Fun new stuff now at Disney Parks, and a great program for young dreamers Disney Dreamers Academy! #DDADisney #DisneySMMC

****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration dinner. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

Recently I was very fortunate to be able to meet up with the Disney Parks Social Media Moms Celebration Team to have an amazing dinner and to learn about some of the new and exciting things coming to Disney Parks and receive some exciting information about Disney Dreamers Academy right from Disney!  Myself and other great bloggers gathered for dinner at R2L restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. 

I have heard some great things about this restaurant, with its amazing views of the city and decadent food, I was even more excited to dive in and enjoy all while learning more about my favorite vacation destination.

Before dinner we were treated to a lovely welcome reception where I got to connect and network with the Disney Parks Social Media Moms team as well as meet up with blogger friends and made new friends. Being such a huge Disney Park fan getting to have a sneak peek at behind-the-scenes info straight from Disney Parks, was such an honor and privilege… For me Disney is not just a destination it is a way of life. It is a place to go and get away from it all, to travel back in time or travel to the future. Disney World and Disneyland are our vacation destinations of choice, we just love everything about each of them. From the yummy and unique snacks to the rides we are all kids again when we visit Disney.

While at the dinner we received some exciting information about Disney Dreamers Academy. What is the Disney Dreamers Academy you may ask? For those who may not know, the Disney Dreamers Academy has a dedicated mission to provide youth with an opportunity to learn how they can harness the power of their dreams... It is such a wonderful thing, the Disney Dreamers Academy, to unlock the potential in young people letting them, dream big and show them that they can do anything!

The Disney Dreamers Academy is celebrating its 10^th year for this program kids are invited to a 4 day event to explore their dreams in Disney World. Thousands apply but only 100 high school students are chosen to go with a chaperone all-expense paid  to a trip to Orlando to develop their dream.  We were able to meet with one of the alumnae of the program a young entrepreneur named Jordan Williams. Jordan spoke about how much this event was life changing for him. Growing up in Atlanta he grew up with a passion to be an entrepreneur started first company at 10 years old. 

Photo Credit: Disney Dreamers Pictured, the current Disney Dreamers Academy Class

His current company Young Moguls Brand a street wear clothing line that helps you identify with your passion... Disney dreamer academy gave him a different mindset and he was more motivated . It taught him how to dream ... “you can get caught up in your daily life.. get out of the box...take a chance... everything we use in a daily basis started with a dream” The Disney Dreamers Academy dreamed helped him get to know his strengths and weaknesses... network and relationship mentorship. Steve Harvey believed in his dream and even had him on his show 

           

Disney encourages all to apply, the applications are being taken until October 31^st. Applicants  have to be in high school age 13-18. To apply all you need to do is answer three simple questions. They do not need a resume or a long application process, they just want to know what is your dream?  Do you know anyone that would benefit from Disney Dreamers Academy? Be sure to check out https://www.disneydreamersacademy.com/.

If you are planning a trip to Disney World there are so many new things to enjoy!  If you are a water parks fan you will love the brand new family friendly water park experience misadventure falls Typhoon lagoon.. My daughter just loves water rides, and this is one the whole family can do together, we are looking forward to checking this out soon.

Animal Kingdom is almost like a new park with so many great new things to do and see! From being able to ride Expedition Everest in the day and at night, to the beautiful kiss goodnight, with the Tree of Life projections. Such a colorful showcase of lights and projected images.

Then go off and enter the fantasy world  of Pandora– The World of Avatar. Ride the Na'vi River Journey, journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs.  Experience walking though the Valley of Mo'ara - Exotic plants and magnificent floating mountains adorn the landscape of Pandora. Hike amid floating mountains, glowing fauna and flora, a native drum circle and many other wonders at Pandora. 

Photo Credit: Disney Parks

Ride the amazingly popular, Avatar Flight of Passage where you become one of the Na’vi people riding atop flying mountain banshees through a range of floating mountains of Pandora. You will fly on the back of a mountain banshee during an exhilarating, 3D ride above this vast moon, only at Pandora – The World of Avatar. While there be sure to enjoy some of the exotic tastes and the flavors of Pandora at Pongu Pongu & Satu'li Canteen.

 Photo Credit: Disney Parks

Visit Epcot and ride the newly imagined Soarin’ Around the World and ride Frozen Ever After and then meet Anna & Elsa at the Norway pavilion in World Showcase. The Magic Kingdom has a new nightly fireworks show that has replaced Wishes, the new show is called Happily Ever After, and I have heard nothing but praise, folks have said it is amazing. I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.

                                                                 Photo Credit: Disney Parks

Head off to Hollywood Studios where you can now meet Olaf then go attend a Frozen singalong! Speaking of singing checkout  ... The Music of Pixar Live. Filled with songs you love from the soundtracks of your Pixar favorites including Cars Monsters Inc. You Story and Up. Meet Star Wars characters from the dark side and the light side and enjoy the fireworks a galactic spectacular state of the art projections and effects!

Are you in a shopping mood? Then visit Disney Springs this recently renovated spot is filled with 150 establishments and a day of shopping would be a great break from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.  Check out the new restaurants from SDK to The Boathouse and there will be more restaurants opening soon  this year including Wine Bar George and The Edison.

              

What is up for the future of Disney? Well plenty! Some of my favorite new plans are Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Yes! My family and I have been looking forward to this land, and have been checking out the construction each time we visit Hollywood Studios. Next summer Toy Story Land will open in the studios, I am happy that the opening day will be so soon.. I’d better get my summer 2018 plans together! 






                                                            Photo Credit: Disney Parks

'Guardians of the Galaxy’ & ‘Ratatouille’ Attractions Coming to Epcot. These
 are going to be great! I am especially happy about The Guardians of the Galaxy ride (or experience? I guess we will find out soon?) we figured Ellen’s Energy Adventure would be closing soon, the ride never seemed to be open, but it was open for one day on our last trip to Epcot, and we had to ride it and take pictures, just to experience it one more time.

A great quote from Walt Disney himself is “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world”. I am sure Walt would feel this way about each and every park that bears his name. The parks are even changing.. Sure this may mean a favorite ride goes away now and then (oh Horizons how I miss you!) but there will always be a new ride or experience. These changes help to make each trip new and exciting.

Are you excited?? Plan a Disney family vacation with helpful travel planning information and experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks, cruises and exciting destinations. 

Be sure to visit https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/ to start to plan your vacation today. 

Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .