For years, the Disneyland franchise has prided itself in being “the happiest place on earth.” Although their theme parks elicit a sense of joy among kids and parents alike, it holds a dark secret that many visitors don’t know about. Because behind all the fun rides and stellar fireworks display, the parks are reportedly home to the ashes of its deceased visitors.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a number of the parks’ tourists choose to scatter the remains of their friends and family in certain rides and attractions. One park custodian even names “The Haunted Mansion” as one of the most prolific spots to scatter these cremated human ashes.
“The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it’s not even funny,” the custodian tells The Wall Street Journal.
In fact, people employed in the parks utter the special code, “HEPA cleanup”, when incidents of ashes being scattered around the premises are reported.
Even though this particular act may seem unsanitary for patrons visiting the park, those who have gotten away with it think it’s a therapeutic way for them to say goodbye to their loved ones.
American business coach Jodie Jackson Wells, for instance, felt like she led her mother to a happier place when she spread her remains over the platform of the “It’s a Small World” ride and on the flowerbeds of Cinderella’s castle.
“I had two fistfuls of the ashes and I literally leapt like I was a dancer,” Wells shares with The Wall Street Journal.
Officials from Disneyland, however, would like to remind everyone that doing this is strictly against the rules and when caught, they can be sent out by security. So, you might want to think twice before you spread the ashes of your Disney-obsessed family members and friends in the theme parks.
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