A Magical Experience: 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy
Tiffani & Adam’s Media Group
Have you ever had an experience that made you feel like you were stepping into a life-changing event? That's how I felt attending the Disney Dreamers Academy now as part of the Media team for 2024. When I received the email inviting me to participate in the event, I didn't hesitate to reply with a resounding yes. I've been following the Disney Dreamers Academy for a few years, so the opportunity to attend this event was a no-brainer.
This year marks the 17th anniversary of Disney Dreamers Academy, an annual five-day event designed to provide 100 teens from underrepresented communities across America with opportunities to broaden their career awareness. Here is my personal experience attending this inspiring event.
Day One: A March Down Main Street U.S.A
We arrived at Disney's Contemporary Resort Convention Hall on the first day to collect our badges and meet our Disney representatives, Tiffani and Adam. One of the highlights of the experience was spending time with this media group. I was in a group with Brianna from @expeditionwatson, Adriana from @bibbidibobbidi_broke, CJ from @wdwmagiazine, Alan from @mouseplanet and Jeremiah from The Laughing Place.
We were given our schedule of events and then we were off! The first event was located at Magic Kingdom Park. The new class of Disney Dreamers was set to appear in a pre-parade cavalcade. We were escorted to the media section, where we secured our spots to catch a glimpse of the new class. Magic Kingdom Park was packed this day. In fact, the park was at capacity, so park hopping was not an option. Despite the crowds, the weather was perfect, and there was so much excitement buzzing on Main Street U.S.A.
The Disney Dreamers of 2024 were led by Drumline Mickey, who high-stepped his way down Main Street. In the Grand Marshall Car Princess Tiana, Dara Reneé the 2024 DREAMbassador, an actress from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and the upcoming Descendants: The Rise of Red, Executive Champion Tracey Powell and one lucky Dreamer followed behind Mickey and Crew.
The new class of Dreamers wore t-shirts in various colors, which were grouped according to their multiple areas of interest. The Dreamers held up signs representing the attributes of Dreamers and the different states that were represented in this years class. In this class, 26 states were represented! Including ten from the Northeast (woo-hoo!)
Read about a past Disney Dreamer was from Kutztown, PA!
After the Dreamers marched in the parade, we went to the media area on the Castle Hub. There, we interviewed the 2024 DREAMbassador, Dara Renee, and the Executive Champion, Tracey Powell.
Day Two: Living Labs
Dreamers at the Living Labs
Throughout the weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the Dreamers attend workshops led by industry experts and participate in interactive sessions. We were paired with the Engineer group, which had three subgroups: Imagineering, Aerospace, and Marine Biology.
Imagineer Engineer Dreamers
The first group I followed was Imagineering. We were escorted to a room lined with tables and a large screen in front. Once we were seated in the room, we realized the man on the screen was the legendary Imagineer Lanny Smoot. The kids were excited, some whispering, "No way." Imagine having a dream to become an Imagineer and then having the chance to attend a seminar where a Disney Legend was presenting to you. At the end of the seminar, Lanny answered all questions one by one as students emptied their seats to have a chance to sit in front of the Disney Legend and personally ask their questions. He was patient and kind; even after stating he had a meeting, and then stayed well over half an hour longer to ensure all students had their chance to ask their questions. I am sure for many kids in the room that day, this was a pivotal moment in their origin story.
Aerospace Engineer Dreamers
The next group we watched was a small group of aerospace engineers dominated by girls (who run the world! Girls!) They had a one-on-one session with employees from Zero-g, a company that provides zero-gravity flights for astronaut training, scientific research, and leisure activities. This was everyone's first step into space. The Dreamers in the group got one-on-one time to ask any questions they had, and the presentation was about how astronauts prepare for space. They also learned what happens when packages need to be sent to the astronauts, when they are running low on food or other supplies they may need in space. The kids got hands-on experience and could go through some of the packs that were sent into space. One Dreamer even won an opportunity to go inside the simulator.
Our last group was the Marine Biology group. We headed to the Land Pavilion backstage to watch the Dreamers work with Danni Washington. The Dreamers took turns practicing how to interview marine biologists by asking them questions about the profession and what skills someone who wants to get into marine biology should possess. Danni guided them and had them film each other, giving them tips on how to speak about their passion on camera. After that, we followed them inside EPCOT's Seabase, where they filmed different sea animals with Danni's guidance.
I was thrilled when I got the opporunity to spend more time with Joci, Zahra, and Eleanor. Zahra and I connected when we realized that she was from a town just 20 minutes away from where I grew up outside of Dallas. They also shared some of their fears and insecurities, stating that there were so many people in the room who had already achieved so much. I took the chance to reassure them that they belonged in any room they were in, as they worked just as hard as some of those who they felt had achieved more and were in the same program. I explained that imposter syndrome can get the best of us sometimes, but it's important to remember that their hard work got them in the room, so they deserved to be there. It was a wonderful experience to connect with these Dreamers and learn more about the experience they were going through. I took the opportunity to ask them about their favorite weekend experiences.
All Dreamers were asked, “What was the best part of the the Dreamers Academy?” (this was only day 2)
The Surprise of a Lifetime!
Daymond John surprised young entrepreneur Te'Lario Watkins II at Disney Dreamers Academy by inviting him to join him on the set of ‘Shark Tank’ during a taping in Los Angeles. Watkins is only 16 and has been running his own business, Tiger Mushroom Farms, since he was 7. He also founded a non-profit called the Garden Club Project.
Day Four: Commencement
On day four, I attended the commencement on Sunday to celebrate the 2024 Class of Disney Dreamers. I expected it to be an emotional experience, but the level of magic in the room exceeded my expectations.
During the ceremony, the Dreamers revisited some of the best moments of their four-day experience at the resort. One of the highlights was when they announced who they thought should be the Dreamer of the Year. I noticed a Dreamer in the center of the room cheering loudly for every name on the video where Dreamers were stating who they would nominate. When Tracy Powell took the stage to announce the winner, it was the same kid who had been cheering for everyone else. His name had never been mentioned in the video, so he was shocked when he realized he had won. It's a special feeling to be accepted to the Disney Dreamers Academy, but it's even more special when you realize that you are revered among your peers.
Another highlight of the commencement was the presentation of the rings. I didn't know this was part of the commencement ceremony, but it's a beautiful way to end this experience. I remember looking at Adrianna, and I said, “please tell me the parents are not giving the ring to their Dreamers” because she knew I was going to lose it. We laughed and then cried. Going on a journey like this, from the application process, to acceptance and completion of the academy, is remarkable. Having someone in your life to support you through it and present you with a gift like this, is a moment that Dreamers and chaperones will cherish for a lifetime.
At the end of the ceremony, not a single eye was left dry in the Fantasia Ballroom. The magic of the experience lingered all around us as the final songs were sung, and an explosion of Mickey confetti filled the air. This was a star-studded event, with some of the best entertainment I have ever seen at Walt Disney World Resort. As Mickey gave his final wave goodbye, you are reminded that this beautiful Disney journey that we’ve all been on, “all started with a mouse.”
The Disney Dreamers Academy was a truly inspiring experience that reminded me that no dream is too big and no goal is impossible to achieve if we believe in ourselves and pursue our passions with dedication. Attending this event was not just about experiencing the magic of Disney; it was about discovering the magic within ourselves and embracing the countless possibilities that await when we dare to dream. Disney Dreamers Academy not only inspires teens to pursue their dreams but also provides them with the tools to achieve them.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them” - Walt Disney
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.
I am living my dream too!
