Walt Disney World, the land “where dreams come true,” is set to create even more magic in 2023! The ever-inspiring Disney Dreamers Academy is gearing up for its 16th edition from March 23-26, 2023. In true Disney style, Mickey Mouse collaborated with Grammy-winner and Destiny's Child alum, Kelly Rowland. Rowland graced the screen on “Good Morning America” to applaud 17-year-old budding neuroscientist Mosope Aina from Newark, NJ, for being one of the 100 fortunate students to participate in this illustrious program. The excitement peaked when all 100 names lit up Times Square, showcasing another enchanting Disney moment!
The phenomenal four-time Grammy Award winner, Kelly Rowland, played an important role in last year's Disney Dreamers program, acting as an ambassador and mentor to young talents. Drawing from her own incredible journey as a pre-teen performer and Destiny's Child member, she provided invaluable insights to the students.
Disney Dreamers is a remarkable initiative that reflects Disney's dedication to supporting diverse communities. The aim? To empower the next generation to dream big and apply the lessons they've learned in their own lives, continuing their pursuit of greatness!
“We're ready to welcome another outstanding group of teens from across the country for our 16th year!” said Tracey Powell, Disney Signature Experiences vice president and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “They are going to have the experience of a lifetime, setting them on a journey to go out and achieve their dreams, just like the classes who came before them.”
Embark on a magical journey with the Disney Dreamers Academy, where over 1,500 young minds have been inspired since 2008! With dreams transformed into reality, these driven individuals have soared high, becoming artists, engineers, journalists, and more. Disney Dreamers have not only achieved their own goals, but also become mentors, guiding the future generations.
Imagine being one of the chosen few selected from thousands of applicants who share their dreams through heartfelt essays. As a Disney Dreamer, you and a lucky companion enjoy an all-expenses paid adventure to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. A mesmerizing four-day event awaits, where dreams come true and world of endless possibilities unfolds before your eyes.
The Disney Dreamers embark on a journey throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks and behind the scenes of the 40-square-mile vacation destination. It is a vibrant classroom where students discover new career opportunities, pursue their dreams and interact with Disney executives, educators, business leaders, celebrities and motivational speakers.
Students participate in immersive, career-oriented workshops that explore a wide range of career disciplines while also learning essential skills, such as effective communication techniques, leadership and networking strategies.
Past celebrity participants have included stars from the big screen and television, noted sports figures and popular musicians, as well as personalities and cast members from across the Disney family, including “Good Morning America,” ESPN, Disney Channel and the ABC TV series “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish.”
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy, Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.
The 100 students selected for the 2023 Disney Dreamers Academy are (listed by state):
| First Name | Last Name | City | State |
| Chelsea | Williams | Hoover | AL |
| Radhika | Pant | Hoover | AL |
| Tyler | Chiu | Northridge | CA |
