Some relatives of die-hard Disney fans are willing to break park rules—and state laws—to satisfy their loved ones' last wish: to find eternal peace at the Happiest Place on Earth.
When Philip Swift ’s quiet , chemical chain - smoke grandmother passed away , the family scattered her ashes double — once at the beach and once in a now - defunct smoking field beside Cinderella Castle atDisney World .
“ That was one of her favorite spot because you could look out at the green and see Main Street and the castle behind you . So it just seemed like the perfect spot to do it , ” Swift explains . “ We looked around , made sure no one was watching , said some prissy things , and dump the ashes into the moat . ”
Swift ’s familywasn’t the firsttosmuggle ashesinto Disney ’s domain . In the 69 twelvemonth since Walt Disney opened Disneyland in a former Orange River grove of California , Disney ’s resorts worldwide have transcend the term “ musical theme parking area ” to become 2nd menage for their most fervent guest . The doubter ( i.e. , those hold out“Disney Adult”as a pejorative ) will in all probability never get it , but forthose who do , the “ Happiest Place on Earth ” is n’t just a merchandising tagline . This is a kingdom with such a tight grip on the affectionateness that some never require to go forth it — even after they ’ve left this deathly airplane .
Dave Ensign with his friend’s ashes in a cup.
“ He was like , ‘ What ’d you guys do ? ’ My momma goes , ‘ We just scatter my mother ’s ash . ’ He take this foresightful drag , exhaled , and said , ‘ That ’s fucking awesome . ’ ”
The matter is , Disney has a hard-and-fast posture against spreading ashes in its theme ballpark . In fact , it has its own computer code ( “ Code A ” or “ HEPA cleanup ” ) to alert custodial dramatis personae members , who will arrive with a vacuum in handwriting if you ’re enamour attempting to do so . However , for those whose loved ones ask to be laid to repose at their favourite spot on the planet , a salmagundi of dear and grief can often show more persuasive than Mickey Mouse ’s rules and regulation . In the fount of Swift ’s grandmother , “ she was a sweet peeress who did n’t postulate much out of life , but that was her one little dreaming — she wanted to have her ash sprinkled in the Happiest Place on Earth . ”
In lawful Disney mode , Swift and his mother , uncle , and then - lady friend / now - wife nonplus to act upon make her wish come dependable . They separate the remainder of the ashes into Ziploc bags , stored inside other parcel within a tote bag . After security gave the bag a cursory coup d’oeil , they managed to glide through bag check undetected and make their way of life to the 189 - base castling to say their goodbyes . “ There was one guy sit around there smoke who take in the whole matter , ” Swift hark back . “ He was like , ‘ What ’d you guys do ? ’ My mum goes , ‘ We just scattered my female parent ’s ash . ’ He take this long puff , exhale , and said , ‘ That ’s fucking awing . ’ ”
A crowd heads toward Cinderella Castle, where Philip Swift spread his grandmother’s ashes.|Photo via Getty
Per those who ’ve knead in tutelar , Disney ’s castles are pop stead for guests to abide by their loved ones in such a fashion . Parkgoers have committed similar acts of catharsis on Pirates of the Caribbean , Country Bear Jamboree , the beaches of Disney hotel , and even the polished floor of Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance ( where it was right away vacuum up by plaster bandage members , as is communications protocol when a guest is caught in the act , which primarily happens when they undertake to scatter ash indoors ) . Whoopi Goldbergsparked outragein July after claiming that she said cheerio to her female parent — who , like Goldberg , was a massive Disney fan — by disposing of her ashes in the waters of “ It ’s a Small World ” and the flower bed at the Disneyland entryway while pretend to sneeze . ( “ No one should do this , ” Goldberg warned , adding that she also confessed to Disney post - scattering . )
“ It say ‘ Where Dreams get along True ’ at the bottom of the picture — and my admirer is there in the cup . ”
One reasonableness why so many were outraged by Goldberg ’s admission is because California jurisprudence prescribe that you demand a permit and compose permission to dissipate ashes on private holding — and as Disneyland once say theLos Angeles Times , “ The answer is always no . ” While you wo n’t see them anywhere on the website , the Florida parks boast equally restrictive prescript , and again , Disney has punctuate that it is illegal .
“He goes, ‘You can just put your drink down over there,’ and I said, ‘No, I’m going to hold it.’”|Courtesy Dave Ensign
But when you ’re not allowed to scatter ash tree anywhere , that basically means everywhere is an option for those determined enough to make it pass off . Artist and designer Dave Ensign can attest to that . near a decade ago , he satisfy his own promise of scattering the ash tree of his best supporter , Ed Barlow Jr. Together , Ensign and Barlow were known as “ Hoot and Chief , ” a legendary duo in the Disney parks community for theirurban exploration of EPCOT ’s Horizons attractionin the 1980s . The pair first met at Coke Corner , also known as Coca - Cola Refreshment Corner , in the Magic Kingdom ( where , in the other 2000s , they themselves distinguish ashes hidden in an urn at the feet of a scamp statue on Jungle Cruise ) when ferment as custodians .
Barlow work near a patch of grass that today host a sports meeting - and - greet forEncanto ’s Mirabel . “ These little rabbits would come down in the even out of the President Bush and exhaust the grass , and he used to bear there and watch , ” Ensign says . “ He loved that sphere . As far back as the first week I ever knew the guy , he said , ‘ Some day , I want my ashes put there . ’ ” When he died decennium afterward , Barlow ’s wish remain the same . “ I get over to see his female parent , and she pass on me the ashes in the Ziploc cup of tea , ” Ensign tells me . “ She said , ‘ You love what to do ? ’ And I said , ‘ Yes , ma’am , I do . ’ ”
To remain invisible , Ensign stapled the sandwich bag of ashes to the interior of his pants . Once inside the park , he bought a soda , vacate it out , and supersede it with the ash . On his way , he was check by a cast of characters member — not because he ’d spotted Ensign in action , but because he wanted to take his word-painting in front of the palace . “ He go , ‘ you may just put your drinkable down over there , ’ and I said , ‘ No , I ’m going to hold it . ’ ” Ensign and his married woman posed for the motion picture , which he purchased and still keep on his desk . “ It says ‘ Where Dreams Come True ’ at the bottom of the word picture — and my admirer is there in the loving cup . ”
Ensign did finagle to scatter Barlow ’s ashes without disturbance . “ I come up this rock that ’s been there since opening day . I dumped them out , and it hit me like a ton of bricks , ” Ensign say . “ I was walking back toward my wife , and I busted out crying . We found a work bench , and I was just overwhelmed . Then I ’m like , ‘ Let ’s go ride It ’s a pocket-size World . That ’ll help a lot . ’ ”
It helped him gather himself enough to finish the trek to Coke Corner , the very topographic point he and Barlow first touch . Which is now also Barlow ’s last resting lieu . It ’s no imp statue on the Jungle Cruise , but a considerable amount of Barlow ’s stiff are now forever part of a nearby plantation owner .
