The Disney Dreamers Academy is growing up. After two decades of sending 100 high school students each year to Walt Disney World in Florida, the program is expanding to middle school students in four cities, including Houston. The new pilot program pairs Disney with Boys & Girls Clubs, and it starts in January 2027.
The change is a big one. For more than 20 years, the academy has offered 100 high school students a chance to visit the Walt Disney World Resort, learning leadership skills and gaining professional opportunities. Now the program is shifting to middle school students, and it is doing so across four metro areas instead of one. The expansion marks a significant departure from the annual model of the past, which brought students to Walt Disney World once a year for a week-long experience.
Four Cities, One Pilot
The new Disney Dreamers Academy is a pilot program that will focus on middle school students in Houston, Orlando, Atlanta and Miami. Disney says the first class of Disney Dreamers will include 200 students from those four areas and will be announced in October.
The program will run over multiple years, which is a notable shift from the annual model of the past. Students will take part in year-round programming, exploring a variety of subjects and career paths led by Disney Cast Members. That means the program will continue through the current school year and into the 2027-2028 school year, giving students a sustained opportunity to engage with the material rather than a single concentrated visit.
The program also includes a mentorship component, connecting Dreamers with Cast Members and fellow Dreamers. And Disney magic will be central to the experience, with participants getting Disney-themed activities at their local Boys & Girls Clubs and a visit to Walt Disney World in Florida.
The Boys & Girls Clubs Partnership
The expansion relies heavily on the Boys & Girls Clubs network. Disney says the program will incorporate values that Boys & Girls Clubs are known for, including a commitment to community service.
Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Disney, explained the shift in a statement. “This next chapter is about meeting students where they are and helping them discover what’s possible for their future at an earlier age,” she said.
Jamie Merrill, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, also praised the collaboration. “Programs like this create the exposure and opportunities that help our young people dream beyond their circumstances and see new possibilities for their future,” he said.
Houston’s Role
In Houston, the Boys & Girls Clubs will select 50 students to participate. The program will cover the rest of the current school year and the 2027-2028 school year. Disney says it is making an investment in participating Boys & Girls Clubs during the program’s first two years.
Houston students will get the same package as the other three cities: year-round programming, mentorship, and a visit to Walt Disney World. That means the 50 Houston Dreamers will receive the same blend of academic instruction, mentoring, and hands-on activities as their counterparts in Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami.
The Program’s Core Components
The Disney Dreamers Academy has several moving parts, and they all work together. Here is how the pieces fit:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Year-round programming | Led by Disney Cast Members, covering a variety of subjects and career paths |
| Mentorship program | Connects Dreamers with Cast Members and fellow Dreamers |
| Disney magic | Activities at local Boys & Girls Clubs and a visit to Walt Disney World |
| Community service | Values incorporated from Boys & Girls Clubs |
The table shows how the program is structured. The year-round programming is the core, but the mentorship and the Disney magic add a distinctive flavor. Together, they give students a well-rounded experience that combines academic instruction with practical support and inspiration.
What the Expansion Means
The expansion is a vote of confidence in the Boys & Girls Clubs model. Disney is investing in the clubs’ infrastructure for two years, which suggests the company sees the partnership as a long-term relationship rather than a one-off experiment.
The program is also a response to changing education priorities. By reaching students earlier, the academy can expose them to potential careers before they have fully formed their ambitions.
The program is open to middle school students, and the first class will be announced in October. The pilot runs for multiple years, which gives the program time to prove itself and possibly expand further.
The Bottom Line
The expansion is a bet on the power of early exposure. Middle school is a formative period, and the program is designed to expose students to a wide range of subjects and career paths.
The program has a clear mission: help students discover what is possible for their future at an earlier age. That mission aligns with the Boys & Girls Clubs’ commitment to community service and the exposure that programs like this provide.
The expansion is a win for the students who get in and for the Boys & Girls Clubs that host them. It is a bet on the power of early exposure.
The program starts in January 2027. The first class of 200 students will be announced in October. For the 50 students selected in Houston, it will be a memorable start to their middle school journey.
Source material: “Disney Dreamers Academy expands to reach middle school students in 4 cities, including Houston,” ABC13 Houston.
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