The Disney Youth Education Series is a program that gives students a real-world learning experience at Disney Theme Parks. It is for elementary – high school students and is available year-round at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
On select dates, individual enrollment (they usually require groups of 10 to participate in this program) is available and allows individuals, homeschoolers, virtual students and community groups to participate in this magical learning experience.
Classes are typically available in January, February, June, July, August, September and October. You can browse the list of available classes here. Classes do require a minimum number of individuals and you will be notified 1-2 weeks prior to your departure if your selected program’s minimum has not been reached. Purchase of a ticket does not ensure program activation.
Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The adult must attend the class if their child is under 14. If your child is ages 14-18, during the class time, you must remain in the same park as your student.
And if your child takes an educational class at the Disney Resorts, you are eligible for discount Disney World tickets! Each package includes admission to one Disney Youth Series Program plus park tickets. You are usually allowed to purchase tickets for your entire party including chaperones and children that are not eligible to attend a YES class. They recently changed the ticket program and prices are not as cheap as they were in years past.
You do have to purchase your tickets at the time you sign up for the YES class and they are not upgradeable or refundable.
I have not participate in the YES program, but it is definitely something I am considering. If you have participated in this program, please chime in with your experience.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
Nicole says
I just booked our tickets for our family of 8 to disney using the YES program yesterday! our trip is in august. I can’t wait to see how these classes are! we signed up using the individual enrollment.
Vanessa says
We’ve done this for several years … Hollywood, animation studios was awesome. We got to draw and color the cells for Toy Story 3!
Super cool! We would’ve paid extra to do what we did for … Free!
Have fun.
If you go in October, take advantage of Mickey’s not so scary Halloween nights.
Tina says
We did the YES individual program last year and my kids loved the class they took. This year they changed the way the ticket discount is and only the students get the discount. Last year everyone’s ticket was discounted. You still book the adults tickets through them but they are not at the same rate as the students. We are trying to decided if we want to do it YES again or just buy an annual pass this year.
Patty says
Program is such a great deal for people on budget trying to save on tickets and kids love this stuff – I used it when we went in june 11′ and it was very easy to follow and Actually 1 of my 2 children didn’t even actually end up going to the class and they still used their discounted ticket – so technically you sign up and should use with good intentions but it not like they take the tickets away if you can’t for some unforeseen reason attend the 2 hour class you are scheduled for – again it is a great program and I would definitely recommend for anyone to use!
Danielle says
This is exciting! As if I wasn’t excited about homeschooling my girls enough — now even more incentive! :D Can’t wait til they’re a bit older.
Amie says
Never knew about this program either! My son would LOVE this! :)
kari says
This looks like a fun idea!
Angela says
I never knew about this program! That sounds awesome!!
Andrea Fuller says
Never knew this existed! I’m going to check it out for my kids!
L Shaunese says
This is what we are planning on doing for our next Disney Trip
Chris says
I read this post when you originally posted it a few weeks ago. I consider myself pretty Disney savvy but never knew about this program. What a great thing! I can’t wait to do this with my daughter in a few years when she’s old enough. I can’t wait to accompany her and get a little behind the scenes look as well!
Lisa says
My two oldest daughters (ages 12 and 10 at the time) participated in the Physics:Properties of Motion class at Disneyland through individaul enrollment (vs group enrollment) in the YES program. They absolutely loved it, and have been begging to go back and take more classes. They went behind the scenes of several rides at California Adventure (Tower of Terror, California Screamin’, Muhulland Madness, etc.) and talked about the laws of motion and the science behind how the rides worked. They also rode the rides, of course! They also built their own roller coaster out of some construction materials that were provided. They were allowed to take one adult with them for free, because of their ages. My husband went with them, and he really enjoyed himself too. I thought the prices were very reasonable too. We had annual passes at the time, so the class was only $35 dollars without the Disney ticket included.