Academy will be announced in October 2026, with programming beginning in January 2027. Disney says additional details about the next chapter of the program will be announced in the coming months.

Janine Kiray

Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.