What is a Disney Grant? 

Each year at Disney World, Disney recognizes nonprofit organizations that are bringing joy, happiness and magic to families through monetary donations called Disney Grants. 

Since Disney has operating in Florida for more than 50 years, and with the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, there was no better place for the surprise to take place than inside Pioneer Hall. 

Get to Know the 2024 Disney Grants Recipients 

This year’s Disney Grant recipients have big plans to make positive changes for Florida students and families. Disney is honored to be part of their stories as they continue to do good in our community. Learn more about these nonprofit organizations with the links below: 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida 
• Camp Boggy Creek 
• Children’s Home Society of Florida 
• Girl Scouts of Citrus Council 
• Lift Orlando 
• Marine Discovery Center 
• Orlando Science Center 

“These organizations enrich Central Florida in unique and vital ways. We are grateful for the positive change they inspire and want to help them do more of that,” said Rena Langley, Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs at Walt Disney World. 

What will the Disney Grants fund? 

Each granted nonprofit will use the funding in unique ways to strengthen Florida’s workforce, provide access to education, pioneer youth development programs and more. 

• Camp Boggy Creek is a place where children with serious illnesses can step away from the “real world” and focus on having fun at no cost. With the grant, they plan to launch an “Arts for All” camp, where high school students with disabilities or serious illnesses can have a chance to learn and perform in a safe environment. 
• Marine Discovery Center aims to make nature accessible to all through first-hand experiences. They will use the extra funding to offer students from land-locked counties in Central Florida opportunities to visit, learn and explore an ecosystem they may not have encountered before. 
• Children’s Home Society of Florida not only helps students prepare for standardized tests like SATs and ACTs, they also help high school students who may not be able to visit college campuses take tours of their dream schools. They will continue to help make secondary education more attainable for local students through financial aid paperwork support and STEM summer programs. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Disney Grant recipients. See more photos on DisneyParksBlog.com.

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This special moment occurred under the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT, where Disney recognized John for his military valor and the injuries he sustained during active service with the U.S. Army in Mosul, Iraq in 2007. 

The ceremony was held before an audience of family and fellow Disney cast members, including numerous military veterans.  

Wearing his Army service dress uniform, John received his Purple Heart from fellow cast member, Jenn O’Rourke, a business transformation manager with Disney Institute who continues to serve in uniform as a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

John received this recognition surrounded by “Portraits of Courage,” the pavilion’s current exhibit of more than 60 paintings created by President George W. Bush to recognize post-9/11 military veterans.   

During this ceremony, we also had the special opportunity to present a flag flown over EPCOT in John’s honor as well as special notes of gratitude to John’s military service from former President George W. Bush, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger and Chairman of Disney Experiences, Josh D’Amaro.

“Receiving the Purple Heart is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled that my service is being recognized in such a meaningful way,” said John. “I could not be prouder to be a cast member because Disney ensured this medal was awarded in a fitting ceremony in front of family, friends, and other cast members. Disney’s commitment to our military, veterans, and their families has been strong for over 100 years and today is another great example of just that.”  

The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military award. It was established in 1782 by General George Washington to create an award that recognized heroic acts of his soldiers during the American Revolution.  

Today, this medal is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the line of duty.  

See more photos and video at DisneyParkBlog.com.

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Topped with a larger-than-life tiara fit for a princess and standing at 32 feet tall, the water tower is an integral part of the next chapter of Tiana’s story. The structure features the Tiana’s Foods co-op logo and special nods to characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog” film.

Bringing this regal icon to life was no small feat. Disney Imagineers worked with local Central Florida business, Icarus Exhibits, to create a water tower truly befitting royalty. This icon fits seamlessly into the story of Tiana’s Foods, inviting guests to join a truly memorable Mardi Gras celebration.

Icarus is a design and build company founded in 1987 just down the road from Disney World. Their specialty is creating intentional, themed designs that bring immersive environments to life … something they’ve been doing with Disney since the 1990s when they first worked with Imagineers at Magic Kingdom.

