Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers have inspired a real-world conservation challenge for kids, and the deadline to enter is coming up fast. Disney has partnered with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots USA to launch the “Hop Into the Animal Kingdom” Challenge, giving teens a chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World this fall by completing a project that helps animals in their community. Applications are due April 3, 2026.
What Is the Challenge?
Roots & Shoots is the youth action program of the Jane Goodall Institute, and it has been empowering young people to make a difference for animals, people, and the planet since 1991. This year marks the program’s 35th anniversary, and the partnership with Disney is part of a broader celebration that also marks the 30th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund.
The challenge is straightforward. Teens between the ages of 13 and 19 in the United States can join Roots & Shoots for free, then submit an application describing a completed or in-progress project to help domestic or wild animals. Projects can be individual or collaborative, and anyone who has completed a qualifying project within the last three months is eligible to apply.
The connection to Hoppers runs deeper than a movie tie-in. The film follows Mabel, a girl who transfers her mind into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals and protect their habitat. The idea that an ordinary kid can “hop in” and make a real difference for animals is exactly what the challenge asks real kids to do.
What Do Winners Receive?
Two winners will be selected from each of five U.S. regions, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West, for a total of ten winners nationwide. Each winner receives free flights, hotel, park entrance, and meals at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for themselves and up to three family members or chaperones. Winners also receive $500 to put toward their ongoing animal projects or to start something new.
The recognition event takes place in the fall of 2026 at Walt Disney World, and winners will have the chance to meet other young conservationists from across the country and participate in immersive animal experiences at the resort.
The Deadline Is April 3
To enter, teens must first be registered members of Roots & Shoots, which is free to join. Once registered, they can submit their project application at the official challenge page at rootsandshoots.org/hoppers. Winners will be notified on April 17 and publicly announced in late April.
If your family has already seen Hoppers in theaters and the film sparked some conversations about animals and conservation, this challenge is the natural next step. Disney has built out the Hoppers theme across its parks as well, including a Wildlife Crossing Garden at EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival and a full Hoppers exhibit inside Walt Disney Presents at Hollywood Studios.
For more on everything Hoppers at the parks, see our full guide to Hoppers experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. For more Disney entertainment and parks news, visit www.fantasylandnews.com
