[12] On June 4, 2012, in Washington DC, Disney English was presented with a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) for Whole Curriculum Programs ELL/ESL.

Disney English used an immersive environment[5][18] approach that focused on the claims of multiple intelligences and experiential learning and on communication.

While teaching, Disney English's foreign trainers were trained in TEFL-C.[16] Each classroom was equipped with an interactive whiteboard, an adjacent projection wall, and a sound system.

The flagship center on Maoming Road in Shanghai, China had classrooms themed to: Snow White, The Lion King, Cars, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Winnie The Pooh and Toy Story.

"US entertainment giant Disney saw this as a unique opportunity to teach English to small children, while at the same time establishing an extention [sic] of its branded products and characters across the country.

"[21] Shang Yang, chairman of Shangyang Enterprise Management Consulting has stated that "They're [Disney] starting years early, brainwashing Chinese children and cultivating them as potential clients in a very indirect, yet penetrating fashion.