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Welcome to The Force at Play:
Where Heroes Rise & Joy Lights the Way
In the Spring of 2027, our Play Therapy: Disney Bound Conference invites you into the extraordinary world of heroes and the forces that help us rise.
Through clinically rich workshops, experiential learning, creative interventions, and immersive experiences, we'll explore the many ways play therapy helps clients navigate challenge, discover strengths, build connection, develop new possibilities, and create meaningful change. Along the way, we'll draw inspiration from heroes across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and popular culture, because there's more than one way to be a hero.
Set against the enchanted backdrop of Disneyland® Resort, this is not your typical conference - it’s an immersive adventure into the heroes we love, the connections that light the way, and how play can awaken courage, restore wonder, and spark transformation.
Between training days, you’ll experience the magic of the parks and the joy of community that our Disney Conferences bring. Expand your clinical toolkit, experience interventions firsthand, reconnect with your own capacity for play, and return to your practice with new skills, perspectives, and connections.
"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
🔮 24 CEs of Training: Gain up to 24 APT & NBCC continuing education credits*.
🏰 6 Nights at the Disneyland® Hotel: Enjoy a magical six-night stay within the whimsical charm of Disney®.
🎢 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket: Explore Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park with a 2-day Park Hopper ticket.
🧪 Entrance to the Disney After Dark: Star Wars Nite: 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.
*You must attend the kick-off dinner, both training days and in park-learning experiences in their entirety for CE credit.
**Please note: Travel and transportation to the venue, meals on park days, parking fees, and any additional room charges are not included.
"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, LMHC, RPT
Two Days of Adventures in the Parks
Every hero deserves adventure. That’s why the conference includes two park days to explore, play and make unforgettable memories across Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park.
Spend your park days your way. Gather your trusty sidekicks and bring family and friends along, team up with fellow attendees, or set off on a solo quest and make the most of the single rider lines.
And every good adventure has a side quest. You’ll have the chance to join our optional, small-group in-park workshops and turn time spent waiting for rides into meaningful learning, conversation and CEs.
"As a non-RPT who works primarily with adults, I think this was an excellent conference with ideas applicable across the lifespan and some good interventions that were practical and targeted. It was a good mix of theoretical and practical knowledge."
— Maresa Hubbard, DSW, LCSW, LAC
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, character encounters, rides in the dark, and unforgettable fun inside Disneyland Park.
Friends and family can join the adventure too. With sufficient notice we can secure additional tickets so your favorite playful people can come along. And because this is one of the rare occasions adults can dress in costume at Disneyland Resort®, you can get into character too! After all, when else can you roam Disneyland after dark on May the 4th, wield a lightsaber, and legitimately call it “work”?!
"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
Our Keynote Speaker
Dr Drea Letamendi, Ph.D.
We’re thrilled to welcome pop-culture in psychology expert Dr Drea Letamendi, presenting:
⭐ HEROs at Play: Igniting the Power of Your Practice through Mediatherapy, Imagination & Collaborative Storytelling ⭐
Psychologist. Two-time TEDx speaker. Media consultant. Co-creator of The Arkham Sessions podcast. And 15+ years at the intersection of psychology + pop culture.
"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
Schedule & Speakers
Act I – The Call to Adventure
Sunday, May 2
Arrival Day!
5:30 - 8:30pm
Our conference begins with an immersive welcome dinner designed to help you connect, play, and find your people from the very beginning. Meet your fellow attendees and presenters, discover your Hero Team, and begin the week's first experiential learning experience together. [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 - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
Breakfast (8-8:45am), lunch (12-1pm) and afternoon snacks provided. Optional evening gathering.
Act II – Into the Adventure
Tuesday, May 4
Training Day & Star Wars Nite!!
9am - 3pm
Breakfast (8-8:45am) provided.
6pm - 1am
Descend into the Disneyland® Park anytime starting at 6pm and then join us to party at the Star Wars Nite where the magic starts at 9:00 pm until the clock chimes 1:00 am.
Wednesday, May 5
Park Day!
Start your day in Disney's California Adventure® Park starting at 8:00 and your Park Hopper ticket will allow you to explore Disneyland® Park beginning at 11:00 am.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in immersive, small group workshops in the parks. Workshops to be confirmed. Seats will be available first registered, first reserved!
Act III – The Journey Home
Thursday, May 6
Training Day!
9am - 12pm
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
1pm - 4pm
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Training workshop [speaker and topic to be confirmed]
Breakfast (8-8:45am), lunch (1-2pm) and afternoon snacks provided. Optional evening gathering.
Friday, May 7th
Park Day!
Start your day in Disneyland® Park starting at 8:00 and your Park Hopper ticket will allow you to explore Disney's California Adventure® Park beginning at 11:00 am.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in immersive, small group workshops in the parks. Workshops to be confirmed. Seats will be available first registered, first reserved!
Saturday, May 8th
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.
"It was such a meaningful conference, both personally and professionally. Not only was it a lot of fun, but I also felt refreshed and inspired to continue doing this tough work with a new perspective."
— Claira Hart, LMFT, RPT
Accommodation & Facilities
Disneyland® Resort | Anaheim, California
Our full conference package tickets include 6 enchanting nights in the Disneyland® Hotel, surrounded by the whimsical wonder of Disney®. The hotel is a short walk from Downtown Disney and has a range of facilities you will have access to, including pools, spa, fitness center, restaurants, shopping, and gardens. Everything is connected, so you can move between training, your room, and the pool without needing transportation. Click here for more information.
Accommodation Options
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 who 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.
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Access
We are committed to making the event as accessible as possible to our 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 (just note this on your registration form).
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, lunches and afternoon snacks will be provided to fuel you during your training days, offering a wonderful opportunity to relax and network.
If you have any 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 restaurants and food outlets in the park.
"I had a fantastic time. This was my first Disney Bound and it was amazing. The quality of the speakers was really, really high. The location was amazing. Having an opportunity to play with my fellow attendees was fantastic and I learned so much. I networked so much and I made so many great connections. Definitely coming back!"
—Vic Selnes
Registration
01 Full Conference Package
Single occupancy: $4800
Double occupancy: $3900
02 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.
03 Local 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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For those with a season pass or alternative park tickets, who also do not require accommodation.
Payment Plans
Payment plans are available with a non-refundable deposit of $500.
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 info@anewhopeacademy.org
"This conference blends rich learning content, opportunities for play and community, adding whimsy and pixie dust. What makes this conference different from other trainings is the profound passion for play therapy and deep compassion for the attendees."
— Lisa Androvich, LMFT, RPT
This was a WONDERFUL experience! 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this conference for? Is this conference only for child play therapists? Not at all. While our conference is rooted in play therapy, our attendees include clinicians at many stages of their play therapy journey and professionals working with children, teens, adults, couples and families. Sessions are selected for their clinical relevance, creativity and applicability - not simply because they fit our theme.
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.
Do I need to love Disney or Star Wars? Absolutely not. Some attendees arrive with ears packed for every day; others simply love experiential learning and want excellent clinical education in an unforgettable setting. Our Heroes theme draws inspiration from stories across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and popular culture, but no fandom knowledge is required to participate fully.
Will Continuing Education Units be offered? Yes, attendees will gain up to 24 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 Star Wars Nite, do let us know asap 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.
"This is one of the best conferences I’ve been to. It’s so interactive and the location is also fantastic - talk about integrating play and learning!!"
— Taylor Whaley, LMFT, RPT
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.