The process for creating an immersive set piece like the Tiana’s Foods water tower is a collaborative one. Disney Imagineers dreamed up the design, and the team at Icarus helped make those dreams realities.

“Whenever we’re creating new experiences, we frequently work with trusted and valued industry leaders like Icarus,” said Peter Ricci, principal show manager at Walt Disney Imagineering. “That was no different for the construction of the beautiful water tower at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. I’ve had the privilege of working with Icarus for more than two decades now, and their work as a longtime collaborator never ceases to amaze me.”

From design mock-ups, to paint and material samples, feedback sessions and the final installation, Imagineers worked with Icarus in lockstep to make sure every piece of the water tower was crafted to perfection.

“There’s an immense sense of pride to know that you’ve built it,” Icarus co-owner Mark Ireland said when reflecting on the final installation. “First, there’s a little bit of relief that everything turned out and was installed correctly, but mostly there’s pride.”

The pride in working on this project hit closer to home for co-owner Drayton Knox, who has lived in Florida his whole life.

“Growing up here in Florida, I’ve been going to Magic Kingdom since I was seven years old,” he said. “Any time we work on anything at the park, it’s special. Working on an attraction like Tiana’s is really cool.”

“People will look back on Icarus and they’ll say, “Oh, Icarus did that.” That’s super important. For me, it’s more about doing all this great work, and we’ve done it in partnership with Disney, said Knox.

Disney Supports Small Businesses

While initially starting their work with Disney here in Florida, Icarus has helped Imagineers create immersive experiences at every Disney destination – and Disney Cruise Line – around the world.

They’ve also been able to expand their business and work with other companies across a variety of industries.

“Our relationship working with Disney has allowed us to grow,” Mark said. “We now get to work with NASA and other companies like that, and we may not have had those opportunities if it hadn’t been for Disney.”

Icarus is just one of the 2,500 Florida-based small businesses contracted to supply products and services to Disney World – part of the 8,500 small businesses across the country contracted by The Walt Disney Company.

See more about Disney supporting this local Florida business on DisneyParksBlog.com.

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Sumatran Tiger

The most powerful predator in the jungle, the endangered Sumatran tiger, roams the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Animal Kingdom.  Like other species featured here, tigers live in the forest so individuals can help by making sure to recycle and print double-sided to help protect their habitats.

Western Lowland Gorilla

On Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, guests can see two dynamic troops of endangered western lowland gorillas.  An Animal Kingdom resident since opening day, 43-year-old Gino leads the family troop. 

Gorillas rely heavily on forests for survival. Trees are often cut down to mine for minerals to make electronics. So by recycling electronics, individuals can help reduce the number of trees that get cut down and preserve the gorillas’ habitats. 

African Elephant

For many guests, a favorite part of visiting Kilimanjaro Safaris is seeing the endangered African elephants including five-month old Corra and mom Nadirah. Both elephants were born at Animal Kingdom, making Corra the first second-generation elephant in the Park’s history.

Corra has a lot of familiar faces in her herd, as she is joined by her aunts and grandma Donna on the savanna. The adorable five-month-old loves exploring, splashing and discovering new ways to use her trunk. 

Guests can help protect elephants by buying eco-friendly, wildlife-friendly and by joining a conservation group. 

Painted Dogs

Painted dog packs can range from 2-27 and members of the same sex are closely related to each other, like the ones at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Right now, guests can see “The Brothers” on Kilimanjaro Safaris and even on “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” streaming on Disney+.  

Painted dogs are known for being hierarchical and our pack is no different. This dynamic helps the species work together, making them some of the most successful hunters in Africa.  

We encourage individuals to support conservation organizations working to protect wildlife, like painted dogs, and their habitats. 

Vietnam Pheasant

On Maharajah Jungle Trek at Animal Kingdom, visitors can find a group of stylish Vietnam pheasants. These colorful endangered birds have bright red skin around their eyes that pop like the sunset. 

