November 16, 2007

Bury my heart at Wounded Knee Disneyland

I don't really want to be cremated, but folks, if I was into it, I would SO love to have my ashes sprinkled at the Happiest Place on Earth. But I'd rather be on Thunder Mountain or in Sleeping Beauty's Castle than Pirates of the Caribbean!

Disneyland officials will likely never know whether the woman who sprinkled some sort of powder onto the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride was trying to send a loved one straight to Davy Jones' locker.

Disney officials shut the ride down for about 45 minutes Friday after they saw the woman sprinkle something into the ride's water. But they said they couldn't determine what it was because it dissolved so quickly.

Blogger and longtime Disneyland watcher Al Lutz said he received several tips indicating it was human ashes.

Disneyland Resorts spokesman Rob Doughty said he couldn't confirm that. He said the rider, who was not arrested, told park employees she had dumped baby powder over the side of a "Pirates" boat.

Lutz, who first reported the event Tuesday on his Web site miceage.com, said more and more people are leaving their loved ones' ashes behind at Disneyland.

"It used to happen every once in a while at the Haunted Mansion, but now it's happening more," he said.

Without written permission, it's a misdemeanor violation of the state Health and Safety Code to scatter human ashes on private property, but enforcement is difficult. Officials say the ashes pose no health threat.

"I can tell you that we do get people from time to time asking for permission to sprinkle ashes. Our policy is when we are asked for permission, we deny the request," Doughty said. "Beyond that, we don't know."

I can totally see why they would be concerned, in this day and age, when they see someone sprinkling powder into the ride, but on the other hand, I'd hate to see someone get arrested for carrying out a loved one' final wishes.

Posted by caltechgirl at November 16, 2007 07:19 PM | TrackBack
Comments

That's a new one to me.

I like burial at sea. Just throw me overboard! ;)

Posted by: pam at November 17, 2007 05:40 AM

Before the movies ever came out, Pirates was my favorite ride at Disney. I could see me wanting some of my ashes scattered there.

Posted by: Contagion at November 20, 2007 04:51 PM