cremated ashes at Disney

[reporterguy]

Hi,
My name is Travis Reed, and I'm a reporter for The Associated Press based in Orlando, Fla. I'm working on a story about people who have, or wish to have, their cremated ashes spread at the park.
I've already interviewed several folks regarding this at Disney World, and found their stories touching and fascinating (and even a little strange). The paradox of death at such a happy, innocent place interests me. But it is an inevitability, even at Disney, and for some people there's no place they'd rather spend eternity.
I've read (in entirely unconfirmed reports) the practice is more common at Disney Land. Specifically the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribbean rides, for obvious reasons.
It bears mention that Disney does not authorize the practice for anyone. However, it's been known to happen anyway.
If you have a personal story on this subject, I'd love to talk with you. My email address is tmreed@ap.org, and our office number is 407-425-4547.
Thank you!
-Travis

 

[ballarinamom]

I know this happens a lot and Disney has tried to counter this with cameras. Pirates has no spot that is not covered with cameras. I know this happened a few months ago. They caught the person, shut the ride down and flushed the water. Haunted Mansion has many cameras, too. However, there were not many on It's a Small World so it was a quite popular spot. However with the refurb going on, I would assume more cameras will be added. Good luck on yor story and please post it when it is published!

 

[actionvaughn]

For some reason, this sounds like a set up to me...

 

[audrabolster]

For some reason, this sounds like a set up to me...

how so?

 

[actionvaughn]

Disney does not authorize the practice for anyone. However, it's been known to happen anyway.

If you have a personal story on this subject, I'd love to talk with you.

No offense intended to the OP, reporterguy, but it just comes off as fishy. Best of luck getting stories, however.

 

[Sosai X]

Nice to meet you!

 

[jlima]

Reporterguy, I think the LA Times scooped you already!

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-disney14nov14

and there's other threads on this subject:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1638742

Good luck on your story.

 

[GregC]

BallerinaMom..There's not as many cameras as you think on Pirates OR in the Mansion.Both rides DO have high tech motion detection systems that will catch a mouse running around where it shouldn't be.Ever notice the red DOT MATRIX squares in certain spots facing the boats or Doombuggies on the rides? Yeah those are them! I've seen alot of people get away with some "funny" stuff before and never get caught on camera..but gauranteed if you step out of the ride into the effects areas they will get you right away! ...On another note, I would like my ashes to be buried at the Mansion or somewhere in Tomorrowland,that would be the best "going away" present I could get..PERIOD!

 

[XTinabell]

BallerinaMom..There's not as many cameras as you think on Pirates OR in the Mansion.Both rides DO have high tech motion detection systems that will catch a mouse running around where it shouldn't be.Ever notice the red DOT MATRIX squares in certain spots facing the boats or Doombuggies on the rides? Yeah those are them! I've seen alot of people get away with some "funny" stuff before and never get caught on camera..but gauranteed if you step out of the ride into the effects areas they will get you right away! ...On another note, I would like my ashes to be buried at the Mansion or somewhere in Tomorrowland,that would be the best "going away" present I could get..PERIOD!

I was talking to a cm and she spreading your ashes at the park is a very bad idea because they're [the ashes] easy to spot and end up going in the trash can. So sadly your remains won't be in disneyland for long but rather the dump. They do an ashes check nightly and clean it out (so gross).

 

[audrabolster]

I was talking to a cm and she spreading your ashes at the park is a very bad idea because they're [the ashes] easy to spot and end up going in the trash can. So sadly your remains won't be in disneyland for long but rather the dump. They do an ashes check nightly and clean it out (so gross).

haha ew! I personally don't understand the logic behind dumping ashes for the same reasons. It's not like it's going to stay on the ride.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

haha ew! I personally don't understand the logic behind dumping ashes for the same reasons. It's not like it's going to stay on the ride.

I guess you could try to scatter them in areas with flowers...

Christine

 

[toocherie]

Well, Disney is obviously missing out on a potential profit center here . . . . build a crematorium memorial (hmmm. maybe near Haunted Mansion -- would be appropriate) to let all of us "Disney-philes" stay in our "happy place" forever . . . . . I'm sure there are people that would pay big bucks for this!

 

[DoomBugger]

Well, Disney is obviously missing out on a potential profit center here . . . . build a crematorium memorial (hmmm. maybe near Haunted Mansion -- would be appropriate) to let all of us "Disney-philes" stay in our "happy place" forever . . . . . I'm sure there are people that would pay big bucks for this!

I think that would be a horrible idea for too many reasons to list.

I also think writing an article that puts this in a sympathetic light is downright irresponsible journalism as it is illegal and not encouraged by the park or any of the visitors. Not to mention all the countless issues with such an undecent act like this, how about the instant health threat? This should not be celebrated in any way as to only condone and encourage more of this irrational and selfish behavior.

I don't know what I would do to control myself if someone jumped out in front of me and threw a bunch of dead human matter into the air and ride environment. Disneyland is not a place to inhale human ashes, DL is a theme park.

Sorry if I offend anyone but that is how I see it. I don't think this should even be talked about as if it has any merit, period.

 

[DevilDuckie]

how so?

Because a message board like this one does not constitute a reliable source for any legitimate and responsible reporter.

 

[fairycat]

I guess you could try to scatter them in areas with flowers...

Christine

I said this in another thread about this subject. How could they pick you all up if some one happened to dump a small vial of your people dust in a planter, if you get mixed slightly with dirt you can help the Disney plants grow

No I have no plans for this sort of behavior nor am I condonning it, but personally except for dumping in the rides (cause then you just end up in a canister vac and hepa filter) I don't see the huge issue. Except for the whole Illegal thing.

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess you could try to scatter them in areas with flowers...

Christine

Except that they change out those flowers, totally digging them up and putting new in, so often! So still, you wouldn't be there forever, maybe just a month, if that.

 

[toocherie]

I don't see the huge issue. Except for the whole Illegal thing.

Fairycat: I am not laughing AT YOU-just want to make that clear.

The "except for the whole illegal thing" I just thought was very funny.

Apparently this is a serious issue for some people--I can't get too excited about it. Maybe I'm wrong, but other than the "ick" factor, I can't imagine that human remains that have been blasted in a furnace pose any kind of health hazard.

Of course, this is coming from the woman who's had her Dad's ashes in her closet for the past four years (and my parents' dog's ashes for the last two years) with the intent that when Mom passes on they will all go "together"--as per the parents' wishes. And no, it won't be at an amusement park!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Travis,

Al Lutz wrote about "ashes" at this link; scroll down to "A Pirate's (After) Life For Me."

If you're looking for personal stories, it wouldn't hurt to also post your request at the micechat forum.

If you do write a story, please let us know!

HTH

 

[jlima]

Because a message board like this one does not constitute a reliable source for any legitimate and responsible reporter.

He's only looking for personal stories. He's looking for people who go to Disneyland. This board is the PERFECT place to find who he's looking for.

 

[KerTggr]

I think that would be a horrible idea for too many reasons to list.

I also think writing an article that puts this in a sympathetic light is downright irresponsible journalism as it is illegal and not encouraged by the park or any of the visitors. Not to mention all the countless issues with such an undecent act like this, how about the instant health threat? This should not be celebrated in any way as to only condone and encourage more of this irrational and selfish behavior.

I don't know what I would do to control myself if someone jumped out in front of me and threw a bunch of dead human matter into the air and ride environment. Disneyland is not a place to inhale human ashes, DL is a theme park.

Sorry if I offend anyone but that is how I see it. I don't think this should even be talked about as if it has any merit, period.

Amen!