On July 29, 2013 I sent a letter, two photos and a sase to Mr. Xavier "X" Atencio, and on August 9, 2013, I received both of my photos back signed. Very quick turnaround! So pleased!!
Mr. Atencio wrote the lyrics to the song "Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me" that is heard as you're riding through the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction at the Disney theme parks. Also, if you've never been on the ride, young Elizabeth Swan sang part of the song at the beginning of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl", and at the end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", Jack, for the very last line of the film, says "drink up me hearties, yo ho!", which is also a lyric of the song.
He also wrote the lyrics to "Grim Grinning Ghosts", which can be heard in "The Haunted Mansion" attraction at the parks. It's the song that's playing in the background of the graveyard scene!
And, if you've ever been to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and ridden on the Disneyland Railroad, he was one of the Imagineers who worked on the "Primevil World" (the one with all the dinosaurs!) diorama that you pass through before reaching Main Street Station.
As a Disney fan since birth, I am insanely proud to add Mr. Atencio's autograph to my collection, especially as he's getting up there in age, and how he worked first-hand with Walt himself on so many projects that I always look forward to when I go to the Disney parks!
Mr. Atencio wrote the lyrics to the song "Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me" that is heard as you're riding through the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction at the Disney theme parks. Also, if you've never been on the ride, young Elizabeth Swan sang part of the song at the beginning of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl", and at the end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", Jack, for the very last line of the film, says "drink up me hearties, yo ho!", which is also a lyric of the song.
He also wrote the lyrics to "Grim Grinning Ghosts", which can be heard in "The Haunted Mansion" attraction at the parks. It's the song that's playing in the background of the graveyard scene!
And, if you've ever been to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and ridden on the Disneyland Railroad, he was one of the Imagineers who worked on the "Primevil World" (the one with all the dinosaurs!) diorama that you pass through before reaching Main Street Station.
As a Disney fan since birth, I am insanely proud to add Mr. Atencio's autograph to my collection, especially as he's getting up there in age, and how he worked first-hand with Walt himself on so many projects that I always look forward to when I go to the Disney parks!
Yo Ho!
Xavier Atencio
Xavier Atencio
