Disney Announces 2025 Class of Dreamers for Annual Academy at Walt Disney World

Jan 16, 2025 in "Disney Dreamers Academy"

Posted: Thursday January 16, 2025 3:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The 2025 class of the Disney Dreamers Academy has been announced, and 100 high school students from across the U.S. are set to embark on an extraordinary journey at Walt Disney World Resort this March. These students, representing diverse communities and ambitions, are ready to chase dreams ranging from developing innovative technology to designing Disney attractions.

The Disney Dreamers Academy, running from March 26-30, 2025, is a mentoring program that connects students with industry leaders, Disney executives, celebrities, and educators. Through workshops and seminars, students will explore career fields, hone skills like leadership and communication, and gain valuable networking opportunities—all while experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

Participants are selected from thousands of applicants who submit essays detailing their personal stories and future aspirations. Each selected student, along with a parent or guardian, receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World.

The program aims to inspire students to dream big and achieve their goals. “We are thrilled to spark new possibilities and provide these future leaders with the tools they need to chase their dreams,” said Shannon Smith-Conrad, Walt Disney World Ambassador.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Since its launch in 2008, the Disney Dreamers Academy has mentored over 1,700 students, many of whom have gone on to become artists, engineers, journalists, and innovators. Alumni often return to guide new participants, continuing the program’s cycle of inspiration and support.

This year’s students will not only explore diverse career paths but also develop essential life skills in an environment designed to foster creativity and ambition.

The full list of selected students is available at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.

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    wdwmagic2 days ago

    Sadly not this year.

    TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

    Just had the dreamers parade, which was amazingly fun. We got to prepare for it and wait backstage. Tons of fun.

    TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

    TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

    @wdwmagic are you media for this! We just had the official welcome rally and it was great. Just wondering - if you’re here, can I come say hi on our break?

    TheCoasterNerd4 days ago

    Arrived at Norfolk International and am through security. Flight leaves soon.

    TheCoasterNerd4 days ago

    eliza61nyc5 days ago

    have an awesome experience, learn a lot and take lots of pictures

    wdwmagic5 days ago

    Safe travels, and have an awesome time. Congrats again!

    TheCoasterNerd5 days ago

    Ok y'all - it's really happening. 12 hours to go! Final reminder - There's gonna be a very high frequency of posts here. If you want to unwatch the thread, do it now. Thank y'all for the support through this, let's do it! Orlando here I come

    TheCoasterNerd6 days ago

    WHATTTTT Ok so Tyler James Williams, Tamela Mann, Adam Blackstone, Rickey Smiley, Infinity Song, Jerome Lamar, DJ Suss One!! I'm gonna meet all of them??????? In 2 days???? That's so exciting!

    wdwmagic6 days ago

    Golden Globe-winning actor Tyler James Williams, along with Grammy Award-winning artists Tamela Mann and Adam Blackstone, will serve as magical mentors for this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy, the popular Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program that supercharges the career dreams of high school students nationwide and kicks off in Florida this week. Williams, who first gained fame for his role in the hit sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” and now plays Gregory Eddie in ABC’s Emmy Award winning comedy “Abbott Elementary,” will be the program’s “DREAMbassador,’’ meaning he will spend significant time during the March 26-30 event interacting with the 100 Disney Dreamers by sharing his career journey, participating in several career focused workshops and serving as a key figure at the always emotional commencement ceremony. He’ll be joined by an extensive list of other celebrity mentors which include celebrated musicians, actors, aerospace engineers, fashion stylists, renowned educators, designers, producers and Disney executives. Blackstone, a renowned musician, bassist, musical director and producer known for his work with top R&B musical artists, will offer students insights into the urgency and tenacity that fueled his rise from playing drums as a toddler in his local church to collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and television. Blackstone won his first Grammy Award for best musical theater album for “Hell’s Kitchen.” Mann, who won a Grammy Award for best gospel performance/song, will participate in the event along with her well-known husband David, an actor and comedian famous for portraying “Mr. Brown” in Tyler Perry’s Madea films and “House of Payne.”. Other celebrity participants include comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley; soft rock band Infinity Song; fashion influencer Jerome Lamar; and New York’s Hot 97 radio personality DJ Suss One, among others.

    TheCoasterNerd8 days ago

    Many thanks to the participating sponsors of DDA 2025 - AdventHealth, Dolby, Zero-G, and the Orlando Magic basketball team

    TheCoasterNerd9 days ago

    Oh you're right my bad, the map we were provided shows it as this side building and I've never been at the contemporary for anything more than a few minutes so I didn't know... if the map was zoomed out just a little bit more I would have seen it lol

    HauntedPirate9 days ago

    You do realize that the ballrooms are in the Contemporary and not BLT, correct?

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