Disney Parks Blog reported that Walt Disney World Resort had announced yesterday a $1.5 million investment in the reimagination and relocation of Valencia College’s culinary arts and hospitality program. The College is creating a new campus in downtown Orlando and, with this boost from Disney, it will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and cutting-edge technology for students.
The campus will serve as the heart of Valencia’s culinary arts and hospitality programming, offering degree programs, certificates, and workforce training. As the program evolves, Disney will continue investing in students by lending our award-winning chefs to engage with the school in a variety of ways.
This $1.5 million donation will not only enhance the education experience for local culinary and hospitality students, it will add an exciting new flavor to Downtown Orlando’s burgeoning hub for education. The Valencia College Downtown Campus, a shared campus with the University of Central Florida, will open to students for the fall 2019 semester and serve the downtown Orlando community to improve countless lives through the power of affordable education.
When it comes to hospitality and the culinary arts, Disney has been an integral part of these thriving industries in Central Florida for decades. More than 16,000 cast members are employed in Disney's award-winning food and beverage program.