Foolish mortals could again enter the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom late on August 11 following a two-day refurbishment. A handful of minor changes greeted guests visiting the 999 happy haunts, one such alteration being an updated appearance for Madame Leota.

Madame Leota’s updated look

Madame Leota’s hair is the biggest update, as it now has a bit more structure than it once did. The spirit’s hair previously floated around her head and possessed an almost misty quality, whereas it now looks more intricately stylized, with numerous curls visible on the top and sides of her head.

Here’s an image of Leota’s former appearance, for comparison.

Madame Leota’s Popularity

Madame Leota has occupied the Haunted Mansion’s Seance Circle room since the attraction’s initial opening at Disneyland in 1969. She appears, in some form, in most versions of the Haunted Mansion across Disney’s global parks, even having a role in Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris (she does not appear in Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland, but that attraction does not feature any ghosts).

Her head floats inside of a crystal ball in the middle of the Seance Circle room, one of the first rooms guests visit on their ride-through. Doom buggies circle around her as she delivers an incantation, prompting the mansion’s ghostly inhabitants to come out to socialize.

Madame Leota, like many other characters created for the Haunted Mansion, has become a fan-favorite amongst Disney Parks fans, inspiring a myriad of merchandise. Madame Leota backpacks, candles, and lamps have previously been sold, and the character has even been incorporated into numerous food options. Her face appeared on a crisped rice treat sold at the Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom in mid-July, the latest in a string of Letoa-themed desserts offered over the years.

Madame Leota appears in both theatrical film adaptations of the Haunted Mansion; she’s portrayed by Jennifer Tilly in the 2003 version, and Jamie Lee Curtis picked up the mantle for the 2023 film.

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion has become one of Disney’s most iconic attractions since its opening at Disneyland in 1969 and on opening day at Walt Disney World in 1971. A clone of the Walt Disney World attraction opened at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and the ride has even served as the inspiration for a number of Disney attractions across the globe (the aforementioned Phantom Manor and Mystic Manor).

The atmospheric ride strikes a delicate blend between funny and frightening that has charmed generations. The Disneyland version of the attraction received a major addition in 2015 when the Hatbox Ghost, an original effect removed from the ride due to technical difficulties, was re-added. The Hatbox Ghost is due to debut at the Magic Kingdom version of the Haunted Mansion as part of the larger refurbishment that provided an updated look for Madame Leota, but he was not present when the ride recently re-opened. The Hatbox Ghost will occupy the Endless Hallway in the Walt Disney World mansion.

Other noticeable changes after the attraction’s reopening include the addition of a tea-sipping mummy to the graveyard scene and fresh yellow bats painted on the load and unload belts.

What do you think of Madame Leota’s updated look? Let us know in the comments.

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