BIOGRAPHIES: #1 - Xavier "X" Atencio a Disney Imagineer

This can be found on page 288 of my book. To get a copy of my book, go HERE.

The following are a few biographies of some of the Imagineers, musicians, and animators that have contributed a lot to the Disneyland parks or Disney films. The term Imagineer is a portmanteau, or combination of words, imagination, and engineering. The word was first used in 1940 by Alcoa Inc. (a company that produces aluminum). Walt used it to describe the Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) branch of his company in 1952 when he started the project of Disneyland. There are hundreds of people who should be in this section, but I can only list a few. There are currently about 2,200 Imagineers working for Disney. These were/are some of the most creative and talented individuals in their field, which is why Walt wanted them working on his projects. Most of these people you won’t recognize but should know who they are and what they had to do with your favorite place to visit and favorite films to watch.

Xavier Atencio is mentioned 21 times in my book. He was a great Imagineer and added a lot to our experiences in the park.

Atencio, Xavier “X” – (Born September 4, 1919, in Walsenburg, Colorado - Died September 10, 2017). He started out with Disney as an artist in 1938 for the movie Fantasia (1940). He became an Imagineer for Disney when Disneyland was being built and designed the Primeval World Diorama that you pass while riding the Disneyland Railroad past Tomorrowland. X is also responsible for writing all of the dialogue spoken in the Haunted Mansion and in Pirates of the Caribbean. He also wrote all the lyrics for two of our favorite Disneyland songs, “Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me” and “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” The voice of the talking Jolly Roger skull on the archway above the first drop for Pirates is voiced by Xavier, along with the skeleton in the Haunted Mansion that is trying to escape his coffin saying, “Hey, let me outta here.” While touring through the Mansion, if your doom buggy comes to a halt, you can hear his voice ringing out “Playful spooks have interrupted our tour. Please remain seated in your Doom Buggies.” He also wrote the script for the past attraction Adventure Thru Inner Space. He did voice work on the original Submarine Voyage including "Bridge: Aye, aye, all ahead one third. Stand by the mooring lines." He also wrote the lyrics to Buddy Baker's catchy music for the retired Walt Disney World attraction If You Had Wings. He retired in 1984 and was named a Disney Legend in 1996. 

Xavier on Pirates of the Caribbean just before the drop.

This is his window on Main Street USA. It says "The Musical Quill - Lyrics and Librettos by X. Atencio."

Here he is with his tombstone from the Haunted Mansion.

 Here he is with the barker bird, the Peg Leg Parrot, from Pirates of the Caribbean.

He also designed the nursery sequence in Mary Poppins (1964).

Enjoy his Grimm Grinning Ghosts musical number from the Haunted Mansion.

Here is his Yo Ho Yo Ho from Pirates of the Caribbean.