Walt Disney World is putting $1.3 million into Central Florida education and gave five local elementary schools an early taste of Cool Kids’ Summer before the season officially kicks off on May 26.
The investment reaches all five of the region’s public school districts, covering Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, and Seminole counties. Beyond the districts themselves, funding will support nonprofit partners, including Elevate Orlando, A Gift for Teaching, the Orlando Philharmonic Young People’s Concert, and Disney Musicals in Schools through the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Everything from STEM and literacy programs to arts education is included in the grant. You can find everything you need to know about what’s coming to the parks in our Cool Kids’ Summer guide at Fantasy Land News.
Disney visited five schools ahead of the season opening: Engelwood Elementary in Orange County, St. Cloud Elementary in Osceola County, Eustis Heights Elementary in Lake County, Jesse Keen Elementary in Polk County, and Sterling Park Elementary in Seminole County. During each visit, students got a hands-on preview of kid-friendly activities from this summer’s lineup, including a special appearance from Goofy and the Goof Troop. Younger students participated in activities inspired by GoofyCore, the new experience coming to EPCOT this summer.
After the students went home, teachers, administrators, and staff were invited to stay for a surprise of their own. Every participating educator received complimentary Walt Disney World theme park tickets as a thank-you for their work this school year.
“Schools are where the very first sparks of imagination are lit,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World. “Disney is proud to recognize and support the schools and educators who inspire the next generation every single day.”
Families can experience the fun for themselves when Cool Kids’ Summer officially opens at Walt Disney World Resort on May 26, running through September 8. The seasonal celebration features interactive entertainment, playful experiences, and family-friendly offerings designed especially for younger guests.
Our Take: This is Disney doing community investment the right way. Handing teachers free park tickets at the end of a school year, with no press fanfare until after the fact, is the kind of thing that actually earns goodwill. The GoofyCore preview for pre-K and kindergarten students was a smart move too. Those kids are going home and telling their parents exactly what they want to do this summer. Whether that was intentional or not, it works. Either way, $1.3 million spread across all five Central Florida counties is a real commitment, and the partnership with the Dr. Phillips Center and Elevate Orlando gives it staying power beyond a single news cycle.
Cool Kids’ Summer begins May 26 at Walt Disney World. For full coverage of what’s happening this season, visit Fantasy Land News.
Disney Invests $1.3 Million in Education, Brings Cool Kids’ Summer Preview to Five Central Florida Schools
