A wooden shelf holds a vintage string instrument and a framed painting of a ghostly figure in a white dress. Echoes of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion linger as the walls and ceiling, painted in purple and brown tones, invite you to Madame Leota's Somewhere Beyond.

UPDATE: Imagineer Claims AI Art Was Temporary, More Human Art is Coming to Haunted Mansion Shop at Disneyland

Brit Tuttle

In a new article with the LA Times, Walt Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine insists that the AI art of the ghostly bride seen in Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond gift shop at Disneyland was temporary, and that more human-made art is coming to the store.

Kim Irvine Claims AI Art in Haunted Mansion Gift Shop Was Temporary

In December 2024, upon the opening of the new Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond gift shop in Disneyland park, fans noticed that a piece of AI art was on display. Titled “The Ghostly Bride,” the image was easily traced back to Redbubble, and appears to be generated by artificial intelligence.

The artwork itself features odd details, like multiple, disjointed staircases, split and oddly placed railings, non-uniform candelabras on the walls and ceiling tiles, and an unidentifiable shadow on the stairs.

Just after the start of the new year, and after much viral criticism from the community, the AI artwork was removed and the display area was empty for a few days.

Shortly afterward, it was replaced by a framed set of various oracle cards.

Irvine seemed surprised that eagle-eyed fans were able to spot the AI art and call it out immediately.

How they can find one thing out of all this cool stuff…

Kim Irvine, Walt Disney Imagineering

In the LA Times report, Irvine stresses that the AI art used was a “temporary placeholder.” She says that more objects are coming to the shop that are “in the process of being fireproofed before final install — including more paintings and tapestries.

They felt like it would be appropriate for a short time until they could put something else in. They never intended to do anything bad, and it is gone now. We’re going to bring something back in that is hand-painted, like all of these other pieces are.

Kim Irvine, Walt Disney Imagineering

Based on these new statements, it appears that even the new oracle cards are a placeholder for human-made artwork yet to come.

A sign reads "Madame Leota's Somewhere Beyond" in stylized lettering, illuminated by two lamps, against a green wall. This enchanting scene sets the tone for the Haunted Mansion gift shop.

Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond is designed to resemble an old carriage house that once belonged to the famed psychic of the Haunted Mansion. Inside, guests can find a variety of Haunted Mansion and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” merchandise.

Source: LA Times

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