You may not see their work on screen, but Disney Studio Technology helps shape the stories we love, both in theaters and across Disney Parks. In a new behind-the-scenes update released by The Walt Disney Company on July 7, 2025, fans gained insight into the innovations driving Disney’s storytelling. The impacts reach beyond movies, touching streaming platforms and even the guest experience at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
What Is Disney Studio Technology?
The Studio Technology team serves as the technological core of The Walt Disney Studios. They support every step of production, from early storyboarding to final effects. Led by SVP and CTO Eddie Drake, the group partners closely with filmmakers to build secure, scalable tools that bring imagination to life.
Their recent Studio Technology Expo, held at the Burbank Lot, gathered nearly 1,000 Disney employees. It showcased innovations including real-time animation demos and new previsualization tools. Even Rocket Raccoon made an appearance—powered by live, interactive tech.
How Disney Tech Impacts Filmmaking
One recent success story? Ember’s fiery look in Pixar’s Elemental. It was made possible by a technique called Volumetric Neural Style Transfer, developed by Disney Research Studios. While some work is visible on screen, most of the team’s impact happens behind the scenes.
Studio Technology builds tools that allow directors to plan entire scenes on a smartphone or tablet. They can even place real film props—like Thor’s hammer—into a virtual environment. These time-saving solutions help visualize scenes before filming starts.
The team also supports post-production, editing workflows, and visual effects. They ensure content security using innovations like watermarking. Their infrastructure powers services like Movies Anywhere and Disney+, helping fans stream and collect their favorite titles.
What It Means for Disney Fans and Parks
This technology doesn’t stay behind the scenes forever. It’s making its way into Disney Parks. A notable example is the full-scale Rocket Raccoon puppet developed in collaboration with StudioLAB and Disney Live Entertainment. It interacted live with fans at D23 and won a Visual Effects Society award.
Disney Parks fans can expect more interactive moments in the future. Technologies originally created for movies are being adapted for character encounters, special effects, and augmented reality storytelling. Even MagicBand+ integrations may benefit from this innovation.
A Legacy That Started with Walt
Over 100 years ago, Walt Disney revolutionized animation using synchronized sound and the multiplane camera. That spirit of innovation lives on through the Studio Technology team. As Eddie Drake says, they are “continuing the tradition that Walt Disney established… to keep pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.”
So the next time you enjoy a Marvel movie or meet Rocket Raccoon in real life, remember the team working behind the curtain. Disney Studio Technology continues to blur the lines between story and experience.
