Atencio, Francis X.

Atencio, Francis X. (1919-2017) He joined Disney in 1938 as an in-betweener and became an assistant animator on Fantasia. He worked on the inventive Noah’s Ark, Jack and Old Mac, and A Symposium on Popular Songs, using stop-motion animation in collaboration with Bill Justice. In 1965, he moved to WED Enterprises, where he worked on …

Atkinson, Rowan

Atkinson, Rowan Actor; voiced Zazu in The Lion King.

Astin, Mackenzie

Astin, Mackenzie Actor; appeared in Iron Will (Will Stoneman) and on television in Selma, Lord, Selma (Jonathan Daniels).

Astin, Sean

Astin, Sean Actor; appeared in Encino Man (Dave Morgan), and on television in The B.R.A.T. Patrol. He provided the voice of Oso in Special Agent Oso.

Astro-Jets

Astro-Jets Tomorrowland attraction at Disneyland, from March 24, 1956 to September 5, 1966. Also known, from 1964 to 1966, as Tomorrowland Jets; later became Rocket Jets. By manipulating the handle, you could make your jet rise and lower, giving yourself a bird’s-eye view of Disneyland as the attraction rotated. At Walt Disney World the attraction …

Astro Orbiter

Astro Orbiter New name, debuting in late April 1994, for the attraction formerly known as Star Jets in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. In Disneyland, the Astro Orbitor (with a new spelling) opened May 22, 1998, based on the Orbitron at Disneyland Paris.

Astuter Computer Revue

Astuter Computer Revue Show in Epcot Computer Central sponsored by Sperry, from October 1, 1982 to January 2, 1984. Superseded by Backstage Magic. Attempted to explain the workings of computers, by utilizing animation and the actual computers used to operate many of the Epcot attractions.

Associate, The (film)

Associate, The (film) Laurel Ayers, a bright financial analyst, is disgusted when she is passed over for a well-deserved promotion, so she creates a perception that she has formed a partnership with a powerful financial whiz. Fabricating and donning the persona of “Robert S. Cutty,” a strutting, ponytailed, bass-voiced man, Laurel maneuvers a number of …

Astin, John

Astin, John Actor; appeared in Freaky Friday (Bill Andrews), and on television in Mr. Boogedy. He hosted two episodes of The Mouse Factory.

Ashman, Howard

Ashman, Howard (1951-1991) Lyricist, with his partner, Alan Menken, wrote songs for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. He posthumously received an Oscar for “Beauty and the Beast,” for he had died on March 14, 1991, at the age of 40. He was named a Disney Legend in 2001.