Cast Member Recounts Guest Scattering Human Ashes on Pirates of the Caribbean

in Disney Parks

pirates of the caribbean skeleton and treasure scene

Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort — and other Disney Parks around the globe — would not operate without the efforts of their hard-working Cast Members each and every day.

Pin Trading Cast Members
Credit: Disney

Related: Safari Driver Recalls “Keeping High-Paying Guests” Amused During Bizarre Encounter

Although Cast Members love to spend their days making magic, sometimes they are tasked with handling difficult situations, like evacuating Guests from broken-down rides and breaking up fights in the Parks.

In a People Magazine article, one Cast Member shared a wild story about a Guest scattering human ashes in the water on Disney’s classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

“While riding Pirates of the Caribbean a few years ago, a lady pulled out a bag and dumped the contents into the water. She was crying and sort of laughing at the same time. It soon became clear that she had dumped her husbands ashes in the water as his final resting place. She was caught on camera and got in trouble, but it couldn’t be undone. Both creepy and cool at the same time.”

pirates of the caribbean disneyland paris
Credit: Disney

Related: Johnny Depp Became a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Animatronic

It is unclear at which Disney theme park the situation occurred, but the article seems to only recount tales from U.S. Disney Parks, so it was likely at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.

disneyland paris pirates of the caribbean
Credit: Disney

Related: Splash Mountain Animatronics Could Live On In Surprising Way

Pirates of the Caribbean can be found at both of those properties, plus Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland. Shanghai’s ride is the only one based of off Disney’s popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise starring Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow) and Geoffrey Rush (Captain Hector Barbossa).

pirates of the caribbean shanghai disneyland
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney World Introduces INSANE $250,000 Cinderella Castle

This is certainly not the first time death has tinged Disney theme parks — there have been suicides and Guest deaths on property in the past. But, of course, Disney Cast Members do everything in their power to keep Disney Parks the most magical places on earth.

More on Pirates of the Caribbean

pirates of the caribbean
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Guests Trample Over Hidden Tribute to ‘Lady and the Tramp’

The official description of Disney World’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride reads:

A Pirate’s Life for You
Board a weathered barge for a treacherous voyage to the 17th century, when rowdy rogues and ruthless rapscallions ransacked Caribbean seaport towns. Sing along as pirates serenade you with their anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).”

Sail past haunted Dead Man’s Cove. Navigate cannon fire between a Caribbean fort and a striking 12-gun galleon. Behold boisterous buccaneers drunk on the spoils of plunderin’ as flames engulf a seaside town.

Be sure to keep a spry eye out for Captain Jack Sparrow, from The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Ye beware, mateys: Dead men tell no tales!

Have you ever had a crazy experience on a Disney ride?

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

in Disney Parks

View Comments (6)