Disneyland in Anaheim California is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth”, but culprits who have been spreading “cremains” of loved ones there may be putting this title in jeopardy. Fun rides and human remains do not fit easily together.
Just recently a popular Disneyland ride was temporarily shut down after cremated human remains were scattered there, according to numerous social media posts. The shiny black floor of the “Rise of the Resistance” attraction was smeared with bone chips and “dust” that suggested it was ashes.
This was by no means the first instance of illicit cremation scattering. According to The Wall Street Journal and the LA Times, the list includes the “Galaxy’s Edge,” “It’s a Small World,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Haunted Mansion” rides.
Not only is the practice itself weird and creepy, but there are multiple consequences that affect many others: the ride was shut down temporarily and the cleaning process is complicated by the fact that this is sensitive organic waste requiring a thorough HEPA cleaning. Not to mention the psychological effects on park workers — the “Cast Members”– many of whom are very young and perhaps impressionable, who are forced to clean up the unusual mess.
Such an incident “ruins a cast member’s day” and is “disrespectful to the crowd and the person who died,” several former cast members said on Reddit threads.
If caught, the act is likely to result in a theme park ban for the ones responsible in addition to a possible fine of $10,000 by the LAPD.
A photo of the most recent incident shared on social media showed the ride tracks through the cremation ashes inside Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge ride. Responders expressed disgust and the incident sparked a conversation among park lovers and workers.
Disneyland staff who spoke with Patch pointed out that you may not be giving your loved one a respectful final sendoff: “Depending on where you try to do this, the ashes get swept up and dumped,” one Cast Member/Redditor wrote, adding that “the ashes won’t stay where you drop them.” In short, you may be doing the equivalent of trashing the cremains of your dearly departed.
Another former park worker wrote that “any sort of human remains require special clean-up. And it ruins the day for others who lose a chance to ride because it’s closed for hours to do the specialty cleaning.”
They suggest that instead of this illicit scattering, you may choose one of many other options. “Get ashes pressed into jewelry. Or a coin. Or a rock. Whatever. Just don’t hinder other people’s enjoyment with your entitlement. Or the dead person’s entitlement.”
Aware of the practice and eager to prevent it, the park sells “special Disney-themed urns specifically to deter this,” another commenter said.
One Reddit commenter has the best answer: “The best way to honor your loved ones at Disney is to just go and have lots of fun. Talk about them while you’re there and share funny stories. Eat the foods they enjoyed. Promise to gather and do it again next year.”