This beautiful species can help keep small animal populations in check, so individuals should limit or reduce the use of pesticides to protect plants and animals like these ones. 

Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more stories like this and updates on how our dedicated veterinarians, animal keepers, and teams continue to deliver the best care to the animals in today’s story and to the 5,000 others across the resort. 

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Disney & Make-A-Wish: How the Walt Disney World license plate makes a local impact

Proceeds from the Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate directly benefit Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, helping grant unforgettable wishes for children facing critical illnesses and their families. Since introducing the first-ever Walt Disney World specialty license plate design during our 50^th Anniversary celebration, more than $2 million has been raised for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida through these license plate sales.

We’ve worked with Make-A-Wish for more than 40 years and have granted more than 155,000 Disney-inspired wishes together. We’re so excited to continue supporting their inspiring mission together as this new design hits the roads! To learn more about Disney’s longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish and other recent ways we’ve supported the organization, visit Wish.org/Disney.

How to purchase the Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate:

Eager to get a Walt Disney World Florida license plate of your own? The process varies based on your registration status.

Registered car owners in the state of Florida:

1. Visit www.flhsmv.gov or select your county in the drop-down menu below to find the location of your nearest County Tax Collector’s Office in-person office or Florida license plate agency (DMV)
2. Make an appointment for tag renewal or registration
3. During your scheduled appointment, purchase an available Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate

New Florida residents registering a car for the first time:

1. Visit www.flhsmv.gov
2. Click the “Motor Vehicles, Tags & Titles” drop-down menu and select “License Plates & Registration”
3. From the License Plates & Registration page, navigate to the Motor Vehicle Registrations page for detailed information about how to apply for a license plate and registration

To personalize your Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate:

1. Check the availability of your desired configuration using the Personalized License Plate Inquiry service
2. Print and complete an Application for Personalized License Plate
3. Visit a motor vehicle service center in Florida in person with your completed application to order your personalized Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate
4. Receive your personalized Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate in the mail

How to purchase the Walt Disney World Florida specialty license plate for others:

Did you know you can also make a little magic for a loved one by purchasing a specialty license plate gift certificate for a motor vehicle registrant? Gift certificates for specialty license plates are available through local State of Florida DMV or Tax Collector’s Offices.

Once you’ve purchased your gift certificate, you’ll be given a receipt and a credit will be issued in the name of the person you are gifting the certificate to, which they can then redeem when purchasing their specialty license plate. Please note that they must be a Florida resident and do not have to present the gift certificate to redeem the credit, just proper identification (i.e. Florida driver’s license or ID card).

Find your local Florida County Tax Collector’s Office or license plate agency (DMV)

Select your county in the list below to visit the website of your nearest County Tax Collector’s Office or Florida license plate agency (DMV):

• Alachua County Tax Collector
• Baker County Tax Collector
• Bay County Tax Collector
• Bradford County Tax Collector
• Brevard County Tax Collector
• Broward County Tax Collector
• Calhoun County Tax Collector
• Charlotte County Tax Collector
• Citrus County Tax Collector
• Clay County Tax Collector
• Collier County Tax Collector
• Columbia County Tax Collector
• DeSoto County Tax Collector
• Dixie County Tax Collector
• Duval County Tax Collector
• Escambia County Tax Collector
• Flagler County Tax Collector
• Franklin County Tax Collector
• Gadsden County Tax Collector
• Gilchrist County Tax Collector
• Glades County Tax Collector
• Gulf County Tax Collector
• Hamilton County Tax Collector
• Hardee County Tax Collector
• Hendry County Tax Collector
• Hernando County Tax Collector
• Highlands County Tax Collector
• Hillsborough County Tax Collector
• Holmes County Tax Collector
• Indian River County Tax Collector
• Jackson County Tax Collector
• Jefferson County Tax Collector
• Lafayette County Tax Collector
• Lake County Tax Collector
• Lee County Tax Collector
• Leon County Tax Collector
• Levy County Tax Collector
• Liberty County Tax Collector
• Madison County Tax Collector
• Manatee County Tax Collector
• Marion County Tax Collector
• Martin County Tax Collector
• Miami-Dade County Tax Collector
• Monroe County Tax Collector
• Nassau County Tax Collector
• Okaloosa County Tax Collector
• Okeechobee County Tax Collector
• Orange County Tax Collector
• Osceola County Tax Collector
• Palm Beach County Tax Collector
• Pasco County Tax Collector
• Pinellas County Tax Collector
• Polk County Tax Collector
• Putnam County Tax Collector
• St. Johns County Tax Collector
• St. Lucie County Tax Collector
• Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
• Sarasota County Tax Collector
• Seminole County Tax Collector
• Sumter County Tax Collector
• Suwannee County Tax Collector
• Taylor County Tax Collector
• Union County Tax Collector
• Volusia County Tax Collector
• Wakulla County Tax Collector
• Walton County Tax Collector
• Washington County Tax Collector