| Ella | Milstein | La Jolla | CA |
| Rashad | Tyler | Highland | CA |
| Ryan | Nelson | Concord | CA |
| Tina | Mai | Newport Coast | CA |
| Octavia | Carey | Inglewood | CA |
| Isabella | Cabello | Tulare | CA |
| Madison | Henderson | Los Angeles | CA |
| Brooke | Sibala | Chula Vista | CA |
| Sanvi | Prakash | San Ramon | CA |
| Cisco | Hernandez | National City | CA |
| Melanie | Cho | Alhambra | CA |
| April | Ortiz | Anaheim | CA |
| Casey | Folau | Maywood | CA |
| Xavier | Forbes | San Diego | CA |
| Allison | Jensen | Thornton | CO |
| Jonathan | De Caro | Moodus | CT |
| Yasmeen | Galal | Prospect | CT |
| Mary Amma | Blankson | Madison | CT |
| Miguel | Coppedge | Washington | DC |
| Sophia | Juroviesky | Boca Raton | FL |
| Dorsey | Miller | Parkland | FL |
| Zara | Lwin | Orlando | FL |
| Sophia | Dupeyron | Cape Coral | FL |
| Kaitlyn | Jadevaia | Sarasota | FL |
| Megan | Fajardo | Destin | FL |
| Kimora | Reed | Saint Petersburg | FL |
| Cynthia | Medina | Bradenton | FL |
| Cameron | West | Jacksonville | FL |
| Sara | Kaufman | Hollywood | FL |
| Noah | Spinelli | Orlando | FL |
| Pamela | Musungu | Acworth | GA |
| Zachariah | Hickey | Bonaire | GA |
| Ava | Flanigan | Morrow | GA |
| Ava | Adams | Atlanta | GA |
| Jordan | Adeyemi | Duluth | GA |
| Pippa | Key | Summerville | GA |
| Jaden | Jenkins | Augusta | GA |
| Kirasten | Perkins | Savannah | GA |
| Erin | Shen | Statesboro | GA |
| Dylan | Jones | Smyrna | GA |
| Bradley Ross | Jackson | Normal | IL |
| Tamaya | Mcneal | Joliet | IL |
| Nora | Sun | Chicago | IL |
| Nyla | Bishop | Flossmoor | IL |
| Aramia | Gutierrez | Whiting | IN |
| Jaylynn | Powe | Baton Rouge | LA |
| Charles | Steele | Slidell | LA |
| Audrey | Brust | Zachary | LA |
| Tasneem | Ghadiali | Lexington | MA |
| Xin Yue | Lu | Lutherville Timonium | MD |
| Aria | Smith | Upper Marlboro | MD |
| Lindsey | Sands | Columbia | MD |
| Makayla | Joaquin | Fort Washington | MD |
| Saniyah | Ikard | Bowie | MD |
| Natalyn | Taylor | Ellicott City | MD |
| Julian | Morris | Saginaw | MI |
| Keenan | Burns | Redford | MI |
| Preston | Zabinko | Ann Arbor | MI |
| Addison | Richmond | Jackson | MI |
| Kennedy | Jones | Berkeley | MO |
| Zania | Stinson | Charlotte | NC |
| Jada | Stewart | Wilson | NC |
| Ryan | Razon | Morrisville | NC |
| Mosope | Aina | Newark | NJ |
| Elise | Tao | Upper Saddle River | NJ |
| Maria | Maione | Egg Harbor City | NJ |
| Claudia | Merchan | Hackensack | NJ |
| Amechi | Chukwujiorah-Strange | Flushing | NY |
| Autumn | Tyler | Chester | NY |
| Morgan | Lin | Brooklyn | NY |
| Emily | Melendez | Rego Park | NY |
| Logan | Williams | Cleveland | OH |
| Sophia | Barbee | Maineville | OH |
| Mckinley | Meeker | Hudson | OH |
| Kyle | Zhou | Solon | OH |
| Aziza | Mccarter | Jenks | OK |
| Neighujah | Harmon | Oklahoma City | OK |
| Amelia | Godard | Sherwood | OR |
| Eliza | Watkins | Portland | OR |
| Anjana | Pramod | West Chester | PA |
| Prerna | Chakkingal | Mc Donald | PA |
| Joslyn | Diffenbaugh | Kutztown | PA |
| Tavis | Sanders | Philadelphia | PA |
| Sydney | Simmons | Tiverton | RI |
| Benjamin | Brown | Columbia | SC |
| Hannah | Hollings | Brentwood | TN |
| Toluwakitan | Akinsola | Antioch | TN |
| Sydney | Roberts | Plano | TX |
| Yaddeni | Hailu | Lewisville | TX |
| Shane | Mushambi | Missouri City | TX |
| Medha | Pulluru | Cedar Park | TX |
| Alvaro | Alvarez | Elgin | TX |
| Elle | Chavis | Dallas | TX |
| Nia | Curry | Trophy Club | TX |
| Tierra | Brown | Pearland | TX |
| Eliora Margaret | Kwakye | Olympia | WA |
| Julius | Zakaria | Oak Creek | WI |
