The SECRET Celebrity-Filled Event You Didn't Know Was Happening in Disney World Right NOW

It’s time! There’s a celebrity-FILLED event going on in Disney World right now and you probably didn’t even realize it.

2023 marks the 16th anniversary of the Disney Dreamers Academy. Not sure what this event is? Allow us to explain.

The Disney Dreamers Academy is taking place from March 23rd to 26th this year. One hundred students are chosen out of thousands of applications to come to Disney World with a parent/guardian for the whole 4-day event.

Disney Dreamers Academy (2023)

The theme of the event is “Be100”, which encourages participants to be 100% “all in” when it comes to their dreams, goals, and the difference they’ll make in the world.

The students get an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World and while they get to enjoy some of the more fun aspects of the parks, they also get to participate in some important sessions.

One of the handouts

This event is all about educational mentorship. During the event, the students participate in career-focused workshops, learn about essential skills (like effective communication and leadership), and so much more.

Students chatting with a mentor

According to Disney, “Students will also go through in-depth workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with their dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.”

Watching a demonstration

The goal of the program is to broaden “career awareness and create exclusive opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America.”

Of the past 1,500 graduates, Disney states that some have become “storytellers, artists, engineers, innovators, journalists and more.” Some have even become mentors to the Disney Dreamers classes that have followed theirs.

We were able to attend parts of the 16th Annual Disney Dreamers Academy, where we saw some of the live entertainment offered (check out Mickey’s amazing outfit!) and even a talk from Halle Bailey — the star of Disney’s upcoming Little Mermaid live-action remake.

Bailey is the celebrity ambassador this year, so she headlines the list of celebrities attending and will be a mentor during the event. Bailey shared, “If it wasn’t for my mentors, I wouldn’t be where I am today…I’m excited to work with these students and be a mentor for them as they find their passions in life.”

But Bailey isn’t alone! Other celebrities are participating in the event too. The other celebrities include singer-songwriter H.E.R. (who some may have seen recently in the Beauty and the Beast ABC special), Marsai Martin (who many may recognize from “black-ish”), Jalyn Hall (who was Emmett Till in the film Till), Dominique Thorne (who played Riri Williams in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), and Priah Ferguson (who played Erica Sinclair on “Stranger Things”).

These celebrities will be joined by Disney executives, community leaders, executives from businesses, educators, and more to help the participants.

Later in the day on March 23rd, a special pre-parade actually took place in Magic Kingdom.

Mickey led the way in his drum major outfit.

And the Dreamers got to wave at the Disney fans in the park.

Plus, Halle Bailey made an appearance!

We later got the chance to hear Bailey speak a bit.

Congratulations to each of this year’s participants. We look forward to seeing what amazing futures you all create. As always, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!