Imagineer With Disney in Her Blood Ends Her Haunted Career
There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens behind the scenes at Disney Parks—one that doesn’t involve costumed characters or dazzling fireworks, but rather the creative minds responsible for bringing every story to life. These visionaries, called Imagineers, are the dreamers and builders behind the immersive experiences guests know and love. And sometimes, their influence is so deeply rooted, it spans generations.
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This week, the Disney community is reflecting on the incredible legacy of one such Imagineer. After more than five decades with The Walt Disney Company, Kim Irvine has officially retired. Though she may not be a household name like Mickey Mouse or Cinderella, her work has shaped some of the most beloved attractions, and her family’s Disney legacy is nothing short of extraordinary.
Kim’s connection to Disney is one that began long before she ever stepped foot into Imagineering. Her parents, Harvey Toombs and Leota Wharton, were both key players at Walt Disney Productions. Harvey worked on classics like Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo (1941), Cinderella (1950), Peter Pan (1953), and Sleeping Beauty (1959).
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Leota, on the other hand, became a Disney legend in her own right when her likeness and voice were used for Madame Leota and “Little Leota” in the iconic Haunted Mansion attraction.
Yes, that Madame Leota.
Kim Irvine’s legacy is just as deeply woven into the fabric of Disney as her parents’. She graduated from high school in 1970 and accepted a summer job at WED Enterprises (which would later become Walt Disney Imagineering). That summer job included painting models, making hats for bears, and placing feathers on birds in Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. What began as an entry-level creative job turned into a historic 55-year career.
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Irvine would eventually rise through the ranks, becoming Director of Concept Design and later Executive Creative Director. Her influence can be seen across Disneyland Park and beyond. In recent years, she worked on updates to “it’s a small world”, the Jungle Cruise reimagining, new scenes in the Rivers of America, and enhancements to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.
Naturally, Kim carried on her mother’s Haunted Mansion legacy, too. She became the voice of Madame Leota in Haunted Mansion Holiday and even made a cameo in Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021).
As if the legacy couldn’t be more magical, Kim also married into Disney history. Her father-in-law was Dick Irvine, Walt Disney’s right-hand man and the first Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of WED Enterprises. If anyone deserves the title of “Haunted Mansion Royalty,” it’s Kim.
Her family’s story is rare even by Disney standards—a lineage of creatives helping shape everything from hand-drawn classics to real-world experiences that millions of fans cherish. From Leota’s floating head to Kim’s modern designs, the Irvine-Toombs family has left a lasting mark on Disney lore.
According to recent reports, Kim Irvine’s retirement has been made official, marking the end of a monumental chapter. The Walt Disney Company, fans, and the theme park community have all shared heartfelt thanks for her work, her leadership, and her incredible dedication.
What attraction do you most associate with Kim Irvine’s touch? Do you think Disney will continue to preserve the contributions of multi-generational Imagineers like her? Let us know in the comments below and help us celebrate a true Disney legacy.
