Melissa Donovan
In a show of appreciation for local educators, Walt Disney World recently wrapped up the school year with a series of generous surprises for Central Florida teachers. The company donated $500,000 to support education initiatives across the region and treated several schools to character visits and complimentary theme park tickets.
Teachers at Hamilton Elementary, Deerwood Elementary, College Park Middle, Tavares Middle, and North Lakeland Elementary were greeted with a special appearance by Stitch from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. Alongside the visit, Disney presented teachers at each school with free Walt Disney World theme park tickets as a gesture of gratitude for their dedication throughout the academic year.
The $500,000 donation will be distributed among multiple local education foundations, including:
The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
The School District of Osceola County
Lake County Schools Foundation
Polk County Schools Foundation
Seminole County Schools Foundation
Additional support is also being extended to four youth development organizations: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando Philharmonic, ELEVATE Orlando, and A Gift for Teaching.
As part of the celebration, Disney Imagination Campus invited teachers and school leaders from each participating district to EPCOT for an exclusive day of learning and inspiration. The event aimed to empower educators to incorporate creative, real-world experiences into their classrooms.
Looking ahead, Walt Disney World is planning additional summer initiatives. These include hosting The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at Typhoon Lagoon and organizing a Back-To-School Supply Drive to collect essential items for students across Florida.
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