Few attractions are as iconic at Disney parks as the Haunted Mansion. Known for its eerie ambiance and clever blend of humor and horror, the ride has been a fan favorite since its debut in Disneyland in 1969. Considering its status among diehard parkgoers, any addition or change to the Haunted Mansion experience is met with high expectations—and often intense scrutiny.
This scrutiny recently intensified when artwork seemingly generated by AI appeared in the attraction’s newly opened gift shop, Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond.
A Haunted Addition or a Horrible Misstep?
The new shop, built as part of a refurbishment of the Haunted Mansion queue in 2024, aimed to deepen the lore of the attraction. walt Disney Imagineering described Madame Leota’s as her former carriage house, now transformed into a space where guests could discover trinkets tied to the ride’s ghostly inhabitants.
However, what should have been a seamless extension of the Haunted Mansion’s storytelling quickly became a source of controversy.
Fans noted that one of the shop’s centerpiece decorations—a portrait of a ghostly bride—appeared to have been AI-generated and purchased through Redbubble rather than being custom-made.
This discovery sparked immediate backlash, with critics lamenting the reliance on artificial intelligence for an attraction that has long celebrated handcrafted artistry. “Imagineers have the talent to create something far better than this,” one fan remarked, underscoring the sentiment that AI shortcuts undermine the personal touch Disney fans expect.
rip not long and will not be forgotten
rip not long and will not be forgotten pic.twitter.com/3KAe7INtkN
— caitlin 𐂂 (@WEDenterprise) January 4, 2025
The artwork’s removal came not long after and without public comment from Disney, leaving behind an empty wall and a lingering debate about the role of AI in the parks.
Haunted Mansion: A Legacy of Artistry
The Haunted Mansion’s success has always been tied to its attention to detail, from the stretching portraits in the foyer to the intricate set designs of the ballroom and graveyard. These elements were the result of painstaking work by Disney legends like Marc Davis, Rolly Crump, and Yale Gracey, whose creativity defined the attraction’s charm. For many fans, the use of AI-generated content feels antithetical to this legacy.
This isn’t the first time Disney has faced backlash over AI use. Recent accusations include the use of AI for park-themed merchandise and even voiceovers for classic attractions like King Arthur Carrousel. While the company hasn’t confirmed these claims, the growing integration of AI across its parks raises questions about the balance between innovation and tradition.
The issues with Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond didn’t end with the AI artwork. Guests also pointed out that a decorative bust in the shop appeared to be a generic Amazon purchase, available for under $20.
The shop itself, meant to evoke a Victorian-era carriage house, has also been criticized for looking more like a prefabricated shed.
What Does This Mean for Disney’s Future?
The Haunted Mansion has long been a symbol of Disney’s dedication to immersive storytelling, making the AI controversy particularly poignant. For fans, the concern isn’t just about one piece of artwork but what it represents: a shift away from the handcrafted magic that built the Disney legacy.
As AI becomes an increasingly prominent tool in entertainment, Disney will need to navigate its use carefully to maintain the trust of its audience. While technology can be a valuable asset, fans have made it clear that they expect the heart and artistry of Disney’s past to remain central to its future.
How do you feel about Disney using AI artwork?
