WDI Master Planning Intern, Spring 2026

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.

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.