Descendants star Malia Baker named event’s “DREAMbassador;” Wilson and JayDon to inspire students by sharing lessons from their remarkable journeys to success; Disney mentorship program for 100 students nationwide blends career exploration with unforgettable Disney experiences.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 23, 2026) – WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson and actress Malia Baker, along with singer-songwriter JayDon and a host of other celebrities, will inspire and empower 100 high school students at Walt Disney World Resort during the 2026 Disney Dreamers Academy. The mentoring program, March 26-29, is designed to help students supercharge their career aspirations.
Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces star and one of the most dominant forces in professional women’s basketball, is widely regarded as the defining player of her generation and among the greatest athletes in WNBA history. At Disney Dreamers Academy, Wilson aims to connect with students on topics including perseverance, stewardship and building a winning mindset.
Known for her breakout roles across film and television, including the 2024 Disney+ movie Descendants: The Rise of Red and the upcoming Disney+ movie Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Baker will serve as the event’s official “DREAMbassador,” spending significant time during the multi-day event interacting with students, sharing her personal entertainment journey and participating in immersive career workshops and leadership sessions. As “DREAMbassador,” she will also play a central role in the program’s culminating celebration, where students are recognized for their growth and renewed sense of purpose.
As a rising artist and multifaceted performer, JayDon is well known for his performance in the live action version of The Lion King as the voice of young Simba, as well as Kenny Payne in the TV series The Paynes. He has built momentum by blending music, performance and online storytelling into his own dynamic personal brand and will bring that energy to Disney Dreamers Academy with a special live performance for the 100 Dreamers at their end of event celebration.
From the thousands of applications received each year from high school students across various communities and backgrounds nationwide, Disney Dreamers Academy selects 100 deserving students who share their personal stories and future career goals through heartfelt essay submissions. These Dreamers, along with a parent or guardian, are invited on an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort for a transformational and fun experience filled with career workshops and meaningful mentorship opportunities, plus time to explore all four Walt Disney World theme parks and its unparallelled attractions and entertainment offerings.
The program, supported by presenting sponsors Partners Federal Credit Union and AdventHealth, along with participating sponsors such as TELETIES, Spectrum, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, exemplifies Disney’s continued dedication to encouraging students from diverse communities to dream boldly and pursue limitless possibilities.
Since its inception in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired 1,800 students across the country, many of whom have gone on to become entrepreneurs, storytellers, engineers, artists, journalists and industry leaders with some returning as mentors to guide the next generation of “Dreamers.’’
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.
About Disney Dreamers Academy
Established in 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Dreamers Academy’s mission is to inspire high school students from varying backgrounds and communities nationwide to dream beyond imagination through insightful content from uplifting experts, mentors and sponsors. Each year, 100 high school students are awarded a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience this multi-day immersive and transformational program.