LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Jan. 15, 2026 — Seven students from the Atlanta metropolitan area are among 100 teens nationwide selected to participate in the 2026 Disney Dreamers Academy, a prestigious mentorship and leadership program held at Walt Disney World Resort.
Chosen from thousands of applicants across the country, the Atlanta-area students will take part in a multi-day experience designed to help young people explore career paths, develop leadership skills and connect with mentors from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Disney announced the newest class ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
The Disney Dreamers Academy was created to inspire high school students to pursue their goals through education, mentorship and exposure to real-world opportunities. Participants attend workshops and seminars led by Disney executives, industry professionals and celebrities, while also gaining hands-on experience in communication, leadership and networking.
The Atlanta-area students selected for the 2026 class are:
- Fiffy A., Fayetteville
- Kyla D., Lawrenceville
- Sam G., Milton
- Riley L., Mableton
- Alexis L., Hampton
- Azarii R., Douglasville
- Shakayah W., Snellville
In addition to professional development programming, students will experience Walt Disney World’s theme parks as part of the immersive academy experience. Each Disney Dreamer and one parent or guardian receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Florida.
Applicants are evaluated based on essays that highlight their personal stories, academic interests and dreams for the future. The program is part of Disney’s broader effort to support students from diverse communities and encourage the next generation of leaders to think boldly about their potential.
Since its launch, Disney Dreamers Academy alumni have gone on to careers in fields such as journalism, engineering, the arts, technology and education. Many former participants later return to the program as mentors.
More information about the Disney Dreamers Academy is available at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Updates can also be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and on Instagram at @DisneyDreamersAcademy.