LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 26, 2025) – 1,000 students from seven Florida nonprofits took part in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at Typhoon Lagoon today, where they learned all about swim safety from expert Disney lifeguards and made special memories with Mickey Mouse and Stitch.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is put on by the World Waterpark Association. Each year, there are thousands of lesson sites around the world. Disney once again was the largest site participant with students from Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Girl Scouts of Citrus, Alianza Center, Foundation for Foster Children, ELEVATE Orlando, PACE Center for Girls, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
“Hosting an event like this gives our cast members the chance to not only connect with the kids in our community, but to share something they’re knowledgeable and passionate about,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Disney World. “Helping kids pair that skills-based learning with the fun of our water parks creates memories and moments that will stick with them forever.”
More than 50 Disney lifeguards taught the swim lesson with 40 additional Disney VoluntEARS cheering on the students, many of whom were learning to swim for the very first time. After the lesson, all 1,000 students enjoyed the fun of the water park for the rest of the day.
“We’re in Florida, so there’s water everywhere, and it’s really important for the kids to know how to swim,” said Youth Program Supervisor for Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Natasha Yeung. “For most of our kids, this is their favorite field trip of the year. They love being able to experience this with all of their really close friends, and then also getting to meet characters like Mickey and Stitch.”
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is just one way Disney World is making a difference for its community this summer. In just a few weeks, the resort will begin collecting school supplies for its annual Back-To-School Supply Drive. To learn more about other way Walt Disney World is supporting Florida, visit DisneyExperiences.com.
Kids, families and other visiting guests can also practice water safety and have twice the water park fun with Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks open this summer. And this year, guests staying at select Disney hotels get free admission to the water parks on the day of their arrival.