Welcome to The Force at Play:
Where Joy Lights the Way
After every season of darkness comes the return of light, wonder, and the joyful magic of new beginnings.
In the Spring of 2027, our Play Therapy: Disney Bound Conference invites you to journey toward the light and explore the forces that guide us toward healing, hope, and transformation. Through experiential workshops, creative interventions, and immersive learning, we’ll explore heroines rising against the odds, galaxies far, far away, wise guides, and the kind of magic that reminds us that light, joy, and hope still have the power to transform a story.
Set against the enchanted backdrop of Disneyland® Resort, this conference is more than just a training - it’s an immersive adventure into the stories, relationships, and playful moments that awaken courage, restore wonder, and invite us back to the kind of connections that light the way forward.
Between days of training, you’ll experience the magic of the parks and the joy of community that our Disney Conferences bring. Reconnect with your inner child, reignite your clinical creativity, and join us for an unforgettable journey where clinical insight meets luminous play… and where the force of joy awakens something extraordinary in us all.
"The conference was above and beyond anything I hoped it would be. It provided great information, practical tools, and new ways to approach therapy in magical ways, alongside getting to meet, connect, and grow with strangers that I now consider friends. I did not expect to leave Disney feeling so connected to those that I did not know before arriving. This isn’t just training, it is a full life experience."
— Melissa Hueste, LPC-S, RPT-S
What's Included
🔮 25 CEs of Training: Gain up to 25 continuing education credits through sessions led by top experts in the field of play therapy*.
🏰 6 Nights at the Disneyland® Hotel: Enjoy a magical six-night stay surrounded by the whimsical charm of Disney®.
🎢 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket: Explore both Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park with a 2-day Park Hopper ticket.
🧪 Entrance to the Disney After Dark: Star Wars Nite (new this year!): The ultimate Star Wars party at Disneyland Park.
🌮 Kick-Off Dinner: Begin with a fabulous welcome dinner to meet fellow attendees and presenters, and fun networking opportunities throughout our week together.
🥐 Meals Included: Daily breakfast, delicious lunches, and snacks are provided to keep you energized during the training days.
Please note: Travel and transportation to the venue, meals on park days, parking fees, and any additional room charges are not included.
*You must attend the kick-off dinner, both training days and in park-learning experiences in their entirety for CE credit.
"Play Therapy Disney Bound was by far the best conference I have been to. It was a perfect combination of fun and educational. Making great connections, learning useful and applicable topics, and having a magical time all in one week. I can’t wait for the next Disney conference!"
—Stephanie Golden, LPC
New This Conference
Disney After Dark: Star Wars Nite
For the first time ever, our Disney Bound Conference includes access to the hugely popular Star Wars Nite - a special after-hours Disney experience filled with immersive entertainment, themed experiences and unforgettable galactic fun inside Disneyland Park.
"I love the Disneyland conference it's my favorite conference to date! It's great for us disney fans!"
— 2025 Conference Attendee
Schedule & Speakers
Act I – The Awakening of Wonder
Sunday, May 2
Arrival Day!
5:30 - 8:30pm
We will be gathering for our kick-off dinner at 5:30 pm where you will meet your fellow delegates and enjoy our first presentation [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
Following our workshop you are welcome to explore Downtown Disney® or enjoy the hotel's amenities!
Monday, May 3
Training Day!
9am - 1pm
Breakfast (8-8:45am), lunch (12-1pm) and afternoon snacks provided. Optional evening gathering.
2pm - 6pm
Act II – Paths of the Force
Tuesday, May 4
Training Day & Star Wars Nite!!
9am - 1pm
Breakfast (8-8:45am) provided.
3pm - 11pm
Descend into the Disneyland® Park anytime from 3pm and then join us to party at the Star Wars Nite where the magic starts at 6:00 pm until the clock chimes 11:00 pm.
Wednesday, May 5 &
Thursday, May 6
Park Days!
