WDI Master Planning Intern, Spring 2026

Job ID 10131082 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Sep. 05, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture…

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of Disney’s Parks and Resorts business segment. Representing more than 150 disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects. Our mission is to create magical Disney experiences around the world that provide opportunities for friends and families to spend time together - making memories that last a lifetime.

The approximate date of this internship is January 2026 to June 2026 and will be located in Glendale, CA.

What You Will Do

WDI Master Planning manages the long-term development framework for sustainable growth of each resort and provides planning and real estate development expertise to support new business opportunities. Our team provides data analytics, land planning & urban design, environmental planning, transportation and infrastructure, and real estate development and entitlement expertise to enable smart growth and preserve future flexibility for development and expansion of our parks and resorts across the globe. This team is part of the Global Creative Strategy Studio that includes the Menu (capital) and Franchise Planning teams; together we work to inform development decision-making, consistently at each of our resorts around the world.

We are looking for a highly motivated, collaborative and creative-minded intern who will have the opportunity to support the Walt Disney Imagineering Master Planning functions in one or more areas, including land and urban planning, transportation and infrastructure planning and/or real estate development and entitlements. You will have the opportunity to:

Support the Master Planning Studio on relevant, day-to-day, planning-related design issues
Provide creative, production and/or technical land and urban planning support to the Master Planning studio and/or project specific teams across Walt Disney Imagineering
Provide planning and design documentation in the form of graphic illustrations, imagery, boards, color renderings, and research and documentation on assigned projects
Work closely with team leaders to coordinate and assist in completing site planning analysis, 3D visualization and property-wide master planning initiatives and services
Build graphic visualizations and presentation storylines
Conduct research and provide data analysis to help inform short and long-term planning and development decisions
Provide inputs and updates to a global planning database
Monitor and analyze industry trends and market changes

Required Qualifications & Skills

Ability to visualize and communicate complex information in simple and bold ways
Experience with problem solving via graphic communications and sketching, digital design, etc.
Ability to quickly analyze and synthesize data to apply to planning and design strategy
Ability to learn key project delivery methods while working on a variety of project types and scales
Advanced design drawing capabilities in Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
Solid understanding of CAD software
Proficiency in digital design tools (3D Studio Max, SketchUp, Revit)
Working knowledge of ArcGIS and extensions
Strong strategic, technical, and analytical skills
Highly collaborative and team-oriented work style

Preferred Qualifications

Job related experience with large scale community and/or resort planning
Job related experience with digital-based design in architectural, city planning and/or urban design
Experience with sustainable site planning & development
Membership in relevant professional organization(s)
In pursuit of advanced professional degree (i.e. Master’s) in planning-related field

Education

Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university earning a degree majoring in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Real Estate Development or related field.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship
Be at least 18 years of age
Possess unrestricted work authorization
Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program

Additional Information

Must have reliable transportation to/from work
Provide own housing for the duration of the internship.

Materials Required

A portfolio review is required for this position. For full consideration, please include a link to your portfolio on your résumé. Applicants without a portfolio link on their résumé will not be considered a completed application packet and may not be fully considered for the position.

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The pay rate for this role in California is $30 per hour for undergraduate students and $35 per hour for graduate level students. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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