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As of 2023, Disney’s animal care team has sent over 10,000 tadpoles to aid in the repopulation of the rare native species, the Puerto Rican crested toad. Since the 1920’s, the population of Puerto Rican crested toads has declined due to invasive marine toads, pollution, habitat loss and new development taking place in Puerto Rico. 

Like many frogs and toads, Puerto Rican crested toads are considered “indicator” species, meaning they can provide early warnings for endangered ecosystems. They can also provide medical benefits to help fight microbes and viruses in humans.

This species of toad is critically endangered and was the first amphibian to be placed on a Species Survival Plan (SSP) by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1984. Animal experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and other AZA-accredited facilities, collaborate to operate successful specialized breeding programs for endangered and threatened species, like the Puerto Rican crested toad. 

Since 2011, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been involved in the program that not only breeds the toads but transports thousands of tiny tadpoles to the island. Breeding typically takes place in May, when the rainy season begins. During this time, Puerto Rican crested toads can lay up to 15,000 eggs.

Read the full story on Disney Experiences.

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Creating Super Hero Bionics at Limbitless Solutions

In Florida, Disney Grants help support nonprofits that strive to improve the lives of residents in local communities. One such nonprofit is Limbitless Solutions. A visit to Limbitless Solutions is like walking straight into Iron Man’s lab as some of the brightest minds are working with advanced tech to build personalized bionics. In fact, Iron Man himself presented one of the UCF-made bionics that was inspired by the Super Hero to one of the organization’s first “bionic kids.”

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the organization has grown from its founder’s kitchen table to an esteemed program that employs 50+ undergraduate students who are making a huge difference in the lives of families around the world with even MORE growth on the horizon.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to grow our program and its impact,” said Albert Manero,Co-Founder and Executive Director of UCF’s Limbitless Solutions Program. “The grant from Disney will enable our program to provide more opportunities that can unleash the potential of our students and create magical moments for our bionic kids and families.”

How Disney Grants Fund Futures at the University of Central Florida

This most recent $80,000 Disney Grant is funding 16 UCF students’ participation in the program as part of the various STEAM degrees they’re working toward and is all part of our company’s Disney Future Storytellers initiative.

“I am profoundly grateful for the invaluable experience I was able to receive at Limbitless Solutions throughout my undergraduate career with the support from Disney,” said Courtney Williams, a student at UCF. “The research and professional development skills I gained here greatly prepared me to pursue my master’s degree in the fall.”

Previous Disney Grants have helped the organization upgrade their tech – even funding the purchase of a spray-painting robotic arm that brings the creative bionic designs that are personalized to each limb recipient to life.

From Super Heroes to royalty and everything in between – the bionics’ cosmetics created are inspired by the kids as they pick out paint colors and patterns themed to characters they draw inspiration and strength from.

