WDI Themed Finishing Intern, Spring 2026

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10133869 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Oct. 06, 2025

Job Summary:

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture…

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

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

What You Will Do

The Themed Finishing Intern is responsible for developing tools, techniques, and systems that support the design and delivery process of physical sets, installations, themed elements, and prop enhancement.  Teams often include an experienced model builder who is familiar with various types of model making such as physical dimensional models, architectural, miniatures, and digital 3D models as well as full-size mock-ups/prototypes.

Themed Finishing includes, rockwork, character façade, character paint, epoxy, hardscape, and related themed finishing disciplines.  Team members must possess a good sense of design and can visualize and translate from two-dimensional information to three- dimensional product. Will have a strong interface with related disciplines (Architecture, Production Design, Show Set Design, Special Effects, etc.).

The demands of this role require an entry level understanding of three-dimensional creative intent, problem solving and their application through the design, production, & field art direction process. As a member of the team, assignments may include participating in and sharing the design, execution and art direction goals of the department. Working environments will vary.

Sculpt clay and/or foam models

Participate in the building of rebar and lath armatures

Assist design team leader with development of the desired concept

Contribute scope details for individual design elements in preparation for reviews of all show design documents

Participate with art direction and hands-on sculpting of cement plaster and FRP in rockwork

Develop Character façade, or specialized dimensional elements for sample programs and field production projects

Participate in the field art including rock work, character facade, character paint, and artificial foliage.

Create paint samples on character façade sample/rockwork panels to prove out color and theming on site and create draw down documentation

Research documentation on existing finishes

Match colors and document finishes

Check incoming paint submittals for color matching

Create basic PowerPoint and/or Photoshop presentations for upcoming projects

Required Qualifications & Skills

Working knowledge of dimensional design and construction or set design and production

Basic knowledge of hand tools

Must be able to match colors and have strong skills in composition and drawing

Ability to take direction from senior creative leaders, take creative input and effectively evoke the same within design

Report out on design and production process to schedule, budget and management team as requested.

Required Education

Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university earning a degree in fine arts, environmental design, 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

Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work

Must be fully available for the duration of the internship

Must provide own housing in Glendale, CA

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 $26.50 per hour for undergraduate students and $27.50 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.

WDI Themed Finishing Intern, Spring 2026

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