Credit: Disney Walt Disney World Resort is known as the Most Magical Place on Earth, and for good reason. Between the four incredible theme parks, two water parks, the huge shopping and dining area of Disney Springs, the unique hotels, and more, there is so much to love about it. Many people can’t imagine taking their vacation anywhere else.
People who love Disney parks often love learning different bits of Disney history, and sharing that knowledge with other Disney fans. But sometimes, there are things that you wish you didn’t know, because you don’t want them to potentially affect a future Disney trip.
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It’s a well-known fact that some guests love Disney World so much that they want their ashes spread there when they die, with the Haunted Mansion being a popular spot for such wishes. No matter how many times Disney cast members make it clear that spreading ashes is not allowed — and will only result in the loved one getting sucked up into a vacuum cleaner — guests continue to bring ashes to the theme parks in hope of giving their loved ones a magical final resting place.
One guest recently took to the popular Subreddit, Today I Learned, and said that they learned that when cast members say that there is a “white powder alert,” that means someone has spread ashes in whatever area they are in. It can definitely be creepy, as no one wants to think that they have a person’s ashes on their shoes while walking around the parks.
TIL Disney has a code word for when guests attempt to scatter ashes at one of their theme parks: a "white powder alert"
byu/rezikiel intodayilearned
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While the “white powder alert” might be disturbing to some people, one former cast member revealed that sometimes, cast members liked to have a little more morbid fun with it. They said that some cast members actually use the phrase “Code Grandma” when talking about someone dumping ashes in the theme park.
Then, after a “Code Grandma” was shared, the cast members would say that they needed to call the Ghostbusters to come clean up the mess.
Ex Disney Cast Member here. My area called it a code grandma and to request our supervisors to call the Ghostbusters.
Another former custodial cast member confirmed the “Code Grandma” and shared other codes used by cast members to prevent guests from hearing about gross things in the parks.
Code V = Vomit Code H = Poop Code U = Urine Code BBP = Blood Code Grandma = Ashes
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The custodial cast member also explained that when someone dumps ashes at the resort, whether it be on an attraction or somewhere else, it is considered a biohazard. The area must be cleared of guests, and custodial cast members must put on hazmat suits in order to clean up the mess. They use a special HEPA vacuum to clean up the ashes. They then disinfect the area and dump the ashes into a trash bag that is then sealed. The former cast member said they would also apologize to “grandma” for ending up in the trash.
There have frequently been reports of guests attempting to spread ashes at various places in Disney parks. While the Haunted Mansion might be the most popular disposal spot, guests have also been caught dumping ashes on Pirates of the Caribbean, in the water surrounding Cinderella Castle, and even on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
If you were considering spreading a loved one’s ashes on your next Disney trip, please DO NOT DO IT. You will most likely find yourself getting escorted out of the park, while your loved one will end up in a landfill.
Have you ever heard the term “Code Grandma” while at Disney? What do you think of people trying to spread a loved one’s ashes in the theme park? How do you think Disney should handle these situations? Let us know your thoughts about this odd topic in the comments!