Today is a BIG day at Disneyland!
Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland
If you hadn’t heard, a soon-to-be Disney legend is getting recognized at Disneyland in one of the biggest ways that you can. We got the awesome opportunity to check it out and watch the unveiling unfold in real time. We covered it all so that we can take you along for the experience!
Today is the day that Disney will be unveiling a new window on Main Street, U.S.A., honoring one of Disney Imagineering’s best, Kim Irvine. As you know, receiving a window on Main Street is one of the park’s most meaningful honors, reserved for individuals whose work has helped shape the park and its stories in lasting ways.
We’re so excited!
The unveiling happened early in the morning, before the park opened. Ms. Irvine’s window is located just above Crystal Arts on Main Street, U.S.A. Keep an eye out for it on your next trip to Disneyland! The ceremony kicked off with Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino, welcoming us to the event.
Kim Irvine’s window just above Crystal Arts
Iconic Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald then gave a speech about Kim and her tenure as an Imagineer at The Walt Disney Company.
Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald!
And then, in true Disney fashion, the Dapper Dans were there to welcome Kim to the stage, joined by a VERY special guest — Madade Leota! Keep in mind that this character’s appearance was ONLY for this event, given Kim’s connection to Madame Leota. Any of the character moments from this morning are only shared in the context of the ceremony.
Dapper Dans with Madame Leota!
Finally, it was time for Kim to take the stage so her window could be unveiled…
Imagineer Kim Irvine
…and the window is simply GORGEOUS! We love the nods to the Haunted Mansion and Leota Toombs. The window reads, “Summoning the spirits of creativity on windows, doors, and regions beyond!”
Kim Irvine’s window on Main Street, U.S.A.
After more than five decades with Walt Disney Imagineering, Kim retired in 2025 – very appropriately during the 70th anniversary year of Disneyland Park, her main area of focus, energy, and passion. As Executive Creative Director of the Walt Disney Imagineering Anaheim office, Kim oversaw the concept design, color styling, exterior, and interior design for most Disneyland projects.
Imagineer Kim Irvine
A Southern California native, this prolific Imagineer grew up with Disney as a living experience in her own home. “I was born and bred Disney”, explains Kim, “It has always been part of my life. Both of my parents were accomplished artists and taught my sister and I [sic] to draw, paint, and sculpt from a very young age. I owe all my artistic talent to them. My father, Harvey Toombs, was one of Walt’s animators, starting in the early 40’s. It was there that he met my mother, Leota, while working together on a project.” Kim’s mother was Imagineer and Disney Legend Leota Toombs, who, among her many accomplishments, left an indelible mark on the classic Haunted Mansion attraction as the face of Madame Leota in the Séance Circle and the face and voice of the “Ghostess” (unofficially known as “Little Leota”) at the attraction’s exit.
Madame Leota
This year is a big one for Kim Irvine. First, she gets this window on Main Street. Then, in August later this year, Kim Irvine will officially be named a Disney Legend at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, as Disney takes the time to recognize her many contributions to Disneyland Park.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
The D23 Expo is the “Ultimate Disney Fan Experience” that takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center and at Honda Center. This year it will be happening from August 14th to 16th, 2026. It’s the event every hardcore Disney fan needs to experience. Tickets are currently on sale!
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
We’re so happy for Kim Irvine and her getting recognized with this honor! This is very deserved, as she has been a staple for Disney Imagineering and Disney as a whole since she started. For more Disney news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog.
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Who do you think should be honored next? Let us know in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend this ceremony. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
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When will Disney recognize the voice talent – a major component – for Madame Leota’s character? It’s amazing to me that Eleanor Audley has not received Disney Legend status.