Embarking on a Creative Journey: Navigating Disney Animation Studios Internships

Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) continues its rich legacy of innovation and creativity. 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. Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. For students and recent graduates eager to immerse themselves in the world of animation, an internship at Walt Disney Animation Studios offers an unparalleled opportunity. This article delves into the various aspects of WDAS internships, including eligibility, program structure, available roles, and the skills and experiences sought by the studio.

The Essence of WDAS Internships

Have you wondered how your talents could translate into the world of animation? The Internship Program dives into the artistry, technology, craft and operations behind our animated films while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your unique talents can grow within our studio.

WDAS internships are designed to provide emerging talent with an immersive view of Animation. The Walt Disney Animation Studios Summer Internship Program is a paid experience designed for students studying art, animation, computer graphics, and film. The studio seeks individuals that have a love for learning and are interested in exploring an artistic career. Interns find themselves immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by artists, technologists, and production leaders. These programs are intended to provide an immersive look into this creative process while pairing you with mentors from our talented Animation department.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a WDAS internship, candidates must generally meet the following criteria:

Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Enrollment Status: Candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary educational program (such as a community college, college, university, graduate school, trade school, or accredited online program), or have graduated within six months of the internship program start date.

Program Structure and Duration

The approximate dates of this internship are June-August 2026. Interns must be fully available for the duration of a 11-week assignment. The Intern Program is based in our Burbank, California studios and will start in June 2026. Interns are fully immersed within the artistry, technology, and teams behind animated films. Everyone on every team plays a role in the creation of our films. The result is a deep collaboration of artists and management in Production, with engineers and innovative problem solvers in Technology, supported by the structure of Studio departments. For our programs, WDAS is committed to providing mentorship and development.

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Internship Roles and Opportunities

WDAS offers a range of internship opportunities across various departments. Here are a few examples:

Animation Research Library (ARL) Internship

This internship focuses on the preservation of the artistic heritage of the Walt Disney Animation Studios for enrichment and inspiration. Working with the ARL’s Collections team, interns participate in ongoing efforts to rehouse, reorder, and catalogue the archive of animation art. They learn the proper way to care for both 2D and 3D animation art, including how to properly handle art and store it correctly. Interns also participate in the creation of catalog records in the collections management system, carefully noting physical characteristics and metadata associated with each piece of art.

CG Animator Internship

CG Animators are responsible for bringing characters to life. As an animation intern applicant, your animation reel should demonstrate a good understanding of acting and animation principles such as timing, clear staging, squash and stretch, anticipation and follow-through, and secondary action.

Character Technical Director (TD) Internship

The role of a Character TD at Disney Animation includes Technical Animation (also known as Creature Dev, Character Finaling, or Character Effects), Simulation Setup, and Rigging. Each craft is highly collaborative and viewed as both a technical and an artistic role. For this particular opportunity we will have Interns focus on Character Simulation.

To apply for this position you must upload a resume and a single reel of no longer than 2 minutes that demonstrates your understanding or passion for Anatomy, Tailoring, Cloth in Motion, Hair in Motion, Simulation reel breakdown (if a breakdown is applicable).

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Publicity Internship

Find yourself immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by the Publicity team. Disney Animation Publicity is responsible for the strategy and execution of public relations and communications plans to activate support across the company for upcoming animated releases and legacy titles. WDAS also design and implement publicity initiatives and outreach in support of the Disney Animation brand within the film and animation industries.

Marketing & Franchise Internship

The Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) Marketing & Franchise team serves as the global ambassadors of WDAS storytelling, championing the characters and worlds with cross company partners, in close partnership with the filmmakers. Through strategic collaboration, creative excellence, and unwavering integrity, this team supports the successful launch and drives the long-term sustainment of WDAS film marketing projects and consumer products programs. Interns may manage various projects tied to WDAS’ participation at the D23: Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim, CA (August 14-16, 2026).

Skills and Qualifications

The specific skills and qualifications required for an internship vary depending on the role. However, some general qualities that WDAS seeks in its interns include:

A love for learning
Interest in exploring an artistic career
Understanding of animation principles
Passion for storytelling
Technical skills relevant to the specific role
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Compensation and Benefits

The pay rate for this role in California is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Application Process

To apply for a WDAS internship, candidates typically need to submit the following:

Resume
Cover letter
Portfolio or reel (if applicable)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Secret Lab 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. The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs.

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