LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 1, 2026) – In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week, 15 educators from all over the country, participated in a magical parade at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on Friday as part of the Disney Imagination Campus and ABC’s hit show “Abbott Elementary” Teachers Celebration.
The teachers served as honorary grand marshals in a dazzling parade through Magic Kingdom Park, traveling down Main Street, U.S.A., ahead of beloved Disney characters and colorful floats.
The parade was part of a weekend of festivities honoring 15 elementary, middle, and high school teachers, including special theme park experiences, inspiring sessions led by Disney leaders, and an evening reception followed by private fireworks viewing courtesy of General Motors. Beyond the once-in-a-lifetime experience at Walt Disney World Resort, General Motors, in partnership with the nationwide nonprofit DonorsChoose, is awarding $150,000 in grants for the teachers to pay it forward by supporting other educators in their communities with STEAM-related projects that inspire future innovators and create new learning opportunities for students.
The educators were selected from thousands of entries in the 2026 Disney Teachers Sweepstakes for a one-of-a-kind experience celebrating creativity, innovation, and the power of teaching. They also received a behind-the-scenes look at Disney Imagination Campus workshops, which offer unique educational opportunities in performing arts, science and technology, arts and humanities, and leadership and innovation.
The prize package included a four-day, three-night stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, providing winners with an immersive experience in imagination-powered learning. From exclusive workshops to interactions with fellow educators, the celebration honored their impact on students while inspiring fresh ideas to bring back to the classroom.