Kim Irvine Named 2026 Disney Legend

A 55-year Imagineering veteran, she emphasizes mentoring to keep Disneyland alive for new audiences.

Overview

The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that Kim Irvine is one of 13 inductees into the 2026 Disney Legends class.
Her induction is in the Imagineering category and will be presented at the Disney Legends Award ceremony on the final day of D23 hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
In an exclusive D23 Q&A Irvine reflected on a 55-year career that began when she was asked in 1976 to lead a WED team dedicated to Disneyland Park.
She framed her work around mentorship and passing on ‘tribal knowledge,’ citing mentor John Hench’s view that Disneyland must keep evolving rather than become a museum.
Irvine noted her family ties to Disney through her mother Leota Toombs, also a Disney Legend, and stressed training new Imagineers as the parks balance preservation with change.