10 Most Notorious Walt Disney Urban Legends

4. The Haunted Mansion

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The Haunted Mansion is one of the classic Disneyland attractions, and a hugely popular and memorable scene is when you come upon the singing busts, the grim grinning ghosts who have come out to socialise. Many believe that one of these is actually modelled on Walt himself. 

This is the lead singer of the group, Uncle Theodore, and it must be said that he does bear an uncanny resemblance to the park's founder, so it'd certainly be possible that Walt had lent his likeness and voice to the ride before his death (it opened in 1969). 

In truth the appearance and the vocals actually come from Thurl Ravenscroft, who also did voice work on Pirates of the Caribbean, the Mark Twain Riverboat, and the Disney Railroad. Of course, it must be said that he does look a lot like Walt Disney, so the confusion is understandable. 

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.