Disney Cancels Free Disneyland Tickets for Students
The “Happiest Class on Earth” program in Anaheim, California ends five years early. This “business decision” disappoints many students as Disney cancels free Disneyland tickets for sixth-graders.
The “Happiest Class on Earth”
Disney began a program five years ago for Anaheim sixth-graders who completed community service projects. Of course, this decision gained much popularity since Disneyland granted these youngsters free tickets.
Deemed as the “Happiest Class on Earth,” students gleamed and shouted with excitement as Mickey Mouse helped announce the program. The students exclaimed, “I’m in sixth grade, and I’m going to Disneyland!”
To obtain Disneyland tickets, students worked individually or in groups. Project examples include buying wheelchairs for classmates, raising money for non-profits, volunteer work at senior centers, writing letters to troops, and conservation work.
The program kicked off Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, and it aimed to last 10 years. However, due to the pandemic, Disney ends the program.
Delayed Disappointment
The program’s cancellation announcement did not reach most of the Anaheim schools on Friday. Therefore, many students will be disappointed once they learn that Disney cancels free Disneyland tickets, according to local educators.
Walt Disney Elementary School’s principal, Regina Ford, said, “It was something sixth-graders looked forward to all school year.” She continued by saying that students “are hoping everything is back to normal, and they’re very excited. It’s going to be heartbreaking to tell the kids.”
Officials call it a business decision due to Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks’ COVID-19 closure. One Disneyland official stated, “As a result of the pandemic, we had to make many difficult decisions related to our business.” Unfortunately, ending the “Happiest Class on Earth” program was one of them.
He also stated that Disney has “a long history of supporting Anaheim schools and kids.” Accordingly, the company will offer new opportunities for schools and non-profit organizations to score Disneyland tickets.
School District’s Reaction
Naturally, Anaheim educators wish Disney would have kept its 10-year commitment to the program. The Superintendent of the Magnolia School District, Frank Donavan, said, “This was such a big promotional campaign by Disneyland. All the kids knew about it, and we appreciate we got the chance for some students.”
However, Donavan believes Disney should have phased out the program. He said, “They are not keeping their commitment.”
Additionally, many students cannot afford a Disneyland vacation. A single-day ticket spans from $104 to $154, depending on the season and day of the week.
Also, nearly 90% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunches in the Magnolia School District. Therefore, Donovan said, “For…our students, it would be their only chance of going to Disneyland as a child.”
Walt Disney Elementary
On the other hand, Walt Disney Elementary School, located in Magnolia School District, has a special relationship with the company. Hence, the school is Walt Disney’s namesake, and he visited the school several times to treat the teachers to lunch.
Disney stated, “That relationship with Walt Disney started way before Happiest Class and will continue well after this program sunsets. We will continue to find ways to work with the elementary school given the connection to the founder…”
Therefore, as many families, teachers, and school personnel in Anaheim are digesting this disappointing news, the hope is that Disney decides to fulfill their commitment in some regard in the near future. So, MickeyBlog will keep you updated on any new information regarding this story as Disney cancels free Disneyland tickets for Anaheim students.
Article Information: www.ocregister.com
Featured Image: www.mickeynews.com
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