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DON'T WE?
WE KNOW A VILLAIN
WHEN WE SEE ONE…
Welcome to Villains at Play:
Where the Shadows Come to Life
Stories like to give us heroes to cheer for and villains to fear. But look a little closer and those roles can become far less clear cut. The villain has a history. The hero has a shadow. And the qualities we’re quickest to condemn may have more value than we ever imagined.
Through experiential workshops, creative interventions, and immersive learning, we’ll look beyond familiar labels of good and bad. We’ll explore what lies beneath behaviour, what our villains might have to teach us, and what happens when even the heroes aren’t above a little scrutiny.
Set against the magic of Disneyland® Resort, join us for an unforgettable adventure where familiar stories get turned on their heads, shadow parts get their chance to speak, and clinical curiosity is ignited through creativity and play. Because sometimes, the most interesting part of the story is the part that wasn’t supposed to be told.
Between days of training, you’ll experience the magic of the parks, the joy of community, and the thrill of seeing your favorite characters come to life. Join us for an unforgettable adventure where clinical insight meets creative magic… and where the villains come out to play.
"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 Oogie Boogie Bash: A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure 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
Oogie Boogie Bash is Back!
Your conference package includes a guaranteed ticket to Disney’s exclusive Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party! From 6-11pm, Disney California Adventure® Park transforms into a playground of eerie lights, live entertainment, villainous character encounters, trick-and-treat trails, and rides in the dark.
This is one of only a handful of times that Disneyland Resort® allows adults to dress in costume, so it's a fun chance to embody a villain of your choice if you dare. And if you want friends or family to join the mischief, we can secure additional tickets with sufficient notice (at our 2026 conference we stole the show with over 200 tickets!).
"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
A Double Dose of Park Days
We take play very seriously around here. That’s why the conference includes two days to explore, play and make a little mischief across Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park.
Spend your park days your way. Create unforgettable memories with family and friends, recruit partners in crime from the conference, or go rogue and make the most of single rider lines.
Now for our most cunning little scheme. 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.
"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!"
— Disney Bound Conference Attendee
PROGRAMME & SPEAKERS · AUG 29 – SEP 4, 2027
6 Days of Play in The Shadows
Explore the Week
The Plot Thickens
Sun
Aug
29
Arrival Day
Kick-Off Dinner · Opening Session
+
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Kick-Off Dinner ∙ Opening Session
Meet your fellow attendees over dinner as we officially kick off Villains at Play, followed by our first presentation of the conference.
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
Evening
Free time to explore Downtown Disney® or enjoy the hotel amenities.
Mon
Aug
30
Training Day
Two Workshops
+
9:00 - 1:00 PM
Morning Training Session
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
2:00 - 6:00 PM
Afternoon Training Session
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
Food and Breaks
Breakfast 8:00–8:45am · Lunch 12:00–1:00pm · Afternoon snacks provided
Tues
Aug
31
Park Day
Disneyland® Park
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From 8:00 AM
Disneyland® Park
You can rope drop at Disneyland® Park from 8:00 AM. Your Park Hopper ticket will allow you to also explore Disney California Adventure® Park beginning at 11:00 am.
Optional In-Park Workshops
Take part in immersive, small-group learning experiences in the park with NanDee Walker, LCPS-NCC, RPT and Melissa Wintershied, LPC-S, RPT-S. Places are limited and available on a first registered, first reserved basis.
WORKSHOP DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED →
Wed
Sept
01
Park Day
Disney California Adventure®
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From 8:00 AM
Disney California Adventure® Park
You can rope drop at Disney California Adventure® Park from 8:00 AM. Your Park Hopper ticket will allow you to also explore Disneyland® Park beginning at 11:00 am.
Optional In-Park Workshops
Take part in immersive, small-group learning experiences in the park with NanDee Walker, LCPS-NCC, RPT and Melissa Wintershied, LPC-S, RPT-S. Places are limited and available on a first registered, first reserved basis.
WORKSHOP DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED →
Thurs
Sept
02
Training & Oogie Boogie Bash Day
Training Session · Oogie Boogie Bash
+
8:00 - 8:45 PM
Breakfast
9:00 - 1:00 PM
Morning Training Session
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
3:00 - 11:00 PM
Oogie Boogie Bash
Descend into the Disneyland® Park anytime from 3pm and then join us to party at the Oogie Boogie Bash where the magic starts at 6:00 pm until the clock chimes 11:00 pm.
Fri
Sept
03
Training Day
Two Training Workshops
+
9:00 - 1:00 PM
Morning Training Session
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
2:00 - 6:00 PM
Afternoon Training Session
SPEAKER & SESSION TO BE ANNOUNCED →
Food and Breaks
Breakfast 8:00–8:45am · Lunch 12:00–1:00pm · Afternoon snacks provided
Sat
Sept
04
Departure Day
Checkout · Explore Downtown Disney
+
11:00 AM
Checkout
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, topics, and programming may be subject to change
All times are posted in Pacific Time. See how this translates into your timezone.
"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
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 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 restaurants and food outlets in the park.
"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
Registration
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO BE WICKED.
01 - Full Experience
Stay at the Disneyland® Hotel for a fully immersive experience.
$4800
Single Occupancy
Where you are the only conference attendee in your room.
$3900
Double Occupancy
Share a room with another conference attendee.
02 - Magic Key Holders
Already got the key to access the parks?
$3900
Single Occupancy | Oogie Boogie Bash ticket included
03 - Local Rates
Already have somewhere to stay? Join us your way.
$1800
Without Accommodation | Park tickets included
$1200
Without Park Tickets or Accommodation
Payment Plans
Payment plans are available with a non-refundable deposit of $500.
Ready to register?
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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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Contact info@anewhopeacademy.org with any questions!
"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
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 24 APT and NBCC 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 registration section. 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.
"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 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. Partner with us to help enhance the conference experience, inject some vital restoration for attendees, and increase access to underrepresented professionals who could not otherwise attend.
