A trip to a Disney Park is more than just a vacation; it’s a magical experience. It’s full of wonder and excitement, beloved characters and fun rides, iconic castles and a step into a fairytale. Imagine bringing this happiness to your studio culture and seeing the sparkle in their eyes when you announce a dance tour to Disney!
42nd Street Tours offers dance tours to three different Disney Parks: Disneyland (CA), Walt Disney World (FL) and Disneyland Paris. Each tour is designed with both the studio director’s goals and the dancers’ experience in mind. They’re not just vacations to Disney; instead, they combine things students already love – performing, travel and Disney magic – and offer unique opportunities for team building, education, long-lasting memories, and of course lots of dancing. A tour to a Disney Park feels exciting before it even begins!
Here, Dance Informa speaks with Emilee Anderson, Director of Group Travel Operations at 42nd Street Tours and looks at the three exciting Disney Park tours.
“Many students have visited Disney Parks before, but few have experienced Disney as performers,” Anderson says. “Dancing in a Disney environment transforms the trip from a typical family vacation into a meaningful milestone in a dancer’s journey. For dancers, performing at a Disney Park feels special and prestigious. Whether they’re participating in a workshop, or performing on a Disney stage, students get the thrill of showcasing their hard work in front of guests from around the world. It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Anderson adds, “Unlike some performance trips that revolve solely around competitions or workshops, Disney offers entertainment around every corner. Students can enjoy attractions, shows, fireworks, dining experiences and character encounters. The trip feels like a reward as much as an educational experience. Many studio owners find that announcing a Disney tour boosts enthusiasm and participation. Dancers become motivated to attend classes, improve their skills, and commit to fundraising efforts because they have an exciting goal to work toward.”
Disneyland California: “Classic, creative and iconic”
Disneyland California is the original park where Walt Disney’s vision first came to life; in a sense, it’s where it all began. So of course there is some excitement and nostalgia there!
At Disneyland, groups get to enjoy immersive workshops led by Disney professionals in both dance and theater. Dancers can also perform on stage in front of hundreds of Disney guests. Disney-related perks include the captivating Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and drive the Millenium Falcon, and Avengers attractions such as WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure and Marvel Super Heroes, and much more.
“As the original Disney Park, Disneyland reminds dancers that every great achievement starts with a dream and the courage to pursue it,” Anderson says. “We hope dancers leave inspired to keep creating, performing and believing in their potential. We hope studio owners gain a deeper appreciation for the impact they have on young performers and feel proud of the community they’ve built.”
Walt Disney World: “Epic, immersive and magical”
With four theme parks, two water parks and countless shows, Walt Disney World is epic to say the least; it’s larger than life. Guests will be surrounded by worlds of adventure and become a part of their favorite stories in an instant.
A Walt Disney World tour through 42nd Street Tours features a wide range of dance workshops that studio owners get to choose from, from Dance Techniques to Disney’s Broadway Magic. In the Disney Dancin’ Workshop, dancers take part in a simulated Disney audition led by a professional Disney dancer and then rehearse and perform at the end of the two-and-a-half-hour workshop. In the Disney Dancin’ Workshop (Young Performers Edition), participants view memorable dancing moments from Disney films and then run through a mock rehearsal of a real Disney show before performing in a finale number.
Ninety-minute Dance Techniques workshops (offered in ballet, hip hop, jazz or tap) are designed for intermediate to advanced ensembles, and choreographers customize a routine for each group’s skill level. And for musical theater lovers, the Disney’s Broadway Magic session allows students to perform a scene from a Broadway musical, featuring all performance elements like music, staging, costuming and props.
“We hope dancers gain confidence, discover new ambitions, and realize that hard work can take them farther than they ever imagined,” Anderson says. “We hope studio owners return energized by what’s possible when students are given extraordinary opportunities to grow together.”
Disneyland Paris: “Enchanting, international and elegant”
A trip abroad to Disneyland Paris is a guaranteed unforgettable experience. The Park is often considered Disney’s most beautiful castle park, and blends Disney magic with European charm.
“Disneyland Paris combines Disney magic with the excitement of international travel and cultural discovery,” Anderson notes. “We hope dancers develop a broader perspective, appreciate different cultures, and gain confidence as global citizens and performers. We hope studio owners strengthen their sense of adventure and create experiences that show students how dance can connect people across borders. Ultimately, we hope every dancer returns home with greater confidence, stronger friendships, unforgettable memories and a renewed passion for dance – and that every studio returns with a stronger, more connected community.”
Disneyland Paris features over 50 attractions, spectacular parades and stage shows, and dancers can participate in Disney-led workshops, where they learn choreography and performance techniques from industry professionals, before performing in front of hundreds of guests.
Of course, the idea of planning any trip with your dance studio can seem daunting, but working with 42nd Street Tours can simplify the process and guarantee an incredible experience and many, many memories.
“One of the greatest benefits of working with 42nd Street Tours is having an experienced team dedicated to managing the details, allowing directors to focus on what they do best — teaching, inspiring and leading their dancers,” Anderson says. “Many studios discover that a Disney tour becomes more than a single trip, it becomes a tradition. Younger dancers are inspired by those who attend, families become excited about future opportunities, and the studio community grows stronger with each shared experience. At 42nd Street Tours, we believe dance tours should do more than take students somewhere special – they should help them become something more. Whether it’s gaining confidence, building friendships, broadening horizons or discovering new dreams, a Disney Parks dance tour creates moments that inspire dancers long after they return home.”
For more information on the Disney Parks dance tours through 42nd Street Tours, visit www.42ndstreettours.com.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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