Disney World is not only a magical place for families, it can also be a fun educational experience for homeschooling and world schooling learning activities. Disney offers a variety of hands-on educational opportunities. From classic animated films that teach important life lessons and values, to educational documentaries on nature and history, Disney provides a wealth of content that can be used to supplement homeschooling curriculums. Disney can be a place for interactive learning experiences through their theme parks, where students can engage in activities that promote creativity and critical thinking skills. Disney’s commitment to innovation and technology ensures that their educational resources remain up-to-date and relevant. … and the most important part about spending a few days home-schooling at Disney World – It’s Fun!
Science and Technology Home-schooling at Disney World
Visiting Disney can lead to numerous opportunities for science discussions. The most obvious example would be designing rides and roller coasters. Learning about ride design and the physics of the rides in the park can lead to discussions on kinetic energy, potential energy, centripetal force and many others. The history of the imagineers and Disney engineers is also a very interesting homeschool topic.
There are several areas in Disney where little drops of science are added into and after rides. One area is after Spaceship Earth where there are several interactive exhibits with our favorite being a race to place the missing bones back into a virtual skeleton.
At Epcot’s Test Track, visitors can design and test their own vehicles. This is a good opportunity to discuss speed and work on unit conversions. Test Track is the fastest ride at Epcot but there are others that are close that can make interesting math problems.
In Mission: SPACE, visitors can experience a simulated space launch and explore the wonders of space travel. Use this as a starting point to discuss rockets, gravity, and anything space related.
Disney World is committed to environmental conservation and offers educational opportunities that promote environmental science. One of the best examples and a favorite ride of mine (hardly ever a line) is Living with the Land at Epcot. This attraction provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable agriculture and greenhouse farming. The attraction includes a boat ride through various ecosystems, including a rainforest and a desert.
The Living Seas Pavilion (now called The Seas with Nemo and Friends) contains what was the largest saltwater tank in the world at the time it was built. The building gives some opportunities to learn about the ocean and Turtle Talk also has some great interactive information.
The Innovations Pavilion at Epcot also offers interactive exhibits on energy, transportation, and communication technologies. Other opportunities for learning can include learning about the monorail, comparing transportation strategies (there are cars, trains, ferries, people movers, gondola’s …), or designing your own theme park.
Learning about History and Culture at Disney World
Disney World also offers educational experiences that can teach children about history and culture. The World Showcase at Epcot is a wonderful opportunity to expose kids to different areas of the world through interactive exhibits, movies, performances, and cuisine. Many of the exhibits are fun to just wander and explore (with several areas appropriate for taking a little break). This area of Epcot is perhaps the most rich in learning opportunities.
For US history, the American Adventure exhibit at Epcot features animatronic characters, music, and artifacts that depict the history of America. The Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom is an attraction that features animatronic figures of all U.S. presidents and includes historical speeches and artifacts. The attraction teaches children about American history and the role of the presidency. The Liberty Square area at Magic Kingdom also provides a glimpse of colonial America and the American Revolution, allowing children to learn about the founding of the United States. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress can show a glimpse of life in the US in decades past.
My favorite ride to get the most information for a homeschool trip is Spaceship Earth (the big golf ball at Epcot). This slow moving (but dark) attraction takes a history lesson from ancient civilizations through the future in a fun way that sticks. My daughter even got some questions correct on her AP history test because of this ride.
Language Arts at Disney World
Disney World offers several opportunities for language arts learning. The Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction at Magic Kingdom allows children to participate in a storybook adventure with Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The attraction includes storytelling and interactive activities.
The best way to integrate language arts would be to read and discuss some of the stories that are common in Disney World. There are hundreds of choices of Disney related books in all reading levels. Having a kid write their own story of fairy tale can also be a part of the curriculum.
Art and Design Homeschooling Lessons at Disney
Disney World offers opportunities for children to learn about art and design. The Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios provides visitors with an opportunity to learn how to draw Disney characters from professional animators. The Art of Disney store at Disney Springs also offers a vast collection of Disney artwork, animation cels, and limited edition prints. Hollywood Studios has a theater that shows some of the original Mickey Mouse Films as well as having a museum to learn more about animation and Disney.
Consider supplementing with Pixar in a Box from Khan Academy. My kids loved taking this free course and knowing more about animation will only enhance your Disney visit.
Performing Arts Lessons at Disney World
Disney World also offers opportunities for children to explore the performing arts. For example, the Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom features live performances, acrobatics, and music. The Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show at Hollywood Studios provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a Broadway-style musical. Indiana Jones at Hollywood Studios is another must see live performance.
Learning about Finance and Budget at Disney World
Finances and budget are a must to any good homeschool program and there is a lot wot work with at Disney. From ticket prices, to souvenirs, to food – making a budget ahead of time and letting the kids pick their priorities can stop tears before they start … and they’re learning.
In addition to these activities, Disney World also offers various educational programs and resources for homeschooling families. The Disney Youth Education Series offers customized educational programs for students in grades K-12. These programs include interactive workshops, field studies, and behind-the-scenes experiences that can enhance children’s learning. The Disney Youth Education Series also offers online resources, lesson plans, and activities that can be used before and after a visit to the parks.
