Disneyland may be the top location in the world for proposals, but it turns out it’s a popular place for another big life transition… death!
According to The Wall Street Journal, Disney World and Disneyland are two of the most popular locations for scattering a loved ones ashes (sorry if this info ruined your childhood). In fact, it happens so often, staff even have a secret code name for it.
When family members spread ashes at the themepark or workers discover human debris on a ride, they call for a “HEPA clean-up,” a reference to the ultra fine vacuum cleaner used to hoover up cremated remains.
These incidences occur at least once a month, with some rides favored over others.
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A boo-tiful day for Haunted Mansion! ???? #MagicKingdom #WaltDisneyWorld (????: @juddhelms)
For example, the Haunted Mansion is particularly popular for scattering ashes, with one custodian saying: “The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it’s not even funny.”
While other hotspots include flower beds and bushes, Magic Kingdom lawns, the park gates, and water rides such as It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.
However, a spokesperson for the company would like to remind visitors that scattering ashes in their parks is “strictly prohibited and unlawful.”
“Guests who attempt to do so will be escorted off property,” they reiterated.
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If ye be seekin’ adventure… #PiratesoftheCaribbean #MagicKingdom (Photo: @seedisney)
Still, that clearly isn’t stopping anyone, especially as it seems to be pretty easy to do.
Jodie Jackson Wells told the WSJ that she dispensed her dead mother’s ashes via a pill bottle, while others have stored remains in makeup compacts and ziploc bags.
“Anyone who knew my mom knew Disney was her happy place,” Wells explained. “I had two fistfuls of the ashes and I literally leapt like I was a dancer.”
When ashes are dumped on a ride, the attraction is temporarily closed due to “technical difficulties.” On the plus side, guests who are forced to leave the line are given fast passes, so it’s not all bad.
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