33. The Madame Leota Special

The Swinging Wake Podcast – Episode 33 Madame Leota Special

Welcome, foolish mortals, to Episode 33 of The Swinging Wake Podcast! This week, Alex and Kris gather around the séance table for a deep dive into one of the Haunted Mansion's most beloved residents: Madame Leota. From her origins in Imagineering history to her appearances in films, merchandise, and parks around the world, we're summoning spirits from regions beyond for a complete exploration of the Mansion's mysterious medium.

In This Episode

👻 Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 updates and ticket information

🎃 First look at Madame Leota's Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party, replacing the Frightfully Fun Parade

🕸️ Spirit Halloween's new Haunted Mansion costume collection

⚰️ Lowe's newest Haunted Mansion graveyard décor, including Rosie the Pig and Francis Xavier tombstones

🔮 The history and evolution of Madame Leota within the Haunted Mansion attraction

📚 Leota Toombs, Eleanor Audley, Harriet Burns, and the Imagineers behind the séance

🎭 Madame Leota's appearances across Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Phantom Manor, films, comics, and video games

🎙️ Special guest performance by voice actor Andy Mack performing Madame Leota's iconic séance incantation

🎬 Discussion of Madame Leota portrayals by Jennifer Tilly, Jamie Lee Curtis, and even Miss Piggy!

🏚️ Haunted Mansion Holiday's alternate Madame Leota Christmas incantation

Sources & Links Oogie Boogie Bash 2026

• Disneyland Resort – Oogie Boogie Bash: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/oogie-boogie-bash-halloween-party/

Madame Leota & Haunted Mansion History

• Haunted Mansion Wiki – Madame Leota: https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Madame_Leota
• Haunted Mansion Wiki – Leota's Spellbook: https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Leota%27s_Spellbook
• Haunted Mansion Wiki – Leota's Vardo: https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Leota%27s_Vardo
• Society of Explorers and Adventurers Wiki – Madame Leota: https://societyofexplorersandadventurers.fandom.com/wiki/Madame_Leota

Imagineering & Development Articles

• D23 – Leota Toombs: https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/leota-toombs-thomas/
• Walt Disney Family Museum – Madame Leota's Little-Known Story: https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/haunted-mansion-madame-leotas-little-known-story
• Long Forgotten Haunted Mansion Blog – The Séance Circle (Part One): https://longforgottenhauntedmansion.blogspot.com/2010/08/seance-circle-part-one-real-fake-not.html
• MEL Magazine – Oral History of The Haunted Mansion: https://medium.com/mel-magazine/a-super-spooky-yet-family-friendly-oral-history-of-disneys-haunted-mansion-f1a8650803b2

Books & Comics Mentioned

• Seekers of the Weird (Disney Kingdoms Graphic Novel): https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Kingdoms-Seekers-Brandon-Seifert/dp/0785154523
• It's Kind of a Cute Story by Rolly Crump: https://www.amazon.com/Kind-Cute-Story-Rolly-Crump/dp/098547064X

Video Mentioned

• Madame Leota Poster / Phantom Manor Discussion Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6JnbKuoeAU&t=40s

Podcast Question of the Week

If you could bring home one Haunted Mansion artifact, which would it be?

🔹 A Stretching Portrait🔹 Madame Leota's Crystal Ball🔹 A Graveyard Tombstone

Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or by emailing us at:

📧 feedback@swingingwakepodcast.com

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