10 Things You Didn't Know About Disney's The Haunted Mansion
2. Grim Grinning Ghosts
If you go on Haunted Mansion, you're likely to leave it with the tune stuck in your head. The theme song, Grim Grinning Ghosts, appears eight times throughout the ride, played at a variety of tempos and using different instruments. It was written by Buddy Baker and X. Antecio, the latter of whom also wrote the lyrics for the Pirates of the Caribbean song 'Yo Ho Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me), the success of which inspired Disney to create a similar tune for the Haunted Mansion. The most notable use of the song comes from the singing busts, who appear towards the end of the attraction. The singing quintet is led by Uncle Theodore, who is voiced and based on Thurl Ravenscroft (not Walt Disney), the man who brought Tony Tiger to life with the iconic 'They're grrreat!' line.
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.
