The term “urban legend” is often closely associated with Disney, and for good reason. As the leading corporation in family entertainment, Disney has been the subject of various stories–some of which are fact while others are fiction. Over the years, narratives have circulated, ranging from rumors that co-founder Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen to claims about land acquisitions for dystopian cities and the existence of secret tunnels within the parks.
Among these tales is a particularly unsettling story, even more so than anyone could’ve imagined.
The best-kept secret. This story, which many dismissed as mere urban legend, suggested that numerous visitors with a deep affection for the Disney universe scattered the ashes of their deceased loved ones throughout the park. As perturbing as it might sound, The Wall Street Journal decided to investigate. What it uncovered was astonishing.
In a report published a few years ago, the outlet revealed that Disney theme parks–world-renowned for being places of magical and unforgettable memories–also harbor a more somber reality. Beneath the smiles and iconic rides lies a little-known occurrence. It’s, in fact, not uncommon for visitors to spread the ashes of their loved ones in the park as a final tribute.
For these families, Disney isn’t just a tourist destination. It’s a deeply meaningful place filled with memories they want to preserve forever.
Secret codes. Apparently, even among Disney’s janitors, there’s a coded language for handling sensitive situations. For instance, The Wall Street Journal reported that “Code V” indicates someone has vomited, while “Code U” refers to urine. However, the most secretive and unclassified code is known as “HEPA cleanup,” which activates ultrafine vacuum cleaners designed to pick up tiny particles, including, intriguingly, human ashes.
According to park workers, these cleanups occur at least once a month and are often performed in iconic areas such as the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, It’s a Small World, and, more frequently, the Haunted Mansion. This ghostly-themed ride is the kind of stuff nightmares are made of and has become a popular site for spreading ashes. One Disneyland employee told the outlet, “The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it’s not even funny.”
Tributes and family bonds. There’s more to this story. For many families, Disney represents not just an amusement park but the backdrop for their happiest moments. For example, Jodie Jackson Wells decided to pay tribute to her mother, who loved It’s a Small World, by scattering her ashes near a head-spinning bird that made her laugh. Later, in an emotional moment, she spread more ashes in the gardens near Cinderella’s castle. “Anyone who knew my mom knew Disney was her happy place,” Wells said.
Meanwhile, another visitor, Caryn Reker, pay homage to her father by scattering his ashes at multiple locations in the park, particularly near the fireworks show he enjoyed. She said, “It’s a sweet way to giggle and remember him–he’s here... and there... and a little over there… yep, there, too.” These clandestine ceremonies are, for many, symbolic acts of love and farewell, making Disney more than just a theme park. Notably, actress Whoopi Goldberg has also confirmed that she scattered her mother’s ashes on a Disneyland ride by pretending to sneeze.
What does Disney have to say about the scattering of ashes? While many visitors view these acts as heartfelt tributes, the company strictly prohibits this practice, deeming it “unlawful.” A park spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal, “This type of behavior is strictly prohibited.” When ashes are found, rides are temporarily closed under the pretense of “technical difficulties.” Then, a manager inspects the area for human cremated remains before a cleaning crew comes in with special vacuums. Staff members have even coined their own term for those incidents: “Code Grandma.”
However, The Wall Street Journal suggests that these activities aren’t always detected. Visitors can be quite resourceful, often hiding ashes in pill bottles, makeup bags, and the bottoms of their backpacks before entering the park. Moreover, none of the families interviewed by the outlet believed that employees had caught them in the act, indicating that many of these farewells go unnoticed.
The meaning of Disney. For many people, Disney clearly represents a space where family bonds are strengthened and memories are made eternal. For example, Shanon Himebrook recalls how her father, usually exhausted from his night job, transformed when they visited Disney: “He wasn’t my tired, graveyard-shift dad. He was, ‘Let’s get you the Mouse ears! Let’s get your name stitched in it!’ It’s like, ‘I love this dad! Can we stay forever?’” This emotional connection made the park a fitting place to honor and remember him.
In other cases, spreading ashes can serve a more cathartic purpose. Marty Lurie, for instance, carried the ashes of his father’s partner in a bag inside his camera. To lift his father’s spirits–who was feeling depressed after the loss–he included the bag in photos with characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy, even taking it on rides. “He wound up having the time of his life,” he said.
Bottom line. Despite the ban, the practice of scattering ashes in Disney parks has persisted over time. This phenomenon doesn’t seem to be a passing trend but rather a reflection of the deep emotional connections that the Disney brand fosters among generations of fans. While it may seem unsettling to some, many others view a visit to the park as a pilgrimage–a place to commemorate their loved ones instead of visiting a cemetery.
Image | Amy Humphries
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