Xavier X Atencio: The Legacy of an Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend

From apprentice animator on Pinocchio to the lyricist behind "Yo Ho, Yo Ho A Pirates Life for Me," Xavier "X" Atencio's Disney career was diverse and spectacular.

Now for the first time his talent, humor, and creativity come to life in a book celebrating the body of work and the legacy of one of Walt's original and most versatile Imagineers.

Xavier "X" Atencio: The Legacy of An Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend depicts the life, art, and lasting legacy of X, detailing how he put himself into his work and used his talents, passion, humor, and creativity to inspire generations. It is the most comprehensive look to date at the one of Walt's original and most versatile Imagineers.

Featuring previously unpublished artwork and photographs from X's personal collection, this book grants readers the unique opportunity to discover the true depths of influence X attained on his life journey. For while it was rare to become a Disney Imagineer, it was even rarer to end a career at Disney with as diversified a resume as X's--from "small-town Colorado boy" to art school attendee, Disney animator, attraction scriptwriter, lyricist, voice-over artist, and finally Disney Legend.

Set against the historic and cultural evolutions of The Walt Disney Company, Xavier "X" Atencio: The Legacy of An Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend provides a deeply personal perspective into the life and career of a Disney Legend whose story, until now, had remained largely untold.

Author: Tori Atencio McCullough,Kelsey McCullough,Bobbie Lucas
Publisher: Disney Editions
Published: 11/04/2025
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 3.75lbs
Size: 12.80h x 9.40w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781368101295

About the Author
Tori Atencio McCullough is X's eldest daughter and the only one of his four children who followed in their father's footsteps, having had her own forty-year career at Walt Disney Imagineering in the interior design department. Tori retired in 2016 and later co-authored a book about her Disney career, Women of Walt Disney Imagineering: 12 Women Reflect on Their Trailblazing Theme Park Careers.

Kelsey McCullough is X's first granddaughter. Following in the family footsteps, she started her Disney career working in technology for Disney Parks in 2013 and has since moved over to working on technology innovation at Walt Disney Studios.

Bobbie Lucas could most closely be defined as X's "grandchild-in-law." She is a writer, producer, and film professor in Los Angeles. In the Atencio family tradition, she's spent part of her career at Disney, where she most recently worked in television development at Disney General Entertainment.