Disney Legend Xavier “X” Atencio, a former Imagineer and Disney animator, passed away on September 10 at the age of 98. X was responsible for helping bring to life a number of beloved Disney parks attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, as well as such animated classics as Pinocchio and Fantasia. Born …
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Disney Legend Xavier “X” Atencio, a former Imagineer and Disney animator, passed away on September 10 at the age of 98. X was responsible for helping bring to life a number of beloved Disney parks attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, as well as such animated classics as Pinocchio and Fantasia. Born …
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By Greg Ehrbar Certain past Disneyland attractions stir instant memories for guests fortunate enough to have experienced them—and also inspire the imaginations of those who wish they could have enjoyed them. Topping many a list is Adventure Thru Inner Space, which opened August 5, 1967. This ingenious attraction took guests through a Mighty Microscope to …
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By Jim Fanning Saddle up, pardners! Time to round up a few factoids as we go ridin’, ridin’ along with Walt Disney’s A Cowboy Needs a Horse. Celebrating 60 years of rocking horses and western song, this stylishly animated “special” is special indeed. With the gentle clip-clop-like cadence of the title tune, Disney animation tells …
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Now in the ninth decade of a life fully lived, Francis Xavier “X” Atencio still retains a gimlet sparkle in his eyes, and the mischievous spirit that no doubt helped lead him to creative triumphs throughout his career still animates his spry frame. His comic timing is impeccable, as we pleasantly discover during a visit …
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RCA’s song, “Here’s to the Future and You,” from 1974, had words by X. Atencio and music by Buddy Baker. Atencio and Baker also partnered on songs for other memorable attractions, including Haunted Mansion and World of Motion.
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We’ve compiled 13 sounds from Disney parks that will have you going eek!!!, yeow!!!, and aghhhhhhh!!!
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Jason Surrell, the author of several books on Disney, including, most recently, The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak, exhumes 13 ghostly tidbits about The Haunted Mansion.
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This early script for the Haunted Mansion might sound familiar, but its Ghost Host had a slightly different spiel.
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