Tuesday you can rope drop at Disneyland® Park starting with at 8:00 and on Wednesday you can rope drop at Disney California Adventure®! Your Park Hopper ticket will allow you to explore the other park beginning at 11:00 am.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in immersive, small group workshops in the parks with NanDee Walker, LCPS-NCC, RPT and Melissa Wintershied, LPC-S, RPT-S. Workshops to be confirmed. Seats will be available first registered, first reserved!
Act III – Light the Way Forward
Friday, September 11th
Training Day!
9am - 1pm
Breakfast (8-8:45am), lunch (1-2pm) and afternoon snacks provided. Optional evening gathering.
2pm - 6pm
Saturday, September 12th
Sadly all good things come to an end! There is no programming on this day, so enjoy the hotel amenities until check out at 11:00. You can then explore Downtown Disney® before you have to head to the airport!
*Presenters and topics may be subject to change
All times are posted in Pacific Time. See how this translates into your timezone.
"Never has there been a training that allowed me to have such fun and also learn! It was soooo amazing to be able to bring my family along. I honestly don't know if I would have otherwise ever gone to Disneyland for financial reasons, but I was able to justify to myself like, 'Hey it's okay! It's not just vacation, it's work too!"
— To Infinity and Beyond Conference Attendee, 2024
Conference Location & Accommodation
Disneyland® Resort | Anaheim, California
Accommodation
Our complete conference package tickets include 6 enchanting nights in the Disneyland® Hotel, surrounded by the whimsical wonder of Disney®. Our block of rooms are furnished with two queen beds and we are offering the following options:
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Single Occupancy - You will be the only conference attendee in your room. You may have family or friends rooming with you but they are not attending the conference.
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Double Occupancy - You and your roommate are both attending the conference. You are both required to register individually and will be billed individually at the double occupancy rate.
The hotel has a range of facilities you will have access to, including their pools and Fitness Center. Click here for more information.
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Access
We are committed to making the event as accessible as possible to welcome our wonderfully diverse therapeutic community.
Do not hesitate to contact Maria at maria@anewhopeacademy.org if you have any access needs or queries about the conference. We can accommodate those who need ADA-accessible rooms. Please just note that on your registration.
Disneyland® Resort has accessibility information relating to the hotel and navigating the park, including a map of services, available here.
Catering
In addition to the delicious kick-off dinner, delightful lunches and afternoon snacks will be provided to fuel you during your training days, offering a wonderful opportunity to relax and network with other delegates. If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements just let us know on your registration form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
While meals on park days aren't included in the package, fear not! Click here to whet your appetite and access a map showcasing the diverse range of restaurants and food outlets within the park.
"I'm not officially a play therapist, but this conference totally opened my eyes to the power of play in therapy. The workshops were super insightful and respectful of all cultures. I came back with so many new ideas to try out with my clients!"
—Ariel Landrum, LMFT
Your Journey to the Disneyland® Resort - Anaheim, California
Chart your course to the Disneyland® Resort. Click the link below to access valuable travel information on airports, public transportation, and driving, allowing you to effortlessly plan your route and make every moment of your trip enchanting.
"Being able to be a big kid... the training and play interwoven with the hands-on activities and park days was perfect. This was an amazing concept!"
— 2025 Conference Attendee
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this conference for? Do I need to be a qualified play therapist? This conference is for all clinicians who want to learn about integrating these play therapy topics into their practice. This includes adult therapists who want to learn and play. New clinicians, seasoned clinicians and everyone in between.
Do the presentations only focus on subjects relevant to child work? Great question! While Play Therapy is most often seen as applied to children, it is universal in its application. Lessons learned can be applicable to teens, adults, couples and family work. Adults often lose touch with their playful side and we are hoping to change that by showing how play therapy techniques can be powerful for adults too.