Building Hope for Florida Families and More

Beyond the bionics themselves, the team at Limbitless is building hope for families in need, helping kids grow their confidence and achieve things they never thought possible – like Annika Emmert, a past limb recipient who now is an undergraduate student researcher for the organization.

“My main goal from the time I was in fourth grade was to go to UCF to support and work for Limbitless – and now I am,” said Annika.

One of the ways the team helps build confidence is through its Gamified Training Program which is made possible by some of the brilliant minds and professors at UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design and the School of Communication and Media.

Learning how to use a bionic arm can be challenging, and through this program, bionic kids learn how to control their prosthetic through video games, earning achievements and unlocking complex challenges that correspond to muscle gestures needed to control the bionic arm.

The grants provided by Disney in Florida help support the meaningful work of organizations like Limbitless for years to come so that more children can accomplish their goals. 

Disney in Florida: A Continued Commitment to Giving Back

Since first opening Disney World in 1971, Disney has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in financial and in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations doing amazing work in Florida.

Limbitless was one of 19 Florida nonprofit organizations that recently received a Disney Grant with $1.5 million given in total to help create positive change in the state. The supported efforts range from establishing strong education and workforce development programs to supporting the arts, combatting homelessness and hunger and more.

To read more about these efforts, visit DisneyFlorida.com.

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For the past four years, a team of Disney aquatic wildlife experts has teamed with other conservationists on a special mission to help save Florida’s coral reefs from the rapid spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), which has put 22 coral species at risk of extinction. 

The Orlando-based Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) is a state-of-the-art facility that cares for hundreds of corals that are most at risk of SCTLD. Scientists say the disease has become a widespread issue that has now swept the entirety of Florida’s coral reef and other regions around the world.

FCRC corals will play a significant part in the future restoration plans for Florida’s coral reef. The breeding program is focused on ensuring genetic diversity of offspring and will provide the tens of thousands of baby corals required to restore the reef. 

Read the full story on Disney Experiences.

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Patients were surprised with princess dolls and plush toys from Disney Store, books from Disney Publishing and a new delivery of Starlight hospital gowns and pants inspired by heroines like Belle,Tiana, Ariel, Mulan, and Cinderella.

Belle surprised young patients at the party, bringing books and tales of inspiration that helped patients and families find strength in their own stories.

The latest delivery of Disney Princess hospital gowns are making a big impact on the patient experience at children’s hospitals around the world. They help patients feel like their favorite Disney Princess while taking on their treatments, alleviating stress and bringing new, happy memories for families during a hospital stay – even if just for a moment.

“After the stressful week we had, this was the biggest blessing,” said one patient’s mom, Iris. “The moment she put on the gown, she said ‘mom, I’m a princess.’ It’s amazing to now see her happy, relaxed and motivated. Every kid should be able to feel like a Disney Princess or superhero. It makes the hospital experience less scary; it makes the kids feel comfortable.”

This event is the most recent collaboration between Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that aims to provide programs to hospitals and medical facilities across the country to help kids cope with the stress and loneliness of being hospitalized.

See the full story on DisneyParksBlog.com

For more on Disney’s work in children’s hospitals around the world, visit Joy.Disney.com.

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Cast members are the heart of our company who help create magical moments every day. And across Walt Disney World, over 1.4 million cast compliments have been submitted by guests – with nearly 1,000 of these compliments just for Willie!

As a Disney PhotoPass photographer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Willie treats every photo he snaps as a scene from a movie and makes guests the stars of their very own show on Hollywood Boulevard.

“The guests are my actors, my dancers, my performers,” he said. “It’s what makes this job so fun!”

How does he do it? Willie says he is just being himself every day at work.

“Everyone wants to know how I get so many compliments,” he said. “I tell them, I’m just being Willie. I try to be kind to everyone, and I always have a smile on my face.”

Guests can recognize cast members for the great work they do by leaving a compliment on both the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Resort apps. To send a compliment, navigate to the bottom of the menu screen and select “Cast Compliment,” or search “Cast Compliment” in the search bar. 

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