Will Continuing Education Units be offered? Yes, attendees will gain up to 25 CEs of training. Please note that you must attend the kick-off dinner presentation and training days in their entirety for CE credit. A New Hope Therapy Center, our sister organization and partner for trainings and workshops, is an Approved CE Provider for the Association for Play Therapy; and A New Hope Academy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7816. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. A New Hope Academy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Please check with your state licensing board regarding their acceptance of these CEs.
I live within traveling distance of Disneyland. Is there a day-rate option available? Yes! We will have two local options for you; 1) If you do not need the hotel room, but do need tickets into the parks. 2) If you don't need the hotel or the park tickets because you have a season pass. The prices are in the tickets section below. Please note that you will need to pay for parking as that is not included in your registration fees.
Can I bring family or friends? Absolutely! Please do! Our park days are yours to enjoy by yourselves, so bring those playful people in your life and explore the park together. They can even help you with our playful tasks! Registration includes a standard room of 2 queen beds - if you need something different, please reach out and I will work with our Disney connection to see what we can do! If you would like any friends or family to come to the Oogie Boogie Bash, do let us know asap and by June 1 at the latest so we can help you secure tickets (they sell fast!).
What happens on the park days? We will have optional in-park workshops that you can sign up for an immersive learning experience! Otherwise you are free to enjoy the park! We will have a group chat, should you like to find a buddy or two to ride rides with or meet up for lunch. So whether you are a rope drop or a close-the-park fan, you can create the day that is right for you!
Are there chill-out places that I could access on park days if I want some reflective space away from the action? Yes! We know the parks can be A LOT - the people, the noise, the lines. We have help from a Disney insider and have a list of quieter places inside of the parks should you need. It is also just a little walk from the park to the hotel, so you can return to the quiet of your room, nap and refresh as needed and come back to the park!
Is there any way to interact with other delegates prior to the conference? Yes, you can join our FB event page where you can connect with fellow participants, and engage in pre-event discussions.
"I really truly loved everything about this conference. It was the best one I have ever been too. And I am not just saying that so you'll do it again. I learned so much and it was very healing for me.
Can't wait for next year!"
— Disney Bound Conference Attendee, 2024
Tickets
🎟️ Full Conference Package:
Single occupancy: $4800
Double occupancy: $3900
🎟️ Magic Key Holders:
Single occupancy: $3900
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Ideal for those who have Magic Keys and do not need park tickets, but do need After Dark tickets.
🎟️ Local Conference Attendance Rates:
Without Accommodation: $1800
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Ideal for those within traveling distance who do not need accommodation, but do need tickets into the parks.
Without Park Tickets or Accommodation: $1200
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Ideal for those with a season pass or alternative park tickets, and also do not require accommodation.
Ready to get started?
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Be sure to check the conference dates - there are no refunds once you register.
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Review our cancellation and refund policy.
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Want to bunk with a friend? Indicate your roommate on your registration form.
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Questions? Email maria@anewhopeacademy.org
*Payment plans available with a non-refundable deposit of $500.
This was a WONDERFUL experience! I would do it again if I had the means without hesitation. I did not realize the level of community that would be built, and that alone was worth it all. I loved the nature of the conference and the focus on the therapist and incorporating play in such a genuine way. It was life changing in many ways!
Disney Bound Conference Attendee, 2024
Sponsorship Opportunities
Our sponsorship opportunities offer you a unique chance to promote your business to mental health professionals nationwide. Enhance the conference experience, inject some vital restoration for attendees, and increase access to underrepresented professionals who could not otherwise attend.
Unleash your force for good and help us lift up heroic mental health professionals who are carrying some of the heaviest caseloads in the field.
"The Play Therapy Disney Bound Conference was a delightful blend of professional development and Disney magic. The event was well-organized, offering insightful keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. This imaginative atmosphere enhanced the experience, reminding therapists of the importance of play in their practice. Overall, the conference was inspiring and educational, providing practical tools and meaningful connections."
— 2025 Conference Attendee
